AWARD NEWS: Partners in Shelter Services is pleased to recognize organizations and individuals who've made significant contributions to the lives of shelter animals in 2010. They restore our faith in the power of positive change and creative problem solving and we're so glad to know them! Each award recipient will receive a financial gift from Partners in Shelter Services that will be applied to their shelter program. Congratulations and thank you for showing the rest of us how it's done.

Animal Rescue League of Iowa
The Pit Crew and Adopt-A-Bull Programs

After what is being called 'the largest dog fighting raid in U. S. history,' the Animal Rescue League of Iowa opened its doors to 33 victims, and later worked with federal authorities and rescue groups to have these dogs assessed. Local ordinances that were in place at the time created compelling obstacles to pit bulls adoptions, so the most adoptable individuals were moved to rescues and the shelter as well as the local media celebrated their survivial. After news of the dog fighting operation faded, ARL sat down and hammered out details for a new adoption program called 'Adopt-A-Bull' to promote adoptions for this breed and a new club called 'Pit Crew' to unite current pit bull owners in the area. Because the city of Des Moines has a strict breed specific legislation law on the books, ARL knew they'd have to work hard to undo the damage done to the reputation of adoptable family pit bulls. So they worked with professional photographers to create an education campaign that would help their community learn about the joy of pit bulls and for the first time in their history, celebrated Pit Bull Awareness Day at their shelter. Well done, Animal Rescue League. We love your approach to creating change in Iowa.

Humane Society of Kent County
Grand Rapids, Michigan

After a federal dog fighting case in Michigan in 2009, the Humane Society of Kent County volunteered to house a group of victim dogs in their shelter, promising them training, companionship, environmental enrichment and the same general comforts afforded to all the dogs that live at their shelter. When the case came to a close in 2010 and the dogs' fates were uncertain, HSKC worked to ensure that the decision of the Michigan federal court supported a vaguely worded state law that allows dogs from fighting cases to be placed in adoption programs. Executive Director Karen Terpstra submitted an affadvit, outlining her organization's commitment to evaluating the dogs for adoption potential should the courts allow it. The judge reviewed their request and agreed, granting full custody of the dogs to HSKC and by doing so, saving their lives. The staff of HSKC moved the most adoptable individuals immediately to the adoption floor and celebrated their new station in life in local media. Animal lovers everywhere celebrated this precedent, which made front page news in the local paper - above the fold!

The Shelter Activism Award recognizes HSKC's compassion and care for these victims of cruelty and the efforts that went into ensuring them the opportunity to be viewed as individuals. Their example sets the bar for other shelters in Michigan that house victims of cruelty from similar backgrounds.

 

Animal Welfare League
of Trumbull County Ohio

The staff and volunteers of the Ohio-based Animal Welfare League were faced with a difficult challenge in 2010 when an animal hoarding situation was shut down in their county. The majority of the 162 dogs from the case were pit bulls - many surrendered to the hoarder by desperate families with no other options. Homeless pit bull type dogs have bad luck in Ohio, where dogs are labeled "dangerous and vicious" based on nothing but their appearance, so AWL knew finding safe homes and rescue situations would not come easy. Despite the obstacles, this small but mighty organization made a commitment to save each and every adoptable animal regardless of breed type. They created safe housing for the dogs, organized their vet care, evaluation and promotion, reached out to rescue groups around the country, and celebrated each dog who made his or her way to a new life. Like a modern day Rupunzel, they spun gold out of straw and the animals were saved. This award acknowledges their amazing tencaity and "can do" attitude in a less than ideal situation. We salute them!

Jennifer Cummings, Shelter Supervisor
Claremore Animal Shelter
Claremore, OK

Jennifer and her small staff of two worked to ensure that pit bull victims of cruelty seized in Oklahoma found their way to the Claremore Animal Shelter after surviving a large sweep that is being called 'the largest dog fighting raid in U.S. history.' Working with very limited resources and under the radar with no public support or donations, they were able to provide comfort and compassion for the dogs while they awaited their fate. Jennifer took a keen interest in seeing the dogs get a second chance, and welcomed a rescue team in to evaluate dogs for placement potential. She helped smooth the way towards their release and secured several placements in local homes, including one puppy who was adopted to the city attorney in her town.

Laurie Adams, Animal Control Officer
Indianapolis Animal Care and Control
Indianapolis, IN

Laurie attended BAD RAP's Pit Ed Camp in winter 2009 as part of her ongoing search for new ways to help the pit bulls she works with in her shelter and in her rescue 'Casa del Toro.' A large part of her focus has gone to utilizing kennel enrichments to improve the quality of life for victims of cruelty during their long confinement. In the summer of 2009, she opened her personal rescue kennels up to offer relief to overly stressed custody dogs while coordinating volunteers to provide compassion for 100+ victims seized in a dog fighting case in Indiana. Through her tireless devotion, dozens of dogs found comfort and companionship in 2009.

Gloria Wheatley, Shelter Director
Washington-Wilkes Humane Society
Washington, Georgia

Gloria worked steadily to provide care and enrichment for the victims of cruelty who were seized in Georgia. She worked closely with various agencies, both national and local, to ensure the dogs were released to rescue organizations and she sought out rescue transport to help ferry them to new lives across the country. Many of the dogs that Gloria cared for only knew of life on a chain, so the enrichment and compassion she offered during their time at Washington-Wilkes Humane Society prepared them for the real world once they were able to leave. Gloria opened up her entire life - her home, her heart, her family - to the dogs in her care and used every available resource to ensure that she was giving the dogs her very best. Right: One of the recipients of Gloria's care - Chrissy - started her new life with Animal Farm Foundation in New York.

Leslie Dodds
"Pit Crew" Coordinator
Mendocino County Animal Care and Control
Ukiah, CA

Leslie attended Pit Ed Camp on April, 2007. As a volunteer with a full time job in the 'real world,' she juggles ambassador program work between two county shelters. She began a brand new pit bull ambassador program at Humane Society for Inland Mendocino County and still manages to oversee a group of teenage dog handlers who help socialize and train adoptable pit bulls at Mendocino County Animal Care and Control. Leslie also coordinates rescue efforts between the agencies and has been finding homes for some of their most adoptable dogs. Her selection skills are wonderful ... BAD RAP recently accepted one of her picks in its Ambassdor Program. Leslie is now training Lake Country shelter volunteers so they can follow her lead.

David Walker
Assistant Director of Field Operations
SpokAnimal C.A.R.E.
Spokane, WA

Dave attended Pit Ed Camp October 2007. As part of a Camp exercise, attendees were invited to assess shelter animals and select a dog for BAD RAP's Pit Bull Hall program. Dave has a good eye: the dog he selected turned out to be a SuperStar in the making and he hasn't disappointed. Elvez passed his evaluations, earning him a rare opening in BR's shelter project. He has since been adopted and earned his Canine Good Citizen certificate with his proud new person. Thank you for bringing him to our attention, Dave!

Kelly Bigsby
Pit Bull Adoption Coordinator
Hillsborough County Department of Animal Services
Tampa, FL

Kelly attended Pit Ed Camp on April, 2007. With the help of her colleagues, she went home and created a viable ambassador program for pit bulls in Hillsborough County Dept. of Animal Services almost overnight. The program has successfully placed up to six desirable pit bulls a month since it began. Kelly also worked to build an off-leash play area reserved for the shelter's custody dogs and many of the dogs breathed fresh air and felt grass on their feet for first time in several months. To strengthen her shelter's ability to help adoptable dogs, she's been developing strong partnerships with local rescue groups as well as the local humane society in order to help more dogs. Just over a year ago, pit bull type dogs never left the HCDAS shelter alive. Now dozens of happy families are boasting the shelter as the place where they first fell in love with their wonderful pit bull companion.

Kelly embodies the spirit of positive change. In a time when many say it can't be done, she's quietly shown us all how very possible it is to help the dogs that used to be overlooked.