A few weeks ago we sent out a survey to get feedback on what direction our donors wanted to see the organization move in.
I have received many phone calls asking for more specifics so that people can give informed opinions. I wanted to take the time to send you this letter to better explain the topic we are getting the most feedback on.
Public Intakes Vs Pulling Animals from Other Groups
Since going no-kill, AAHS has been running a waiting list to enter our shelter. As you can imagine, this waiting list quickly filled up and resulted in a waiting period of several months for those wanting to turn in their animals. Also, we received many calls from residents of other counties (and even other states) who wanted to bring their animals to AAHS because they view us as a safer option than their local shelter. On average, we received 63 calls a day from people looking to turn in their animals. While we only put those local individuals on the list, we quickly found this waiting list method to be inefficient.
While operating from this waiting list we found the following: once an animal was adopted from AAHS and cage spaced opened up, we would call the next person on the waiting list and provide them a 24 hour period to call us back to make an intake appointment. If we did not hear back from them we would call the next person on the list. This resulted in cages sitting empty for extended periods of time while we waited for people to return calls.
We decided to run a pilot program to see if pulling from other rescues and shelters would result in a more efficient use of our resources. In a 3 week period we found that our cage space was being better used, we saved more animals and we were able to reduce staffing costs because we no longer required a full time staff member to sort through phone messages.
However, we also know that while this method saves more lives, it leaves residents of Athens-Clarke County who find a stray with fewer options.
I would like to point out that during this pilot program we still received the majority of our animals from Athens-Clarke County. We work with other local groups and rescues to provide them adoption services.
While we initially started this as a pilot program intending it to be a 6 week test, we have seen some great things come from it. Not only more lives saved, but for the first time, some Athens-Clarke County commissioners and animal control are taking seriously the idea of providing the same services for cats as dogs.
The best solution for all would be if Athens-Clarke County Animal Control (a fully funded government agency) would provide intake services to all residents and we could pull their healthy adoptable animals and make sure they find homes. However, until this happens we are forced to perform a balancing act.
Some would argue that going back to in-taking cats from the public would allow Athens-Clarke the ability to continue to ignore the situation thus preventing a long term solution. They argue that only 3 weeks after we stopped this services we had commissioners saying that the issue needed to be addressed.
Others say that it should not matter and we should provide public intake because those people don't know what else to do.
We are still transitioning and finding our place as a no-kill shelter and we are trying to balance saving the most lives and staying within our budget while providing services to local residents. So, we ask, as a donor, which is more important to you? Providing public intakes though it results in fewer lives saved or pulling from groups though it leaves ACC residents fewer options.
Right now we are collecting feedback and this feedback will be used as a guiding map for our strategic planning session scheduled in a few months.
Please feel free to email me at Crystal@athenshumanesociety.org, write, or call me at 706-224-1628.
Thank you for your time and support. Please know that as an AAHS supporter you are the heart of this organization and we truly want to know your thoughts.
Warmly,
Crystal Evans
Executive Director
Didn't receive the survey?
In order to better serve you and the animals in our community, please take a few minutes to answer a quick survey. This survey will help AAHS find out what direction our donors and supporters want to see our organization move. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION!
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