September 2006

Society of Animal Welfare Administrators
 2170 S. Parker Rd., #255, Denver, CO 80231

Ph: (888) 337-6410 • (303) 337-6419 • Fax: (303) 750-085
Email: info@sawanetwork.org

Top Dog Message
By Harry Dates, CAWA, SAWA President

Very few of us enjoy taking tests. Whereas a majority of us working for the betterment of animals in our society would do whatever it takes to demonstrate that our work, our collective missions, is important and deserves more recognition and respect. The CAWA program, the certification of animal welfare administrators, can be a critical step in gaining this recognition and respect by your peers, board members, commissioners, staff, volunteers and members of your community at-large.

I encourage you to register for the CAWA exam in Nashville on November 11, 2006. A few months ago your SAWA Board approved the creation of a CAWA Study Guide (included in the publication titled, “Candidate Information Booklet”) which can help take some of the mystery or angst out of the examination process. The new Candidate Information Booklet is now available and was written under the ‘guidance’ of CPS Human Resource Services (an accredited testing, licensing and certification company) and the CAWA Test Development Committee. It includes twenty sample questions with answers and source reference, exam information as well as the continuing education requirements for maintaining certification status. Another reason to encourage you to commit to the test is purely financial. The exam fees may not be the same in 2007, and most likely will increase over the next few years.

While researching his upcoming book on managing an animal control organization, author Stephen Aronson was impressed when he learned about the CAWA program. “SAWA’s certification program for animal welfare executives in the private and public sectors is a milestone as it fills a major need in this field.”

Don’t miss this opportunity to obtain certification. There is enough time to read the study guide and buy or borrow the reading materials. It may be a challenge or a small step out of your comfort zone, but you face challenges everyday in your position and why not show others you aim high with your professional development goals? And on behalf of the SAWA Board and conference planning committee, I hope you’ll take the CAWA exam and then we will see you at the conference sessions, both in Nashville in November.
Certification News – Renewing Your Certification
By Nancy B. McKenney, MNPL, CAWA

Certified Animal Welfare Administrators have three years before they need to submit their continuing education credit documentation for recertification. Although the SAWA Board and CPS are working on the procedures for recertification, remember that CE points can be earned in a variety of ways:
1. Continuing education courses approved by SAWA—(approval criteria and processes for CE providers still being determined). Examples might include workshops at National and State Animal Welfare conferences, on-line animal welfare courses, SAWA conferences, etc. (if consistent with further development of knowledge).

2. Leadership and professional involvement—Examples might include active service on a SAWA board or committee (including SAWA test committee or certification council) and state federation board of directors or committee; teaching training courses or presenting on educational content at professional conferences; and authoring articles accepted by professional publications.

3. Formal coursework from accredited college or university—includes all courses that list credits, trimester units, or quarter hours.
The Candidate Information Booklet will provide you with a more specific listing of what qualifies for CE points. Those administrators who received their certification on the 2004 exam will have only 40 points (rather than 60) to achieve by May of 2007. Those achieving CAWA certification from the 2005 exam will also have 40 points to reach by May, 2008.
Drive it Forward
By Harry Dates, CAWA and SAWA Board President

A well-traveled 1983 mobile adoption unit has found a new home in a community just northwest of Ft. Worth, Texas called Azle. Utilized first in New York City, the converted Iveco truck chassis then traveled to Denver, Colorado. The Dumb Friends League obtained a new vehicle and the Iveco traveled to Cincinnati to serve well for eight years. SPCA Cincinnati received funding for a new spay/neuter and mobile adoption vehicle and passed the Iveco on to CASA (Caring for Animals Saving Animals) where it will continue to help find homes for animals.

Although the signs of age and constant use are becoming apparent in the vehicle, the value of taking available animals to the public remains important. Whether the effort may be one or two animals taken out on a weekend or thirty everyday, the concept of mobile adoptions remains strong. Also important are the relationships in SAWA that keep equipment and ideas moving from one facility to another in need.
Island Updates

The first Off Leash dog park on Kauai opened in July. The four-acre Freddie's Dog Park is on the Kauai Humane Society grounds and has separate areas for small dogs and large dogs. They “softly ask park guests to be KHS members,” reports executive director Dr. Becky Rhoades, CAWA, and they already have signed up over 30 new members in less than a month.

Becky’s organization has also been approved to provide Hawaii State Department of Agriculture pet quarantine services at Lihue airport so pets will now be allowed to directly come to Kauai from the Mainland instead of transiting through Honolulu. This service is to begin during the month of September.

“Finally, we opened our new horse shelter in July and our first horse was a 22 yr. old wandering, emaciated "stray" mare from the coffee fields who after a dentistry and feeding her for a couple of weeks, foaled a healthy colt - which to say the least surprised me,” writes Becky. The mare just looked like she was wormy with a grass belly. “We rescued her just in time – and I am sure she would have aborted. Both have been returned to their owner who has allowed unlimited access to monitor, paid restitution, etc. and both are doing well.”
From the “A”
By Julie Morris, Senior Vice President, National Outreach, ASPCA

The ASPCA has just completed the research phase of the new Feline Meet Your Match™ adoption program. The ASPCA Feline-ality Meet Your Match™ pairs distinct feline-alities with adopters whose personality and lifestyle fit them best. Good matches help make strong bonds, and bonding is the key to successful adoptions. Beta test facilities report increased adoptions, returns reduced by more than half and other positive results. Look for Regional trainings early next year!

The Humane Society of New Braunfels in the Texas Hill Country was vandalized at the end of July Perpetrators broke into the shelter and did extensive damage to the interior, destroying equipment, rendering cat litter unusable and poisoning the shelter's supply of animal food. The most bizarre aspect was the killing of three animals and injury to others. The Police Captain said that when his officers entered the building there was so much damage that they initially thought the building was "under-construction"! The ASPCA sent emergency funds to supplement the outpouring of community support so that the shelter, which is the only one in the area, could treat the injured animals and reopen to the public.
The Nonprofit Congress Formed

The first ever Nonprofit Congress National meeting will take place in Washington DC on October 16-17. The purpose of the meeting is to unite nonprofits and strengthen the charitable sector. The Nonprofit Congress represents a first for the United States nonprofit sector - organizations from across the country that reflect the varied sizes and mission-areas of nonprofits are coming together to think and act proactively to support the future of nonprofits and the communities we serve. Over 2,800 individuals have already signed the Declaration for America’s Nonprofits, and nonprofit leaders in forty-two states have planned over one hundred Town Halls to discuss challenges and opportunities for the nonprofit sector. On October 16-17, 2006, nonprofit representatives will gather in D.C. at the National Meeting to review input from the Town Halls, decide on priorities, and plan collective action that addresses the sector’s greatest challenges. Details and registration information for the National Meeting are online at http://www.nonprofitcongress.org/event.htm. If you have any questions, please contact Erica Greeley at the National Council of Nonprofit Associations at 202-962-0322 or egreeley@ncna.org.

Pamela Burns of Hawaiian Humane Society has been chairing a steering committee for almost two years to create a state wide, sector wide alliance of nonprofits in Hawaii. The Hawaii Alliance of Nonprofits has more than 200 member organizations so far and she will be one of the representatives from Hawaii attending the Nonprofit Congress.
Heard it Through the Grapevine:

• Julie Bank is the new executive director of the North County Humane Society, CA. Prior to July, Julie served as deputy director of Maricopa County Animal Care & Control in Phoenix, where she also served as director of public programs and development. Did you know that her first experience working with animals was as a volunteer for ASPCA in New York? Her new email address is: jbank@nchumane.org.

• Phil Olson has accepted the executive director position with the Black Hills Humane Society in Rapid City, SD. He will start shortly after Labor Day and has graciously offered to continue helping (from afar) with some of the Pacific Northwest Animal Care & Control Conference details. Phil has served on the Washington State Federation’s Board of Directors for many years and leaves big Treasurer shoes to fill!

• Kent Robertson is the new Bureau Chief for the City of Houston’s Bureau of Animal Regulation and Care (BARC).

• In June 2006, Banfield started microchipping again using their new TruePaws Pet Identification System which includes implantation of two microchips (an unencrypted 125 kHz and a 134.2 kHz ISO microchip), collar tags and free lifetime registration for $29.95. For more information about Banfield’s TruePaws system, visit www.banfield.net or e-mail TruePaws@banfield.net.  You can also call 877-LOST-PET.

• Digital Angel (a St. Paul-based company) has been designated by the USDA as a manufacturer of radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags that can be used as part of the National Animal Identification System (NAIS). The NAIS is a cooperative program involving the USDA, state governments and the livestock industry. The program works to track animals that have had contact with sick or infected animals in the past 48 hours. Participation in NAIS is still voluntary, and non-RFID tags can still be used, but the USDA is working to have the program fully in place by 2009.
American Humane Conference to be in Schaumburg, Sept. 28 – 30

American Humane’s 2006 Annual Conference is fast approaching. The location is in the brand new Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel & Convention Center in Schaumburg, Illinois -- "Chicago's City in the Suburbs." Learn about model programs and hear a variety of timely and important topics, such as shelter operations, the latest trends in animal care and control, emergency planning and management, humane education, and The LinkŪ between humans and animals. Get all the details by downloading the Conference Registration Brochure (PDF:373KB) 24 pages.

For registration information, e-mail: registration@americanhumane.org.  Don't forget, members of American Humane receive a 15% discount.
Join Now and Save!
SAWA Is Set In The Music City (Nashville, TN), November 11-14
By Cheryl Naumann, SAWA Board member/Chair of the Conference Planning Committee

The 2006 SAWA conference promises to be an experience to remember, not only because of the important topics discussed, the certification exam, or the multiple opportunities for networking, but also because of its extraordinary setting. The Gaylord Opryland Resort, host of this year’s conference, is a nine-acre oasis of lush indoor gardens and sparkling waterfalls, and is recognized around the world for its extraordinary service and luxurious accommodations. And, all this in one of the most vibrant cities in the country! As the "home of country music" Nashville, Tennessee has become a major music center, and has not been called “the third coast” for just any old reason.

The conference is ideally suited for animal welfare and animal care and control executives with a desire to advance their mission in their communities. There will be many opportunities to meet and greet, listen and learn, and share experiences and knowledge. The variety of thought-provoking educational sessions is sure to not only pique your interest, but to hold your attention. For example, you will have a chance to learn how to develop alternative revenue streams for your organization or agency, as well as how to make your shelter a “destination”. You will learn about how disaster response really works, the language used (do you know what NIMS, ICS, VOAD or SART means?), and more importantly, how your organization or agency can gain a decision-making and leadership seat at your State’s disaster preparedness table.

The conference will also feature a panel discussion on shelter pit bull strategies. With participants from various industries, and with very different takes on the issue, the “Pit Bull Dilemma” will be examined, explored and discussed.

In addition to these learning opportunities, we are exited to offer the Certified Animal Welfare Administrators (CAWA) examination once again. The CAWA accreditation program has been designed to establish recognition for those who have gained a significant body of knowledge, achievements and abilities in our field. This new credential will go far to achieve distinction for animal welfare executives among industry leaders and other business professionals.

There will also be time for plenty of casual networking with your peers. An organized “Dine-Around” will allow smaller groups to meet and network in a casual setting, and an offsite dinner and entertainment event, "Nashville Style," will give you a chance to experience the roots of country music in “Music City, USA” at one of the local honky tonk clubs. Though at press time the entertainment for our honky tonk evening is not yet confirmed, we are sure you will be impressed.

And we sure that you will be equally impressed with the quality of the conference, the location, the learning opportunities, and the chance to interact with your peers, who across the country are working towards the same goals as you. It will be an experience to remember – we hope you will join us!

Look for your conference brochures in the mail in early September.
 


Additional Incentive

Did we mention that the Opryland Resort in Nashville will be decorated for the holidays during SAWA’s conference in November? Attendees will also have access to a great pool, hot tub and numerous watering holes (to continue networking or just to relax). Just additional incentive for you to attend our fall conference…
 
HSUS Happenings

Kimberley Intino, Director of Animal Sheltering Issues at The Humane Society of the United States would like to introduce two new people on her staff who are now running the Animal Services Consultation program (which is our shelter evaluation program):

Carolyn Machowski, manager
301-258-3039 cmachowski@hsus.org

Dena Fitzgerald, assistant manager
301-258-3122 dfitzgerald@hsus.org

If a SAWA member is interested in having his/her shelter evaluated, would like to suggest another shelter for evaluation, or is interested in working as a consultant for the program, they should contact Carolyn or Dena. For more information on the ASC program, visit http://www.AnimalSheltering.org/asc.
Organization Promotes the Development of Non-Surgical Sterilants for Cats and Dogs
By Joyce Briggs, President, ACC&D

The Alliance for Contraception in Cats and Dogs (ACC&D) is sponsoring a petition to demonstrate demand for non- surgical sterilants for cats and dogs. Just think: sterilization without the expense and complication of surgery! You can sign the petition by visiting www.acc-d.org.

ACC&D also invites you to attend the Third International Symposium on Nonsurgical Contraceptive Methods for Cats and Dogs in Alexandria, VA November 9—12, 2006. You’ll learn about advances in nonsurgical sterilization and network with animal welfare representatives, scientists, pharmaceutical companies and non-profit foundations dedicated to solving the problem of pet overpopulation through improved methods of contraception.

ACC&D was established in 2000 to promote and expedite the development of nonsurgical methods of contraception to improve tools available to control pet overpopulation. SAWA member Joyce Briggs (nonprofit consultant and former Executive Director of PETsMART Charities) serves as the ACC&D’s president and initial staff member. The ACC&D board of directors also includes SAWA members Steve Zawistowski (Senior Vice President, National Programs and Science Advisor, ASPCA), David Gies (Executive Director, Animal Assistance Foundation) and Betsy Saul (President, Petfinder.com).

For more information about ACC&D, the petition and the Symposium please visit www.acc-d.org.
Welcome New SAWA Members
By Dr. Mark Goldstein, CAWA, SAWA Board member/Chair of Membership Committee

Between May and July, the following new SAWA members were approved by the Board of Directors:
Executive:
1. Linda Brancy-Dasch – Arizona Animal Welfare League - Phoenix, AZ

2. Lindsey Brenner – City of Pickering Animal Services - Pickering, Ontario, Canada

3. Linda Wood – North County Animal League – Morrisville, VT

4. Heather Johnson – Saving Grace Animal Shelter – Winchester, OR

5. Lisa Wahoff – Franklin County Animal Care and Control – Columbus, OH

6. Scott Chandler – Humane Society of Cowlitz County - Longview, WA

7. Gretchen Goodman – Ruthland County Humane Society - Pittsford, VT

8. Jody Jones – Richmond Animal Care & Control - Richmond, VA

9. Austin Gates – Northwest Organization for Animal Help - Stanwood, WA
Manager:
1. Kay Joubert – Progressive Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) - Lynwood, WA

2. Randall Lockwood – American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals - Falls Church, VA

3. Denise Nosek – Nebraska Humane Society - Omaha, NE
 
4. Julie Parks – Humane Society of South Mississippi - Biloxi, MS

5. Tanya Reed – Michigan Humane Society - Southfield, MI
 
6. Eileen Hogan – Portage Animal Protection League – Ravenna, OH

7. Nicole Powell – SPCA of Texas – McKiney, TX

8. Natasha Bailey – Toledo Area Humane Society – Maumee, OH

9. Joan Clay – SPCA of Monterey County – Monterey, CA

10. Ana Zorrilla – Louisiana SPCA – New Orleans, LA

11. Amanda Rector – Humane Society of Redmond - Redmond, OR
 
12. Heather Gallagher – Humane Society of Indianapolis - Indianapolis, IN
Associate:
1. Barbara W. Boat, Ph.D. – Department of Psychiatry - Cincinnati, OH

2. Lou Guyton – Humane Society of the United States - Forth Worth, TX

3. Laura Mims Wolfe – Project Pet - Columbia, SC
 
4. Jim Boller – Code 3 Associates – Erie, CO
Business:
1. Martha Armstrong – Knoxville, TN
New National Organization Forming
By Dori Villalon, Executive Director of the Cleveland Animal Protective League

Over 50 animal welfare professionals participated in a meeting on July 27th, 2006 to establish the strategic direction of the National Federation of Humane Societies (NFHS). The National Federation of Humane Societies is a trade association, led by its members, to represent the collective interests of humane organizations across the country and provide a mechanism for collective action.

The day-long meeting was conducted in Chicago, Illinois and hosted by the NFHS initial Board of Directors, including Victoria Wellens (Wisconsin Humane Society), Nicolas Gilman (Animal Rescue League of Boston), Dori Villalon (Cleveland Animal Protective League) and Wayne Pacelle (Humane Society of the United States).

The July meeting confirmed strong industry support for the Federation concept and steps were taken to establish appropriate membership fee levels based on organizational budgets. Nominations are being accepted for the development of a 15 member board to act on behalf of member organizations. The first full Board of Directors will be elected by the membership at the organization’s first annual meeting, expected to be held by the end of 2006.

Active membership in the Federation will be key to Federation success and any bona fide incorporated 501(c)(3) non-profit animal welfare organization (but not its divisions, controlled affiliates, or subsidiaries) OR any animal control agency that is part of a municipal government is eligible and encouraged to join. Additional background on the National Federation and membership applications are available from Steve Putnam 301/258-3118, sputnam@humanefederation.org.

 

ONE LAST REMINDER:
FALL CONFERENCE HOTEL REGISTRATION IS DUE BY October 1, 2006
& CAWA EXAM REGISTRATON IS DUE BY October 13, 2006

Mark Your Calendars for These Great Training Opportunities
American Humane Association’s Annual Conference
September 28-30, 2006
Schaumburg, IL		 Petfinder.com’s Adoption OptionsŪ Workshops
various locations and dates go to
http://petfinder.com/adoptionoptions 
for a complete schedule of workshops through the year
SAWA Annual Conference
November 11-14, 2006
Nashville, TN		 HSUS’ Animal Care EXPO
May 9-12, 2007
Dallas, TX
Click here for printer friendly version.

If you have a comment, concern or question for the SAWA Board or management firm, please contact us:

Society of Animal Welfare Administrators
c/o SPCA Cincinnati
3949 Colerain Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45223

Toll Free Number: 888.337.6410
Direct Line: 513.542.SAWA (7292)
Fax: 513.542.7375
Email: info@sawanetwork.org