COMMENTARY | No-kill plan continues for Manatee Animal Services

And the plan goes on. We have an actionable plan and an excited team of people to see it through.

The fifth section of the plan is Comprehensive Adoption Programs. I put together a team at Animal Services giving them a chance to show their creative talents with adoption specials.

Adoptions are vital to an agency’s lifesaving mission. The quantity and quality of shelter adoptions is in shelter management’s hands, making lifesaving a direct function of shelter policies and practice. If shelters better promoted their animals and had adoption programs responsive to community needs, they could increase the number of homes available and replace killing with adoptions. Contrary to conventional wisdom, shelters can adopt their way out of killing.

This section is the main function of this plan for Manatee County Animal Services.

Animal Services is the primary intake for dogs and cats; provides shelter and care until the dog or cat is released; and, hard-hitting and motivated adoption programs.

Each month, Animal Services will initiate a new and creative adoption program. This adoption special will be available for the entire month.

An adoption committee consisting of animal care specialists and animal services officers will be responsible for the monthly adoption program. The team will meet, plan, review, decide and implement each program. The planning will include the theme, flier and press release.

Dogs and cats in adoption are available for the public to view on the Animal Services web site at www.mymanatee.org/pets.

The public may also view the stray and found section on the Animal Services web site for a dog or cat they may be interested in.

The potential adopter may contact Animal Services to leave their name and contact information on a particular dog or cat they are interested in adopting.

Animal Services staff will contact the potential adopter once the dog or cat has met the impoundment requirements and the owner has not claimed their pet. The dog or cat will be health checked prior to the adoption and if the adopter is still interested, sent to the veterinarian for sterilization.

On to number 6 of 11, pet retention.

While some surrenders of animals to shelters are unavoidable, others can be prevented -- but only if shelters work with people to help them solve their problems. Saving animals requires shelters to develop innovative strategies for keeping people and their companion animals together. And the more a community sees its shelters as a place to turn for advice and assistance, the easier this job will be.

We have trained our staff to assist animal owners with keeping their pets rather than surrendering them.

Animal Services is seeking voluntary referral services for the sick animals, grooming and behavior specialists.

Animal Services is also seeking veterinarians, groomers and behavior specialists who are willing to provide their services at a discount.

Key points to follow for a successful pet retention program include maintaining a non-judgmental attitude, listening, paraphrasing with empathy, asking questions, dealing with our own feelings and offering advice, assistance and resources.

Program 7 is medical and behavior programs.

To meet its commitment to a lifesaving guarantee for all savable animals, shelters need to keep animals happy and healthy, keeping them moving efficiently through the system. To do this, shelters must put in place comprehensive vaccination, handling, cleaning, socialization and care policies before animals get sick and rehabilitative efforts for those that come in sick, injured, not weaned or traumatized.

Animal Services vaccinates all dogs and cats upon intake to assist with the prevention of disease and potential for illness or spreading any illnesses to the current impound population.

Cleaning, keeping up-to-date on the most advanced use of cleaners and disinfectants, also assists with preventing the spread of disease and illness. Animal Services makes sure the cages and kennels are done at least two times daily.

For rehabilitation efforts, sick and injured animals will be seen by the contracted veterinarian or emergency clinic prior to being brought to Animal Services.

Dogs and cats that are not weaned or have medical needs will be transferred to an animal welfare organization or employee foster program.

If the dog or cat cannot be transferred to an animal welfare organization or fostered, Animal Services staff will evaluate each case individually and get information out to the public regarding the special need in hopes of adoption.

Keep reading, four more programs and services complete the plan.

Help the dogs and cats at Animal Services by adopting today. Help us become a no-kill community. Together, we can do this.

Check out Manatee County Animal Services on Facebook. Like us and share us with all your friends. Our web site www.mymanatee.org/pets has a wealth of information, including your new family member for adoption.

This story was originally published September 27, 2011 at 12:00 AM with the headline "COMMENTARY | No-kill plan continues for Manatee Animal Services."