Michigan Humane Society was founded in 1877 but 2020 brought an opportunity to reinvigorate the mission and service levels to a more human-centric approach to animal welfare. Not just focusing on the animals in the shelter but looking at the health and wellbeing of pets and their people throughout the community has been Michigan Humane's focus these past three years. Now they have a brand to match their work with and renewed energy. CEO Matt Pepper and Communications VP Tom Varitek tells us how they did it.

Laura Oliver, founder of Lionel's Legacy Senior Dog Rescue in San Diego, California, guest hosts this episode of The Intake and interviews Kristen Auerbach and Dr. Ellen Jefferson about the role fostering is playing in animal welfare in a COVID-19 world. 

Guest Host Jorge Ortega interviews Kristen Auerbach and Dr. Ellen Jefferson about the Human Animal Support Services movement and how its impacting shelters across the nation. He even asks them about their superpowers. 

The first several months of COVID-19 in America led to incredible collaboration and exploration of programmatic and protocol changes. Dr. Josh Fisher sits down with fellow southern shelter leader Cole Wakefield to further explore how rural shelters are managing COVID-19 and the new social services model for animal welfare.

Brian August, Chief Operating Officer, and Rhonda Palos, Vice President for Humane Resources, at Oregon Humane Society share how their organization is navigating the sudden changes and employee issues that COVID-19 has brought. You can incorporate their lessons learned for your own team.

Dr. Josh Fisher, Animal Services Director for Charlotte-Mecklenburgh, North Carolina, joined our EVP Katherine Shenar for a conversation with Jamey Cantrell, Animal Services Director for Plano, Texas. Jamey shares how his award-winning team is navigating COVID-19 and even recalls his experiences with the infamous Tiger King.

Hilary Hager and Lindsay Hamrick of The Humane Society of the United States offer some recommendations for leaders to help support their teams through the uncertainty of COVID-19.

Chris Schindler, Vice President for Field Services for the Humane Rescue Alliance in Washington, D.C., shares how his team is social distancing and working with new protocols in the field. With more than 100 calls per day, animal control officers and humane law enforcement are essential service providers in Washington, D.C. Bonus: you also get to meet Beetlejuice in this interview.

Directing one of the highest intake shelters in the nation, Kristen Auerbach is leading her team at Pima County Animal Center in Tucson, Arizona, through COVID-19 with innovation, determination, and an eye on the future of animal sheltering. Hear her predictions and decide if they make sense for you and your shelter or rescue.

Elise Traub, Senior Director for Legislation and Advocacy for Best Friends Animal Society, talks about community outreach efforts and helping states like California establish animal care and control personnel as essential workers.