Best Friends Animal Society

The Brownsville Animal Regulation and Care Center (BARCC) in Texas saved 90% of the pets in their care for the first time ever in March 👏👏👏  That's an even more remarkable milestone when you consider that last March, their save rate was 37%. So how did they gain all that ground in a single year?   The BARCC team collaborated with Taylor Lefebvre from the Best Friends Embed Team to implement a number of changes, and one of those was removing roadblocks to adoption.   To start, they cut their four page adoption application down to only one page of absolutely necessary questions. Next they asked themselves why, in their border town with thousands of people crossing for work every day, they didn't allow adoptions to Mexican citizens. There was no real reason, so now BARCC does allow adoptions to Mexico. The lives saved from these changes (and more!) speak for themselves!   Learn more about how to try this out at your organization: https://lnkd.in/ejWWz4zJ

Hey New York City, we've got something big coming... Come to Times Square next Tuesday, April 30, where we're installing a home-like activation and a giant play yard — with adoptable pets, of course. The event runs from 1-7pm. And did I mention it's National Adopt A Shelter Pet Day? This incredible Best Friends Animal Society team keeps pushing forward to end the killing of pets in shelters. Absolutely love their creativity. Hope to see you there! https://lnkd.in/gAWreVmZ

Do you ask for ID as part of your adoption process? If so, have you ever thought of that step as a barrier for some people? There are many reasons someone may be unwilling or unable to provide ID, and none of those reasons prevent them from being a good pet parent! Bernalillo County Animal Care Services has never required an ID for adoption in the five years they've had a physical shelter. Animal Care Services Director misha Goodman says this barrier is not necessary in the adoption process, and it makes adoption more accessible to the entire community. Removing or loosening the ID requirement from your adoption process can also help you save more pets, as shown by Bernalillo County's data! They are saving 86% of the pets in their care, as opposed to the state average of 76%. Learn to solve more adoption barriers like this: https://lnkd.in/egzMzYrD

Adoption barriers like landlord checks can prevent us as an animal welfare industry from reaching our potential in more ways than one. Lawrence Nicolas realized this early in his career, and now serves as the President of Jacksonville Humane Society (JHS).   JHS, which has been practicing open adoptions for over a decade, is a no-kill shelter that also actively partners with both their city and state to help extend lifesaving beyond their shelter walls. Once they started welcoming all adopters in 2013, their adoptions steadily increased, enabling them to increase the number of animals they helped and start sharing the load with their partner municipal shelter.   Learn how you can welcome all adopters (and fosters) at your organization with our Adoptions Training Playbook: https://lnkd.in/ejWWz4zJ

Need buy-in for removing barriers from your adoption application? The ASSOCIATION OF SHELTER VETERINARIANS INC Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters explicitly state that shelters should remove barriers to placing pets in their communities. Removing barriers can include: ✅ Accessible and convenient open hours ✅ Adoption and reclaim services in languages spoken by the community ✅ Affordable adoption and reclaim fees ✅ Adoption and outreach events that reach the entire community ✅ Inclusive adoption policies If you need help getting approval for dropping some of these barriers, share the ASV guidelines with your shelter or government leadership! Read the guidelines here: https://lnkd.in/g4uuSa-i

It's Animal Care & Control Appreciation Week from April 14-20! It means so much to the caring and compassionate professionals at your local animal shelter when their community celebrates them during this important week. Not sure what your company or organization should do to participate? We've got you. 🐾 Click through for some ideas!

City of Burlington Animal Services has been saving more than 90% of the pets in their care since 2018, embracing open adoptions through it all. Director Jessica A., attributes achieving and sustaining no-kill for six years to not just programming (although that's important!), but also organizational culture and focusing on their mission of ensuring positive outcomes for pets and their families. If you want to meet your lifesaving goals like Burlington, it's critical to welcome your whole community into the movement 🧡   #AnimalShelter #AnimalShelters #NoKillShelter #AdoptDontShop #BurlingtonNC

Marketing and communications play an essential role in building support for your shelter or rescue within your community, and it often needs to be achieved with minimal resources. Join us live for "Engage Your Community with Grassroots Marketing" on Tuesday, April 23 at 6pm ET to explore with industry experts what grassroots marketing is and how it applies to animal welfare initiatives. Attendees will hear from: 🧡 April Peiffer, Community Programs Coordinator for Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter in Texas 🧡 Brandon Macz, PR and Social Media Specialist for Seattle Humane in Seattle 🧡 Jorge Richa, Senior Manager of Marketing Strategy and Community for Best Friends Animal Society Whether you're a seasoned animal welfare pro or just getting started, this live discussion will equip you with strategies for cultivating support and mobilizing your community. Register here: https://lnkd.in/e7z3ysAY

Animal welfare professionals: Registration is now open for the 2024 Best Friends National Conference! Will we see you in Orlando this July 11-13? This year's conference brings 90+ sessions to help you bring lifesaving home, and there are topics for every area in animal welfare. Whether you’re an adoption counselor, an animal behavior specialist, a fundraising coordinator, an executive director, or any other dedicated animal welfare professional, we'd be thrilled if you could join us in Orlando. Grab your spot before May 10 for a special discounted price of only $295. Beginning May 11, the registration fee increases to $395. Register today: https://lnkd.in/gcDF6y3E #bfnc #bfnc24

Ready to increase your dog lifesaving expertise? 🐶 Best Friends Dog Lifesaving Course (DLC), a collaboration with SUU Community & Workforce Development, can help you do just that! DLC is designed for anyone who wants to positively impact the lives of dogs in shelters, whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting your journey.   The seven-week course is completely online from May 13 - June 28, and is available for $233 per student. Limited seats are available, so don't miss out! Class begins May 13. Apply now: bfas.org/DLC. #AchievingExcellenceInAnimalServices #DogLifesavingCourse #DogLifesaving #LearningLivesForever #AnimalServices #LearningResources