We, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), the National Federation of Humane Societies (NFHS) and the Society of Animal Welfare Administrators (SAWA), believe there is no place in the humane movement for physical or verbal intimidation, defamation, harassment, personal attacks or threats of violence.

In order to save lives we must look for opportunities for dialogue, collaboration and cooperation, rather than diverting precious resources toward efforts only meant to destroy organizations and individuals. Shelters must continually improve their level of service and implement programs that successfully address pet homelessness, but they can achieve success only with the constructive support of an engaged community.

The tools collected below are designed to help animal welfare organizations and the general public work together for positive, productive change in their communities, and avoid the kind of destructive tactics that ultimately harm animals and move us further from our shared goal of saving lives and ending euthanasia.

General Materials for Humane Discourse

• Pledge for Humane Discourse
  
• Our Choice Now
  
• Setting Aside Semantics
  
• The Psychology of Attacks and Attackers, Arieahn Matamonasa-Bennett, Ph.D. Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Assistant Professor DePaul University, Chicago (.pdf)
  

Tools for Communicating with the Media

• Lights, Camera, Action: Media Training for Shelters (.pdf)
  
• Surviving the Storm: Practical Messaging & Communication, Tabitha Hanes (.pptx)
  
• Surviving the Storm: Strategies to Respond and Move Beyond Attacks and Other Trouble, Glenn Smith (.pptx)
  
• Communicating During a Crisis 
  
• Proactive Crisis Communications
  
• What to Do if You Are Attacked Online: Setting a Social Media Policy for Your Business 
  
• Consultant: Social Media, PR, and Communication Solutions for Business Professionals
  
• Crisis Communication – Before, During and After It Hits The Fan article
  
• 5 Steps to Crisis Management
  

Tools for Communicating with Stakeholders

• Who Cares – And Why Should They? (.pdf)
  
• Responding to Negative Comments on Social Media
  

Tools for Ensuring that Your Facility is Achieving the Highest Standards of Animal Care

• Association of Shelter Veterinarians’ Guidelines for Standards of Care In Animal Shelters (.pdf)
  
• Webinars on ASV Shelter Guidelines
  
• Why Transparency? (.pdf)
  
• Know Your Capacity for Humane Care
  
• Iowa Infection Control Tool
  
• Shelter Medicine
  
• Saving Lives at Intake