1. Spay/Neuter: Having sufficient outlets in your community that provide low cost, high volume, high quality, targeted spay/neuter is at the top of the list. These services can be provided at stationary low cost s/n clinics, through voucher programs involving local veterinary practitioners and a number of other creative ways.
2. Rescue Groups: Having a cooperative relationship with legitimate rescue groups in your area will help increase the number of animals that get adopted and lower costs at the shelter by not having to house and care for those animals.
3. Foster Program: Having an expansive, active foster program that provides additional time for animals that are too young for adoption or need some additional medical or behavioral attention will also increase adoptions.
4. Marketing/Brand Identity: Effective marketing is also critical to reducing euthanasia. And marketing efforts should focus on the many unique benefits of adopting not only a shelter animal, but an animal from YOUR shelter. Marketing can apply to most any service or program you have, not just adoptions. And since most large cities have many different animal organizations, it is highly important that you have clear branding of your organization.
5. Volunteer Program: Your volunteer program can also have a direct impact on the number of animals that are saved. By having an adequate number of well trained volunteers, you can do a better job of animal care, training, customer service etc. All of these things will help get animals adopted.
6. Community Outreach: This can come in the form of neighborhood canvassing and giving away free pet food or it can translate into mobile s/n and/or adoptions. It may also include humane education programs.
7. Medical/behavioral issues: In order to truly reach a point where the number of animals being euthanized is as low as possible, you must have the ability to treat animals for common medical problems, even if they are bit expensive or extensive. The same goes for behavioral problems.
8. Transporting: And last but not least, it is important to have options for transporting your adoptable animals to other legitimate, reputable animal shelters that are willing to receive them if they can offer a better chance for adoption.
Obviously, you will also need to have the financial ability to provide these various programs and services. It goes without saying that all of this hinges on the organization's ability to fundraise, set and collect appropriate fees, develop donors, secure grant funding, and effectively manage money in terms of spending and investing. Perhaps that is the single biggest challenge, especially in today's economic environment. For more information about how to reduce euthanasia numbers in your shelter, please contact:
Kim Staton
816-510-5137
animalconsult@sbcglobal.net
