FROM THE DISCUSSION BOARD OF "NO KILL REVOLUTION">>>
https://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=187950082487&topic=18836How can I start, to start working to make our local Humane Society a No Kill Shelter?
Don Goddard
How can I start, and what resources can I get, to start working to make our local Humane Society a No Kill Shelter? I live in Springfield, MO and our we have several places that are No Kill, but not the Humane Society (which is one of the largest shelters in SW Missouri).
about a month ago · Report
NO KILL REVOLUTION
The first step is to arm yourself with information, both about the No Kill movement and philosophy and about the shelter in question. For the first item, the 'info' tab on this page is a good place to start. At a minimum, you need to read Nathan Winograd's book 'Redemption' and become well-versed in the No Kill Equation--know all 11 points backwards and forwards so that you can explain it to people new to these concepts and so that you can answer those who will challenge you. you will learn that saving lives can be quite controversial--go figure.
An excellent resource is
www.nokilladvocacycenter.org They have a great collection of articles you will find useful as you go.
Other resources include the video-on-demand webinar presented by Ryan Clinton of Fix Austin. He lays out the process of reforming a shelter step-by-step. He will also be presenting at the No Kill Conference July 30-31--sign up if you can, but don't wait:
http://www.animalarkshelter.org/webinars/:arow:
http://www.examiner.com/animal-shelters-in-san-francisco/no-kill-conference-2011Materials from last year's conference can be downloaded here:
http://www.nokilladvocacycenter.org/Shelter2010.ziphttp://www.nokilladvocacycenter.org/Legal2010.zip You will also need to gather information about the shelter. Is it municipal (taxpayer-funded)? Is it a private nonprofit? Is it a nonprofit with animal control contracts? If it is municipal or has contracts, you can use Open Records requests to gather statistical data and other information about the shelter. If private, they may or may not be forthright with you. You need to know how many and what kinds of animals the shelter handles and what happens to them. You also need to know what programs they have in place and how comprehensive they are--volunteers? Foster care? TNR? You'll also find out how receptive/hostile they are to making lifesaving changes, and you'll need to enlist like-minded people to help you. You don't need a large group, just a knowledgeable and committed one.
Anyway, that is my summary of Step 1.
-Valerie
about a month ago · Report
Don Goddard
Okay, wow! That looks like something that can keep me busy for a while. I'll get right on it. Thanks again, and post in here anything that you can think of relevant that I might need to know. I'll start gathering some people around here to help.
about a month ago · Report
NO KILL REVOLUTION
Great response Valerie. Don, the only thing I would add is that I think it would be a good idea to start a local no kill group. It helps to have other like minded people in the battle with you. Start a weekly or monthly meeting and take an ad out in the local paper for animal lovers that are interested in making your community no kill and invite them to attend. Keep us updated and best of luck...Steve
about a month ago · Report
Don Goddard
Another good idea, Steve. Thanks and I will start to work on that and keep you guys posted. It would be great to be involved with something like that around here.
about a month ago · Report
Sun Feb 20, 2011 9:07 pm
