Most employees and volunteers at shelters are there because they want to help animals. But animals alone usually aren't enough to keep everyone interested in staying. These articles on improving staff retention and employee/volunteer morale can help you identify problems at their root and prevent your team's attitude and performance from being positive and enthusiastic to stale or even worse.
Resources and Articles
From the Magazine
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March 1, 2012
The People's Power
Shelters are rightly centered on caring for their animals. But according to Steven Rogelberg, who heads the Shelter Diagnostic System, if you want your organization to be more effective, you have to bring the staff needs into focus as well.
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March 1, 2012
Humane Law Forum: Worth the Risk
Got people lining up to volunteer for your organization? They’ll bring a ton of great assistance, but they may also present some liability risks. Fear not—they’re risks you can manage with the right approach.
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November 1, 2011
The "101" Department: Finding the Alpha Dog
Experts in the field offer tips on how to land a great executive director for your animal shelter.
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November 1, 2011
Trends in Animal Welfare Salaries
This overview examines how salaries and benefits for animal welfare positions have changed over the years.
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September 1, 2011
Rising to the Top
If you aspire to be president and CEO of an animal welfare organization, don't miss out on these expert tips for attaining your dream job.
Policies
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General Staffing Recommendations for Kennel Caretaking
The HSUS estimated minimum staffing formula for kennel caretaking only.
Programs
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Shelter Diagnostic System
This is an assessment tool designed to help private and public animal shelters run better by surveying employees and making specific recommendations based on survey results.
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Shelter Services
The HSUS's Shelter Services program helps shelters acquire the tools they need to ensure long-term organizational stability and success in the dynamic environment of animal welfare. No matter the size or issues facing your organization, Shelter Services is here to help.
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Humane Society University
Humane Society University (HSU) provides professional development and training to the animal care and control community.
More
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Humane Career Toolbox
Humane Society University's Humane Career Toolbox will be of interest to people of all ages who seek to professionally assist animals. The toolbox contains resources for both beginning and enhancing a career helping animals.
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Shelter Volunteer Management Discussion Group
This is a group for managers of volunteers (both paid and volunteer) who work with animal shelters, breed placement groups, and other animal welfare organizations. Join us in exploring issues related to staff-volunteer relations, volunteer recruitment, training, retention, and supervision. This is a great opportunity to share ideas and improve the experience for volunteers as well as discuss the benefits they provide to our organizations.
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May 16, 2012
PetSmart Charities webinar - Stress, Burnout and Compassion Fatigue
PetSmart Charities offers free webinars on a variety of topics. View this recorded webinar to learn how to recognize and manage burnout in your organization.
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May 9, 2012
Society of Animal Welfare Professionals - 2011 Compensation and Benefits Survey
The SAWA 2011 Compensation and Benefits Survey includes data on 2010 turnover rates, Asilomar records, website traffic, operational questions, benefit information and more.
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May 9, 2012
Association of Shelter Veterinarians/Veterinary Information Network - 2011 Veterinary Wage Survey
This survey was a joint undertaking of the Association of Shelter Veterinarians (ASV) and the Veterinary Information Network (VIN).
Related Topics
- Animal Care & Handling
- Board Development
- Budgets
- Career Development
- Certification
- Client/Customer Service
- Coalition-Building
- Computers, Software & Internet
- Conflict Resolution
- Continuing Education
- Contracts
- Costs & Fees
- Crisis Management
- Cultural Diversity
- Dangerous Dogs
- Disaster Preparedness & Response
- Disease Control
- Disinfection & Cleaning
- Employee Assistance Programs
- Equipment
- Evaluation, Program & Organizational
- Insurance, Shelter & Organizational
- Management
- Occupational Safety & Health Administration
- Operations
- Policies & Procedures
- Rabies
- Recognition, Staff & Volunteers
- Record Keeping
- Safety, Staff
- Salary Data, Shelter Employees
- Standard Operating Procedures
- Starting an Animal Organization
- Statistics
- Strategic Planning
- Stress & Compassion Fatigue
- Studies, Surveys, Reports, & Research
- Telephone Systems, Shelters
- Terminology
- Undomesticated Animals
- Veterinary Resources
- Volunteer Management
- West Nile Virus
- Zoonotic Diseases
