This year’s Dogs & Data series wrapped up with a powerful final webinar, drawing over 1,900 registrants—a testament to the importance of addressing the pressing issues facing animal shelters today. In this session, we heard from experts Kristen Hassen (Outcomes Consulting), Deb Fair (Pedigree Foundation), Sarah Aguilar (Santa Barbara County Animal Services), Cole Wakefield (Good Shepherd Humane Society), Dr. Jeremy Prupas (Chief Veterinarian, City of Los Angeles), and Tori Teer (Acadiana Animal Aid). Together, we shared practical, data-driven solutions to help shelter leaders assess situations quickly and make informed program decisions when space is limited.
Key Takeaways:
+ Using Data to Make Decisions: The panel discussed the critical need for shelter leaders to focus on data, not assumptions, when facing overcrowding. By reviewing real data sets and focusing on key metrics, shelters can better understand where to act first, allowing for more efficient and impactful decisions.
+ Balancing Intakes and Outcomes: The conversation emphasized the importance of balancing intakes with outcomes such as adoptions and fostering. Offering extended adoption hours and reducing bottlenecks were highlighted as key strategies to improve dog movement through the system.
+ Fostering Programs & Creative Solutions: Tori Teer shared Acadiana Animal Aid’s two-week foster program, which encourages short-term fostering to reduce overcrowding. By promoting manageable commitments for fosters, the shelter has seen more community involvement and faster placement of dogs.
+ Managing Long-Stay Dogs: Sarah Aguilar emphasized the challenge of long-stay dogs in shelters and how using data to identify these overlooked animals can help create targeted marketing campaigns or specialized adoption events to move them into homes.
+ Using Data to Drive Shelter Efficiency: Dr. Jeremy Prupas and Cole Wakefield both spoke about how data can reveal resource allocation gaps and guide shelters in optimizing operations. By focusing staff efforts on outcomes rather than solely intake, shelters can better manage their capacity and improve dog adoptions.
Looking Ahead
As the Dogs & Data series comes to a close, we encourage you to reflect on your shelter’s current challenges and consider how the insights shared during this session can be applied to your organization. Whether it’s fostering creative programs, enhancing adoption opportunities, or better utilizing data to inform your decisions, this webinar offered numerous strategies to help shelters manage their canine populations more effectively.
With over 1,900 participants in this series, it’s clear that shelter leaders across the country are eager to innovate and improve their operations. Don’t miss out on the chance to continue the conversation and share your feedback as we plan for future sessions in 2025.
Interested in learning more? Click below to watch the conversation:
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