Back Where They Belong 2024 - On-Demand Summit Recording
Recorded On: 02/28/2024
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Event Overview
Our shelters are full of dogs and cats who have been separated from their people, their home, their habitat. Animals who very well may have been living their best lives before they appeared in the corner of our kennel card.
Join us for short, solutions-focused presentations to hear how shelter team members are getting animals back where they belong faster, easier, and better… and how you can too.
Want to learn more about this event? Visit our event page here.
Continuing Education Credits
Each 25-minute session of the Back Where They Belong event has been approved for 0.25 hours of continuing education credits through Certified Animal Welfare Administrator (CAWA) and The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement and by National Animal Care and Control Association (NACA).
Contact
Email us at learniverse@sheltermedportal.com if you have any questions or concerns about this event.
Maddie’s®️ Million Pet Challenge
With the Maddie’s®️ Million Pet Challenge, the Five Key Initiatives of the Million Cat Challenge have expanded to include other species at risk in shelters and evolved into the Four Rights.
Within the Four Rights, every element works in concert to support one another: animals and people are treated as individuals, empowering shelter staff to make the best decisions for everyone; community safety net services are in place and flourishing; and humane care within the shelter is provided, with appropriate outcomes for the animals that do come in, allowing shelters to deliver the Right Care, in the Right Place, at the Right Time, and to the Right Outcome
Learn more about Maddie's®️ Million Pet Challenge Learniverse. #ThankstoMaddie
Maddie’s®️ Pet Forum Discussion Thread
You can also join the discussion about these concepts over on Maddie's Pet Forum in the Back Where They Belong discussion thread.
Click to visit the Discussion Group (will open in a new window/tab).
Key:
Kate Hurley, DVM, MPVM
Director
Koret Shelter Medicine Program, UC Davis
Dr. Hurley is the founding director of the Koret Shelter Medicine Program and co-founder of the Million Cat Challenge, a shelter-based initiative to save the lives of one million more cats in five years. Over 1,500 shelters more than tripled that goal, between them saving over three million cats against their own baseline before joining the challenge. Hurley’s research interests include welfare of confined dogs and cats, humane and effective strategies to manage community cats, and infectious disease prevention. She will always love shelter work because it has the potential to improve the lives of so many animals and the people who work so hard to care for them.
Christine Kim
Founder
My Dog Is My Home
Christine is a macro social worker with a specialized interest in building programs and policies that recognize the power of the human-animal bond. During her time working in supportive housing, Christine became acutely aware of the barriers people experiencing homelessness with animals face when attempting to access shelter and housing services. Christine’s research and work with human-animal homeless families includes a publication in the pioneering book Animals in Social Work: Why and How They Matter (Palgrave Macmillan, 2014), an exhibition for The Animal Museum called My Dog Is My Home and the founding of the non-profit organization by the same name. She served as the first director of the NYC Mayor's Office of Animal Welfare under Mayor Bill de Blasio, and she is the recipient of the ASPCA’s 2021 Public Service Humane Awards for her leadership at the NYC’s Mayor’s Office during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cole Wakefield
Executive Director
Good Shepherd Humane Society
Cole Wakefield is the executive director of The Good Shepherd Humane Society in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. He works with several national organizations, including the Human Animal Support Services Project and the Humane Society of the United States, on rural issues and consults with other animal welfare agencies on management practice and program implementation. He earned his Master of Science in Management and leadership from Western Governors University and is pursuing a doctorate in strategy and innovation.
Cole holds CARE REDI: Bronze certification and serves on the Association for Animal Welfare Advancement's DEI Council. Cole also serves on the Consultive Council of Nonprofit Leaders for Charity Navigator.
Elkie Wills
Senior Director of Community Engagement
San Diego Humane Society
Elkie Wills, Sr. Director of Community Engagement at San Diego Humane Society began her career in animal welfare in 2004 with the Humane Society of Yuma. This is where she honed her skills at juggling multiple hats and understanding the importance of cultivating community support via volunteers, staff, media and developing partnerships. Elkie has been with San Diego Humane Society for 14 years where her roles have evolved throughout the years, but always with a focus on sharing the mission with the community whether it be via media or community support programs. In the last year, the Lost and Found initiatives transitioned to Community Engagement, creating a more comprehensive effort with community programming and pet families across San Diego.
Laura Lampley
Senior Director of Animal Resources and Admissions
Pasadena Humane Society
Laura’s professional background includes working in the legal field as well as the tech space. She is especially interested in how we can harness technology to help more animals.
Her current work in animal welfare is focused on returning lost pets to their owners through Pasadena Humane’s Animal Resource Center AND community cats to their outdoor homes through their Community Cat Program.
She has spent the past 10 years helping cats in her community through TNR and has improved the existing Community Cat Program at Pasadena Humane by expanding services offered and making the program more accessible to community members.
Michelle George
Director of Community Animal Care
Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity (CARE)
Michelle has over a decade of hands-on experience at Fulton County Animal Services in Atlanta, Georgia, an open admissions county animal shelter currently managed by Lifeline Animal Project.
Michelle has played many roles in the sheltering industry including Animal Care Specialist, Adoption Counselor, Client Care Representative, Dispatcher, Court Clerk, Field Support Clerk; as well as multiple supervisory and management roles stemming from these positions.
Michelle has an affinity for anything dispatch; and is always up for community events and rescue transports. She is always in search of learning new aspects of the world of animal welfare and forming lasting relationships with community.
Michelle’s commitment to raising awareness and empowering others is the beating heart of her professional life. This commitment has led to her current role as Director of Community Animal CARE with Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity (CARE).
Mike Wheeler
Director of Community Services
City of Cabot - Cabot Animal Support Services
Mike Wheeler is the Director of Community Services for Cabot, Arkansas. Over the last 15 years he has been dedicated to animal welfare and public safety while reducing euthanasia and promoting responsible pet ownership in Cabot, Arkansas. Under Mike’s management of his city’s open admission shelter and animal control operations, he has fostered a culture of helping people and animals which has brought about 23 community programs that focused on improving the lives of every person and every pet in his community through strengthening the human animal bond and keeping families together. This philosophy of returning/keeping animals with their families has reduced his annual intake from 3,357 animals in 2019 to 1022 animals in 2022 with a euthanasia rate of less than 1%, counting every animal the organization touched in 2022. His belief that animal control should harbor an environment where they work with the community rather than against the community has resulted in an 87% ordinance compliance without issuing citations in 2022.
His passion for animal welfare and public policy has driven him to a position on the Executive Management Committee for the Human Animal Support Services (HASS), the Executive Board of the National Animal Care and Control Association (NACA) and the position of Treasurer (Past President), of the Arkansas State Animal Control Association (ASACA). In this capacity he helps form best practices, trains animals control officers and assists Animal Service Departments and individuals across the country to become better representatives within their communities while providing a higher standard for animal welfare and public safety in those communities. Mike’s philosophy is one that is based on continued learning in an ever-changing world. As well as learning daily from human and animal welfare leaders across this country Mike holds a Masters in Business as well as degrees in Criminal Justice and Public Administration.
Akisha Townsend Eaton
Chief of Policy, Environmental Justice Division
CARE
Akisha, a recognized leader in the field of animal welfare law and policy, is currently the Chief of Policy for the Environmental Justice Division of CARE. She brings over a decade of leadership experience at a variety of regional, national and international nonprofits in the area of animal law and policy. Active in the broader social justice movement, she is a contributor to a number of organizations, including the Black Appalachian Coalition (BLAC) and her local NAACP, for which she chairs the environmental justice, and economic development committees. She is also the past diversity Vice Chair for the American Bar Association’s Animal Law Committee and is a recent recipient of the Prince and Cora Mack Humanitarian Award.
Akisha received her law degree from Georgetown University Law Center, where she was recognized as a Law Center Scholar and her bachelor’s degree from Stanford University where she graduated with distinction. She lives in Kentucky with her husband and two rabbits.
Bobby Mann
Chief Programs Officer
St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center
In his role, Bobby oversees St. Hubert's organization’s advocacy efforts, community programs, humane education, and public pet services all with the goal of uplifting and keeping people and pets together. Bobby also oversees the WayStation program, St. Hubert’s best-in-class animal relocation program.
With more than a decade of experience at municipal animal shelters, Bobby’s deep operational expertise, leadership, and creativity have helped change the public’s perception of the animal welfare industry.
In his most recent role for American Pets Alive! as the Maddie’s® Human Animal Support Services (HASS) pilot director, Bobby's work focused on developing programs and protocols to implement community supported sheltering and help keep pets in homes with families who already love them.
Previously, Bobby spent more than a decade working in Sacramento animal shelters, at both the Sacramento SPCA and later at the state capital’s municipal organization, Front Street Animal Shelter.
Bobby is passionate about implementing and expanding programs that instill a people-first mindset, support youth engagement, further the inclusion of historically marginalized communities, and celebrate the love between people and pets.
Mia Navedo-Williams
VP of Marketing and Communications
Humane Rescue Alliance
Mia Navedo-Williams is the Vice President of Marketing and Communications at the Humane Rescue Alliance.
Mia brings over 25 years’ experience in brand, marketing, and public relations through her work at Lee Jeans, HR Block, GE Energy, and most recently Best Friends Animal Society. While at Best Friends, Mia built the multicultural marketing program and led the Community Center of Excellence team. She’s won awards for brand work at GE Energy as well as for her Hispanic/Latino work at the Y. She holds a Journalism degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia.
Mia resides in St. Louis, Missouri, with her husband, youngest son, and four beloved rescue dogs.
Caroline Malcolm
Digital Communications Social Media Specialist
San Diego Humane Society
Caroline Malcolm is the Digital Communications Social Media Specialist at San Diego Humane Society. With a background in communications and a passion for animal welfare, Caroline works to develop, implement, and manage San Diego Humane Society’s social media strategy to increase their online presence, improve their digital marketing efforts, and grow public awareness and involvement to further support their mission, programs, services and fundraising efforts. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family and hiking!
Jordan Frey
Marketing Manager
San Diego Humane Society
Jordan Frey has been with San Diego Humane Society for four years, now in the role of Marketing Manager. She's passionate about supporting animals and people through sharing resources that promote healthier pet communities. Jordan supports educational, programmatic, fundraising and animal marketing campaigns for the organization, as well as media efforts to expand impact in San Diego County and beyond. In her spare time, she goes hiking with her dog Emmy (an SDHS alum) and enjoys fostering.
Nina Stively
Director
Loudoun County Animal Services
Nina Stively is the Director of Loudoun County Animal Services in Leesburg, Virginia. She is a Virginia Animal Control Officer, a certified Animal Welfare Administrator, a certified Expert Animal Cruelty Investigator, and has Master's Degrees in Veterinary Science and Business Administration. Nina started out as a volunteer over 20 years ago, and now loves working to improve industry standards in animal welfare, especially in the areas of professional ethics, transport, disease management and quality of care in shelters. She lives with her human family, and an assembly of pets, both permanent and fosters.
Shyanne Schull
Director
Washoe County Regional Animal Services
Shyanne Schull is the director for Washoe County Regional Animal Services in Reno, Nevada. Her proactive philosophy and approach to animal welfare issues helps to drive successful programs that support the bond between pets and people. With an intake average annual intake of 13,000 animals, Washoe County Regional Animal Services boasts a 40% combined cat and dog return to owner rate over a ten- year average. The success of these programs takes collaboration, dedication, community support and a lot of hard work.
In her 23- year career in animal welfare, Shyanne has worked in a wide array of capacities: kennel worker, dispatcher, officer, shelter manager, assistant director and director. She understands the respective challenges that each division area faces and believes in forging the passion and experience from each into a constructive goal; to develop life-saving strategies for shelter diversion and to support responsible pet ownership and pet retention.
Tori Fugate
Chief Communications Officer
KC Pet Project
Tori Fugate joined the KC Pet Project team in March 2012 – shortly after the organization took over the Kansas City, MO, animal shelter in January 2012. She is a graduate of Drury University in Springfield, MO, with a B.A. in Advertising and minors in Global Studies, Sports Management, and Women & Gender Studies. Tori’s past work experience includes working with the St. Louis Cardinals’ Double-A affiliate, the Springfield Cardinals, the Kansas City Chiefs, and various retail management positions. Her past non-profit experience includes working with the Missouri Restaurant Association and the Greater Kansas City Restaurant Association, and she served on the Kansas City Restaurant Week Committee in 2011.
Dianne Prado
Founder & President
Housing Equity & Advocacy Resource Team
Dianne Prado is the Founder and President of Housing Equity & Advocacy Resource Team, also known as HEART LA. HEART LA is a legal non-profit that helps ensure people and their pets remain housed. Dianne is also an appointed public member of the California Veterinary Medical Board, a trainer and consultant for the Stay Housed Los Angeles Eviction Defense Program, and Lecturer in Law for UCLA Law School, teaching Los Angeles Housing Law and Policy.
Resources for the following sessions:
- Keynote - 9:10 a.m. – The Crucial Role of Return to Home in Reducing Shelter Crowding - Dr. Kate Hurley, UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program
- Session 1 - 9:40 a.m. – Contracts, Jurisdictions, Fees and Local Ordinance Considerations to Promote Return to Home – Cole Wakefield, Good Shepherd Humane Society
- Session 2 - 10:10 a.m. – Getting Cats Back Where They Belong – Laura Lampley, Pasadena Humane Society
- Session 3 - 10:40 a.m. – Using Technology to Improve Your Lost and Found Systems – Elkie Wills, San Diego Humane Society
- Panel Discussion - 11:10 a.m. – Panel discussion and Q&A with speakers and guests
***Resources will automatically download when you go to open them***
Resources from the following sessions:
- Session 1- 11:45 a.m. – Focusing on Return to Owner/Return to Home (RTO/RTH) in the Field – Cole Wakefield, Human Animal Support Services (HASS)
- Session 2a - 12:15 p.m. – Empowering Dispatch With Training, Support and Resources for the Public – Michelle George, Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity (CARE)
- Session 2b - 12:30 p.m. – Working with Finders to Help Get Animals Back Where They Belong – Mike Wheeler, Cabot Animal Support Services
- Session 3 - 12:45 p.m. – Shelter Outreach and Support Programs to Get and Keep Animals Where They Belong – Christine Kim, My Dog is My Home
- Discussion Panel - 1:15 p.m. – Panel discussion and Q&A with speakers and guests
***Resources will automatically download when you go to open them***
Resources for the following sessions:
- 9:10 a.m. – Keynote – Dr. Kate Hurley, UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program
- 9:40 a.m. – Focusing on Return to Home at the Shelter to Get More Animals Back Where They Belong – Shyanne Schull, Washoe County Animal Services
- 10:10 a.m. – Easy Shelter Website Changes to Increase Return to Home – Tori Fugate, KC Pet Project
- 10:40 a.m. – Making It Easy for Owners to Find and Redeem Lost Pets: Tech Tips and Communication Strategies – Bobby Mann and Mia Navedo-Williams, Humane Rescue Alliance
- 11:10 a.m. – Panel discussion and Q&A with speakers and guests
**Resources will automatically download when you open them**
Resources from the following sessions:
- Session 1 - 11:45 a.m. – Getting Pets Home with Better Approaches to On-Pet IDs and ID/Microchip Tracing – Nina Stively, Loudoun County Animal Services
- Session 2 - 12:15 p.m. – Leveraging Social Media, Other Internet Resources and Volunteers to Supercharge Return to Home – Elkie Wills, San Diego Humane Society
- Session 3 - 12:30 p.m. – Removing Barriers to Get More Animals Back Where They Belong – Akisha Townsend Eaton, Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity (CARE)
- Panel Discussion - 1:15 p.m. – Panel discussion and Q&A with speakers and guests
***Resources will automatically download when you go to open them***