Posting updates on operations due to numerous requests and not enough time to answer all your emails ^..^. You are AWESOME!
1. Operations and related materials. Handout that will give you the basics and run through top seven challenges (includes big picture overview; five guiding principles; cats; nutrition, cleaning and sanitation; noise; and vaccinations) all with linked websites and trainings.
2. Due to your popular request, updated the materials regarding bleach to help clear up any confusion. The other resource materials in this batch also include the updates to the statistics handout (including the latest PetsMart Charities research) that ties into a YouTube video and a handout on minimum shelter guidelines that ties into the 'five guiding principles'.
3. Also use this link to "Summary Resource Guide" as mentioned during operation classes facilitated by Jennifer Orme and as referenced during the HSUS Expo Boot Camp - Let's Git Er' Done! I've added in other resources (and will continue to do so) as I find them.
Information is constantly being updated! While many are in the "Summary Resource Guide" have included here for specifics and for managers.
- Link to the handout for Teaching Skills to Shelter Dogs is http://www.deesdogs.com/ . At $5.00 for the download it is a great resource
- The FAQ section of the Association of Shelter Medicine has the reference for the minimum cage and space requirements (including colony) for cats
- Link for cat towers using non-porous materials Feline Snoozers
- Link to the ASPCA's website that has the study about the adult cats for free.
- Feli-Way can be obtained at PetsMart or similar retail stores.
GET THEM! Well worth it on keeping stress down and health up!
- Article on strep zoo cases affecting shelter dogs June 3, 2009 http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/bizarre&id=6843047 http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2009/01/07/2009-01-07_new_york_city_animal_shelters_scramble_a.html
- For the assessment tools using during the wet lab:
For safety issues:
-AHA has just published (2010) a new Safety and Operational Guide. Go to:
www.americanhumane.org and search for Operational Guides. It is available through Amazon and look for webinars and related training.
And, American Humane now has all their past Operational Guides on line that you can download for free!
For managers and supervisors:
- Carrot culture handouts to start implementing.
Go to www.carrots.com for more handouts- Regarding volunteering - REMEMBER staff CANNOT volunteer for something they would normally do within their job description. ie for a animal care tech; Fostering and care taking pets WOULD be a normal duty and therefore you would have to pay them 1.5x wage for over 40 hours.
- Please: Be careful with this one! Here are more details (and MUNICIPALITIES are exempt - meaning they CAN do comp time).
- This practice is against the Federal Fair Labor Standard Act which requires overtime pay of 1.5 times the hourly rate for any non-exempt employee that works more than 40 hrs in a work week. Legally, you cannot offer employees comp time in lieu of overtime pay, even if it’s 1.5 hours per hour worked. If audited-potential of $$ thousands in back overtime pay and fines.
- If an employee is called in for an emergency or transports an animal after their normal work hours - protocol-would be paying them time and a half if they exceed 40 hrs.
- I know there are loopholes that do allow employees to volunteer in a capacity outside their regular job description, but you have to be very very careful!
- They must volunteer, not be asked and they cannot be doing anything that falls within their regular job description.
- This is where having a board member that has an HR background would be beneficial.
- Board materials (www.boardsource.org and www.mapnp.org) some of the best out there.
OTHER- Volunteer materials - best is from the HSUS on Volunteering
- www.animalsheltering.org http://www.animalsheltering.org/programs_and_services/volunteer_management/)
- Art of War (Sun Tso) google for free archived downloads or check amazon.com. A must read for managers
- Another along those series - The Tao of Leadership (John Heider) Also check Amazon.com
- Vista Print (www.vistaprint.com) Can go on as a new customer or use me as a referral to get other discounts. Super cheap but watch out for the "hidden" agreement otherwise you'll be getting tons of magazines.
- Multiple resources on looking at emotional intelligence and fostering EI with staff. Good link with a short quiz http://www.fiveoclockclub.com/articles/2002/9-02-consult.htm.
- To see the photo montage that goes with the statistical handout, please cut and paste http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wvo-g_JvURI&feature=channel_page
For the customer service classes:
Get Jan Elster's Book: Animal Friendly - Customer Smart $10.00 an incredible investment! Email her direct at info@shelterskills.com or search on the ASPCA's website (store)
