As a Certified Animal Welfare Administrator with almost 30 years of experience working with animals, I offer a range of services vital to animal welfare organizations. Here are the services Animal Welfare Consultations offers:
Training
Training Schedule Released -- Partial training schedule is set for 2006! Please click here for the full schedule and more information about signing up!
Due to the many demands placed on animal shelter/control staff, proper training is imperative to success. Animal Control Officers must have a solid knowledge of animal behavior and handling in order to stay safe in the field. They also have to possess exceptional people skills and be able to diffuse potentially volatile situations.
The demands placed on shelter staff are just as taxing. People working in the shelter are often overlooked when it comes to training. This can result in more injuries and worker compensation claims, mistakes that can be costly to the organization in terms of public perception, and high staff turnover. Lack of training can also lead to animal suffering.
Topics on which Animal Welfare Consultations offers training include:
- Animal Behavior
- Animal Restraint and handling
- Shelter Health Management
- Disease Recognition
- Zoonosis
- Animal Cruelty Investigations
- Animal Fighting
- Customer Service
- Proper Use of Equipment
- Animal Hoarding Investigations
- Euthanasia Certification
- Chemical Capture -- 12 Hour Certification Course & Field Proficiency Test included
Operational Reviews
It is very easy to get stuck in the proverbial rut and not even know it. You may work in a shelter that does an acceptable job, but there is nothing particularly remarkable about your organization. Maybe you would like to change that. Having a review of your services and programs can help you get back on the track to successful thinking and long range planning.
And sometimes shelters become the target of the media when a mistake has been made. I understand how mistakes can occur and can give you insight on how to diffuse negative publicity and regain public confidence. Having an objective review of your operations can help identify problems which is the first step to getting back on course.
Or maybe you have a great organization but have run out of fresh ideas. An operational review can bring to light new program and service ideas that will make your organization even better. All reviews will include a comprehensive report with recommendations. Areas where Animal Welfare Consultations offers operational reviews include:
- Shelter Programs
- Shelter Facility
- Field Operations
- Administrative
- Budgetary
Consultant/expert witness
I can assist with different types of investigations and can serve as a consultant or potential expert witness depending on the case:
- Animal cruelty
- Animal fighting
- Animal hoarding
Liaison
I can serve as a mediator/liaison between various animal groups in an effort to facilitate cooperation and collaboration:
- Animal Control
- Humane Society
- Rescue Groups
- Limited Access/Open Access facilities
- Veterinarians
- Local Government
- Board of Directors
- Individuals
Disaster Planning and Response
I have responded to more than half dozen large-scale disasters in the past decade including the wildfires in Florida in 1998, Hurricane Floyd in North Carolina, Hurricane Jorge' in MS and AL, the tornados in Pierce City, MO, in 2003, and most recenlty to Hurricane Katrina. I spent two weeks in MS and another two weeks in Gonzales, LA, and worked on the sheltering and rescue response.
Please don't wait until disaster strikes to decide you need a plan. Having a plan in advance can save human and animal lives. I can help you develop an effective disaster program for your shelter and community and give you pointers on how to get plugged into your existing emergency management system. I can also help train staff so they will be prepared when disaster strikes. This training typically includes a mock exercise held at your shelter.
Interim Executive Director or Director of Operations
Organizations are sometimes faced with the difficult situation of losing key people and that can really bring progress to a grinding hault. A search for a new ED or DO can take time and resources. What will happen to your organization during the recruiting and interviewing process?
As someone who has worked in both of these positions, I can bring that experience to your organization and provide leadership and guidance while you are searching for the person who will become your new ED or DO. Taking this step will allow you to take the time you need to find the right person for the job. It will also help provide some continuity for the organization.
Shelter Design
I believe I have a unique perspective into shelter design because of my diverse background. I have worked in shelters of all sizes, old and new. I have seen common mistakes when building a new animal shelter. These mistakes can be costly in terms of animal health, time to complete tasks, and financially. Let me help you design your next shelter and do it right the first time. It will save you money and time in the long run.
For more information on any of the above Services, please contact Kim Staton today at:
animalconsult@sbcglobal.net
816.348.0614
816.510.5137
