Video Length: 54:22
Animal welfare leaders share how "The Pet Resource Center" is a modern model for a successful alternative to traditional intake centers by serving the public as well as improving sheltering in general. This presentation was recorded by Maddie's Fund® at the 2019 American Pets Alive! Conference.
April Moore has served as Animal Protection Supervisor with the Field Services Unit based at the Austin Animal Center for over 10 years. She played an integral role in helping the Animal Services Office become the nation's largest no-kill open-intake animal shelter by developing community policies and programs that promote lifesaving and connect community members with the resources needed to keep their pets safe and healthy. The Field Services Unit serves over 1 million residents in the Austin and Travis County area through response to over 30,000 calls for service, emergency response, neighborhood canvassing and outreach events. April is also an instructor for Maddie's® Lifesaving Academy.
Bennett came to Pima Animal Care Center as an animal protection supervisor in 2017. He is developing a network of pet support programs designed to keep pets in their homes, including efforts to directly provide support to pet owners facing homelessness and owners who are possibly facing citations due to a lack of resources. Previously, he served as the community outreach and Pets for Life manager at the Humane Society of Charlotte, North Carolina.
Mark Sloat's career in animal welfare began in 1985 when he took on the operation of a small non-profit rural dog rescue, which he oversaw for 24 years. He also worked as a contract animal control officer for a rural county in Minnesota for 11 of those years. During that time, he learned the value of returning pets to their families. By keeping them together, he had the opportunity to help the owners better care for and appreciate their pets. Mark has now been employed by Austin Animal Center Services for five years. He started as ACO in the Animal Protection unit and eventually moved up to program manager.