Finally, the notion of helping lost pets get back home has become a priority in animal welfare. For
decades, shelters and rescues scurried to move animals quickly through the system, often adopting out
animals that most certainly had families who were missing them. To no fault of the industry, it was
simply a matter of course, and prompted by need. Today however, Return to Home (RTH) is quickly
becoming the priority over all other outcomes. Attendees will hear from Gina Knepp, the National
Shelter Engagement Director, with Michelson Found Animals Foundation. Having developed the three
cycles of RTH, along with spearheading a change in vernacular to be returned to home, Gina will take a
deep dive into the strategies and techniques that will not only help shelters improve reunification but
include opportunities for community engagement in the process.
Key Learnings:
- Proactive and preemptive tactics to prevent animals from ever becoming lost.
- How to assess one’s own organization against gold standard benchmarks to ensure RTO is a priority.
- Actionable strategies to minimize pets from becoming lost, arming the community with resources on how to help a lost animal and techniques to maximize quick returns, shorten length of stay and reduce cost.