Being an Effective Advocate for change at the Animal Shelter.


 
A series of steps for those of you who would like to be activists in changing your local animal shelter for the better. These ideas are equally applicable to shelters that are doing things well already and to those who are doing things poorly.
Notice that this program emphasizes positive reinforcement, giving praise and reward, for everyone taking even a small step in the right direction. You have to begin with the hope or belief that those running the shelter program have good intentions, thus that you can make alliance with them. If you simply take the stance that the shelter people are evil or stupid, you will merely criticise and insult them, thus making them into enemies.
People do not absorb moral lessons from those who trample on their feelings.
Rather, they forever associate the unpleasantness of the spokesperson with the cause itself.

      - Judith Martin
 
To make real change you have to be willing to put your muscles (labor) where your mouth is.
 
This piece was originally in the form of a PowerPoint presentation. I have re-formatted it as an HTML document, but have not changed the content.
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Being an effective advocate for companion animals

Ten steps to engaging with your local shelter to achieve meaningful change

by Jennifer Fearing , © 2007

What communities should expect from animal shelters

Working WITH the shelter to effect change

Step One: Introduce yourself.

People do not absorb moral lessons from those who trample on their feelings.
Rather, they forever associate the unpleasantness of the spokesperson with the cause itself.

      - Judith Martin

Step Two: Get your hands dirty (while holding your tongue).

Step Three: Save a few yourself.

Step Four: Offer your unique skills.

(note added by Pam : Another valueable skill is breed identification. It is impossible for shelter workers to know every breed well enough to identify every breed , especially when long ungroomed. Grooming help is also of great value if the shelter's liability insurance will allow volunteers to do this. Basic training help can be of immense value if the shelter's liability insurance will allow volunteers to do this.)

Step Five: Generate resources.

Steps One through Five :

You *may* be able to achieve great things for companion animals with just these steps... or you have established the foundation for next steps.

Step Six: Prioritize needs relative to impact & resources.

shelter intake and adoption are unequal
Reduce intake :
spend $1 to save $3
Increase adoptions

Step Seven: Lobby the decision- makers.

Step Eight: Collaborate meaningfully.

Step Nine: Use the media effectively (which means selectively).

Step Ten: Recognize, reinforce and reward positive change.


 


 
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site author Pam Green copyright 2003
created 10/11/07 revised 10/11/07
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