the Intake

In 2019, The Association made an intentional commitment to examine DEI within our organization and across the animal welfare profession. That commitment ultimately led to the creation of our DEI Council and to a partnership with MSM Global Consulting that has helped us learn, listen, challenge ourselves, and think more deeply about what it means tocreate organizations and a profession where people feel valued, respected, heard, and able to contribute. And this conversation feels especially important right now.

In January 2025, the Eaton Fire burned for 24 daysin Pasadena Humane's service area. Evacuations and warnings affected more than 100,000 residents and 20,000 structures, over 9,400 structures were destroyed and Pasadena Humane assisted more than 3,000 animals during the response. Katherine is joined by three Pasadena Humane leaderswho guided this work and later co-presented their lessons at Animal Care Expo: Jamie Holeman, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer; Kevin McManus, PR & Communications Director; and Alyssa Staniland, PhilanthropyCommunications Manager. They'll discuss the first hours of the crisis, internal alignment, storytelling, fundraising, overwhelming public attention, and what it takes to keep supporters engaged after the cameras leave. Download the toolkit they mention here: https://bit.ly/phdisasterkit

Cathy Rosenthal is the curator and editor of HumanePerspectives: Leadership in Animal Welfare , a remarkable collection of essays from 45 leaders across our profession. Rather than focusing on organizational achievements, this book explores the experiences that shaped these leaders—the challenges they faced, the lessons they learned, and the wisdom they hope to pass on to the next generation. Joining her is Jim Tedford , President and CEO of The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement and author of the book's foreword. Jim has spent decades helping shape the animal welfare profession and brings a unique perspective on leadership, service, and the future of animal welfare. Purchase Cathy's book here: https://cathyrosenthal.com/humane-perspectives-leadership-in-animal-welfare/ https://www.amazon.com/Humane-Perspectives-Leadership-Animal-Welfare/dp/1948444038

What is The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement? Where did it originate? Why should I become a member? Jim Tedford sits down with Katherine Shenar to talk all things AAWA!

Today we're discussing one of the most urgent andstrategically important issues facing animal welfare organizations today. The health and sustainability of the workforce itself. You know, across the profession organizations are grappling with burnout, turnovers, staffingshortages, communication challenges, and increasing operational pressure. But beyond that human toil, there are issues that are directly impacting organizational effectiveness, leadership ability, team performance, andultimately outcomes for animals and the communities. The challenge is that many organizations still lack reliable ways to truly understand what employees are experiencing internally and how workplace culture may be influencingorganizational success. So that's where the Shelter Employee Engagement and Development Survey come in. We call it SEEDs. AAWA Members save 10% on the SEEDs Assessment - Learn more about this Member benefit!

Join us in Chattanooga, TN, October 26 - 29 for The Association's Annual Conference! AAWA's own Kelly Cunningham and Kristy Gonyer join Katherine to share the details of all the things you don't want to miss. Register today!

Recently, animal welfare leaders from across the countrygathered for The Network Live, an event designed to bring together big ideas, honest conversations, and practical solutions for some of our profession's most pressing challenges. But as many of our listeners know, not everyone can attend every event. In fact, Katherine wasn't even in the room herself. Today, Katherine is joined by Lily Yap, Executive Director at the Stanislaus Animal Services Agency and a current AAWA Board Member. Lily attended the Network Live, contributed to the conversations, gave the keynote address, and had a front row seat to all the themes, discussions, and moments that really stood out. Today she'll help bridge the gap between the people who were there and those of us who weren't.

Stacy LeBaron has spent more than three decades helping cats and the people who care for them. Previously, she led the Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society, where innovative programs helped more than 100,000 cats and kittens. Today she is the founder of Community Cats Central, formerly known as the Community Cats Podcast, a platform that has educated and connected thousands of animal welfare professionals, volunteer and advocates through podcast conferences, certification programs, and online learning opportunities. Stacy has dedicated her career to helping communities develop practical, humane solutions for cats while building a stronger network of support for the people doing the work. Community Cats website: https://communitycatscentral.com/ CommunityCat Pyramid: https://communitycatscentral.com/community-cat-pyramid/ Paper Collar: https://communitycatscentral.com/paper-collar/ Community Cat Calculator: https://communitycatscentral.com/community-cat-calculator/

Pet health insurance can be confusing—for pet parents and animal welfare professionals alike. Terms like pre-existing conditions , waiting periods , and medical records often create uncertainty at the very moment families are trying to do the right thing for their pets. In this episode of The Intake Podcast , Katherine Shenar is joined by Brad Watkins, Director of Animal Welfare at MetLife Pet Insurance, and Matt Pepper, CEO of Michigan Humane, to unpack how pet insurance really works—and why it matters for shelters and adopters. Together, they explore how timing and documentation impact coverage, the role shelters can play in educating adopters, and how pet insurance can support long-term pet retention by helping families manage unexpected veterinary costs. If your organization is focused on keeping pets in homes—not just placing them—this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

In this episode of The Intake Podcast , host Katherine Shenar sits down with Rhett Lindsay and Lydia Krupinski from Anti-Cruelty in Chicago, alongside TrueSense Marketing’s Alison McCarty, to unpack how their 125th anniversary campaign became one of their all-time most impactful fundraising efforts. Come meet Chanel, the rescue dog who became the face of the campaign, and explore the role that data and real-time optimization and authentic partnership played in Anti-Cruelty’s fully integrated, multi-channel experience.You’ll learn: How to create cohesive campaigns across email, direct mail, social, and media Why storytelling is your most powerful fundraising tool How to balance creative ideas with data-informed strategy What it really takes to retain and engage donors over time Whether you’re leading a campaign or rethinking your approach to donor engagement, this episode will challenge and inspire.

What does it take to stabilize your donor pipeline, re-engage lapsed supporters, and grow fundraising revenue— without burning out your team ? In this episode of The Intake , host Katherine Shenar is joined by Kendall Paul , CEO of the Vanderburgh Humane Society, and Kristin Serrano , Vice President and Managing Director at TrueSense Marketing , for a candid, data-driven conversation about building a smarter, more resilient fundraising program. Since 2022, Vanderburgh Humane Society and TrueSense have partnered to design and execute an integrated fundraising strategy rooted in strategic segmentation, donor retention, reactivation science, and disciplined acquisition modeling. The results are striking: the highest active donor count in five years, the successful reactivation of long-lapsed donors, and record-breaking fundraising revenue. Together, Kendall and Kristin walk through how the partnership worked, the decisions that mattered most, and what animal welfare organizations of any size can apply to strengthen their own fundraising efforts. If you’re a fundraiser navigating donor fatigue, retention challenges, or pressure to “do more with less,” this episode offers real-world insight—and a roadmap forward.

Are shelter adoptions changing — and what does that mean for pets, people, and the future of animal welfare? In this episode, we dive into the 2025 State of Shelter Adoptions Report , one of the most comprehensive snapshots of what shelters are experiencing right now. Join host Katherine Shenar of The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement alongside industry leaders Ellen Taylor (Humane Society of Charlotte), Chris Ramon (Pasadena Humane), and Meghan Lehman (Hill’s Pet Nutrition) as they unpack the trends shaping today’s shelter landscape. You’ll hear candid insights and real-world strategies on: • Why intakes are rising nationwide • What’s driving longer stays for large dogs • How financial barriers are impacting adoption outcomes • The encouraging rise in cat adoptions • The growing importance of foster programs and post-adoption support Whether you’re a shelter professional, industry partner, policymaker, or passionate pet advocate, this episode offers a thoughtful, data-driven look at where we are — and where we can go if we work together. Access the full 2025 State of Shelter Adoptions Report at The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement’s website. https://theaawa.org/hills-2025-shelter-report/ Listening to this episode is one small step toward improving outcomes for pets and the people who love them. Press play and join the conversation.

Pet insurance might not be the flashiest topic—but what if we told you it could be the secret ingredient to boosting adoptions, supporting your staff, and building long-term trust with pet parents? In this episode of The Intake , we’re joined by two passionate leaders who know the power of partnership: Maggie McSchaefer , Executive Director of Foothills Animal Shelter, and Brian Jorgensen , CEO of MetLife Pet Insurance. Together, they unpack how a simple benefit—30 days of pet insurance—can make a lasting impact on both adopters and animal shelters. We dive into: How Foothills integrates pet insurance into the adoption journey The training they provide to their staff to talk confidently about coverage What it’s like to partner with MetLife and the unique support shelters receive Real-life stories of pet insurance saving the day for new adopters And yes—we ask the ultimate curveball: If pet insurance were a dog breed, what would it be? (Their answers may surprise you—and just might be the most accurate breed comparisons you’ve ever heard.) Whether you’re in animal welfare, vet med, or just want to learn how to give adopters more peace of mind, this episode delivers insight, heart, and practical takeaways. Listen now and discover why pet insurance might be the next big thing your shelter needs.

If you’re an animal welfare professional looking to reduce intake, increase RTO, and provide faster solutions for lost pets and worried families, this episode is for you. Katherine Shenar hosts Front Street Animal Shelter’s Phillip Zimmerman and Jackie Rose of DocuPet.

This episode kicks off Part 1 of a 2-part interview with Hannah Shaw, widely known as The Kitten Lady, and Jackie Noble, the newly appointed executive director of Orphan Kitten Club , to explore the unique challenges and rewarding experiences of fostering neonatal kittens. The conversation sparked from the 2024 Hill's Pet Nutrition's State of Shelter Adoptions Report that cites some new information about fostering pets. Together, Hannah and Jackie dive into the essential strategies needed for fostering success—from clear communication and access to training and mentorship, to the vital role of veterinary care and fostering retention. They also spotlight Orphan Kitten Club’s incredible initiatives, including $3 million in grants and providing 1 million meals of kitten formula, demonstrating the profound impact on kitten welfare. Learn how to set realistic goals, build strong community relationships, and celebrate even the smallest victories in fostering programs. Whether you're a seasoned foster or just curious about how you can help save tiny lives, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration!

In this episode, we sit down with Hannah Shaw, a/k/a The Kitten Lady, an advocate for cat welfare, especially neonate kittens, and Jackie Noble, executive director for the Orphan Kitten Club, Shaw’s nonprofit she created to help build innovative programs that save the lives of the tiniest and most vulnerable felines . Shaw discusses the launch of Cats of the World , a stunning new book that features over 700 photos from 30 different countries, capturing the deep connections between humans and cats while highlighting global efforts to improve cat welfare. Shaw also delves into a groundbreaking UC Davis study on neonatal kitten mortality, revealing that many losses are due to treatable conditions. She also shares insights on the innovative CASA method for assessing found kittens, stressing the importance of thoughtful community conversations. Plus, Jackie joins us to discuss her experience with kitten diversion programs and why continued research is vital to improving outcomes for vulnerable kittens. Whether you’re a cat lover or passionate about animal welfare, this episode is packed with stories, solutions, and inspiration!

Hill’s Pet Nutrition just released their 2024 State of Shelter Adoption Report , with data suggesting there could be gains in exploring our messaging to potential volunteers around foster opportunities. The Association’s Katherine Shenar sat down with three animal welfare professionals who have headed exemplary foster programs that have seen big successes. Listen in as she talks about everything from removing barriers to volunteering to the value of short-term fostering with MSPCA-Angell’s Jacquie McKay, Emilee Smith from Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control, and Suzy Clayton, who created programs at both nonprofit and municipal agencies.

Hill’s Pet Nutrition just released their 2024 State of Shelter Adoption Report , and you may be surprised to learn that 1 in 3 people would be more likely to adopt if foster-to-adopt were an option at their shelter, or that 64% of respondents would foster if their costs were covered. To capitalize on these insights and learn how to grow your foster program, listen in as The Association’s Katherine M. Shenar sits down with Kelly Furnas and Stephani Coe of Carrollton, TX-based Operation Kindness, who will offer tips and techniques they used to increase their foster program by 35% in a year.

The Association’s Katherine Shenar hosts Brian Jorgensen of MetLife Pet Insurance and Atlanta Humane Society’s Michael Robbins for a talk about an untapped strategy for improving access to care. Learn about partnerships between shelters and pet insurance providers that can change the way shelters help their communities, and hear some common myths about pet insurance busted.

It's true that intake numbers are still below pre-pandemic 2019, yet animal shelters are over capacity. And the numbers show that interest in adoptions is waning. There is a potential solution... But why aren’t more organizations prioritizing it? The Association’s Katherine Shenar sits down with Abbie Moore and Kristen Hassen of Petco Love Lost to discuss RTO strategies to reunite lost pets with their families. It’s time to stop judging owners who’ve lost their pets, amp up in-house resources, and instead try cool tools for dramatically increasing outcomes, like Petco Love’s nifty new workbook.