1. Building Bridges: Developing Good Relationships Between Veterinarians and Animal Care and Control Agencies Cathy Anderson, DVM MVMA’s Animal Welfare Committee

2. The Problem: The number of homeless animals is astounding…

3. Euthanasia Statistics The national euthanasia average for companion animals was 4.9 million in 2004 (Clifton). These numbers have not changed significantly since the mid 1990’s. 93% of all pit bull type dogs that enter shelters are euthanized (Clifton). Three out of 4 cats that enter a shelter are euthanized. The greatest predictive indicator for death for a cat is entering a shelter (Hurley).

4. What is the bottom line? 4 million animals are at risk of being euthanized across the nation. In Michigan, 200,000+ animals are at risk.

5. “Every Number is a Wet Nose”

6. An additional problem… Lack of preventative pet health care Many pets are not receiving veterinary care (AVMA Pet Ownership Sourcebook) Diseases are increasing: dental disease, otitis externa, diabetes (Banfield Pet Health Report) Reduced wellness compliance such as heartworm (AAHA) Increasing pet obesity

7. Who has the ability to make the biggest impact on these animals? Veterinarians Shelter Staff Animal Rescuers

8. Who are the players? Veterinarians are experts in veterinary medicine and animal care with advanced education. Animal rescues are animal advocates who have a wealth of practical knowledge and are well-educated on local animal issues. Shelters are either open or limited admission facilities. Their role is to help animals in need and advocate for their well-being until an outcome is achieved.

9. How do we develop good relationships between veterinarians, shelters and rescue groups? Identify common goals Identify realities of each group Clarify misunderstandings Identify perceptions and vocabulary that are barriers to collaboration Promote trust through mutual understanding and respect Identify examples of successful collaborative relationships

10. What do veterinarians, shelters and rescues have in common? All have empathy for animals. Their main focus is animals. All must be able to support themselves financially.

11. The problem is that these groups do not work well together Motivations are different. Realities are different. These groups are not recognizing what they have in common. The result is triangulation. Rescuer Victim Persecutor

12. Animal Rescue Triangulation Animal Rescuer Veterinarian Shelter Staff

13. Veterinarians Want to support themselves practicing veterinary medicine Opted for veterinary medicine because they like animals Usually have good communication skills Are a great resource for medical knowledge

14. Veterinarian’s reality Today’s graduate is typically $146,000 in debt upon graduation. Starting salary is approx. $66,000. They are worried about debt, living expenses and supporting themselves and staff.

15. What are veterinarians missing? Most do not know the companion animal homeless numbers. Not aware of what is going on in the shelters in their community. Not engaged in community activities for animal well being (for example, serving on boards of non-profits).

16. What concerns veterinarian about rescues and shelters? Practicing medicine without a license Not encouraging adopters to develop a relationship with a veterinarian When groups minimize their knowledge or make derogatory comments about them, their practices or their profession

17. Veterinarians sometimes contribute to miscommunication by: Demeaning shelters and rescues. Appearing to be self serving. Having an image of the “money- grubbing veterinarian.”

18. How can veterinarians improve the veterinarian, rescue, shelter relationship? Volunteer at a community shelter Offer vaccination/heartworm clinics to rescues Offer free new pet check ups for dogs and cats adopted from a rescue or shelter

19. Rescues Desire to help individual animals Aware of the number of homeless animals and wants to reduce these numbers Willing to work tirelessly for animals Active advocates for animal well-being

20. Who is the Animal Rescuer? Demographics: frequently middle-aged women from all socioeconomic backgrounds Strong empathy for the plight of homeless animals Often members of a 501(c)3

21. What do Rescues frequently lose sight of? 501(c)3s are a non-profit BUSINESS. They need to be able to be financially self-sustaining.

22. Things rescues should do to improve relationships with veterinarians and shelters Develop a relationship with a local shelter and make a commitment to facilitate live outcomes for that shelter. Promote local veterinarians. Consider promoting pet insurance as a way to bridge that 1-month transition period where an adopter begins to think of the new pet in their household as their own.

23. Things rescues should not do: Dispense medication to animals that have been adopted. Vaccinate these animals after they have been adopted. Denigrate the local shelter. Belittle veterinarians to adopters. Bring puppies and dogs from other states to sell in Michigan.

24. Shelters Facility where homeless, stray, lost and cruelty victim animals can be housed. May be open admission or limited admission. Public perception may be that the shelter wants to euthanize animals as soon as possible. Reality is that they are unable to house all animals on an indefinite basis so euthanasia is necessary.

25. What is the Mission of the Shelter? To help animals in need and advocate for their well-being until an outcome is achieved. But missions are expanding!

26. Shelter Staff Frequently suffer from compassion fatigue Sometimes express dislike for humans Frequently are or assist Certified Euthanasia Technicians May be making decisions about which animals will be euthanized

27. How can shelters improve the veterinarian, rescue, shelter relationship? Encourage individuals who adopt to follow up with a veterinarian. Consider pet insurance. Vaccinate on intake. Provide adequate medical care. Provide adequate housing. Provide behavioral enrichment.

28. Things shelters should not do: Make a promise to a rescue or an individual and then not follow up on it. Be accountable. Become a deterrent to a live outcome. Communicate well so that shelter rules are understood. Demean rescues or veterinarians to potential adopters.

29. What do all 3 groups have in common? All 3 groups have a heightened empathy for animals. All have a significant portion of their day invested in the care and well-being of animals. None of these individuals wish to euthanize animals. Most have experienced compassion fatigue associated with their quest. All have lives independent of animal care.

30. Where do veterinarians, shelters and rescues go from here? We must begin a dialogue in areas that are common ground. All 3 groups must cease to criticize one another. We should consider attending educational venues that support the common goal.

31. Consider attending some of the educational opportunities MVMA Animal Welfare Conference Michigan Partnership for Animal Welfare Conference Midwest Veterinary Conference Shelter Track Prairie States Animal Welfare Conference

32. How do we improve relationships for the benefit of homeless pets? Focus on the common goal. Check egos and attitudes at the door. Communicate about common goals. Voice concerns that you have for your individual organization. Think “out of the box.”

33. 3 Steps for Moving Forward Pick up the phone and make that call. Hold an initial meeting at your local animal care and control agency with local veterinarians. Hold a second meeting at the opposite site.

34. First Meeting Identify key stakeholders and barriers to success. Define concerns – share each other’s mission. Plan to stay 3-4 hours. Share existing data from your community and others. Goal: Consensus to work together! Sign “Agreement of Mutual Respect”

35. Second Meeting Open your doors and tell your story. Promote the initiative and tactics. Get “buy in” – get everyone to sign an agreement. Invite local vets, shelter executives, staff, industry, etc. Assign roles and responsibilities. Develop a timeline and budget. Regroup and recap.

37. CATalyst Top to Top Resources Veterinary and shelter statistics Information on how to work together and make a difference Examples of things being done in communities across the country Information on how to “say it right” Sample Memorandum of Agreement Great reads on animal care issues http://catalystcouncil.org/resources/top _to_top/

38. Final Thoughts Animals are at risk. The goal is to create a world with no more homeless pets. Veterinarians, rescues and shelters are the solution. “We just all need to get along!”

39. Success Stories

40. If you have questions, we are ready to assist you! Contact Karlene Belyea at MVMA (517) 347- 4710 or belyea@michvma.org belyea@michvma.org Contact Dr. Cathy Anderson at veterinarymri@aol.com veterinarymri@aol.com Visit our website at www.michvma.org www.michvma.org