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Saving Animals by Working with People
A Vital Collaboration
Speaker Info
• Carmine DiCenso
• Working in Animal Welfare since 1997
• Executive Director of Dakin Humane Society in MA
• Worked in Human Services
• Comic Book, Video Game and Sci-Fi geek
Dakin Humane Society
1969
Greenfield Area Animal Shelter
1982
Friends of Amherst Stray Animals
Sept 2006
Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society
Massive Change
• August 2009, reopened the former MSPCA facility in Springfield, MA.
• Two Shelters
• Staff 14 – 55
• Rural to Urban
• Limited to Open
• Size & Scope
Goals
• Adoption Guarantee of all adoptable or treatable/rehab dogs by August of 2010
• Adoption Guarantee of all healthy cats by August 2010, 50% of treatable/ rehab
• Adoption Guarantee of all treatable/rehab cats by 2011
• Open Humane Alliance Clinic in 2009
• Accept all animals. Admit most by appointment
• Strategic Marketing
• Increase colony cat housing
• Increase treatment areas for all animals
The People Factor
How do we best connect with the people we service?
What type of relationship do we want to establish?
How do we help animals together?
Our Foundational Belief
We believe people are good and will make good decisions for animals when treated with kindness and understanding, and when they have enough information and resources.
Core Values & Bottom Lines
Integrity
Compassion
Optimism
Innovation
Effectiveness
Transformative Experience
Making a Difference
High Quality Care
Financial Sustainability
People Are Good
How do we embrace this philosophy?
What impact has this had on the organization?
How is the philosophy maintained?
What are the challenges?
Adoptions
Conversations not applications
Matchmaking not approvals
Looking for people who will make good decisions for the animal as life changes, not “forever homes”
Reward people for wanting to adopt
Remember you were them at one point
Intake
A Service Offered
Be Sensitive to Emotional State (your own and the clients)
Information Gathering
Listen– Offer assistance but be aware of needs
This is a Service for People and Animals both Deserve our Time, Compassion and Care
