Any ideas for making this shelter better? ways I can help?

[Fran101]

Well as a few of you know, I volunteer quite a bit (when I'm home) at the miami dade shelter.

this shelter needs a lot of help..
Last year 37,000 pets came into the shelter. Despite record adoptions, just 14,000 left alive.
The shelter recieves about 100 pets a day. Thats A LOT
there is a a 62% euthanasia rate..

It is the worst city animal shelter in the US. not just through adoption rates, but just general care..

The dogs don't have any toys or beds or anything, not to mention they don't receive medical care until they are adopted.

not to mention VERYFEW even know about this shelter. its in the middle of nowhere but is the ONLY place for animals in all of Miami (which is a very BIG and populated city)

the shelter itself is totally horrible. too small, bad location (middle of nowhere) bad facility, ITS HOT, LOUD, no fresh air really.. just a mess.

there are plans for a new shelter to be built, but that is about 2 years down the line.
the new director is making some changes for the better, and there is MUCH more work with rescues, donation drives, getting the shelter known, organized systems etc.. its not that the people running the place are bad. its just a BIG PROBLEM. 100+ animals coming in a day, HOT weather, the shelter itself is falling appart, budget cuts left and right, hurricanes..


I would love some ideas.. I want to go home and not only help out myself but also maybe talk to the new director.

What are some things you think I can do?

Right now I volunteer.. basic stuff, walk dogs, clean cages, play with cats, etc..

but I was trying to think of something more creative. maybe a way to raise money or get supplies.. or maybe even just something I could do to help.

I was thinking maybe bringing my camera and taking pictures of the dogs to post somewhere, maybe a website or facebook or something. so people know that they are there.
or even just taking pictures of purebreds to send to breed rescues...we have had quite a few rare breeds come in that I'm sure a rescue somewhere would have taken in (Filas, Malinois, St.bernards, etc..)

unfortunately, fostering is not in the cards for me when im in Miami, I stay in a condo (we sold the house because my mom is moving to France)
the condo is there for me and other family to stay in when we arrive.. but the building has a pretty strict pet policy and would NOT be happy to have strange dogs/animals around.

Also I was thinking of maybe finding a way to help with the pitbulls at the shelter. The dogs are confiscated from various places around Miami and land themselves in the shelter.. Im not allowed in the cages (since im a volunteer) but I would love SOME WAY to help them find homes. Most are VERY friendly and the adoption process is normal other than that you have to provide proof you don't live in miami dade county. thing is, nobody sees them because they aren't kept on the adoption floor.

Im also stumped when it comes to fundraising ideas. I already make my parents donate lol
I was thinking maybe making something and giving the proceeds.. but I can't make anything.

hmph.

input?

 

[CaliTerp07]

It sounds like the biggest issue is getting the word out. Could you talk to pet stores in Miami and ask if you can post fliers with the photos you've taken of dogs and a quick caption?

Maybe contact the local news and ask if they'd be willing to do a story on Christmas puppies? (My rabbit group always had a quick news blurb about easter bunnies each year)

 

[MPP]

A few years ago, when my friend was looking for a dog, this shelter was one place she looked. The small dogs were apparently all herded together in a huge pen; had to be 50 dogs in there. She spotted a little Bichon-type dog she really, really liked, and we went looking for someone to help. We could not find one single person working there. Not one. We walked all over that place for more than half an hour. Nobody there. We finally gave up.

A week later we went to a nearby shelter, which had just received an infusion of dogs from overcrowded Miami---and there was the very same dog! She went home with him, of course.

Maybe you could talk a local radio or TV station into "adopting" the shelter? Maybe putting up a few pictures on their web site?

 

[Juicy]

the pictures on the site for the dogs are terrible. they could atleast dematt the dogs for the picture. and they really could do something about treating the dogs. i tried recommending the shelter to a friend and he said majority of the dogs looked sickly and he wouldnt risk bringing a dog from there with his other dog at his house. he ended up adopting from a facility in broward...and also the whole pit bull thing is stupid, i sent him there so he can rescue a pittie from there since thats what he wanted and he said he didnt see any. but they could atleast put a sign or something on where the pit bulls are located.

 

[Fran101]

A few years ago, when my friend was looking for a dog, this shelter was one place she looked. The small dogs were apparently all herded together in a huge pen; had to be 50 dogs in there. She spotted a little Bichon-type dog she really, really liked, and we went looking for someone to help. We could not find one single person working there. Not one. We walked all over that place for more than half an hour. Nobody there. We finally gave up.

A week later we went to a nearby shelter, which had just received an infusion of dogs from overcrowded Miami---and there was the very same dog! She went home with him, of course.

Maybe you could talk a local radio or TV station into "adopting" the shelter? Maybe putting up a few pictures on their web site?

Thats a good idea!

Oh I know what you mean about not finding people.

Im a volunteer and usually THE ONLY PERSON OUT on the floor there to help people.
this is an adoption floor with over 2000 animals.

on the weekends it can get pretty busy so im running around like my pants are on fire unlocking cages and trying to help people but having to rush over to another person while stil watching person number 1. Oy.

the way the dogs are housed has been improved on since then.

2-3 LARGE dogs are now in "kennel run" type things in the back.
but 2-3 medium dogs are in smaller kennel runs
and there is one small dog/litter of puppies per regular cage.

but still..cages are padlocked and the place is very understaffed, its hard to get help.

 

[Fran101]

the pictures on the site for the dogs are terrible. they could atleast dematt the dogs for the picture. and they really could do something about treating the dogs. i tried recommending the shelter to a friend and he said majority of the dogs looked sickly and he wouldnt risk bringing a dog from there with his other dog at his house. he ended up adopting from a facility in broward...and also the whole pit bull thing is stupid, i sent him there so he can rescue a pittie from there since thats what he wanted and he said he didnt see any. but they could atleast put a sign or something on where the pit bulls are located.

The pictures are taken with this thing that uploads them straight to the site so the owners can find them.
So really..nothing much we can do about that.

The new director has done quite a bit for the sickness issue. Now distemper and kennel cough are MUCH less popular and they have a new vet program.
but still.. it is what it is.

The shelter isn't a PLEASANT place to be but they are in the process of relocating and building a new facility,Ive seen the new location and its beautiful and MUCH better but right now, im dealing with what they have now.

I don't often send people I know to the shelter alone, because I know how it is. but I do agree to go WITH friends and family, it makes it a lot easier to take in when there is someone they know that can help them, open cages, explain things.
It is a lot to take in for someone who knows nothing to go back there alone and not know what to do or have anyone help them


As for the pits, the general public CANNOT be around them without a volunteer present.. its just dangerous. There aren't just pits back there, there are confiscated dogs, just found dogs, etc.. who haven't been proven friendly or healthy. sooo they can't just send everyone back there.

There is also no sign because many of the pits back there are taken from fighting rings or the kind of situation where someone stealing them would be a problem..
NORMALLY someone is supposed to ask a volunteer to take them. but once again..people can never find any.

It sounds like the biggest issue is getting the word out. Could you talk to pet stores in Miami and ask if you can post fliers with the photos you've taken of dogs and a quick caption?

Maybe contact the local news and ask if they'd be willing to do a story on Christmas puppies? (My rabbit group always had a quick news blurb about easter bunnies each year)

the petstore idea is a great idea!

as for the christmas puppy thing.. the shelter does adoption drives/events around major holidays (valentines day, christmas) so although they do MENTION that buying a pet for someone isn't the best idea.. its not something that is discouraged really.

 

[lizzybeth727]

Does the shelter have a petfinder page? Most of these are run by volunteers, maybe that's a project you could take on. You could also showcase "pets of the week" on the shelter's Facebook page (if they don't have one, make one!). The shelters/rescues around here also wallpaper Craigslist (it's honestly really obnoxious how often they post).

I also know the shelters around here get a large percentage of their adoptions through offsite adoption events. Petsmart/Petco are the obvious ones, but if those aren't possible you could maybe organize offsite adoptions with other businesses. They're a lot of work, but you could organize volunteers and dogs to fill the offsites on Saturdays and/or Sundays.

There's also a shelter I know of that has knowledgeable, helpful volunteers (that's important!) who help people who want to surrender their pets. Often they're surrendering them because the dog got to big (talk to your landlord and see if he'll make an exception!), because they're too expensive to vaccinate (point to low-cost vaccination clinics), because of behaviorial problems (SOOO many people don't even know that training classes exist and are affordable), and because of so many other issues that people are simply ignorant about how to fix. A lot of people also truely believe that their dog will get adopted very quickly, and may need the reality check that their dog has a 62% - or higher - risk of being euthanized. The trick, of course, is that you have to be VERY nice, which can certainly be difficult, and very patient. But if you could prevent even a few dogs a day from coming into the shelter, that would make a difference.

 

[milos_mommy]

I have any idea for you...

go to a local college, specifically one with a documentary or film program. See if you can kind some kids there who would be willing to do a video. Like a short documentary on the pros of adoption, the state of the shelter, what they need done, etc. I can guarantee you'll find someone who will do it for free. Find out if your local public access channel will play it, or local film festivals. Even if they won't, post it online, post it to facebook, etc.

It's a big job, but you could probably find someone to do it without having to put much time or work into it yourself.

 

[Brattina88]

Petfinder and crossposting actually seem to help! Networkng wth rescues... Notifying breed specific rescues, etc can help. Our little local pound (SUPER small in comparision) there euth rate went down once the volunteers were allowed in, and allowed to take pictures, and started online mailing lists to inform rescues what's at the shelter (since not too many can visit in person). Getting some volunteers for pulling & transporting the first leg (or so) could be a BIG help, too. Just some ideas
good thread, good ideas from everyone.

 

[Beanie]

I was going to suggest what MPP said about getting local TV and radio involved. One of our radio stations does a pet of the week every week. They bring in an animal (or two) and we talk about them on the air with an interview from one of the shelter guys, put pictures up on our website, and talk about it throughout the week, too. There are I think two TV stations that do the same thing. Sometimes it's the same pet on TV and on radio, other times it's a different pet. I think the newspaper has a pet of the week too. The pet of the week is also a sponsored segment so we have sold the sponsorship to a local business, so whenever we talk about it, that business gets a mention. So we get to help out the humane society AND it's a way to make revenue for the station (it's nice to think radio and TV would help out from the goodness of their heart, but they are also a business. Unless it's a non-profit station like the Christian station is here and exist based on donations - THEY might do it from the goodness of their hearts!)

Good photos DO make a difference but you also have to get them seen. PetSmart does adoption drives all the time here with different rescues and shelters, so that's definitely an avenue to research too. Petfinder definitely, that will drive traffic just because it's Petfinder, if you can get quality photos up.

 

[~Tucker&Me~]

I have any idea for you...

go to a local college, specifically one with a documentary or film program. See if you can kind some kids there who would be willing to do a video. Like a short documentary on the pros of adoption, the state of the shelter, what they need done, etc. I can guarantee you'll find someone who will do it for free. Find out if your local public access channel will play it, or local film festivals. Even if they won't, post it online, post it to facebook, etc.

It's a big job, but you could probably find someone to do it without having to put much time or work into it yourself.

Great idea!

 

[Sweet72947]

One thing I wish shelters would do, is implement procedures for disease control. Miami-Dade sounds similar to a shelter in MD, Prince Georges County Animal Management Division. They also have a pit bull ban and have plenty of pit bulls at their shelter (and do adopt them out outside of the county, but call them "American Bulldog mixes" and such). FOHA used to pull dogs from them all the time, but they never cared about disease control, since they were just going to kill most of the animals there anyway, and literally EVERY dog we ever pulled from there had kennel cough, and now and then even more serious things, like parvo. The result was that FOHA stopped pulling dogs from there because we just couldn't afford shelling out all that $$$$ all the time. We pull from rural shelters in VA and WV, and take more owner surrenders now.

But, hey you kill shelters out there, I know you don't have much money, and it might seem pointless to care about controlling disease in animals likely marked for death anyway, but let me tell you a little secret - healthy animals are more likely to get adopted!! And rescues are more likely to pull from you! So please, set up an isolation unit for sick animals and new animals, because you are getting animals from who knows where with who knows what vaccinations and health history, and perhaps you could put the new animals in the iso unit, observe them, if no coughing or anything for a few days, move to adoption floor. And please institute some good cleaning/disinfecting protocols, and please have your staff/volunteers wash their hands/wear protective gowns over their clothing when going in and out of the iso unit! These things would make great strides it making your shelter a cleaner, more disease free place to be!

 

[Fran101]

Thanks everyone for your ideas!

I got an email back from the shelter director giving me permission to take the pictures
I will email her the pictures with the dogs/cats name/ID number and then she will input it into the system so that it shows up on the website/petfinder page! thats certainly a start

also because the animal will be a "featured pet" (I will be taking a better picture and doing description of temperament) it will be noted so the dog/cat can have more time to find a home (since the time adult dogs get at the shelter is pretty short)
and I'm going to make a facebook page about the animals I take pictures of, where the shelter is, how to adopt them etc..

I'm really excited about this!

I go home tomorrow..and am gonna be home for 9 days and think I can certainly ATLEAST get 20 animals photographed/described in that time.

I get to take the dogs out into the small grassy play area for some fresh air and play and take pictures!
and write about the dogs personality!
I think this is gonna be a lot of fun
and of course ill post the pics here

The pictures, other than being used on the shelter website/facebook/petfinder...I'm also gonna try to send a few to rescues. especially the purebreds.. because those rescues are usually very willing to come get dogs

I'm not really sure where I should start though.. I'm thinking do a variety.. from highly adoptable small dogs to large not so easily adoptable
(yorkies, chis etc.. aren't even getting adopted at the shelter and its a shame because it really is because NOBODY knows they are there)
and a variety of ages from puppy to older adult

 

[Fran101]

a few from the group I think im starting with..

 

[Maura]

Petsmart pet stores routinely have adoption days where the shelter will bring in some very adoptable cats, kittens, dogs, and puppies. This brings the animals to people who are interested, but who may not go to the shelter. It also advertises the shelter and makes it a "real" place. Just make sure the animals going to the pet store are clean, healthy, and are people friendly. There are no pet stores where I live, but Tractor Supply (which sells fencing, kennels, pet food and supplies) has days in the summer where cats and dogs from the HS are brought in.

You can also go to churches and high schools to ask if volunteering at the shelter can be counted toward volunteer credit. You would have to ask if under 18s are allowed at the shelter. But, even so, many seniors in high school are 18 part of the school year if not all of the school year. Not only would this help with staffing, but some of the kids would probably end up adopting one or more animals. It would also present the students with the idea of fostering, now or later when they are in their own homes.

Visit groomers in the area. I'm sure many of them would volunteer for a couple of hours a week or a morning once a month to bathe and groom animals. Take photos of these sessions so that the groomer can post the photo in their salon, which makes them look good but also advertises the shelter.

Another idea I would like to see implemented would be for a member of the staff to interview owner surrenders and see if they can keep the dog or cat. Very often it's just a little bit of training that puts the pet over the line and gets it dumped. Jumping on kids/people is a major issue, chewing on things is another, and housebreaking is a third major problem. If the problem is that the family cannot afford vet care or vaccinations, the shelter could do this for a very nominal fee ($2.00), as it is cheaper for them to give out vaccinations or medicine for ear infections than it would be to process and warehouse the animal. For the training, a trainer could teach a select group of high school or college students to help with training as a volunteer (very limited cost to the shelter), and for the meds, volunteer vets and donated medicine from the pharmecuetical companies.

 

[mregina]

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