WASHINGTON—The HSUS announces that the seventh annual National
Animal Shelter Appreciation Week will be celebrated November
3–9, 2002. The HSUS launched National Animal Shelter
Appreciation Week in 1996 as a way to recognize the
indispensable role that the more than 6,000 animal shelters
nationwide play in their communities.
This year, The HSUS is putting the spotlight on five
shelters from across the country that use innovative programs
to increase their animals' chances at adoption and are
proactively working with pet owners in their communities to
overcome pet behavior problems. The five represent a growing
number of shelters nationwide that are taking similar steps to
improve their services for animals and their communities.
Each shelter sent representatives to The HSUS Pets For Life
National Training Center at the Dumb Friends League in Denver,
Colorado. The two-week course helps shelters replicate the
League's successful Behavior Helpline and Staff Training
Programs. The Pets for Life National Training Center shows
sheltering professionals from across the nation how to
institute stress-reduction programs for shelter animals, offer
dog-training and pet-parenting classes to the public, and even
set up telephone help lines for frustrated pet owners.
The Humane Society of the Willamette Valley (Salem, Oregon)
attended the October 2001 class and since then has created a
HeadStart Dog Training Program, started dog training classes
for the public at the shelter, a four-week training class for
cats, has implemented play groups for dogs, and has recruited
several local businesses to offer discounts to adopters.
Animal Lovers League (Glen Cove, New York) attended the July
2001 class and has since created a HeadStart Program, a
behavior help-line, provided behavior information sheets to the
public and provided toys and beds for the shelter animals. The
shelter has trained staff and volunteers on pet body postures,
breed characteristics, and common behaviors, evaluated its
cages for stress, implemented temperament tests for dogs, and
provided behavior training to other members of the professional
animal community.
Jacksonville Humane Society (Florida) attended the April
2001 class and since then has created a Behavior Department, a
HeadStart Training Program for dogs, a behavior help-line, pet
behavior information sheets, pet parenting classes, and
training classes for staff and volunteers about different
behavior topics.
Toledo Area Humane Society (Ohio) attended the April 2001
class and has created a HeadStart Program for dogs, dog
training classes for the public; pet behavior information
sheets for the public; provided toys and bedding for the
animals; developed Pet Parenting classes for adopters; and
trained staff and volunteers on pet body postures, breed
characteristics, and common behaviors.
Sacramento SPCA (California) attended the January 2001 class
and since then has created a HeadStart Program, a behavior
help-line, created pet behavior information sheets for the
public, provided enrichment to the animals in the form of beds
and toys, devoted newsletter articles to behavior issues,
taught safe animal handling skills to its staff, evaluated its
cages for their levels of stress to help reduce stress in the
animals, and has worked with the Sacramento Valley Veterinary
Medical Association to distribute behavior materials to many
area veterinarians.
"These are just some examples of the tremendous work many
shelters are doing around the country," said Martha C.
Armstrong, HSUS Senior Vice President for Companion Animals and
Equine Protection. "The Pets for Life National Training Center
acts as a starting point for shelters, providing training and
tools they can use to improve services."
In honor of National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week,
Patrick McDonnell, an award-winning cartoonist and creator of
the nationally syndicated comic strip "Mutts," will again
dedicate a week-long series of the comic strip to shelters and
shelter staff everywhere.
Other shelters around the country are commemorating National
Animal Shelter Appreciation Week with community events. In
Bradford County, Pennsylvania, county commissioners have
officially dedicated the week while The Bradford County Humane
Society will hold two fundraising events.
"It is exciting to see communities get into the spirit of
the week," Armstrong said. "We challenge people to lend a hand
to their local animal shelter and see what a difference they
can make."
There are many ways you can help your local animal shelter.
Here are a few ideas:
* Lend a hand. Volunteer your time at your local shelter.
Bathe and groom the animals, walk dogs, or play with cats.
Stuff envelopes for a mailing. Help publicize an event.
* Give a little bit. Donate food, old blankets and towels,
or other needed supplies. Contribute to one of its special
programs.
* Find that special someone. Choose your next pet from your
local shelter, which has many wonderful dogs, cats and other
species of different shapes and sizes just waiting for a
permanent, loving home.
* Help spread the word. Tell your friends about your local
shelter's services. Promote animal safety and responsible pet
ownership. Celebrate National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week
the first full week of November.
* Be a responsible pet owner. Keep current identification on
your dog or cat at all times. Spay or neuter your pet. Always
keep your dog or cat properly confined or supervised. In
addition to the basics-food, water, shelter, and veterinary
care-give your pet lots of love and attention.
* Vote for the animals. Support legislation to protect
animals. Contact government officials about animal issues and
urge them to support pro-animal legislation.
* Be a hero. Report animal cruelty and neglect as well as
injured or stray animals. You may prevent suffering and even
save a life.
* Teach your children well. Instruct children in how to care
for animals properly and how to treat them with kindness. Set
an example by doing the same.
Editor's Note: Contact The HSUS at 301-548-7778 to find out
if a shelter in your area has attended The HSUS Pets for Life
National Training Center.
