5/29/2018

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The Future of Animal Welfare

Celebrating the bond between people and pets

Roger Haston, PhDPetSmart Charities

A Cattle Dog’s Dilemma

Realistic Optimism 

An Optimist, A Pessimist & An Optometrist

THE GLASS IS

HALF FULL!!

THE GLASS IS

HALF EMPTY!!

UH…..GUYS

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A Brief History of Animal Welfare

Really brief but super relevant

The Five Freedoms

Hunger & Thirst

Pain, Injury & Disease

Discomfort Normal Behavior

Fear & Distress

1869: Cruelty Abuse Suffering

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1939 Newsletter

The History of the Five Freedoms

UK Government commissioned an investigation, led by Professor Roger Brambell, into the welfare of intensively farmed animals

From this, the Five Freedoms were developed

1964 1965 Release of Ruth Harrison’s 

“Animal Machines” book which highlighted the abysmal conditions for agricultural animals in Britain

Roger Brambell

The 1970s:  Era of the Pound

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The Humane Movement Grows

First low cost spay and neuter clinics opened 1969 in Los Angeles was the first

Focus on euthanasia methodology Elimination of cruel and painful methods begin

Involvement of veterinary community Importance of disease control and animal condition recognized

Growth of adoptions from shelters Humane organizations begin promoting the rescuing of animals from shelters 

1990s: Focus on Outcomes

First appearance of the “no kill” movement

Large well funded  shelters developed

Growth of low cost spay neuter begins to 

impact intake

Public awarenessaround the value of adoption grows

2000s: A Common Framework

2004 in AsilomarA   g roup  was   convened to

Build a bridge across varying philosophies

Develop relationships and create goals focused on significantly reducing the euthanasia of healthy and treatable companion animals 

Develop some guiding principles and a common metric for success

Birth of Live Release Rate

A push for transparency

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2005: Hurricane Katrina

Changing Attitudes Towards Pets

1940 1980 2010B a c k y a r d B e d ro om

Growth of Animal Rights

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Animal Welfare vs. Animal Rights

Concerned with choosing the action that will bring about the greatest good for the greatest number of individuals.

Prevention of unnecessary suffering 

Ensure a good quality of life and humane death.

Example: Peter Singer

Assumes all subjects‐of‐a life possess inherent value and must be treated as ends‐in‐themselves, never as a means to an end.

A right may not be sacrificed even if the consequences of doing so are appealing or negative.

Examples: Tom Regan, Gary Francione

Consequentialism Kantian Theories

Colliding Frameworks

2010s: Rising Conflict and Confusion

?

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Have We Been Successful?

A quick review of metrics

Tremendous Progress

In 1970

23,000,000Euthanasias

In 20171,500,000 Euthanasias

In 1986 Just 4 States with Felony Provisions

In 2017 

All 50 States

Breathe

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We live in a moment of history where change is so sped up that we begin to see the present only when it is already disappearing.

~R. D. Laing

The Winds of Change

Animal supply & demand

Transfers and transport

Small Rescues

Where people adopt

The underserved

Economics of sheltering

Attitude polarization

Current Trends to Consider

A Growing Inventory Problem

We are running out of dogs people want….

but not everywhere

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Intake is Declining

Why The Decline?

Years of Spay/Neuter

More public awareness

Different approach to cats

Public fear of shelters

Shelters are not reaching the need

Shelters are limiting admission

Shelters Don’t Have What People Want

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

Pitbull/Mix Chihuahua German Shep Terrier Mix Lab/Lab Mix Boxer SibHusky/Mix

Poodle Toy

Number of Anim

als

Intake

Outflows

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Blocky‐Headed Whatevers

You ain’t from around here, 

are you?

Transport

Explosion of Transfers

778,385Dogs in 2016

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Transfer at A Large Scale

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

200

8

200

9

201

0

201

1

201

2

201

3

201

4

201

5

201

6

Percent of Dogs Adopted in Colorado from Out of State

Highly Adoptable Gets Transferred

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

Public Coalition Outside

Number of Anim

als

Healthy TR TM UU

Dog‐O‐Nomics

$25 to $50 at Source

$300 to $450 at Destination

300,000 to 500,000 in 2016

($400 ‐ $50) * 300,000 =$105,000,000 Potential Revenue

This amount of money can attract some bad actors and create problems in both the source and destination communities if not managed holistically

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They are big and unregulated

Small Rescues

Animal Welfare Organizations

Estimated to be over 10,000

Rescue or Hoarder

Hoarding is on the rise

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It’s a competitive world

How People Adopt is Changing

Changing Public Expectations

Then

Now

1,000,000 Retail AdoptionsChanging the Adoption Landscape

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Rethinking the Use of Space

Architecture for the Future: Design Principles

A Place

A Community

A Leading Service

Educate Through Openness

Connected to the Environment

Flexible and Adaptive

A Close Relationship

Create a New Benchmark

The Southeast Project wants to be a public home for  animal lover

Somewhere that people can meet, where class or culture is not an issue

Where people willfind top‐level service and care without it being a ‘placeof transaction’

Visibly demonstrating good care of the animals to create positive habits inthose that visit.

Utilize the benefits offered by the adjacent dog park and encourage activeengagement

Respond to new challenges and a  large variety and type of guests

Allmembers of staff, irrespective of role, should have a close relationshipto the animals under their care

Building for the future of our industry

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External View fromParkExtended SiteScheme

Humane Rescue Alliance Southeast Development Aug 2017  Concept Design 43

Flexible Sheltering: Pop Up Cat Space

We are very successful with the people that we are very 

successful with...

Animal Welfare Deserts

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The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.

Helen Keller

Blind Spots

Pets‐For‐Life Data

0%

25%

50%

75%

100%

No Vet Experience No Shelter or AC Contact

Percent of People

Why Free is Too Expensive

X

Free = $50 to $100Or more

4 hrs * $15/hr = $60

I need time off work for my 

cat

Jerry has a cat

How do I catch this thing?

Cat carrier $20Band-Aids $10

Can I borrow your car?

Gas $20

Free S/N

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Challenging a Tradition View

Pop Up Community Centers

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Co‐locating Human and Animal Services

• Animal health services• Exams• Vaccinations• Deworming• Flea/Tick treatment• Pet food and supplies• Spay/Neuter• Pet education

• Human health services• Immunizations• Smoking reduction/cessation• Primary health care• Oral/Dental care• STI testing• Opioid reversal• Food & nutrition

Mobile Spay/Neuter Cooperates with Local Veterinarians

The Issue:  Rural community with a very high rate of poverty and significant animal overpopulation issues.  Local veterinarians were resistant to mobile spay neuter clinics coming into the area.

Veterinarians Fear: Loss of revenue and fear of post operative complications

AWOs Fear: Local veterinarians not able to execute on the volume of surgeries necessary for the community at a price they could afford

The Solution:  Local veterinarians served as the client check‐in and initial health check. They were the face of the organization and who the community interacted with. The surgery team was able to focus on surgery. 

The business model is not viable for most…

but some will thrive

Shelter Economics

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Skyrocketing Cost of Sheltering 

0%

50%

100%

150%

200%

250%

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

Percent Increase in

 Cost From Year 20

00

(Inflation adjusted

)

Average from 200 shelters

The Cost of Doing More

$0

$250

$500

$750

$1,000

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

Cost per Anim

al

total expenditures per animal

total program services per animal

total veterinary services per animal

Municipal Spending Disparity 

 $‐

 $2.00

 $4.00

 $6.00

 $8.00

 $10.00

 $12.00

 $14.00

 $16.00

San Diego

El Paso

Austin

Phoenix

San Antonio

Springfield M

A SF

Ft. W

orth

Richmond VA

Dallas

Cleveland

Charlotte

San Jose

Trenton

Albuquerque

Columbus OH

Baltimore

Indianapolis

Seattle

Pittsburg

Jacksonville FL

Worchester M

A

Nashville

Orlan

do

Green

ville

Louisville KY

Philadelphia

Montgomery

Hartford

Chicago

Jackson M

S

Boston M

A

Charleston

Per Cap

ita Spen

ding

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The Growing Divide

Attitude Polarization

Are We in An Echo Chamber?

Attitude Polarization

Following a general trend in our society, animal welfare is polarizing and getting more extreme

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A Growing Disconnect?

Us Them

Losing Sight of the Truth

A Loss Of Perspective

Memphis ‐‐ Director Receives Death Threats

Bomb, death threats beset Lindon Animal Shelter

Clarksville crying dog video, petition spur death threats

Death threats against San Bernardino animal shelter workers

“When you start to threaten my family, you have gone too far”

Death threats at animal shelter land man in jail

Augusta animal director receives death threats over euthanasia

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Devastating Realities

Real People

Jace ValdezHoward Nicholson, Jr.Diane JansenDylan AndresKylar JohnsonJames HurstAiden McGrewJeremiah Eskew‐ShahanClifford WrightJazilyn MesaMakayla DarnellEugene CameronJa'Marr TillerJack RedinTyzhel McWilliamsRonnel BrownRebecca CareyCharles HagermanDawn JurgensBryton CasonDebra Renee Wilson‐RobertsJames HudsonDonald ThomasRayden BruceNellie DavisMary Jo HuntTarilyn BowlesDixie JenningsRemedios Romeros‐SolaresDawn BrownEsteban AlavezUnknown womanSavannah EdwardsTomas HenioBetty Ann Chapman ToddChristian GormanousElsie GraceIsaiah Aguilar

Ryan MaxwellDaxton BorchardtMonica Renee LaminackTyler JettClaudia GallardoJordyn ArndtBeau RutledgeRachael HonabargerCarlton FreemanPamela Marie DevittAyden EvansNephi SeluArianna Jolee MerrbachLinda OliverJordan ReedDaniel TeubnerSamuel Eli ZamudioJordan RyanTerry DouglassKatherine AtkinsNga WoodheadLevi WatsonJoan KappenJah'Niyah WhiteMia GibsonMichal NelsonBetty ClarkTom J. VickChristine BellKara HartrichAnnabell MartinKlonda S. RicheyJe'vaeh MayesBraelynn Rayne CoulterSummer SearsKenneth SantillaRaymane Robinson Jr.Mia DeRouen

Norberto LegardaJoshua StrotherAnnie WilliamsCarolyn LampMax GraciaPorsche CarteeCathy H. WheatcraftBarbara McCormickEmilio RiosCarmen ReigadaLamarkus HicksTanner SmithEdgar BrownAmiyah DunstonAnthony RiggsCarter HartleXavier StricklandRebecca HardyNyjah EspinosaTyler Trammell‐HustonPayton SawyersTalan WestAiden GrimSuzanne StoryBessie FlowersSonda TysonSebastian CabanAdonis ReddickEarl Wayne Stephens Jr.Hunter BraggErin McCleskeyJocelyn WinfreySusie KirbyChristopher MaloneMelissa BarnesVinson TuckerMichael ParksParis Adams

Dorothy HamiltonJohn HarvardKatie MorrisonJessica NormanKasii HaithHolden GarrisonCraig SytsmaLogan ShepardJohnathan Quarles Jr.Cindy WhismanJoel ChirieleisonDeriah SolemJavon Dade JrDavid Glass SrAlice PayneLogan MeyerAlameaner DialJose Cruz Cazares RoblesDeanne Lynn CoandoStella AntanaitisJayla RodriguezEdward CahillChristopher Joaquin CamejoEugene SmithDeclan MossMalaki MildwardFredrick CrutchfieldTayLynn DeVaughnRoy Higgenbotham Jr.Betty WoodJulia Charging WhirlwindDe'Trick JohnsonNeta Lee AdamsKenneth FordBrayden WilsonGaege RamirezJames Nevils IIIJordan Collins‐Tyson

Logan BraatzSkylar JuliusLouise HermidaUnknownJamie OwsleyValentine HerreraJase FohsCecille ShortMaurice BrownKamiko Dao Tsuda‐SaeleeMargaret ColvinLisa GreenJane EgleSandra KeiserSusannah MurrayUnknownMarcos Raya Jr.Jacob BrooksUnknownConnie StoreyMichael ObergasJavien CandelarioSophia BoothDavid BaberTracy CorneliusKorbin WilliamsEmily ColvinDorothy FordBethany StephensCarol HarrisLorraine SaylorDeborah OnsurezLaura RayRylee DodgeNoah Trevino

Divergent Whys

We aren’t all working toward the same thing

Anti‐Euthanasia

Humane Treatment

Promote Pet Ownership

Eliminate Breeding

Eliminate Suffering

Reduce Population

Public safety

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Where can we look to understand the future?

Looking Outside Our World

The Extremes of Policies

The devastating impact of Italy’s no‐kill legislation

Addressing a Problem

Education

Licensing & Registration

Early Interdiction

Strict and Severe Enforcement Up to $10,000 fine for aggressive dog attack

Potential court ordered euthanasia

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Getting Under One Roof

British Columbia has built a large organization that has consolidated over 50 

organizations

Australia consolidated all of the animal welfare groups under a single organization

Pets, people, professionalization 

preserving the bond, and a whole new set of metrics

The Future of Animal Welfare

Forward to Our Roots

Eliminating cruelty and suffering

Being humane

Building and maintaining the bond between people and pets

Be socially responsible 

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A Purely Business Perspective

Current Trends in Animal Welfare

Increasing Cost

Increasing Competition

Flat to Declining Market

Inconsistent Supply Chain

Confused Consumer Messaging

Increasing Regulatory Pressure

Hard to Access Customers

Increased Public Scrutiny

Low Barrier to Entry

Consolidate & Disaggregate 

Consolidation is happening San Diego

Washington

Minneapolis

Milwaukee

………................

Disaggregation The need is not located where the revenue is generated

Organizations need to functionally split and locate in the appropriate locale

Professionalization & Diversification

• Professional certifications and qualifications

• Human service training

We risk marginalizing ourselves in society

• Passion is not enough

• We serve people and pets, not just pets

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Honest Risk Assessment

No formal risk assessment methodology

Community data on public safety issues is sparse and often flawed

Discount the cost of a negative experience

Need to be honest about the consequence of aggression

Public safety and animal welfare are not mutually exclusive

Systemic Bias and a Lack of Diversity

Difficult Road Ahead

Many  of   the  messages  and  be l i e f s   that  have  

made  us   suc cess fu l   are  s ta r t i ng   to  get   i n  our  way

Animals should only be adopted

Adoptable

Save them all

No Kill

Donate to save this poor sad creature locked away in a dirty, dank, stinky shelter where no one cares

Public safety

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Whatever words we utter should be chosen with care for people will hear them and be influenced by them for good or ill

Buddha

Words Matter

Where We Can Be

Preserving and building the relationship between all pets and people

Eliminating cruelty, suffering and abuse

Maintaining public trust and safety

Community Access Health

Between People & Pets

The Bond

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People and Pets

Of domestic violence victims delay leaving their abuser due to fear for their animal

48%71%

Of pet owning women in domestic violence situations had pets abused or killed by their partner

What Keeps Me Going

“I don’t know how I would have lived through and left a quite abusive husband, even now if I cry or feel like I can’t go on… what is the point

of existing?... she will walk up and make me smile she gives me a reason to get up… to

come home… to breathe”

From Community Veterinary Outreach

A Cattle Dog’s Dilemma

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You have to be braveAnd your courage to do what’s rightHas to be greater than your fear of getting hurtSo be BraveBe Brave

Hasan Minhaj

The Not So Easy Road

Thank You for Listening