Edmonton Humane's Stephanie McDonald explains benefits of Playing for Life!

An innovative take on socializing and training shelter dogs is making progress across the United States and Canada. Playing for Life, a nationally recognized program used in over 55 organizations across the U.S. preaches daily play groups as an assessment, enrichment, training and adoption enhancement tool.

Developed by Aimee Sadler, director of Training and Behavior at Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation in New York, the program has seen live release rates increase to 95% in shelters where it has been fully implemented. 

Despite offering playgroups for many years, the Edmonton Humane Society began implementing Playing for Life in its shelter in August 2012. Edmonton Humane, which was nominated for a 2013 Sheltering Summit, is currently the only Canadian shelter partner of the Playing for Life program. Executive Director of the EHS spent some time with InfoStream to describe how the program has benefited the shelter and where opportunities exist for other organizations across the country. 

InfoStream: Can you tell me how long you've been participating? 

Stephanie McDonald: We have been doing play groups for as long as I can remember, even in the old shelter.  We started this unstructured, but knew that the animals would benefit from play time with other dogs.  Aimee came to us in Aug 2012  to review and validate our program.  We were interested in incorporating volunteers to enhance the program and she had some experience with that aspect. 

The new shelter was built with the play groups in mind.  We have two large pens that accommodate several groups at the same time.

InfoStream: How did your involvement come into being? 
Stephanie: I simply called Aimee up.  I had met her several times at some US conferences and she was receptive to coming up to help us enhance our already thriving program.

InfoStream: What do you think the benefits are to animals? 
Stephanie: Enrichment is a responsibility of shelters – quality of life is a duty we have, while they stay with us.  This is just one of the tools in the tool kit. 

We know that the shelter environment is artificial  providing time out of the kennel and a good run, jump in the pool is a great way to take the stress level down. 

Other benefits are the dogs get more exercise than we can provide even with volunteers walking them. The dogs learn appropriate social interactions and

behavior staff can observe issues that may have shown up on the behavior evaluation or have a history of a certain behavior which will help the future owner deal with.

InfoStream: What about benefits to adopters? 
Stephanie: We can determine the dogs social and tolerance level and set better expectations for the new owners. If the dog can play with a group of 50 to 70 dogs it is a good bet he would be fine at an off leash park or also get along with another pet in the home.

InfoStream: And finally, to shelter staff? 
Stephanie: We run the groups three times in the day.  Many times the house broken dogs get out and as a result less mess to clean for the shelter staff.  The dogs are more calm, with less stress means less barking.  Our shelter is known for how quiet it is and how calm the animals seem to be.  I think the structured play groups play a large role in it.

InfoStream: What has your experience been so far? 
Stephanie: Given that we have done this for years, and will continue it has been great for our animals and of course the volunteers and the behavior team.  We would recommend any shelter to consider adding a play group program for their shelter animals. But it is not easy, it takes a lot resources

however, the  benefits outweigh the use of resources.

InfoStream: Any moments that stand out? 
Stephanie: Very cool to see 70 dogs in the back pen running and having the time of their life.  Watching the staff and volunteers really enjoy it as well.

InfoStream: Would you recommend this program? 
Stephanie: Totally, however you must train the staff well so you are set up for a safe environment and experience.  Staff need to be able to read dog language and know when or when not to interrupt.  This takes time and experience. 

Once the staff have a good handle on it, you can consider rolling it out to the volunteers as a special program. 

It does come with some challenges and some risks that should be looked at prior to launching a program like this. 

InfoStream: Stephanie, thanks for taking the time to bring this program to the industry's attention. 

PLAYING FOR LIFE

MADDIES INSTITUTE WEBCAST WITH AIMEE SADLER

Prairie Region leads 2013 Sheltering Nominations

Seven finalists vie for the Urban Animal Industry's highest award in the category of Sheltering:

1. Animal Welfare Agency of South Central Ontario - AWASCO (Kathy Innocente) is nominated for completing the amalgamation of the Perth and Kitchener Waterloo agencies and for increasing the live release rate.
2. British Columbia SPCA - BCSPCA (Amy Morris) is nominated for implementing their new Capacity for Care program that has increased the Live Release Rate in BCSPCA shelters to 85%.
3. Calgary Humane Society- CHS (Mark Takhar) is nominated for activities during the 2013 Southern Alberta Flood when CHS infrastructure was used as the central hub for assisting pet owners across a wide area.
4. Coquitlam Animal Shelter - CAS (Andrea McDonald) is nominated for collaborative activities that has increased the number of animals being adopted through collaborations with other municipalities, retail and vets.
5. Edmonton Humane Society - EHS (Stephanie McDonald) is nominated for creating a new shelter complex and best practices that has enriched the lives of both pets and people passing through EHS.
6. London Animal Care Centre - LACC (Kent Lattanzio) is nominated for sharing subject matter expertise across the animal care industry.
7. PetLand Red Deer (Amy Pawson) is nominated for creating a new hybrid Sheltering/Homing facility with Alberta Animal Services that includes shelter funding and using PetLand resources to adopt out 400 animals.

The Summit for Sheltering recognizes an organization that best addresses the care of animals in shelters, pounds, retail outlets, kennels, veterinary clinics/hospitals, grooming shops and breeding facilities.

The 2013 Summit for Sheltering will be presented during the Awards Gala on Friday, 18 October 2013. This event is open to the public.

VOTE NOW!

Pet food bank established in Edmonton

Several Edmonton retailers are partnering with Boyle Street Community Services to ensure low-income families and individuals can care for and feed their pets.

A new inner-city pet food bank program which depends on pet food and supply donations was established after University of Alberta kinesiology student Leanne Kovacs noticed pet owners utilizing Community Services to care for their pets before themselves during her internship at Boyle Street. 

Kovacs gained initial support from 11 pet stores in Edmonton and St. Alberta who agreed to provide donation bins in their stores. In a matter of months, the program has seen success with over 600-pounds of pet food donated and 40 people accessing the food.  

The Edmonton Humane Society says it stands behind pet retention and a pet food bank is a step in the right direction. 

Shawna Randoph, spokeswoman for EHS told the Edmonton Journal, "We are all about people trying to retain ownership and we are so pleased to hear that there is additional support that will help people keep pets in their homes. We know the importance of having companionship with animals so an opportunity like this is very beneficial."

Edmonton Humane places suspension on surrendered pets

The Edmonton Humane Society (EHS) is turning away animals being surrendered by their owners due to capacity and staffing shortages. 

Last week, EHS CEO Stephanie McDonald told CTV News the shelter is full, "We have no way to accept any other animals from within our community." 

Officials said it is not uncommon for intake numbers to increase over the summer months but this is the first time in the organization's 106-year history it has been forced to say no to pet surrenders. The Society reported 644 animals housed in its north side facility as of late July. 

Although no surrendered pets will be accepted while the suspension is in place, the society says it has kept a small amount of room to continue admitting homeless and abused pets. 

CTV NEWS ARTICLE

Inky Paws for a Cause

A local Edmonton tattoo artist raised more than $4,500 and broke a Guinness World Record - all in the name of pets. 

Diankh (Dianne Lopez) inked 818 tattoos in a 24-hour period breaking the Guinness record for "most tattoos done by a single artist in 24 hours" of 801. Tattoos were offered with a minimum $20 donation and The Inky Paws for a Cause campaign, held July 27-28, raised $4,795.76 for the Edmonton Humane Society. 

"We believe it worked because a lot of people support animal shelters and animal lovers," Diankh.

Social media in the urban animal industry

Kitchener-Waterloo Humane cat adoption rates have increased 67% from January to March of 2013 as a result of a social media campaign to market its shelter animals. 

Christine Lishman accepted the Adoption Co-ordinater position last fall and turned to Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to tell the stories of pets that had been at the shelter for 30 days or more. 

In a few short months, more than 7,500 people 'Like' K-W Humane on Facebook, 1,800 people follow the Society's Twitter feed and at least 20 videos on YouTube.

READ THE ARTICLE

At the 2013 Urban Animal Regional Conference in Calgary last month, delegates learned the Edmonton Humane Society also utilizes social media to leverage shelter adoptions. With more than 34,000 Facebook fans, 7,500 Twitter followers, 513 YouTube subscribers, a Pinterest page featuring adoptable animals and a well-read blog, EHS has one of the strongest social media platforms in the urban animal industry in Canada. 

Edmonton Humane - The Future of Pet Ownership

Will pet ownership be reserved for the elite? 

Edmonton Humane Society CEO, Stephanie McDonald recently posted an article that asks important questions for the future of pet ownership. Undoubtedly, members of the companion animal industry as well as pet owners are interested in this conversation. The article reviews issues around the rising cost of owning a pet. 

McDonald notes the number and nature of surgeries taking place at Edmonton Humane has  changed. 

"The pressure on our shelter and our surgeons seems to increase each day," she said in the post. "It used to be that the shelter's clinic only booked spays or neuters; now it is a daily routine to perform several dentals and more complex surgeries such as orthopedics, amputations, wound repairs, eye enucleations, the list goes on and on..." 

While McDonald is careful not to place blame, she wonders about options to keep healthy companion animals within the reach of lower income households.

• Obtaining alternate diagnosis
• Dispensing medications from other sources

A respondent to MacDonald’s article recommended pet health insurance as another way of eliminating or leveling health care costs. 

Last fall at Summit 2012, the industry alumni developed a new conversation that continues under the leadership of Drew Van Niekerk. The conversation hopes to clearly define the Positive Pet Experience, to determine the barriers pet families encounter as they seek to achieve it and to develop strategies and tactics that resolve issues.

In April, the 2013 Regional Conferences will extend this conversation through four workshops across Canada. In the meantime, everyone sees costs are driving change in the pet industry paradigm. MacDonald’s blog contributes to a discussion which is likely to be the significant focus of Summit 2013 in October.

READ THE ARTICLE

Edmonton retailers bring back 'for-sale' pets

The Edmonton Humane Society is pleading with Edmontonians to remember the dangers and concerns about purchasing animals from a pet store as several local retailers bring puppies, kittens and other animals back into their inventory. 

An article published on the EHS website reads: 

"Recently a few posts have cropped up on our Facebook page, letting us know that the pet store in West Edmonton Mall is once again selling puppies and kittens... Needless to say, it was a shock to hear this. For a year now, most of the pet stores in Edmonton had stopped selling puppies and kittens and embraced the model of working with rescue groups and helping find homes for displaced, homeless animals. Pet stores in our city had stopped contributing to the puppy mill and irresponsible breeder industry."

READ THE ARTICLE

With the holiday season at our doorstep, humane and rescue organizations nationwide are stepping up their campaigns to educate the public about the gifting animals. And if giving a pet really is the best gift, to remember to acquire them responsibly. 

TIPS TO CONSIDER WHEN GIFTING A PET

Edmonton Humane Society receives 2012 Summit for Community Compliance

Earlier this year, the Edmonton Humane Society (EHS) joined forces with Waterloo Ford Lincoln to pioneer a public awareness campaign aimed at keeping dogs out of cars in the hot summer months. For this unique partnership, the EHS was presented with its 2012 Summit for Community Compliance 12 December 2012. 

Sponsored by Royal Sun Alliance (RSA), the Summit for Community Compliance rewards organizations that make efforts to increase the overall level of compliance in a community using a broad definition of responsibility, related best practices, standards and national codes of conduct. 

Left to Right: Rick Brown, VP and GM of Waterloo Ford Lincoln; Shawna Randolph, EHS spokesperson; Officer Taylor, EHS Animal Protection Peace Officer; Lundy Prokopetz, Petsecure Pet Health Insurance

The EHS and Waterloo Ford Lincoln are taking this opportunity enter into the second phase of their "Pets in Vehicles" sticker campaign. Shoppers are being reminded about the dangers they put their pets in by leaving animals alone in vehicles during extreme cold weather.

"This award winning partnership is vital in order to help prevent tragedies," said EHS CEO Stephanie McDonald. "The EHS is delighted that the campaign has gained national recognition, thanks to so many responsible pet owners taking part over the past several months." 

Waterloo Ford Lincoln sponsored the production of 100,000 window stickers to remind people about the dangers of leaving animals in vehicles any time of the year. 

"The EHS went above and beyond to educate and bring awareness and compliance to pet owners and the community," said Lundy Prokopetz of Petsecure Pet Health Insurance, who nominated the EHS for the award. "Their effort, along with Waterloo Ford Lincoln, is saving lives year round." 

Petsecure Sponsors 20th Annual Pets in the Park

Petsecure was announced as the Title Sponsor of The Edmonton Humane Society’s 20th annual Pets in the Park, happening this Sunday, June 24th from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at William Hawrelak Park. 

The pledged run and walk is to raise funds to support the thousands of animals that the Humane Society cares for each year. This event also plays a key role in raising awareness of the many programs and services that the Edmonton Humane Society offers. 

The Edmonton Humane Society is one of many Canadian animal shelters that benefit from Petsecure’s Adoptsecure Program, which provides up to six weeks of accident and illness insurance coverage for all newly adopted dogs and cats.

Read the New Release

Learn more about Pets in the Park 2012