JUL

30

Ode to Hilary 

Hilary,
   You were my 'happy ending story,' a superb example of the dog that beats the odds.
   There are unexpected, delightful twists of fate in the shelter world, these cherished times when pets you don't think will make it out alive do.
   You were one of those pets Hilary, one of those dogs I didn't want to interact with too much  for fear of getting too emotionally involved only to be heartbroken upon your demise.
   But all it took to turn that self preservation mechanism around was someone, anyone, to show a hint of interest in you.
   That's all it ever takes, that shimmer of hope to make the possibility of rescue come to life (naturally I fall in love with dogs every day that no one is considering as well but one mustkeep that in check).
   When I met your daddy strolling through the big dog runs and he stopped at you Hilary, my heart practically stopped too. It was one of those 'don't hold your breath too long' moments, I played it calm and cool with the interested adopter to avoid making him feel pressured or pushed into choosing you. After all no one likes to feel pressured, even when adopting a dog.
   Hilary, it made my entire week to see an adopter fall in love with a hard to place dog without much coaxing or convincing... he knew you were the one. Though I did everything in my power to see the adoption through, to see you walking out the front door with your new doting owner. And, you did.
   I saw you weeks later when you returned to the shelter for your spay appointment- you looked magnificent, your owner, not so much. His arm was in a cast and he seemed to be very down on his luck. I wished you both well and saw you out the door, once again... shaking off an uneasy feeling.
   Hilary, you can't know (or maybe you can) the dismay it delivered, the immediate shadow it cast over me, this past Friday when you came back to MDAS for what would be the last time.
   I was busy with a customer, naturally, when Judy interrupted me to report you were in the lobby with your daddy, Alejandro. You had been hit by a car, your hip was shattered. Surgery for the invasive injury would run in the thousands... which your owner couldn't afford.
   I couldn't go to you, not because I was too busy, but rather because I didn't trust my raw emotions. I told Judy to tell your owner where to take you, the dog receiving dept. He was there to surrender you.
   Minutes later, once I'd collected my thoughts a bit I walked briskly to receiving, requesting your whereabouts.
   You had already been taken to the euthanasia room, I rushed, needing to see you.
   As I knocked, the euthanasia tech came around the corner, he hadn't even been in the room yet. He unlocked and opened the door and there you were- laying on the floor, beautiful and completely hopeless. You didn't so much as wag your tail or perk up at all when I said your name and went to you... perhaps that was for the better, why bother feeling a false sense of hope at this point.
   I petted your head and cried. You had given up. You knew. I commented on how nice your coat looked, saying that Alejandro must have really been taking good care of you.
   You were then muzzled, which I found offensive and said so, but, was told that it's standard procedure in euth. Then, just like that, with the intravenous injection, you were gone.
   I had to leave the room and go on with my day. There was still plenty of work to be done, like always.
   You were my 'happy ending story' Hilary. Damn it.

-written a couple of weeks ago on paper, the post "So Then Why" portrayed Hilary's story of when she was adopted.

Hilary and Alejandro, the day Hilary was adopted. 

Posted 30th July by Jessica Pita
Labels: coping dogs hit by car pet adoption pet overpopulation sheltering work stress

Adoption Counseling 101

                Adoption Counseling 101 (for any shelter volunteers or staff) 

I wrote this for MDAS volunteers nearly one year ago. When I initially wrote and shared a couple of staffers from other shelters asked if they could share, or use portions of it, for their volunteers. I said, of course, and figured I should blog it in case helpful to anyone else:

Adoption Counseling 101:

Many people who come to Animal Services to adopt are coming here for the 1^st time.

They don’t know where to begin or how the process works. To make matters trickier Animal Services often has new volunteers who can’t remember how everything works or how to assist adopters (there’s a lot to remember!)

For these reasons I’ve created Adoption Counseling 101. Between now and the next time you come to MDAS to volunteer please read this document thoroughly (you can even bring it with you if you like).

Adopter Enters the Adoption/Kennel Area:

As soon as you see someone new walk through the double doors to adoptions or walking around looking lost or confused, greet them.

“Welcome! Is this your 1^st time here? What are you mainly interested in seeing today- cats, kittens, dogs, puppies, small, large?” (you can tweak this greeting to your liking but this covers all the beginning bases).

Based on the answer you get say, (small dog example here):

“OK great, we have plenty of smaller-breed dogs. You need to take this paper (adoption paper on the left wall in front of kennel computer) and this little pencil, go through and look at all dogs in the small dog area.(Gesture where the small dogs are as you speak, or personally show them!).

Emphasize at this point to LOOK at ALL DOGS, CATS, KITTENS or whatever they may be interested in.

Explain to guests that people often find 3 dogs they like in the 1^st run (for example) then just stop looking!  This means dogs at the end of the runs, or pets in the bottom cages or end cages are often not seen because no one makes it down that far. Guests commonly feel overwhelmed to see so many homeless pets and they stop before seeing and considering them all. So try to assure they’re viewing all of their adoption options here… the more pets they see/consider the more likely they are to fall in love with one!

It’s your job to also help guests to not feel overwhelmed. Coach them saying things like,

“You’re going to save a life today!”

“Will this be your 1^st time adopting? -How exciting!”

“Don’t feel bad you can’t take them all- you’re going to rescue one and that’s all that matters to that one!”

“Please do not feel overwhelmed. I know it’s hard but focus on narrowing it down to your top 3-5 choices and we’ll go from there.”

You also explain to adopters:

“Once you have your ‘potential adoptees’ list take it to the kennel computer to make sure those pets are available for adoption then we can get them out to interact and see which one(s) will be the best fit for your family!”

…And, that’s the 1^st step to Adoption Counseling

Meet and Greet:

This is typically a good time to have adopters grab a yellow ticket so they don’t have to wait too long when they’re ready to complete adoption process up front.

-To do a meet and greet for dogs always use the outside patio area or large yard unless it’s raining or it’s a puppy less than 4 months.

Reason being: the dogs show better outside; typically the 1^st thing they do is pee or poop outdoors and you can say,

“Wow! Looks like someone is already learning to potty outside- that’s a really good sign!”

And remember, our dogs are typically in cages 24 hrs. a day; if you’re getting them out for someone at least take them outside! That’s the least we can do for them.

(Try to spend no more than 10-20 minutes with a potential adopter per pet since there are always others waiting for your valuable time… on busy days J!)

-To do a meet and greet for a cat or kitten you can use the meet and greet room though often people are content simply holding or petting the cats in the cages.

Tricks of the Trade:

These are some little things I personally do or say that help:

-Explain to adopters when out with a dog that: nearly all dogs take the 1^st 5 minutes to a ½ hour to explore the outdoor environment. It’s completely normal for them to sniff everything and ‘ignore’ the humans for the first few minutes- tell them to not take it personal or think there’s no connection. Please do not judge the dog’s personality based on that very initial encounter. It may take minutes, days or even weeks for a dog to fully come out of its shell and feel comfortable with new people.

If someone is considering a shy dog tell them it makes the relationship even more special when it takes time for a bond to be formed. -For those of you who’ve loved and gained the trust of a shy or timid dog, you’ll know what I mean here.

-When someone wants to see an adult dog that’s in with another dog I ask, “Do you mind if I get both dogs out so the other can play too?”

I do this because I feel badly leaving one in the kennel L and because adopters may fall in love and find a better fit with the kennel mate instead of the one they’re interested in. This has happened to me a half a dozen times and it’s cool when it happens. And if you’re really lucky you may get someone who’s willing to take both dogs! You never know if you don’t try, but don’t be pushy or forceful, just nice, showing off our pets.

-Have a favorite cat or dog training book? Recommend it! I like to offer handouts we have here on crate training, cat introductions, sterilization, etc. and mention my favorite dog book and… adopters are typically very grateful.

-There are many other tips I could and will give as I work with you in person.

Thank you for reading this thoroughly before your next time volunteering! Feel free to share your own tips and tactics with other volunteers. JRemember… as an MDAS volunteer you are an adoption counselor, counseling people on responsible pet ownership.

an adoptable doggie :)

happy adopters!

Posted 21st July by Jessica Pita

Labels: animal services animal shelters animal welfare humane society pet adoption pet care petco petsmart volunteers