May-June 2012
Table of Contents

FEATURES

Friends … with Benefits

“Friends of the shelter” groups are common, often formed by animal-loving citizens looking for a way to help. They can be a major boon for struggling agencies, raising money to pay for spay/neuter programs, serving as ambassadors in the community, providing volunteer labor or foster care, or taking shelter animals to off-site adoption events. But successful partnerships require a clear delineation of roles and responsibilities. See how several shelters have been able to maintain beautiful friendships.

Staff Training Saves Lives

Proper staff training in the shelter is a necessity for both newcomers and seasoned workers in order to ensure humane animal care as well as public and staff safety—but how do you provide the needed resources for your staff? In the latest article in our series highlighting the Association of Shelter Veterinarians’ guidelines, learn how a county animal control department in Maryland tackled the challenge of ensuring effective staff training.

DEPARTMENTS

President's Note

Voices

Scoop

• A Rescue to Howl About
• Better Know an ACO: Changing Perceptions in the Tar Heel State
• News from the HSUS
• Squeaks, Squawks, and Slithers: The Beakly Standard
• Mouthpieces: Adopters Are Our Heroes
• People Power: On the Right Track
• The Build-Out
• Show Me the Money: Animal House
• Kits & Pits

Coffee Break

In your space, you told us about the low-cost tricks and tools that have helped you in your work.

Life Preservers

Shelters around the country accepted the ASPCA’s $100K Challenge in 2011, vying to save more lives and hoping to capture the top prize of $100,000. The winners surmounted major challenges to reach their goals. How did they do it?

Culture Corner

Books, movies, and other cool stuff for animal lovers.

The “101” Department

Your shelter’s board of directors, with their deep commitment to your cause, should be helping to boost your fundraising efforts. Here’s how to get them involved.

Q & A

Communications strategist Caryn Ginsberg says businesses have long known how to get people to buy their products and services—and animal welfare advocates would do well to utilize the same techniques. In her new book, she shows how advocates can use social marketing to influence people to adopt a shelter pet, spay or neuter their animals, or switch to humane food products.

Shelter Medicine

Cats are highly susceptible to toxic substances, a surprising number of which can be found in shelters and foster homes. Common disinfectants and insecticides—and even some flowers!—can spell big trouble for cats, but the good news is that a little education can help you protect the felines in your care.

Beyond the Shelter

The benefits of tax-exempt status are many, but the process of acquiring it can seem daunting—especially for small rescue or fostering groups. Learn what you need to do to approach the IRS and get that coveted 501(c)(3) status.

Unforgettable

A dog named Beaumont finds happiness at the end of his life.