Hi, Ody here. I’m a cub reporter for The Anipal Times, and this is my first article! *waves*
Follow the Paws to the No More Homeless Pets Conference
Follow the Paws to the NMHP Conference
Can animal shelters become 100% no-kill by 2015? That’s the consensus of people attending the No More Homeless Pets National Conference at the Rio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA 15-17 October 2010. The conference (follow on Twitter @10NMHP and blog) was coordinated by the Best Friends Animal Society, based in Kanab, Utah, USA.
Over 1,000 participants attended from all 50 US states and three countries. These participants were largely made up of staff and management from municipal and private animal shelters and animal rescue groups from around North America. Presentations and workshops covered a variety of topics, including how to use social and traditional media, techniques for increasing adoption rates, fundraising and recruiting volunteers.
Attendees watch the "Paths to No More Homeless Pets: One Goal, Different Strategies" session.
The attendees of this year’s conference represent 170 different organizations, 115,000 volunteer hours logged, 187,000 animals rescued, and 176,000 animals spayed or neutered.
Is No-Kill by 2015 a Reasonable Goal?
There is no denying that this is a difficult goal. But according to the Maddie’s Fund Foundation, the number of dogs and cats killed per 1,000 Americans has dropped from 115 in 1970 to 16.8 in the year 2000. Maddie’s Fund projects that number could be as small as 2.3 by 2015.
Continued legislation regulating puppy mills, increased awareness of the problem, increased numbers of adoptions and increased volunteers and donation funding will help. All of these are currently trending in the right direction. In 1996, there were 130 million pets in the US homes. Today there are over 165 million, and by 2016, the number could be over 200 million says Maddie’s Fund.
Conferences like the No More Homeless Pets National Conference, positive media attention via traditional and social media will help spread the word. Mobile adoption vans will continue to make adopting a pet easier. No longer will a potential adoptive family have to go to the shelter, the shelter can come to them. Free or inexpensive spay/neuter clinics in low-income areas will help reduce the number of unwanted litters.
Every little bit will help!
Sponsors and Exhibitors
Every great conference requires stellar sponsors and exhibitors. Some of the sponsors for the No More Homeless Pets conference included:
- Petco Foundation (www.petcofoundation.org)
- PetsMart Charities (www.petsmartcharities.org)
- Maddie’s Fund (www.maddiesfund.org)
- Petfinder.com
- Iams
- Austin Cotton
Over 40 exhibitors and sponsors in the NMHP Conference Exhibit Hall
- Happy Tails Books (happytailsbooks.com)
- Smart Tag (IDTag.com)
- Toki Poki personalized pet trading cards (tokipoki.com)
- The Best Friends Network (network.bestfriends.org)
- Cloud Star natural dog treats and grooming products (www.cloudstar.com)
- Tevis Architects, specializing in animal control, animal shelter, and veterinarian facilities (www.tevisarchitects.com)
To quote Gergory Castle, CEO, Best Friends Animal Society “Every year some in attendance leave this conference with a new clarity and purpose. A light goes on that gathers others to their inspiration and the world is changed. Sometimes in small ways, sometimes the change is far reaching, but the world is changed and it is because of that one person…because of you.”
Hey, that kind of sounds a bit like what The Anipal Times, PawPawty and Shibberin’ Cheetos are doing! Saving pets one tweet, one pawty, one charity at a time!
Special thanks to Barbara Williamson, Media Relations Manager from Best Friends Animal Society for allowing The Anipal Times to visit the conference.
Photos provided by @OdyMaltese and used with permission.
{ 9 comments }
Well, done Ody!
LOL Jazzy XXX
YAY Ody. You’ve hit the big time now. Great article pal.
Excellent! I foresee cub reporter to star reporter in on shake of a dog’s tail!
That woudl be a dream come true for sure. One of the kill-shelters in our area, actually hasn’t had to do so in quite a while. It can be done.
Thanks, Ody! We need a special focus on Texas to make this a reality.
Lub U Ody, your contribution to No Kill knowledge building is awesome!! Da Anipal Times is lucky to has you and I rook forward to working wif you in da future – you are fabulous, just rike Smokey and your dadz!
Very interestin Ody and congratulations on your first article. I would like to see no-kill shelters in the UK too and more funding for organisations like the Dog’s Trust and Cat Protection League.
DUSTY: Great article, Ody! Full of good information and well written.
HURLEY: Some day this vision will be a reality… and you’ve made a ripple in the pond that is helping to spread the word. Good for you, Ody!
Ody!! Great article and such a powerful message! You are a great cub reporter that will make a difference to help other AniPals in need! Great job Ody!! *waves*
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