rescue 101: butler town pound volunteer opportunities
TRANSCRIPT
RESCUE 101:BUTLER TOWN POUND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Volunteer Opportunities in Rescue
Advocate/Network
Clerical Work
Systems Updating
Photography/Videography
Transport (Coordination)
Fostering (Coordination)
Adoption Screening
Adoption Event Planning
Sponsor/ Fundraising
Donation drives
Rescue Coordination
Basic Training/Socialization
Temperament evaluation
Social Media
Additional Programs
Rules to Rescue
It is always about the animal.
Trust no one. Everyone is crazy.
Every dollar and every minute count. Don’t do nothing because you can’t do everything.
LOST DOG SO YOU’VE FOUND A DOG. WHAT DO YOU DO?
First Priority: Find Dog’s Owners
Even if you don’t agree with the condition of the dog you must make attempts to find dog’s owners.
1) Take a picture.
2) Post on Facebook: City, State : Date found, location found, brief description, multiple forms of contact information, and note you will require proof of ownership
3) Create a flyer with same information to pass out and hang up
4) Contact local animal controls and veterinarians
5) Notify local police departments
6) Alabama law requires you to hold 7 days.
Intake in to pound
Follows most of the same rules as a general citizen
Enter animal in to Intake system. Our system is Shelter Exchange.
www.shelterexchange.com
Post regularly for 7 days.
Stray Hold Ends NO ONE HAS CLAIMED THE STRAY. NOW WHAT?
Stray Hold Ends
“Glamour Shots”- You need good photos to appeal to all those needed.
Sponsor- The pound doesn’t have a vet fund so PetCaring is our friend.
Foster- This is the fastest way to learn about a dog however it removes urgency and makes the dog less appealing to rescues who only rescue high kill
Adopter- Evaluation is needed to determine best home.
Rescue- Best fit
Transport- Paid or Volunteer?
PHOTOGRAPHS A PICTURE IS WORTH A 1,000 WORDS.
Photographs
Require three good shots. Head, full body, and one expressing personality
The ASPCA has a webinar specifically for photos. There are several other options.
No bars, chain link, or crates.
Neutral or plain background. Nothing busy
Exercise the dog first but not to the point the tongue is hanging out
If possible, off leash photos are better. If not, relaxed leash or photoshop out.
People out of pictures for shelter photos. People in pictures for adoption listings.
It is all in the eyes
Bad*Bad body stance.
*Can’t see the eyes.
*Isn’t flattering to the dog
BetterLooking at camera
Relaxed Body
Background is too busy
Best Head shot only
Gets right in the eyes
Relaxed posture
When a picture just isn’t enough
A video should address all of the following to showcase the dog:
Riding
Walking on leash
Tricks
Interaction with cats, children, strangers, and other dogs
Can be filled with still shots
http://youtu.be/Q50nBiBJtRQ
Vetting
Basic Vetting Requirements
5-in-1 shot for Parvo/Distemper given to puppies on intake
Wormer: given to all dogs on intake
Spay/Neuter (Required by Alabama State Law)
Rabies Shot
Bordetella (Kennel Cough vaccine)
Heartworm check for pups 6 months and older
Heartworm preventive
Flea Tick Preventive
Microchip
$$$$$$$$$MONEY MONEY MONEY
How do you pay for it?
Petcaring, Go Fund Me, You Caring.
www.petcaring.com
Fundraisers
Local Donations
Adoption fees
Rescue Reimbursement
Grants
In-Kind Donations
Dog Food
Blanket/Towel Drives
Used/New Collars leashes
Dog Treats/Toys/Bones
Pee Pads
Crates/Kennels-Plastic or Wire
Even cat donations are appreciated because we can swap with another rescue
Evaluation IS THIS DOG “ADOPTABLE”?
Getting to know the dog’s personality
Note behavior on intake but don’t evaluate 1st day
People want to know:
Behaviors with People, Dogs, Kids, and Cats
Leash, house-trained, ride well, tricks?
Liability
Always remind people this is shelter environment and dogs act differently in each new situation
Be 100% honest on any faults. It is better to overly cautious.
Adoption
Adoption Websites
www.pro.petfinder.com
www.adoptapet.com
www.overstock.com
Application
Should request all contact information
Request current and historical pet information
References: personal and vet
Should remind potential adopter application does not mean adoption
Can be separate or the same as adoption contract. Should be witnessed by volunteer.
Include facility/rescue information several times
Screening
Talk to potential adopter about lifestyle and living situation.
Is it good fit for dog for which they are applying?
Personal References
Is this person who they say they are? Have you visited their home?
Vet Reference
Alter status of other pets, HW medication status
Home Visit
Will home fit dog for which they are applying?
Rescue
Rescue Networking
Facebook posts : City, State: Dog’s Name (or intake number) Gender, Breed Guess, Age guess, vetting information, current needs, and personality information. Detailed Contact information
Contact via E-mail and phone calls. Include exactly what needs are and shelter situation.
Always include a single picture when contacting but NO links on e-mail. This will send to junk folder
If it is an emergency contact via phone number if available.
Do not try to fit a square peg in a round whole. Study intake requirements before contacting.
Snout Count Rescue App
Rescue Screening
Similar process to adoption screening
Contact adopters and local animal control
If a facility ask for your contacts to tour
If on Facebook look to see if most intakes have pledges
Review adoption process and contracts
Transport
Options
Paid Transport
Volunteer Transport
Volunteer Relay Transport
Paid Transport
Screen similar to rescue
Looks for those with close drop-offs
Usually require prior vetting and quarantine. If they do not be wary.
Look at transport times to determine if/how often they are stopping
Pets LLC with Kyle is highly recommended.
Another cost to fundraise varies between $100-$200
Volunteer Transport (Single Driver)
Network for a driver to do the whole transport
This can be gas or mileage paid which requires more fundraising
If not free, gas is still less expensive than paid transport usually
Always screen drivers and request references
Sometimes can find other rescues willing to help with expenses
Relay Transport- Volunteer
Transport Coordinators
Mapping
Networking
Monitors
Sometimes gas money is provided
Cheapest form of transport
Depends on volunteers to fill to prevent rescheduling
Great method of identifying rescue contacts
Transporting
Do not bring your dogs with you
Cover your seats
If you have crates, use them
Pack paper towels, bleach, extra blankets, grocery bags, slip leashes
NPOG (No Paws on the Ground) typically for puppies
Have xpen
Plastic, blankets, or tarps can cover ground.
Fostering
Fostering
Provide love
Evaluate the dog further
Start basic training
Keeps dogs bathed for adoption events
Requirements vary based on dog same as adoption requirements
Foster Coordinator
Screens fosters
Handles issues of fosters
Adoption Events
Preparing for an adoption event
Schedule events with location
Promote event via flyers and Facebook
Recruit Volunteers
Recruit “Weekend Warriors” for dogs physically at pound
Dogs need bath, a little exercise for adoption event, and a place to stay from Friday afternoons to Monday mornings.
Arrange transport for attendees
Make sure all supplies are stocked in “adoption box”
Adoption Event Volunteers
Would like to have a 1:1 dog to volunteer ratio
Need to be prepared to answer questions on organization and individual dogs.
Walks dogs
Provides water
Cleans up messes
Walk potentials through adoption process
Arrange home visits
Supplies
For Dogs:Leash, Collar, Slip Leash
Flyer/Description for Each Crate
Copy of Vet Records for Adopter
Crate :Blanket, Toys, Chews
Xpen for puppies
“Tip” Jars for Donations
Handler for each dog
For Event:Tent
Signs
Table and Table Cloth
Chairs for Volunteers
Adoption Application
Volunteer Interest Forms
Donation Jars for Table
Pens
Other SuppliesSpray water bottle for corrections
Pee Pads
Extra Blankets
Paper Towels
Bags for trash and dirty clothes
Water Bowls
Clerical
Summary of Clerical Needs
Keep 2 copies of all records. One for facility one for adopters
Keep vet records sorted by active and inactive dogs. Keep adoption and transfer papers with vet records of inactive dogs
Make vet appointments and arrange transport
Enter dogs in to intake systems
Update Petfinder
Post to Social media pages
Contact rescues
Keep the “adoption box” up to date and stocked.
Manage wish list
Keep adoption board updated with intakes
Social Media
Social Media
The point is to engage your audience : A connected audience donates more time and money
Be transparent
Do not overdramatize. 8 ticks on a dog is not covered
Always have a zero drama tolerance on the page
ProgramsADDITIONAL PROGRAMS WE COULD HAVE WITH ADDITIONAL HELP
Outreach Programs
Microchip Program
Spay and Neuter Program
Transfer/Rehoming Program to Humane Societies
TNR (Trap/Neuter/Release)
Shelter/Fencing/Hay Programs