With 1,260 attendees, a sold out exhibit hall and record number of sponsors, the 2005 Animal Care Expo in Atlanta, Georgia, was the largest ever held on the East Coast. On the international front, it was also a huge success!

Humane Society International (HSI) programs boasted representation from every continent, totaling 55 attendees from 29 countries. HSI offered special events for participants from outside the United States, including an International Day, Open Forum, and President's Reception. The goal of these programs is to provide training, networking opportunities, and information exchange for internationals working in countries with still evolving animal protection efforts.

International Day featured sessions on such topics as boosting organizational confidence, starting a successful animal protection program, and companion animal initiatives on small islands. In the days that followed, HSI offered educational workshops and roundtable discussions on animal protection issues. In between international presentations, participants were able to enjoy HSUS workshops as well.

International Favorites

Open Forum, a favorite of our international guests, gave attendees a chance to share 'their story.' Organizations large and small stood before an audience of peers and discussed their own approach to animal concerns. Each of their comments reflected dedication and commitment to animals in their part of the world. Many who heard them found empathy with an international community who understood their issues. "We feel strong knowing that we are not facing these problems alone," said one attendee.

Another popular event, year after year, is the HSI President's reception. This is a more formal occasion that encourages those attending to mingle among each other and with HSI and HSUS staff. The highlight is the HSI Award for Extraordinary Excellence for Commitment and Achievement. This year's recipient was the Zimbabwe SPCA, represented by Bernice Dyer. The organization was cited for extraordinary dedication to animal protection in the midst of a country torn by violent political unrest. Under the most ghastly conditions, the Zimbabwe SPCA worked to save animals caught in this brutal environment.

Learning Lessons Miles From Home

Humane Society International also provided internships for five attendees, giving them a week-long, behind-the-scenes look into how a successful U.S. animal shelter functions. First-year attendee Khageshwaar Sharma, Manager/Coordinator of the Kathmandu Animal Treatment Center (KAT), says the experience was among the most valuable aspects of Expo for him.

Thousands of miles from his home in Kathmandu, Nepal, Sharma found himself in Lincoln, Nebraska at the Capital Area Humane Society. There Sharma lived with a local family, spending a week as an intern, learning the intricacies of this top-notch animal shelter. He commended the value of being exposed to a professionally run shelter, yet not one too big for him to keep track of what was happening.

KAT is a fairly new operation established with a small group of people and a laptop, with a mission to improve animal protection in Kathmandu. After purchasing land and buildings, and hiring a staff, KAT is on its way to becoming the spay/neuter/vaccination program in Nepal. Modeled after the successful Animal Birth Control (ABC) program of Help in Suffering of India, KAT has implemented its own ABC effort. Through sterilization, rabies vaccination, and implementation of a humane education program, KAT's goals are to reduce the street dog population by half in five years.

What Sharma gained from Expo was the opportunity to interact with others working in animal protection and learn what they are doing. "It's advice and consultation that are important—not money, but contacts," he said. "HSI and the international group made me feel very comfortable in speaking and asking questions." He added that the most helpful workshops were those that addressed good organizational structure and meeting the challenges of animal protection while maintaining a positive attitude.

"I would like to thank HSUS/HSI for sending me to Lincoln, Nebraska, and to thank Bob Downey and the Capital Humane Society for giving me the opportunity to learn about culture, communication, and animal protection in the U.S."

Animal Care Expo 2006

Humane Society International will continue its international programs and internships at the 2006 Animal Care Expo in Anaheim, California. Speakers and workshops will be announced later, with the objective of having the same kind of informative and productive event. Stay tuned for more details about what international programs are slated for next year.