March 2019 by Shyanne Schull, Director, Washoe County Regional Animal Services, and Paula Powell, Director, El Paso Animal Services

Audience: Executive Leadership, Shelter/Rescue Staff & Volunteers

Video Length: 56:16

Proactive Return to Owner Programs

Learn about how two very large animal shelters reached higher live release rates by attaining Return to Owner rates over 25% - way above best practice! This presentation was recorded by Maddie's Fund® at the 2019 American Pets Alive! Conference.

About Paula Powell

Prior to leading Animal Services, Paula spent 24 years serving the City of El Paso in various operational positions. Before that, Paula served as a 1st Lt in the US Army and was stationed at Fort Bliss. She began her college education at the United States Military Academy and culminated it with her master's in public administration at the University of Texas at El Paso. She received her certification in Shelter Management in 2018 and continues to look for new ways to learn and grow in order to save more of the lives that need us most.


About Shyanne Schull

With an average annual intake of 13,000 animals, Washoe County Regional Animal Services where Shyanne is director boasts a 40% return-to-owner rate over a ten- year average. Shyanne has worked in a wide array of animal control capacities; kennel worker, dispatcher, officer, shelter manager, assistant director and director. She understands the respective challenges that each division area faces which helps to create life-saving strategies to support responsible pet ownership.