Prattville Autauga Humane Society 3 5 Year Strategic

Prattville Autauga Humane Society 3 -5 Year Strategic Plan July 18, 2017

Strategic Plan and Mission We provide a safe, caring environment for every animal that enters our facility while reuniting lost pets with their caring, rightful owners, to find loving, forever homes for as many as possible, to stand up for those who cannot speak for themselves, to stop neglect, abuse and cruelty, and to prevent future incidents through education and perseverance.

Strategic Goals

A Quick Review 1. Maintain the shelter facility and the quality of care provided to animals in the shelter 2. Communicate effectively and timely within the shelter. 3. Decrease shelter intake of unwanted animals 4. Decrease shelter’s euthanasia percentage and increase positive release and adoption percentages 5. Sustain a positive, visible presence in the community

Goal #1: Maintain the shelter facility and the quality of care provided to animals in the shelter Objectives: ◦ Maintain accurate medical and tracking records and provide supportive medical care ◦ Provide all adoptable cats and dogs that become the shelter’s property with standard vaccinations, a microchip, grooming, flea treatment, de-wormers, and heartworm screening. ◦ Provide yearly animal care classes for staff ◦ Perform physical evaluation and temperament testing for canines when needed.

Goal #2: Develop Organizational Capacity Objectives: ◦ Review and update employee handbook every two years to include accurate job descriptions and titles for each position ◦ Create and establish staff evaluations on a regular basis ◦ Increase number of volunteers and improve documented volunteer hours ◦ Develop a protocol for animal abuse, neglect, and cruelty that will be followed by PAHS, the City of Prattville, and all representatives thereof.

Goal #2. cont. ◦ Ensure animal caretaker competency and consistent training with professional development ◦ Develop customer service skills and expertise in all areas of the shelter ◦ Ensure that all staff members are aware of key activities in every area of shelter operations.

Goal #3: Decrease shelter intake of unwanted animals Objectives: ◦ Strive for maximum spay/neuter compliance for shelter adoptions ◦ Continue to give information and resources to citizens that offer affordable sterilization of dogs and cats ◦ Provide education, assistance, and possible alternatives to pet guardians thinking about surrendering pets

Goal #3 cont. ◦ Raise community awareness/consciousness with regard to the causes and consequences of pet overpopulation ◦ Pre-adoption spay/neuter surgeries as age of animal permits. ◦ Encourage and discuss with members of the community of the benefits of pet sterilization.

Goal #4: Decrease shelter’s euthanasia rate and increase positive release rate • Maintain and regularly update our “Do Not Adopt” database. The shelters in the tri-county area communicate with each other regarding potential adopters with intent to sell, breed, neglect, abandon, or fail to sterilize previous pets. • Continue to build foster program • Research and increase number of reputable rescue partners • Sustain adoptable pet photos and profiles on social media, PAHS website, and national adoption sites

Goal #5: Keep a positive, visible presence in the community Continue to enhance and develop media relations Be visible to the public in an organized and positive way ◦ Currently achieved by weekly appearances on WAKA Channel 8 noon news broadcast ◦ Pet of the Week sent to all local media (print and online) outlets ◦ Featured Pet of the Day on PAHS Facebook page updated daily

Goal #5 cont. Uphold our presence in community activities which currently include National Night Out, Spinners Arts and Crafts Festival, City Fest, local school visits about animal safety, Prattville Farmer’s Market (June only), Prattville Petsmart adoption events twice a month, and two major fundraisers during the year: Pet Palooza and Bark in the Park

Goal #5 cont. The Prattville/Autauga Humane Society exists because there is a need to shelter and protect animals in this area. According to Alabama State Law Section 3 -7 A-7, “Each county in the state shall provide a suitable county pound and impounding officer…Every municipality with a population over 5, 000 in which the county pound is not located shall maintain a suitable pound or contribute their pro-rata share to the staffing and upkeep of the county pound. ”

Missions Accomplished! • Established Community Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator Position • Created two managerial positions within shelter • Raised funds and capital to build new building totaling $240, 000 • Received numerous grants to assist with costs of vaccinations, spay/neuter, • Established and developed kennel improvement, foster program and network upgrades of play yards and security fencing. • Provided training opportunities for staff

Missions Accomplished cont. • Recruited new volunteers and fosters • Increased volunteer hours and retention • Augmented number of volunteers • Expanded and improved volunteer opportunities • Professionalized our image and cemented our place within the community as an animal shelter that cares for its animals, their welfare, health, well-being, and comfort.