Maddie's Newsletter

The No-Kill Nation

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NEVADA HUMANE SOCIETY'S STAFF PICKS
by Denise Stevens, Operations Director


The inspiration for Staff Picks came from a book seller's website. Incorporating the same idea into the shelter environment has proven to be a great success. Shelter staff members are asked to choose an animal that they have provided care for, briefly describe the animal's behavior along with his best attributes and history, then pose for a picture with that pet. Invariably, staff members pick the animals who have been at the shelter the longest or those who are older or have infirmities. The picture and write-up are then hung on a bulletin board in the lobby of the shelter.

A potential adopter's first impression of the animal is of a loving pet sitting with a staff member who cares about them and really wants the animal to get a home. As everyone knows, first impressions are everything, and this setting seems to soften the impression one gets of a barking dog in a kennel or of a shy cat that wants to hide. And when someone else thinks an animal is special, it enhances the pet's desirability.

Staff Picks has proven to be a tremendous benefit to both staff and the animals they are able to promote. Many of our long term, harder to adopt animals have been adopted as a result of this small and inexpensive way to promote shelter animals. It's particularly beneficial for black dogs and cats. An added benefit is that the staff members feel vested in the life saving goals of the shelter as they are able to individualize the animals under their care. Helping to save lives directly also makes the no-kill goal more tangible.

Pets such as Bruiser the white pit bull that had been at the shelter for more than six months (click here for photo) and "Niffer" the plain black cat who resided at the shelter for 19 months were quickly adopted as a result of Staff Picks.

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Postscript: Staff Picks have proven so popular with staff and the public, the Humane Society has added a second Staff Picks bulletin board.