Shelter’s Edge

In honor of the Thanksgiving holiday, we’ve been talking online and on Facebook about what we’ve been most appreciative of over the past year in the animal sheltering world. Please tell us what you’re thankful for, too.

- “I am thankful to the many shelters, spay/neuter clinics and rescue groups that used their data this year to help them save even more lives,” says Dr. Emily Weiss, Shelters’ Edge blogger and ASPCA Vice President of Shelter Research & Development. “We have learned that every number represents a wet nose… and nothing makes me more grateful than seeing the innovation and data focus to save more lives happening around the country!”

- Says the ASPCA’s Bert Troughton, MSW, Vice President, ProLearning and Shelters’ Edge blogger, “I am thankful for the opportunity to make a difference, the people I work with, the goofy, loveable look on Logan’s (my dog’s) face whenever our eyes meet…”

- From our ASPCAPro Facebook fan Harriett W.: “As a volunteer, I am thankful for the caring staff and the other volunteers who make the lives of the animals so much better while they prepare and wait for a forever home.”

- “I am amazed by the innovative work you guys are doing on social media, and a ginormous thank you to all of you who have let me share your successes and ideas with others in the field,” says Shelters’ Edge editor Pune Dracker. “That especially means you, Wisconsin Humane Society, SPCA of Wake County, Spokane Humane Society, Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society, Central Oklahoma Humane Society and UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program.”

- The ASPCA thanks the following animal welfare groups in our Response Partner Program for going above and beyond to save animal victims of cruelty or natural disasters this year: Columbia-Greene Humane Society; Dumb Friends League; St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center; Humane Society of Broward County; Washington Animal Rescue League; Spay and Neuter Kansas City; Wayside Waifs, and Charleston Animal Society. These agencies will be recognized with $10K grants for their work during the ASPCA’s response operations in Joplin, Memphis and New York City.

- We are thankful for the Association of Shelter Veterinarians’ Guidelines for Standards of Care in Shelters…

…and the National Federation of Humane Societies’ Basic Data Matrix for Community Animal Shelter data.

- From Facebook fan Gail T.: “True Innocents Equine Rescue is thankful for our tireless volunteers who spend hours cleaning pens, grooming horses and raising funds to help horses in need!”

- “I am thankful for our volunteers! Our volunteers are the best and we could NOT function without them!!” says Facebook fan Shannon.

- And from Emily S. via Facebook: “I am thankful for the homeless animals and all that they teach us. I am thankful that when their humans give up they do not. I am thankful to be a part of their journey.”

Please tell us who or what you’re thankful for in the comment box. And as Elvis would say, “Thank you. Thankyouverymuch.”

Tags: Disaster & Cruelty, disaster response, Marketing & Media, Research, Research & Data, Saving Lives

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