American Pets Alive!

Calling All Human Social Service Organizations!

Are you looking for new ways to support your clients and strengthen your community? Human Animal Support Services (HASS) is inviting more human‑focused social service organizations to join a growing movement of 550+ partners worldwide who are working together to build stronger, more connected community support systems.

For many of the individuals and families you serve, a pet isn’t “just” an animal, they’re a source of stability, emotional support, and belonging. By partnering with HASS, your organization can help bridge the gap between human and animal services, ensuring families receive truly holistic care.

Join us in creating a community where the whole family is supported. Together, we can build a more cohesive, compassionate network of care.

Spread the word and become a HASS partner today! https://bit.ly/4cTivAx

Cold weather is blowing in! Is your shelter prepared? Use these tips to help keep pets warm if indoor space isn’t an option at your shelter.

AmPA! Cold Weather Preparation Tips for Shelters - HASS

Our latest blog is all about QR codes - and the awesome, creative ways shelters and rescues are using them! There's a little primer on what QR codes are and how you make them in here, too.

How are you using QR codes?!

10 Ways Shelters and Rescues Can Use QR Codes Today - HASS Related: What is a QR code and how do you make one? All will be answered in this blog!

We are so pleased to introduce you to Vincent Medley, who's joined our organization as Maddie’s® Director of Human Animal Support Services.

Check out this video Q&A, where Vincent talks about how his two decades of experience leading government animal services agencies and field services departments informs his work with the project—and his efforts to create joy for people, pets, and communities.

Watch until the end to hear Vincent talk, very, very movingly, about the pets who inspire him in this work, too.

Getting to know HASS’s new director, Vincent Medley: Transforming animal sheltering with hope, joy, and data - HASS We are so pleased to introduce you to Vincent Medley, who's joined our organization as Maddie’s® Director of Human Animal Support Services.

Here's Dallas Animal Services and Adoption Center sharing some of their "MVPs"—Most Vulnerable Pups. They've given the public multiple ways to help—adopting and fostering, yes, but also simply sharing the posts on social media, which anyone can easily do.

Providing this option helps people feel—and be—engaged, and also increases the audience of people who see and may even fall in love with the pets!
https://www.facebook.com/dallasanimalservices/posts/pfbid031BvjJ1ZbFjEfMN4CMDktdD4DAcX2b9JGtD1uihWCyNr6Z97ga3oqTR6hheDewnwMl

The Animal Protective Association of Missouri (APA) launched its Show Me How program about a year and a half ago. Under it, any employee can shadow any other employee for a few hours—including leadership, front line staff, veterinary staff; anyone can shadow anyone.

Learn more in our latest Steal This Idea—and tell us in the comments about the innovative, creative programs at your organization!

At This Shelter, Any Employee Can Shadow Any Other Employee for a Day - HASS Steal This Idea: This adoption center started a 'Show Me How' program to build collaboration and support among staff in other departments.

Have you signed up your organization to be part of yet? This national campaign is a great way to get more people engaged and involved in saving lives!
The campaign starts September 15 so don't delay!

Sign up here: https://forms.monday.com/forms/6651ffb822ca836bc019280da51dcd54?r=use1

Join us for an info-packed webinar TOMORROW Wednesday, September 14 at 5 pm CT as speakers, Kaycey Adair from Greenville County Animal Services, Ana De Luccia from Adopt-A-Pet and Lucy Fernandez from Austin Pets Alive!, will highlight how organizations can begin offering supported self-rehoming options to pet parents who need it.

Register: https://bit.ly/3chozI3

A key way to keep people and pets together, and pets from unnecessarily entering shelters, is through community support—neighbors helping neighbors. Good communication about this topic will help your community see the importance of community support—and will also offer concrete ways they can participate. Communities are stronger when we support each other, including each other’s pets. Often, the only barrier to community support is people knowing how to help one another. This communications kit is designed to help you talk to your communities about just that.

Communications Kit: Neighbors Helping Neighbors | Hearts Speak A key way to keep people and pets together, and pets from unnecessarily entering shelters, is through community support—neighbors helping neighbors. Good communication about this topic will help your community see the importance of community support—and will also offer concrete ways they can par...

Maddie’s Weekly Community Conversation will be canceled on Monday, September 5 in observance of Labor Day.
Register: https://maddiesfund-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAvf-irqzopGtC0P8PzoiB4wJSvf4NSJ4-Q