No More Homeless Pets Forum May 30, 2005 Getting Together for Animal Welfare

Connecting with fellow animal advocates is a great way to share ideas and meet like-minded allies. How can you start a local network or coalition? Linda Young of Syracuse Onondaga Cat Council and Michelle Buckalew of Save our Shelter Animals will answer your questions and offer their advice.

Introduction from Linda Young and Michelle Buckalew:

The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. That was never truer than in the animal welfare arena. Whether we are individuals doing our bit as animal rescuers, or we are involved with a larger group, we all feel overwhelmed from time to time... or all of the time. It really helps to have others around who understand what we do and why we do it, and who share the same challenges and triumphs.

Coalitions can help us multiply our resources and divide our stresses. That insurmountable problem that we've been trying to tackle single-handedly, or perhaps are afraid to tackle at all, may be cut down to size when more people become involved. And those people may know others with more ideas and resources. It's a web that can spread very quickly and help garner support for that new program that you've always wanted but just never had the time or resources to bring to fruition.

And speaking of resources, we all go through periods of feast or famine. Working together, we can share our extras, whether it's cats or cat food; we can share our knowledge and our experiences. With many hands, we can turn small events into big ones. After all, our mission is to help animals, and we can do that a lot better when we work together.

Questions

How can strong-minded people work together?
Using legitimate statistics to influence policy
How often should our coalition meet?
How do we decide what to focus on?
Would a partnership like this be helpful?
Does one bad apple spoil the whole barrel?
Dividing up the credit in a fair way
Replacing fear with inspiration
How to hold a successful meeting
When one member make a power grab

How can strong-minded people work together?

Question from Maureen:

I'm really glad to see this topic on the No More Homeless Pets forum! I live in an area with lots of shelter and rescue groups. Unfortunately, these groups don't always get along.

My theory is this: Many people who work with animals don't have excellent people skills. We've probably spent a lot of time explaining our positions to people who say, "Why do you spend so much time/energy/money on animals when there are people who need your help?" When we stray from the mainstream, speaking out against pet shops, backyard breeders, tying dogs outside or letting cats roam and have litters, we learn that we are not considered quite normal. And, if we go even further and become environmentally concerned, stop eating animals, and refuse to attend circuses and zoos, we become objects of concern in our former social circles.

The more we are forced to defend our beliefs, the more alienated we become. And we learn to feel alienated and even paranoid in our modern culture of animal exploitation. It takes a strong personality to hold onto idealism, and the stronger we get, the more independent we become. Then we try to work together and form coalitions and we often clash with each other. This is really sad, because working together, we could be an incredibly strong force! Has either of the guests encountered these problems in their areas, and if so, how was successful collaboration accomplished?

Response from Linda:

This is a fundamental question that could have come from just about any community in the country. I really see two situations here. The first has to do with how we present ourselves to the "outside" world, and the second has to do with how we relate to each other. As far as the accusation that we aren't helping people, I always like to point out that we get dozens of calls every day, and not one of them has ever been from a cat!

But on the practical side, we need to recognize that our concern for animals, especially when it leads us to a lifestyle that causes us to live a little differently from others, does make us seem to come from a different culture, or maybe a different planet. After all, it's pretty strange to give up the things that others see as comforts, like meat and fur and such, for the sake of the animals. Especially when it's so prevalent in our society that as soon as an animal becomes inconvenient, it's time to "get rid of it".

It's hard to present our views about some of these issues without looking like we're preaching or that we feel like we're morally superior. It takes a lot of tact, and also the appropriate situation. To take an extreme example, telling someone about how cruel circuses are just after they've told you how much fun they had at the circus last night is probably not ideal timing. On the other hand, when one of the more humane "animal-less" circuses comes to town, that gives you a great platform for discussion. Nobody likes gratuitous advice, and sometimes we get so passionate about our beliefs that we forget that.

When we do talk about animal welfare topics, it's good to be armed with facts and figures to back up our views. In talking about spay/neuter, for instance, it may turn people off to hear about all the "suffering animals" and the "killing." They may be more receptive if you can talk about how it affects them. For example, "Did you know that 2 billion of our tax dollars are spent each year on sheltering and euthanizing animals?" or "There's a woman on my street who is feeding 30 stray cats, and they are reproducing at an alarming rate, but if she doesn't feed them they will just disperse all over the place, and they'll still be having kittens." It's easy for someone to argue about the emotional aspects, but it's harder for them to ignore the facts.

Remember, too, that it's okay to agree to disagree. When we stand out from the crowd, we become conspicuous targets for people who want to start an argument. If you just acknowledge that you'll never agree on that topic so "we might as well talk about something else," it sort of takes the wind out of their sails.

I think you're absolutely right about "animal people" not always having good people skills. Or perhaps it's the other way around. If someone has poor people skills, they find they relate better to animals. The easiest way to get around this is to have a common goal or a particular issue that everyone can agree on. It doesn't need to be a single project, but the more focused you all are, the easier it is to avoid some of the extraneous issues that pull us apart.

We started with a very broad set of objectives, such as humane education, trying to ensure that every animal had proper vet care, eliminating animal cruelty... all admirable goals, but far too broad to do anything except disagree. It was pretty obvious, though, that doing something about overpopulation was imperative. That became our common ground. Figuring out what to do about it brought more disagreement, but we did a lot of homework, looked at those facts and figures, and after analyzing the problem decided what would work best. It wasn't exactly a dispassionate discussion and there may have been some temporarily hurt feelings, but it was hard to argue with the facts and we all managed to come together.

Structure is a good idea. When we started out, it was a matter of contacting a number of groups and asking them to send one representative. That kept the coalition small to begin with, and it was easier to work together. We have since begun to expand to involve other members of our original groups and interested individuals outside of our groups. And once you have a clearly defined goal or project, it's a lot easier to get others on the bandwagon.

That structure has been ideal for our project, establishing a spay/neuter clinic, because the collaboration can expand as the amount of work does. The kind of structure you need depends on what your goals/projects are, but if you have to incorporate and get tax-exempt status, there is a certain amount of structure built in. Even if you don't make it official, you should have a president, chairperson, or some sort of accepted leader, and other officers with clearly defined roles.

Regardless of the kind of structure, it's absolutely essential to set some ground rules.

- The first one should be that you aren't going to criticize the policies or procedures of any other individual or group in the collaboration. I would strongly suggest that you avoid criticizing individuals and groups outside of the collaboration too, because if you're really good at bringing people together, you could find them sitting next to you at the next meeting!

- A good second rule would be to forget all the gossip you may have heard in the past, and get to know people before passing judgment.

- The third rule should be, don't pass judgment! Everyone has strengths and weaknesses. Accept what you can and ignore the rest.

- Finally, there is seldom one right way to do things, and trying to force everyone to live up to anyone's standards is just going to alienate them. Think about the results, not which method someone uses to achieve them. (Unless it puts the animals in danger, of course.)

Laying these rules out at the beginning, with the participation and suggestions of everyone will make all participants feel more comfortable and keep them focused on the problem at hand rather than at each other's throats.

Needless to say, we will never get everyone on Board, and we may lose some along the way, but the whole point is that we can accomplish some pretty awesome things for the animals we care about... if we work together. That's easier to do if we learn to shrug unimportant things off, put aside our personal agendas and personality conflicts and bite our tongues. One thing we can't argue over is the fact that the animals need us to work together, and that's more important than any of us as individuals.

Response from Michelle:

My first reaction is that this question is one that must hit home with animal advocates across the country. This important animal movement that we find ourselves immersed in, is one that contains elements of love, frustration, idealism and courage. And, Maureen, we can identify with you when you speak of the strength we hold in our beliefs as advocates for the animals. Surely, it is impossible for anyone who works with the homeless companion animals (so many who are dying) and encounters abuse of animals of any sort to feel lukewarm about the innocent animals' plight.

And, yes, we encounter people who will look at us and ask how can you be concerned about animals when children are hungry. The area here in Memphis has a high poverty rate (which also means that animals are sadly used in many ways to make money, which is another problem in itself). Some of the decision makers in our dealings have asked that very question. It is, quite simply, up to us to interact on a level that will encourage the discussion to continue, so we can show them the miracle of the animals we love.

In our dealings we must be honest and diplomatic. Strength is sometimes best communicated by a gentle spirit. In many communities, we need to take small steps with the decision makers before we can take giant leaps.

Two separate radio interviews that come to mind in my radio career that best define diplomacy on behalf of the animals were with Michael Mountain and Dr. Jane Goodall. Both of these leaders and diplomats of the movement, explained that we must communicate, for the animals' sake, so the discussion is one that will continue. The decision makers, whom we are seeking to enlighten as to the very real problems, will learn to respect and maybe even look forward to our meetings when seeking solutions, if they think of you in positive terms. Negotiation is not entirely easy, and we must remember we are negotiating for the lives and future of the precious animals when dealing with those decision makers.

So, find ways to communicate the many ways animals are helping in the community and in the world, i.e. serving as loving members in families, pet therapy, service animals, law enforcement and READ dogs in libraries. The list goes on and on in ways that animals enhance our lives, and we must find creative ways to show those who do not know of the miracle of the animals.

One suggestion is maybe you or your group can compile a booklet of photographs and positive stories that can be passed on to the decision makers so they can see these many ways. Show compelling photographs and write positive letters showing where the community is benefited by the animals. And, try to show as much diversity as possible, as we seek to bring all citizens into the equation of solving the problems facing the animals.

A coalition, as defined by Merriam Webster dictionary, is "a temporary alliance of distinct parties, persons, or states for joint action". Coalitions are seeking to accomplish something they cannot do as an individual citizen. In a coalition, we can ideally combine energies and resources for the greater good. No More Homeless Pets conference panels will explain to you that you never get a group of people to agree on everything. So when you come together, you must realize this. Work from what you agree on first. And, stay focused on the positive.

Once your coalition or group is formed, your group will undoubtedly encounter some friction with the strong personalities. Do not become discouraged and throw your hands up. Continue to meet on a regular basis and the people who really want to help the animals with the goals and mission defined, will stay the course. Consistency, along with respect for the process and a commitment to the animals, is key to holding the group together. Set goals, follow through with them and document what you are doing for the animals along the way.

Focus on the positive and steer clear of personality-driven discussions. If you are planting good seeds, progress will definitely be made for the animals in ways you can only dream of when you first begin. The people who don't want to come together will not. We must realize we cannot change people, but we can change the world. And, we all can learn important lessons from the animals we are seeking to save. Love and forgiveness are two important ones.

Additional Comment from Maureen:

Several years ago, I started SHARE (an acronym for SHelter And REscue) to address this challenge. The SHARE home page is at http://shelterandrescue.org, and the Yahoo email group site is at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SHARE_SHelter-And-REscue.

SHARE started with meetings and devolved into an email network because of personality clashes. My suggestion that for those who can't get their regional groups to actually sit down together is to start an email group for SHAREing ideas. I'd love it if others used the name, too! I want to keep my SHARE regional, because I could never handle a national email group. And anyway, I believe in the slogan, "Think globally, act locally."

Using legitimate statistics to influence policy

Question from Christine:

Our group is always struggling for legitimacy when rallying decision makers to our side. It makes it difficult when one animal groups states that 2 unaltered pets will produce 80 gazillion puppies and kittens in 3 years, while another announces that the actual number is 46 jillion... or when literature states out of date euthanasia statistics. Euthanasia statistics have shock value whether it's closer to 5 million nationally every year, or if someone is still claiming it's 7 or 11 million. Still, we'd like to get it right. I'm wondering, in case we'd like to use it, is this a real national statistic, "Did you know that 2 billion of our tax dollars are spent each year on sheltering and euthanizing animals?" And if so, where do we find more facts like these? Thank you!

Response from Linda:

You make an excellent point. It goes back to the idea that statistics can be made to say almost anything, and it's important to know where they come from and the reliability of the source, especially if you are putting it in print.

That particular statistic came from Dr. Gary Petronek. Dr. Petronek is a veterinarian who has done some well-respected studies on pet overpopulation and animal hoarder issues. I first heard him speak at the Tufts Animal Expo in 2002. The actual figures are between 1.4 and 2.4 billion, so it's a huge range, but depending on context I usually say 2 billion, because it's easier for people to remember.

Now as for where to find it, most of his work is published in veterinary and other scholarly journals. If you want to find the actual articles you would probably need to go to an academic library where they would have the search tools to find the references. They would also be able to get them for you on interlibrary loan or through a document service. I have a list of articles he has written, but it's too long to post here. I have also heard the quote from Todd Cramer of the A.S.P.C.A. and from Peter Marsh at the NMHP conference in Philadelphia, so I feel pretty safe in using it.

The moral here is to be cautious about using a statistic unless you know where it came from. You may not have the actual reference at hand, but you should have a good idea of where to find it, who said it, or contact information so that you can trace the source backwards. Between the time I first read your question and the time I started typing this paragraph, I e-mailed Todd Cramer and he sent me the whole list of articles by Dr. Petronek. That's what I mean by tracing the source backwards. And a huge thank you to Todd for getting back to me so quickly.

A good technique for using statistics is to start with the statement, "According to..." and name the source. For instance, In a written context, you might say, "According to Dr. Gary Petronik, DVM, Americans spend between 1.4 and 2.4 billion dollars on catching, sheltering and euthanizing animals each year." Then, if possible, you might want to footnote the actual study. Most of the time, though, our interactions are much less formal, and I've only had to use that format when dealing with municipalities. I probably didn't have to use it then, but meticulous documentation makes a good impression.

The "According to" statement helps a lot when conflicting statistics come about. When you hear conflicting figures without that caveat, you might want to ask where the information came from. As we all know, not every source is reliable. Also, the figures could both be right, but just done to include different groups, different definitions or whatever. The numbers don't always tell the real tale, and if you use them, you sometimes have to know what they really mean. You may never be asked, but it will certainly help in your own understanding of the scope of problems.

A couple of hints in using statistics:
- If you can bring them down to the level that people can understand, it has more impact. There is a great example of this on the Humane Alliance website at www.humanealliance.org. It says something to the effect that for every dog and cat to have a home, each individual would have to own four dogs and nine cats. And for a family of four, that would be 24 dogs and 36 cats. Now that really brings the issue home!
- Also, when talking about euthanasia figures, it's better to talk in terms of "euthanasias per thousand of human population." That way you can compare the reality between communities of different sizes.

Some wonderful sources of statistics:
- For demographics, go to www.census.gov. Most communities also have websites that give demographics, and there are lots of sites aimed at marketing that do the same.
- The A.S.P.C.A. website at www.aspca.org and the other national humane organizations have wonderful articles.
- Merritt Clifton's Animal People News at www.animalpeoplenews.org is another great resource. He backs up all his figures by telling how they were reached.
- And don't forget the articles on the Best Friends website and the archives of these forum discussions.

Comment from Judi:

Great recommendation! When I was challenging the city's thirty-eight year old pet limit law in Cary, North Carolina, I did a demographic study on the top 15 populated cities in North Carolina. Cary was number 9 on the list and was the only town that had a pet limit law out of the 15.

Just another example of how validation can influence, and when written simply people can make a connection to the point at hand. There is no more dog limit law in Cary, North Carolina! Thanks for what you do.

How often should our coalition meet?

Question from Caprice:

Our area is just in the first stages now of starting to work together more closely on spay/neuter issues, which we have identified as a priority for the region. How do we know how often is too often to meet? We don't want to burn people out in endless meetings, but if we come together too infrequently, nothing will get done. Suggestions?

Response from Linda:

Congratulations on getting people together! That's a big accomplishment in itself, and your question indicates a lot of sensitivity to the schedules and interests of your members. We've faced this problem too, and it can be a big one. It takes a certain amount of trial and error, and some flexibility too.

We started out meeting once a month. But in the beginning, we weren't always focused and one of the reasons is that there wasn't a lot to do at meetings. It always came down to "I'll have to call or e-mail so-and-so to find out." There was just too much we needed to learn. On the other hand, if we hadn't been meeting, the questions wouldn't have come up. Even though the meetings were great for brainstorming, however, nothing much was actually happening, attendance dropped and several meetings were cancelled. There were times when we felt the group was falling apart. We decided to continue meeting once a month, at a time that was convenient for most of us.

Because we were a small, core group at that point, we started meeting at one of our local Denney's or at someone's home. That made the meetings a little more social and a little less formal, and even if we didn't have a lot to discuss, we could use the time to talk and de-stress.

It still made the meeting worthwhile. Good food didn't hurt either, and a lot of ideas flowed, which kept us energized. As things started to happen, like grant writing, fundraising projects, contacts with veterinarians, publicity and so forth, the amount of work expanded and we actually started putting extra meetings in the schedule.

It's the same principle in working with volunteers. We volunteer because we want to accomplish something. If we spend a lot of time sitting around, we aren't getting any reward (sense of accomplishment) from that. When we get down to work, our volunteers don't mind putting in extra hours for projects or meetings because the satisfaction is there. Now we are bringing in more people, friends, members of our original groups, or people with the special skills we need. There is almost always a job for everyone to do, and to report on at meetings, as well as new ideas. Since we have a strong focus, we tend to gather information and ideas to share.

If you get the feeling that you need to meet too often, remember that meetings don't always have to be face-to-face. We often meet by e-mail, through Yahoo! Groups, or phone calls. You can also split into committees for various tasks, and leave it up to them concerning how and when they meet.

My advice would to plan on meeting once a month, and if there isn't a lot to discuss, you can always get a guest speaker, show a spay/neuter video, or take a "field trip" to a clinic, shelter or some related place. Or, if the group feels they would like to meet less often, keep in touch via phone or electronically. Just get to work, and you'll soon get a feel for the group dynamics.

Response from Michelle:

Caprice, in the beginning stages of organizing a group, monthly meetings may not be enough, and as a rule, weekly meetings are too much for most people to handle with their already hectic schedules. Most people in the humane movement work in non-related jobs outside the group and many also have families. Burnout is common in animal welfare, and many times by the time a group has decided to form, some individuals may already be experiencing burnout. This is caused by trying to do too much by themselves, all for the love of the animals, of course. And, you definitely don't want to bring people together and have them become frustrated with too many meetings before you ever get your group off the ground.

In the first few months of coming together in your mission to help the animals, there is a real need to look over data, documents and make decisions that require the presence of most everyone who is or will be a decision maker. You will find that there are many important decisions to be made in the early formation of a group or organization. Including whether to file for non-profit status, exact mission, direction, officers, website, logo, events, etc, the list is long.

As for SOS Animals, in the beginning we tried to meet every two to three weeks. After a couple of month's time though, we were able to comfortably move to monthly meetings. Our meetings are held at the main library, and we find that is a wonderful place to meet as it encourages a higher level of listening and learning with many resources at our fingertips. The computers are there, if needed, for all to utilize in the common areas, and the meeting rooms (which you may need to schedule ahead of time) provide a space where you can spread out and talk freely without having to worry about disturbing those who may be studying. This type of location can also serve to remind you of the importance of what you are doing while providing reflection.

However, once you have established your mission, goals, officers/members and a direction, monthly meetings seem to be the ideal for most groups. Of course, you all are staying in communication and making progress during that month. From my experience in SOS Animals, as well as sitting on other committees, after you become established, there is a rhythm and natural flow that takes place. Your growth as a group will happen as a result of thoughtful and decisive action that is implemented in the community. If everyone schedules and manages his/her time wisely, the meetings will be something all will look forward to with a sense of enthusiasm and hope... not dread or frustration.

How do we decide what to focus on?

Question from Anastasia:

How did each of the guests' coalitions decide what they were going to focus on (or have they?) and how can we best go about that process in our own community?

Response from Michelle:

Anastasia, most communities have animal advocates and groups addressing some particular need. The first goal for your group is to discuss what needs are being addressed for the animals and which ones are not. You ideally don't want to duplicate needs, but to fill a gap instead. For instance, is there a gap regarding spay and neuter, or addressing the high euthanasia rate, lack of off-site adoptions, feral cats, etc.?

A must read for any coalition group wanting to get started is the "Community Assessment" document that Aimee St Arnaud of Best Friends created that can be found and printed from your own computer. The link is http://www.bestfriends.org/nomorehomelesspets/pdf/Assessment.pdf. This document is extremely comprehensive along with being easy to read and share with others. As the document states, it is important to know your community demographics and identify the problem areas.

Also, as you meet, plan to discuss and determine what resources you all have to contribute. That factor will also determine how you can successfully achieve your goals and maintain the line of action you set forth. As you gather needed data and begin to set those goals, ask each potential member or person what area they think they have the most strength in. Most of the time, people will know and say where they can honestly contribute most, i.e. grant writing, meeting with decision makers, coordinating event logistics, working with the media, hands-on with the animals, training, website design, working inside the shelters, etc. We all have strengths and talents that we can bring to the table on behalf of the animals.

In Memphis, Save Our Shelter Animals (SOS Animals) first met in Autumn 2002 and officially formed in January 2003. We decided over a series of meetings that the high rate of euthanasia in animal shelters in the Mid-South area was not being addressed. We all agreed that working to reduce and one day eliminate the euthanasia of healthy, adoptable animals in shelters was a worthy and important mission for us to help the animals and, in turn, our community. We have sought to meet our goals through awareness-building community projects, working closely with decision makers, consistent off-site adoptions and increased education in the community. SOS Animals now publishes a free 28-page monthly publication, The Animal World, that is distributed to over 175 locations in the Mid-South. This also has been key in SOS Animals' mission in building awareness for the animals we love and seeking to help in a major way.

Again, Anastasia, please go the link above for the Best Friends Community Assessment document. You will be amazed how many of your questions are answered and how your plans can take off with a direction and meaning that will definitely deliver success for the animals.

Response from Linda:

Our situation was a little different from most, because we started when our city government was fed up with cat complaints, and, to their credit, they began holding hearings on the "cat problem," calling in everyone from animal shelters to the zoo. At the end of the process, they had a very long list of broad-ranging goals. Our group came together in an effort to implement the goals.

That's where the community assessment process began. We also found Aimee St. Arnaud's Community Planning and Assessment very helpful. Though it was really not possible to get much information from our established shelters, all of us came from a cat rescue or animal rescue background, and we were able to glean some information that we think is fairly accurate from our own and each other's records.

When we looked at all of our goals, and started looking at solutions to the various problems, we found two things, that the majority of them came down to reducing the population, and that we just didn't have the basic tools we needed to do that. So it was a matter of looking at successful programs in other communities to decide what would work best in our situation. That took a bit of discussion and a lot of work, but we read everything we could find and came up with what we felt was a good mixture of programs.

Our focus may change as time goes on. At least I hope it will, because as the clinic is established and we begin to see results, we may be able to start looking more at issues like preventing animal cruelty, doing more public education, better systems of resource sharing and cooperation between groups and so on.

To put it simply, we started with the big picture; what we want to see someday in terms of animal services in our area. Then we looked at what needs to happen to get us there.

Would a partnership like this be helpful?

Question from Rocky:

A large County-run shelter a few hours from my home has been euthanizing dogs at a disturbing rate. This facility in the past has also sold dogs to a local university for experiments. The facility has had a management change, but it is a problem that will not be resolved quickly.

My current dog was rescued from euthanasia at this shelter, and he is a WONDERFUL dog! He was frightened, and shy, and failed the temperament test utilized there. I know many other wonderful dogs are still being euthanized there because they are frightened and fail the temperament test. I would like to help save some of these animals.

My idea would be to provide a service as a "puller" for a number of local rescues who cannot make the 2+ hour trip up there regularly. If I went there once a week and brought out animals and distributed them to the various breed-only rescue orgs, and one or two facilities that take any breed or mixed breeds, I think I could make a difference. I have spoken with the management at the County-run shelter about this. They are willing to cooperate with me as long as they approve of the rescues that are on my distribution list, and that eventually they are advised as to where each dog went. I have contacted several rescues, and they seem interested. Do you think this is a viable approach to the problem? Thanks so much for having this forum!

Response from Linda:

Rocky, I think you have a wonderful idea, and an excellent foundation on which to build. Open-admission shelters take any animal that comes their way, and when they run out of room, they often have no choice but to euthanize. So you're getting to the root of the problem and giving them an alternative.

One of the things I like best about this kind of collaboration is that the rescue side works with the open-admission side. I'm going to go off on a minor tangent here (even though you didn't mention it) and talk about the animosity that exists in so many communities between the "no-kill" organizations and the "kill" shelters. Terminology like that makes it very difficult to get along, and both sides start off with a defensive attitude and mutual mistrust that overshadows anything they try to do.

It's much more constructive to talk about admission policies than euthanasia policies, such as "limited-admission" and "open admission". Both sides can be very sensitive about this issue. The important thing is that the county shelter wants to save more lives and euthanize fewer animals, and they are willing to meet you half way. That proves that you're both really on the same wavelength, and I think this collaboration has a great chance of success.

I mention this issue because, as you recruit various rescues to take these dogs (and the shelter wants to approve them), you need to be sure that each organization understands that the county shelter doesn't want to euthanize animals. Regardless of the problems you perceive in their policies and the decisions they make, they are no doubt doing the best they can. Your goal is to help them, and consequently, help the animals. If you begin to encounter rescuers in your network who have a disparaging attitude toward any other groups, you might want to discourage it by reminding them that these are sensitive issues for everyone, and the relationship needs to remain professional and positive.

It would be nice if you could meet with a representative from each group, face-to-face, to talk about procedures, how many dogs their group can handle and so on. In fact, they might enjoy getting together just to talk, share experiences and ideas. I could see this blossoming into a very strong network that could work on major fundraising or adoption events. That may not be possible if the rescues are very far apart, as breed rescues often are, but face-to-face meetings are so much better than e-mails or phone calls.

Beyond that, though, don't try to micromanage. Once a group takes a dog, leave all further decisions up to them. One pitfall I can think of might be figuring out the best way to place the dogs that you pull. Will you get the dogs first, and then contact the rescues? What will you do if nobody can take them? Will the rescues have contacts you can reach by cell phone right from the shelter? These are details you may already have worked out, but we all know the heartbreak of turning an animal away because we don't have room. You need a "Plan B" for when that happens.

The other pitfall is that you have to avoid overwhelming the other groups with the sheer numbers of dogs that you rescue. Painful as it may be, you need to know the capacity of your network and pull only the dogs that can fill the capacity without running over. Too many rescuers don't know when to say "no" and wind up with more animals than they can take care of, so don't put pressure on other groups, or compare performance of the groups in any way. Everyone has lives, families, jobs and other interests outside rescue. At least they should have. I have seen more groups break up over the attitude "you're not doing as much as______" or "we need you to do more" than any other criticism.

And it's worth repeating:
- Act professionally
- Have a positive, conciliatory attitude
- Don't sweat the small stuff

Best of luck with your coalition! I know it's going to make a huge difference.

Response from Michelle:

Rocky, yes indeed, transport is a viable solution and is proving to be a life saver for hundreds of thousands of homeless animals across the country. One day the actual miraculous stories and information of the sometimes called "underground network" (or we could say underdog/cat network) will be revealed to the general public on a grand scale. We all will learn even more about how transport was instrumental in saving so many thousands upon thousands of loving, homeless pets during the movement.

And, hats off to you for caring enough not to give up and for realizing the importance of keeping a positive dialogue going with shelter management.

One of the most effective people in the movement and a member our coalition, Jeanne Chancellor, literally saves hundreds of dogs annually through transport. She is also President of a 501(c)(3) organization and maintains a strong relationship with local shelter management and staff. She has developed strong contacts with reputable rescue organizations, individuals and shelters throughout the country... mostly working the South and the Northeast.

She keeps records, pictures and information in this book that is called Homeward Bound. It has brought great pride to much of the shelter staff who also want to see the animals saved but know that the number of people visiting the shelter does not keep up with the number of animals coming into our Southern city's shelter. Those who know the actual ins and outs of transport stress that there are several factors necessary for transport to work.

There was a past NMHP forum, dedicated to this issue. The link is http://www.bestfriends.com/archives/forums/120604transport.html. Most every type of question and answer can be found through this link. Rocky, please visit the link. It is not as easy as it sometimes sounds, as you are dealing with so many variables. But, if you approach this with some important guidelines that will be followed, you can make a huge difference for these animals who desperately need help.

I would like to add a note about temperament testing, since you brought it up. So many of the shelter animals we work with are totally scared and frightened in the shelter setting. Most animals are highly sensitive creatures and many times can smell and hear fear/death within the shelter walls. Also, it may have been very traumatic for them in the way they were brought in through surrender or otherwise. We would be scared, too! How can we expect them all to walk up calmly in the shelter cage and act like the companion animal they will most likely become outside the shelter? At our events, it is amazing to see the difference between the animal's demeanor in the shelter and once outside in more ideal and happy circumstances, with human interaction and love being the order of the day.

Relationship building can be one of the most important things you can do for the animals. And, it sounds like you are well aware of that, since you have started to develop a relationship with the new management staff at the county shelter. It is necessary for all of us to remember the importance of communication and relationships with those that hold the animals' lives in their hands. I do not profess to be an expert in transport, but I see it handled up close on a daily basis. The before and after photos of animals who would now be dead, if not for transport, are constantly being emailed and shared. So many of those "would-be forgotten and forever gone animals" are now living with grateful families who cherish them as loving members of their family. And, many times those families who receive these thankful, unconditionally loving babes through the transport are eager to share the good news of how they helped to save a homeless animal by opening their heart and home.

Comment from Bruce:

When I lived in Georgia, I did a lot of pulling and transporting cats and kittens from a couple of kill shelters to various rescue groups. As long as there was space available, this worked very well. I had very good relations with staff at the kill shelters, and all they required was a copy of the rescue license and verification (after the animal was transferred, but before being adopted) that the spay/neuter surgeries had been performed for the rescued pets.

Does one bad apple spoil the whole barrel?

Question from Samantha:

We have a loose coalition of groups in our area. However, we are struggling to keep our group separate in the public's eye. The main reason being is that there is a group (the largest, by the way) that has a reputation for adopting out a lot of sick and dying animals.

This has greatly hurt our own adoptions for two reasons, 1) most of the public thinks we're the same group, and 2) another portion of the public thinks that all rescue groups will work that way.
So, even though we have started a small coalition we still need to be kept separate in the public's eye. How do we do this?

Response from Linda:

Boy, that's a tough spot to be in, but it's also something a lot of us go through. A good reputation is a precious commodity, so your priority right now might be to build a strong identity for your group. In our own group, KittyCorner, we built a strong identity and reputation by doing lots of outreaches at cat shows, pet stores, malls... just about every place we could. We always took cats to draw the crowd, but seldom found a home for any at some of these venues and it was easy to get discouraged, but the point was that people saw us, saw the name, and could tell what we do. All the time we were "wasting" was really an investment.

We have always tried to act very professionally by practicing excellent "customer service" in our interactions with people, whether it's someone adopting, someone with questions, or someone we turn down. We always use our professional "business" voice on the phone, and try to be super polite and tactful, even when the person on the other end of the line is a complete jerk. (No, the last few words are not an example of our telephone manners).

We also do a lot of advertising by sending flyers to veterinarians. They tend to have a good perspective on the health of the animals adopted from various organizations, and when someone asks for a recommendation, they aren't afraid to say, "go to this group and avoid that one." One other point: If your names are similar or easily confused, you might want to do something about that. In other words, you don't have to be big to stand out in people's minds in a big way.

However, that doesn't mean that you can't form a very strong coalition, especially if you have a particular project in mind. For instance, let's say you want to work on a spay/neuter program for pets of low-income residents in your county. You can always invite each group to send one or more representatives, and form a new "coalition" group under a new name.

This new group then becomes a separate entity dedicated to starting the spay/neuter program. In such a coalition, you're not dealing so much with another "group" as with individuals from that group, and you might find that those people are pretty competent. You might even find that they, too, are concerned about the same things you are but they haven't figured out how to get rid of the bad apples in their organization. Then, of course, dealing with representatives from more professionally acting organizations may rub off. I believe that the best, and perhaps the only way to change another organization is by good example. In our efforts to start a spay/neuter clinic, I have to say that some of our major shelters are not on board and may never be. But, we like to think, "If we build it, they will come."

If you're looking for a more general association, like a centralized placement service, joint fundraising, or just a way to merge some of your operations, you can form less organized relationships with other groups. I would start by approaching the ones that believe in the same standards as your own group and adding groups as you go along. If you are concerned about groups with poor performance history, you can always set some basic guidelines, like "all animals must be tested, spayed or neutered and vaccines must be up to date". All members must keep in mind, though, that everyone (primarily the animals) has to be able to benefit in some way (otherwise, why bother?) and that this isn't intended to impose the rules of one organization on another, or for one organization to absorb others. It's a matter of distinct entities working side-by-side to bring about a common goal.

Response from Michelle:

Samantha, that is a problem that is faced in most every community when working with the shelter animals. Whether groups are holding small adoptions or the big adoptathons, there is an obvious problem when citizens are adopting homeless animals who are sick and/or die. And, it certainly does not help the homeless animals overall, because people start turning away from going to adoption events and shelters. Of course, all of us who work with the shelters know that even in the cleanest shelters, disease and illness are unfortunately part of the equation, which means we all have to work through this problem.

As welfare groups and individuals who love and want to help the homeless animals, we must take every precaution to ensure that the animals, for whom we are responsible, are as healthy as they can be. We can do this through proper pre-event and adoption vet care (and quarantine when necessary).

If you are working with a shelter that a has a high rate of disease and illness (from distemper to parvo), then people amongst the group must quarantine and foster the animals a few weeks in advance of having your event. All of us who have been working in animal welfare for any length of time more than likely have, either personally or with someone we know, had the heartbreak of losing an innocent babe to disease. As advocates working on behalf of the animals, we would never ever want to intentionally bring that sadness to a family who is seeking to save a life and add a member to their family.

As far your group being kept separate, do you ever come together for meetings? Try to meet with this rescue group (even if they are the biggest you can request a meeting) and honestly and gently discuss the issue. Many groups have started out excitedly in an effort to save lives of the innocent animals... only to realize it is not as easy as just bringing animals to a location and filling out paperwork. Preparation is required on several fronts. First and foremost is having healthy animals for adoption.

The worst thing we can do as advocates for the homeless animals is to carelessly adopt out sick and dying animals. After that, the worst thing we can do is to give up or say we won't work to save lives. If you all are meeting together, have this as a primary topic of discussion. If not, request a meeting with the group and diplomatically discuss how you all can help work through this problem together. Try to explain that the animals will be served much better in the community if you all come together and once and for all solve this real problem. Show compassion when communicating to them. This may be an important contribution your new group can make to the homeless animals in your area. And, all the while, work to establish trust as your new group grows over time.

With this group you speak of, their heart is in the right place if they are seeking to save lives. They just need some guidance and leadership (and maybe a reality check). If they refuse to change policies and ensure that the animals are as healthy as they can be when going to their adoptions, then establish your separate identity, as much as possible.

Your group should always have the pet's vet records, if not the vet office can be contacted for records. As a group, establish a solid, continuing relationship with the vet(s) in your community. Also, as you seek to build your solid reputation, have a notebook with "before and after" pictures and letters with happy endings. (You may need to ask the adopters when you follow up if they would be willing to do this.) Always work to have verifiable and pertinent info that is available for all potential adopters to see for themselves.

Do what you can to build the community's trust through consistently adopting out healthy animals. And, keep in mind, this problem with the other group is one that you and your group may be able to help with by encouraging all of you to come together as different groups to address it, once and for all. It is an opportunity for your group to be a problem solver regarding this issue. By taking the proper steps in bringing healthy homeless animals out in the community, the animals will be helped, your group's good name will grow, and your solid reputation will build as you serve the homeless animals in your community.

Dividing up the credit in a fair way

Question from a member:

I wrote about two years ago that our local, high kill shelter had banned us from rescuing their dogs. In the meantime, a grant became open from a gambling casino in a nearby town. A mutual rescue friend sent out a mass email sharing the info and asking if anyone was interested in applying. Well, our group jumped at the chance. Guess who else jumped? Yep, the shelter along with County animal control!

We had meetings on what our goal was and became a coalition. We did get the grant. I did not sling any mud. I just kept focused on the animals. The grant is for spaying and neutering. We have a target area, the reservation where many dogs are running free without being fixed. We are in the infant stage, and will go public very soon. My vet has come on board with reasonable prices and another vet has done the same. We are very excited about the future of the dogs around here. This all came about through an email and staying focused (no ego).

I do have a question dealing with the 501(c)(3) designation that the shelter has and we do not. They want their logo on the heading of all the information and certificate papers in addition to the coalition logo. They believe because it is their 501(c)(3) that they are liable for any legal problems. I say they are trying to advertise, and it should just be the coalition logo and that it really doesn't matter. I mentioned at the last meeting if they put their logo on the top then all of us should have ours there also. Am I being out of line? Help!

Response from Michelle:

The most important thing we can do for the animals in the shelter is to develop a good working relationship with the shelter (animal control) management and people who are handling them on a daily basis. You and your coalition are ambassadors for the animals. And, it is essential that you have a positive relationship with those who hold their lives in their hands, as well as the businesses who award the grants.

Actually, in my opinion, it is far more important to develop a good working relationship with shelter management, but you don't have to choose. One of the most important steps you all can take, as soon as possible, is to repair any animosity that may has been created or is being created over this grant and the logos. Walk through the shelter... take a look at the innocent animals and/or view their pictures on the website. They don't care about the logos; they just want a chance at life. If sharing the animal control/shelter logo will help pave the way for more lives being saved... well, it makes sense do to just that.

You all may be amazed how that logo inclusion may be the very step that created brand new opportunities for the animals you love and want to help. Yes, it may be one of the most important things your coalition ever did for the animals – including that logo. Use this controversy as an opportunity (which it is) to include the shelter in this wonderful chance at saving lives. The animals will surely benefit with the healing energy created. Stop the flow of negative energy between the animal control staff and your coalition, as the animals will definitely not benefit. Energy... whether negative or positive, grows. The animals will benefit tremendously in the long run if your coalition chooses to extend the olive branch with open hearts and include the shelter as much as possible. Request a meeting to discuss this possibility and begin the healing process. Please don't hesitate. Begin this today... for the animals.

Response from Linda:

This question is a tough one because it has so much to do with personalities. First, I'd like to point out some of the positives that the writer mentioned. This coalition has already overcome a HUGE hurdle. They have managed to take a shaky relationship and turn it around so they can work together. My heartiest congratulations on managing to do that and on acquiring your grant. I think the dogs in your area have a lot to look forward to!

Also, putting egos aside, focusing on the animals and avoiding any mud slinging is absolutely right on track. It's harder to do these things than we think, especially when emotions come into play. I'm going to put a little communication tip here: Avoid "you" statements, such as, "You could save the lives of more animals, but you refuse to work with us." Instead, use "I" statements, "I think, if we were allowed to take some of your animals, it would cut your euthanasia rates a lot." Or even make it more impersonal, "the public sees a shelter that euthanizes a lot of animals. We could help you lower those figures."

Now for your specific question, the Syracuse-Onondaga Cat Council has its logo and contact information at the top of the page. All of the groups who are members are listed along the side. But the Council has its own 501(c)(3). Donations come to us under that name; it has it's own treasury and so on. In other words, it's an independent organization. Yet everyone who is involved is given credit. That helps give legitimacy to a new group, because most of our "members" are reasonably well known and respected.

What you really need to consider is clarity for the public... to whom do they write the check and where do they send it? Whom should they call for information? I guess my point is that you have to decide whether this collaborative group is an organization in its own right, with a name and a logo and a bank account [in which case you'll probably also want to get a 501(c)(3)] or whether you are equal partners in this. Since the shelter has their 501(c)(3) already, and checks will probably be made out to them for tax reasons, I don't see a problem with putting their logo at the top, but I also would like to see the names and/or logos of the other groups working on the project put on the bottom, or along the side.

After all, the more groups involved, the more impressed the community (and future grant makers) will be with the project. You can also use a statement such as "The Cats County Animal Shelter in cooperation with the following organizations" or something like that. So while it's fine for the shelter to take the primary credit -- and they also seem prepared to take any liability, though I'm not quite sure what they are thinking might happen, it's to everyone's advantage to show that as many groups as possible are involved in this.

Replacing fear with inspiration

Question from Alice:

Whenever we try to work with others, it all seems to come down to making the inspiration and desire for change stronger than the desires for power, control, and prestige. Are there any key words we can use, or ideas we can express, to help generate more inspiration and less fear (of loss of power, control, and prestige)? In other words, our intentions are good, how do we cut past the posturing so that the others around us can be assured of that and relax?

Response from Michelle:

Alice, you said it. It is by working to eliminate the fear and replacing that negative energy with the positive energy of inspiration, friendship, love and trust that we make progress and move ahead with our dreams to help the animals. There is a saying, "The greatest leaders talk about ideas, next level is those people who talk about things, and the next level is those who talk about other people." We all need to remember that is important that we keep our dialogue geared to ideas and how to implement those great ideas.

Try to have a job or area for which each person within the group can be responsible and be in charge of, so to speak, so they can feel that they are important and contributing in some special way. Ask each member in the group/coalition to write down their strengths that can best help the animals. Let every person be responsible for one area. It can range from public relations, building a volunteer base, grant writing, animal care/fostering, items needed at events, event coordination, posters for events, fundraising, photos, etc. That way everyone has a role to play; each one knows that he/she is important to the group and is needed to make it all work. Try to recognize everyone in some small way at each meeting through positive reinforcement. Perhaps at each meeting a different person can have the floor and make a short presentation speaking on how he/she thinks the animals and group can benefit with one primary idea up for discussion (aside from regular business).

The question you ask, Alice, is an important one. As effective advocates, we are hopefully continually learning on how best to make progress for the animals and not hurt people's feelings within the group. We all need to keep the bigger picture in mind, know that inflammatory language is never helpful and remember to bring joy to the group in some way. And, as you say, relax.

Response from Linda:

This is a great question! Our perception is that we all compete for donations, adoptions, "spots" at events and everything else. Add to that the fact that most of us don't have a lot of money and may be scrambling to pay vet bills and other expenses, and it's a recipe for jealousy and suspicion. It takes strong leadership to keep the peace, so lets start there.

I would suggest setting up as much structure as you can. It helps to have by-laws and procedures in place, for instance, for elections of officers. Coming up with a very clear mission or project will help, too. When making those decisions, try to rely on fact rather than emotion. At the same time, give everyone his/her say, and try to let everyone participate in decision making. Sometimes when things don't go their way, the control freaks simply vote themselves off the island, so to speak. No matter how hard you try to bring them around, some people simply don't work and play well with others. You have to part ways (on good terms if possible) and move on.

Structure during meetings will help too. Set an agenda. Inviting all members to submit items will help them feel that have a chance to be heard. Meetings don't have to be formal, but try to stick to the agenda as much as possible. When things get off-track, people can be gently reminded that you need to get back to the agenda "for the sake of time". If someone brings up an item that isn't on the agenda and it will take more than a minute or two of discussion, you can always offer to put it on the next agenda, or stick around to discuss it after the meeting. Falling back on procedure can help prevent bad feelings and prevent the accusation that "nobody listens to us!"

I would also set some ground rules. Some ideas and statements are hard to argue with. Keep reminding everyone that you are all in this for the same reason... to do what's best for the animals. Although you may have many differences, you have one thing in common, your mission or project. You have to put aside any past ill will or personal feelings and move ahead.

The best thing you can point out (thanks to Spring Farm C.A.R.E.S. and the Network Partners for Animals for this) is that nobody is to put any other group or individual down because of differences in policies. Concentrate on the thing you have in common, the mission of your coalition, and put other things aside.

For individuals who want their own way, how about making them Chairperson of a committee. Also consider whether they have some idea that will work in parallel with your project. If you are working on Spay/neuter, for example, and you want a clinic and they want a voucher program, perhaps they can put together a committee to work on one while you establish the other.

"Thank you" and "I'm sorry" are great phrases to use. If people feel appreciated on the one hand and comfortable about admitting mistakes on the other, it makes everyone feel a little safer. Forgetting these phrases, or worse yet, chastising people for not working hard enough or for honest mistakes can kill motivation and enthusiasm in a hurry.

Ultimately, what does it matter whether someone adopts one of my cats or one of yours? In both cases a cat gets a home. What does it matter if you make $3,000 at your fundraiser? I can make just as much if I come up with an idea as good and work as hard. Besides, aren't you going to use that money to help animals that I, then, won't need to help? These ideas require a strong paradigm shift for some people and organizations. It's also very difficult for some individuals and groups to shrug off the unimportant things. Pick your battles. If it doesn't hurt your mission as a group, let it go. If it does, try talking it out calmly. Try not to burn bridges.

Remember that nothing succeeds like success. A few successes or positive happenings will go a long way toward confidence building for everyone.

How to hold a successful meeting

Question from Sandra:

I am so glad you are having this discussion. I am a molecular biologist and am starting a spay/neuter program. I have no experience running meetings and have a great group of people who are willing to be on the Board. My concern is how to effectively run a meeting, especially the first ones, to keep the people who offered to be on your Board willing to come back. Thank you for your help!

Response from Linda:

I had to chuckle when I read this question because I was thinking of my own "leadership" style. The first time I was in charge of a meeting, the President and Vice-President were absent, and I, as secretary, had to take over unexpectedly. Somebody had to whisper to me the order that the various report; old business, new business and so on came in.

I was so embarrassed that I vowed to read "Roberts Rules of Order," but I decided that it contained a lot more than I needed to know. By the time I had to conduct meetings on a regular basis, we were all pretty comfortable with each other and all we really needed was an agenda with a list of discussion topics to keep us all on track and make sure we cover the essentials. I try to put it together and e-mail everyone the week before, asking for any additions.

I do actually keep it in the traditional "Roberts" format, simply because it makes sense: "Call to order" (Okay folks, let's get started before the pizza gets cold.) "Committee Reports" (Anyone want to tell us about what they've been working on since the last meeting?) "Old Business," "New Business" and "Adjournment" (Would someone please take the extra brownies home?)

In spite of the way I describe them, we get a lot accomplished at our meetings. Whether your approach is informal or formal, there are some basic things you need to accomplish. First (after getting everyone's attention to let them know the meeting is starting) make sure that everyone is up to speed on what's been happening. That's the purpose of reading the minutes of the last meeting and asking for committee reports. The discussions of "old" and "new" business are the main topics; the things you really need to talk about. Before we adjourn, I always try to summarize what we've accomplished and what the various members or committees are going to work on... the "homework assignments" if you will.

You will need to have procedures in place for voting for officers and voting on issues. Some of these may actually be described in your by-laws, which you will eventually have if you decide to incorporate and go for tax-exempt status (501(c)(3)). If you really want to get it "right," you can find "Roberts Rules of Order" in just about any library. In our very informal style, and with a pretty straightforward project, we generally discuss an issue and find that we are in agreement on the important things. We just use a show of hands when a vote is required.

In general, the larger and/or more contentious the group, the more you have to rely on formal, static rules of order and meeting structure. In our meetings, for instance, we don't worry about raising hands and being recognized to speak. We're a small group, so we just talk. It works for us. In a larger group, our very informal style would lead to a lot of confusion and make it difficult to stay on task. We also don't worry about making and seconding motions very often. Robert's calls this "mutual consent."

In the beginning, you might want to start with a more formal approach. Most people have encountered that before and will be comfortable with it. Since some of your first tasks will be organizational, like electing officers, it's better to go by the book, or at least follow accepted procedures. As time goes on, you may decide to be less formal. You have to get a feel out your group and what works best for them. But regardless of your approach, there are some things you can do to keep people motivated and make meetings interesting.

First of all, I wasn't kidding about the food. Food automatically makes people more comfortable. Everyone can bring part of the meal, or one person can provide it all (on a rotating basis.) The caveat here is that people are busy, and it shouldn't take up too much of their time or money.

You might just want to surprise them at the first couple of meetings with coffee, soda, and cookies. I would bet that by the third meeting, others would volunteer to bring something. If you are meeting at mealtimes, you may want something more substantial, but see what the group thinks and try to divide responsibilities. You can plan on eating before or after the meeting, or split the difference with a meal before and dessert after.

If you have people who use meeting time to discuss all of their personal rescue stories and problems, an occupational hazard when so many of us work in isolation, try having a set social time before the meeting so that they can get that out of their systems and be ready to stay on-task during the meeting.

Be sure that everyone has opportunities for input, whether it's agenda topics, a chance to speak, or a committee to serve on. Everyone wants to be involved, so try to keep things moving and find things for people to do. Nothing is more discouraging than to come to a meeting, only to find that nothing has happened since the last one, there's nothing new to talk about, and nothing you can do to help.

Keep a variety of things going on, if you can, so that the tasks at hand can suit the talents. For a spay/neuter project, that's our project too, there are so many tasks that there are always new things to report. Examples include deciding what kind of program will work best for your community, doing community assessments, contacting veterinarians, many, many fundraising projects; nobody should be bored.

On the other hand, it's important to understand that everyone has a life. Most people have jobs, families, animals, and other things that take up their time. Pressuring them to work harder or trying to make them feel guilty is a turn-off. Instead, appreciate and sincerely thank members for the things they do, including attending meetings.

I know your meetings will be successful. Best of luck with your program!

Response from Michelle:

Enthusiasm and keeping a positive attitude are two keys for the first meeting. Come to the meeting with the knowledge that this first meeting is time for getting acquainted. You don't have to lay out any grand master plan. Just gather around, begin the meeting fairly promptly (without 20 or 30 minutes of chat time), introduce yourselves and individually state what each one's experiences have been with the animals thus far. No matter what we bring to the table, we generally come together for a very good reason (to help the animals). And, don't be nervous. The meeting will take on energy and life because hope springs from you all meeting in the first place.

Sandra, I don't mean to sound repetitive (as I mentioned it earlier this week) but please visit the link that contains the document that any coalition group wanting to get started needs to read. This "Community Assessment" document that Aimee St Arnaud of Best Friends created can be found and printed from your own computer. This document is extremely comprehensive along with being easy to read and share with others. As the document states, it is important to know your community demographics and identify the problem areas... even if you know spay/neuter is your area of choice. Bring it to the meeting. The link is http://www.bestfriends.org/nomorehomelesspets/pdf/Assessment.pdf.

(Linda Young has such wide experience in spay/neuter. She can definitely speak as to some important first steps for you).

Be organized. Pass a sheet around and get everyone's name and contact info (including phone numbers and e-mail addresses, etc) and the best times for everyone to meet as a rule. Take some notes. Have a calendar and be prepared to schedule your next meeting with everyone coming back with one thing they are to do. (It can be a small action such as glean some info from the web, gather some stats, bring a list of important numbers, bring one interested person to the meeting, etc.)

Listen and show gentle leadership especially if the conversation is getting off the track. Try not to get caught up in talking about your personal lives too much... other than the basics. Sandra, this first meeting will more than likely surprise you when you see how it comes all together. And, more than likely, you will all leave very excited and enthused about your next meeting. This is your opportunity to help make great things happen that can change and save lives in so many different ways. Be joyful!!!

When one member make a power grab

Question from Pat:

I volunteer in my local shelter and while I feel that it is rewarding to work with the dogs and cats I'm concerned that the efforts of a local rescue group that was started to help the shelter has, over the years, developed into a hindrance. The rescue organization in question supplies most of the volunteers and occasionally lobbies the county government for increased funding and other improvements for the shelter.

The problem is that they have dominated the shelter for so long that they "own" it, so ideas as to fund raising (there are none other than for the rescue group itself), community awareness programs (none except as conducted through the rescue group), or even soliciting volunteers must be approved and coordinated through them. The shelter director allows this because the shelter can't operate without volunteers and the rescue group supplies the majority of volunteers. Volunteers outside of the rescue group are made to feel unwelcome and generally leave after a couple of months.

Meanwhile, the shelter lacks fund raising and outreach programs and dogs and cats are euthanized because the community isn't aware of the shelter. Any efforts to start such programs by volunteers outside of the rescue group are not supported by the shelter. Any ideas on how to break this cycle?

Response from Michelle:

Pat, this is a tough one, isn't it? But, rest assured, scores of communities around the country have or have had the exact same problem. It seems apparent that the local shelter is being hampered in a big way and not making maximum progress because of an established relationship with one dominant group. And, it produces frustration if the combined forces are not allowing the community-at-large to contribute or become involved in a meaningful manner. The animals are certainly not being served well either.

Depending on the management at your shelter and/or the political dynamics of your community, you may think you have challenges that are insurmountable. But, where there is a will there is a way. Do not give up even if you think there is absolutely no way things will ever change. When good people come together for a good cause... well, that is how progress is and has been made throughout history... concerned individuals coming together because of a need.

Many wonderful humane groups and coalitions in the movement have been started because of the very problem you are experiencing today. Perhaps this is your time to start such a group. This is especially true if you are being shut out of participating in an honest and worthwhile manner that strengthens the community and makes the shelter a more humane facility for the animals.

You certainly could start to organize a group of interested individuals to meet and discuss how you can truly contribute and make the shelter a better place for the animals and the community. Put some feelers out and network with fellow animal advocates. Study the Best Friends website and visit it on a regular basis. There are so many ways to begin and Best Friends will show you just how. (For instance, http://www.bestfriends.org/nomorehomelesspets/brigades/ "Best Friends Brigades" volunteer groups are explained. Or join the Best Friends Network (http://www.bestfriends.org/nomorehomelesspets/thenetwork/).

The most important step for me as I first became involved was to attend a Best Friends No More Homeless Pets (NMHP) Conference. They are held in different cities around the country twice a year (http://www.bestfriends.org/nomorehomelesspets/workshopsevents/). Once you attend, you will come away a changed (and renewed) person ...especially if progress is currently not being made in your community in a manner as it could and should be. The 3-day conference will provide you with a wealth of information that will teach you to how to earnestly begin. You will learn so much, including how other people and communities have overcome the very type of problems you are experiencing. You arrive on Friday night and by Sunday afternoon when you are returning home, you will have fresh hope, solid ideas, new contacts, and resources from which to lay a foundation for starting your own group and/or being highly effective in your community... despite difficult and seemingly impossible challenges.

Best Friends No More Homeless Conferences are imperative for any animal lovers/advocates who are seeking to create positive change for the animals in their community. Attend one or more of these conferences, Pat, and you will soon see... nothing is impossible when it comes to creating new and exciting opportunities for the homeless animals in your community.

Response from Linda:

Interesting problem! Usually we hear of the opposite; a shelter that so jealously guards their territory that they won't allow rescue groups in. I can understand the reluctance of the shelter to rock the boat. This group is not only making their work easier, they're making it possible. I can see a couple of approaches. But without knowing the personalities and structures involved, it's hard to say which would work better.

From the shelter side, surely the Director and/or the Board should be able to see that if more organizations or individuals become involved, more animals could be saved, more resources brought in, and so on. If I had a group working hard for KittyCorner, and another group wanted to come in and help, as Director I would have a serious talk with the first group about the opportunities that more hands and hearts can bring.

Well, actually, I'd probably be genuinely so excited and enthusiastic that they wouldn't want to burst my bubble. If they rejected that help outright, or by making things hard for the new group, I'd have another serious talk. But a lot of tact is involved here. The Director, or whoever represents the shelter, needs to make it clear that the efforts of the group are appreciated and are very important to the shelter and the animals. But wouldn't it be even better if there was yet another group involved? Wouldn't the animals be better off if other organizations held fundraisers for the shelter too?

The other thing that disturbs me about this question is that the community isn't even aware of the shelter. I don't want to cast aspersions, but WHY isn't the shelter doing more to make a name in the community? Surely, the Board and the Director must realize that they have to work to get their name out there, and it seems as though it would be difficult for the group that has taken over to argue that point. The bottom line, I think, is that the Shelter needs to take back some of the responsibility for running things.

Do some advertising, hold some events, perhaps asking the dominant group to help with the planning, start a foster program, do some humane education events. The dominant group may be angry, but why? Do they want to save more animals or don't they? It's hard to argue with that kind of logic.

If someone decides to approach the Board or the Director by the way, be very positive about the dominant group and all their hard work. Avoid put-downs, accusations and so on. Stick to the positives about how much they and the animals will benefit with more help. Any resistance is probably coming from their fear that the dominant group will leave them high and dry, but even if they do leave, my guess is that there are a lot of individuals in that group who will be happy to stay. Strong leadership by the shelter should be able to change the climate to be more welcoming of new volunteers and diverse groups.

It's possible that the shelter is content to let things stay as they are. Many organizations are very resistant to change. This is a problem that we face in our own community. If that's the case, take a look at some services the dominant group isn't already providing. A foster care program might reduce euthanasia. (You wouldn't have to take animals out of the shelter; you could grab some of them before they are surrendered.) A spay/neuter program might reduce the shelter population. As a volunteer, you can probably think of lots of other programs that would help the animals. These kinds of programs can be set up without the blessings of the shelter or the group that runs it, and still benefit the animals. If you hold a fundraiser on your own, are they going to turn down the money? And it may get your name out there as well as theirs.

So if you can't change the situation at the shelter, you can still have a huge effect by working on a project at the community level. Just remember, you are all on the same side. You aren't competing, you are going to stay up beat and positive, and you aren't going to disparage the shelter or the group that runs it. You aren't going to burn any bridges. If they bad-mouth your group, you're going to take the high road and not do the same to them. Taking the high road will put you in a far better position with the community, and your work will pay off. Keep the lines of communication open. Show them how much good you can do when you work together. Invite them to your events, even if they ignore all invitations. When you see any of them at events or out in the community, be pleasant and friendly. People and organizations learn far more from a good example than in any other way.

Note from Forum Moderator:

Additional transcripts of forum weeks covering this topic are available in this section on Working with Others, and are archived here for easy reference. As always, thank you for your interest in the No More Homeless Pets Forum, and for everything you do for the animals!

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