Sheltering an Animal’s Perspective

by Gregory M. Simpson

This is my first column about a book. Redemption, by Nathan J. Winograd, certainly warrants one. 
The subtitle for this fine edition is "The Myth of Pet Overpopulation and the No Kill Revolution in America."  Published by Almaden Press in 2007, it needs to be read by every person concerned with making Connecticut a no kill state, and the U.S. a no kill nation.  Connecticut is well on the way to becoming no kill, as outlined in the ten steps described by Winograd. 
Trap-neuter-return (TNR) feral cat groups are one of these ten components.  TNR deals humanely with cats that are generally one generation or more from being household companions and are wary of humans.  TNR has come to national attention in such publications as USA Today in May 2008 and through the ongoing work of the national Alley Cat Allies.
Another ingredient cited by Winograd in his no kill solution is the availability of high volume, low cost spay/neuter services.  In Connecticut, the mobile T.E.A.M. program
(1-888-FOR-TEAM)  provides these services along with a number of Connecticut veterinarians who accept vouchers from Spay/USA (1-800-248-SPAY) and Friends of Animals (1-800-321-PETS).  Studies have shown that the #1 reason people do not spay or neuter is lack of access to affordable spay/neuter services. 
Rescue groups working together to find adoptive placements free up scarce space in shelters for more animals.  Connecticut is already in position for these efforts with the Animal Welfare Federation of Connecticut (AWFCT), a coalition of no kill organizations cooperating to advance animal placement in Connecticut. 
Volunteer foster programs relieve space issues in shelters, as well.  They are also the best place for orphaned or feral kittens, sick or injured animals, dogs needing one-on-one behavior rehabilitation, or animals needing a break from shelter life, notes Winograd.  Volunteers are also invaluable in socializing animals, promoting adoption and helping with day-to-day shelter operations. 
Comprehensive adoption programs are explained in detail in Redemption, including the statistic that only 15% of people obtain their dogs from shelters and less than 10% for cats.  To increase those percentages, Winograd encourages aggressive adoption campaigns including weekend and evening hours and off site adoption venues.  This can result in shelters literally adopting their way out of killing, as he demonstrated was possible while director of Tompkins County SPCA in New York state.
Winograd emphasizes that animal shelters should also focus on pet retention, i.e., the preventable reasons that animals are surrendered to shelters.  He offers instructive ideas, including maintaining pet care and behavior fact sheets for distribution, free in-home dog behavior problem solving, low-cost dog training, pet friendly rental programs, dog walker referrals, pet behavior classes, and public education through the media for problem animal behavior.
Paying attention to medical and behavior rehabilitation is paramount, writes Winograd.  He suggests creating a shelter fund dedicated solely to medical and behavioral rehabilitation, and establishing a relationship with a veterinary college to elicit volunteer veterinary care.  Public relations and community involvement are other building blocks that he points out bring more money, volunteers, adoptions, and community good will.
Redemption describes volunteers as the backbone of a successful no kill effort.  The no kill shelter for which I am a board member, Protectors of Animals, runs entirely with volunteers, as is typical of no kill groups across Connecticut.
Winograd believes that a compassionate shelter director is the most important ingredient of all.  He points out that achieving a no kill community, state, and nation are not possible without rigorous implementation of all of the above services and programs.  He concludes his book with this charge, "We are the generation that questioned the killing.  We are the generation that has discovered how to stop it.  Will we be the generation that does?"
Redemption eloquently outlines how to implement a no kill solution in America.  It should be the guide for all those striving for a no kill state and country.
For the animals,
Gregory M. Simpson