Animal Humane Society saving more animals with community’s help

August 8, 2011

Last year, Animal Humane Society reached out to the community stating it could no longer stand alone in resolving animal homelessness. Today, with the help and support of the community, a historic number of animals are now being saved.

 

This past January, Animal Humane Society changed its animal intake process to require anyone bringing an animal to one of its five metro area shelters to make an appointment. Having an opportunity to learn more about the animals that come into its care and having greater control over when they arrive has resulted in increased and quicker placement into new homes and a reduction in euthanasia.

“It’s been almost unbelievable how quickly changing the way animals come to us has made a difference for the animals,” said Janelle Dixon, president and CEO of Animal Humane Society. “We were confident the improvements would make a difference, but not this big or this fast. It leaves us with great hope for the future as we’re able to build off this success and continue to do more and more for animals.”

By collaborating with the public, Animal Humane Society has been able to help hundreds of families resolve the issues they’re facing with their pets to keep the pets in the home. For those that come into the shelter, knowledge of their veterinary history and personality coupled with various adoption promotions helps to facilitate their move into a new home much more quickly — oftentimes the same day they arrive at the shelter. Placement rates improved from 67% in 2010 to 81% today.

With less animals entering the shelter and others moving into new homes more quickly, stress and illness is being alleviated for the animals in Animal Humane Society shelters, which in turn is contributing to a reduction in euthanasia. In the first six months of implementing these improvements, Animal Humane Society has reduced the rate of euthanasia by 41%.

Surrender by appointment and adoption promotion are just two facets of a broader Animal Humane Society initiative called Bound for Home. Through the initiative Animal Humane Society has also made shelter improvements to better accommodate animals, begun development of community outreach programs to raise awareness, and opened Kindest Cut, a low-cost spay/neuter service in partnership with a private-practice veterinarian.

Kindest Cut has been working with the community since May to prevent unwanted litters of animals. Through its mobile service, it has already provided more than 1,700 low-cost, high quality spay/neuter surgeries for pets of people in need.

Animal Humane Society remains an open-admission organization accepting any animal for any reason, including strays. Its five metro shelters provide it the best opportunity to care for and place both owner surrendered and stray animals.

Questions about your pet’s behavior can be directed to Animal Humane Society’s free Behavior Helpline available seven days a week at (763) 489-2202.

Appointments are currently available within days. Call the Animal Humane Society Animal Admissions Center at (763) 412-4969 for more information.

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