San Luis Obispo County has long allowed people to report an animal as found, in case the owner is looking, without turning the pet into Animal Services; instead, (these days) you submit a pic + info about where found + instructions to contact the shelter to connect with the finder. Is this not standard in other counties? And what a good idea to have a community fund to help out with foster fees. Sure, there are people who will abuse the help, reporting their own animal as found to access funds, but I'm sure we (as in smart people like you ;) could come up with some safeguards; and even if a few fraudsters slip through, perhaps they need the help to keep their pet. Your overall message about communities helping their citizens (two and four — or more! — legged) is an excellent one. Live local thinking creates complex, supportive webs of healthier lives and relationships.
Great points, Sheila. We have found anecdotally that diverse coalitions of likeminded people are the most effective at providing support for people who want to keep their pets. Volunteers, rescuers, and people who can temporarily foster dogs to keep them out of shelters make amazing teams.
Thank you Jill. Love your thoughts. What can we do to get more people on board, inspired, active? Thinking of the saying “change comes from the top,” but for animal welfare, does it…?
It's frustrating, right? There is a dearth of leadership within shelter systems. Often, unqualified people are promoted from within without adequate experience or training. Leaders "at the top" are just as likely to turn a blind eye to this as to try and remedy it. (The unions are also a barrier.) To put your statement another way, "The fish rots from the head." (Sorry.)
I believe that change won't come from the top, or from the hardworking grassroots volunteers who have the vision. It will come from the outside and involve a diverse coalition that recognizes how shelters can be more effective.
You’re right there is a frightening lack of qualified leadership, and the union protects bad apples. Fresh, outside blood is needed — and needed badly for any chance of innovation and/or change.
San Luis Obispo County has long allowed people to report an animal as found, in case the owner is looking, without turning the pet into Animal Services; instead, (these days) you submit a pic + info about where found + instructions to contact the shelter to connect with the finder. Is this not standard in other counties? And what a good idea to have a community fund to help out with foster fees. Sure, there are people who will abuse the help, reporting their own animal as found to access funds, but I'm sure we (as in smart people like you ;) could come up with some safeguards; and even if a few fraudsters slip through, perhaps they need the help to keep their pet. Your overall message about communities helping their citizens (two and four — or more! — legged) is an excellent one. Live local thinking creates complex, supportive webs of healthier lives and relationships.
Great points, Sheila. We have found anecdotally that diverse coalitions of likeminded people are the most effective at providing support for people who want to keep their pets. Volunteers, rescuers, and people who can temporarily foster dogs to keep them out of shelters make amazing teams.
Thank you Jill. Love your thoughts. What can we do to get more people on board, inspired, active? Thinking of the saying “change comes from the top,” but for animal welfare, does it…?
Thanks for the comment, Martha.
It's frustrating, right? There is a dearth of leadership within shelter systems. Often, unqualified people are promoted from within without adequate experience or training. Leaders "at the top" are just as likely to turn a blind eye to this as to try and remedy it. (The unions are also a barrier.) To put your statement another way, "The fish rots from the head." (Sorry.)
I believe that change won't come from the top, or from the hardworking grassroots volunteers who have the vision. It will come from the outside and involve a diverse coalition that recognizes how shelters can be more effective.
You’re right there is a frightening lack of qualified leadership, and the union protects bad apples. Fresh, outside blood is needed — and needed badly for any chance of innovation and/or change.
The same old same old isn't working anymore if it ever did. Something has to change, most likely everything.
I don't know whether to laugh or cry, Chris.