HASS Announces Key Findings and New Resources Developed through the Intake Triage Project
A project dedicated to understanding the root causes behind why people need support, why pets enter the shelter, and how the industry can utilize resources to help more people and their pets. (AUSTIN, TX) January 23, 2025–Human Animal Support Services (HASS), an international project bridging the gap between human and animal welfare, is proudly sharing the preliminary results from its Intake Triage Project (ITP) initiative. Facilitated in collaboration with three HASS pilot shelters, ITP aimed to help animal welfare organizations...
2025: Overcoming Sheltering Setbacks
[embedded content] In an environment where overcrowded kennels, limited funding and people in desperate need of pet support services are the norm, HASS is inviting you to be a part of the solution to issues like these 2025! In this webinar, Lee Ann Shenefiel, program director for the Hays County Pet Resource Center, will share proven research, programming and free resources for your organization to unite with HASS in changing animal welfare industry setbacks to successes. Resources Mentioned: Source: Human Animal Support...
Insights from the Field
Shelters with High Return-to-Home Rates for Dogs While many animal shelters continue to face challenges in successfully reuniting lost pets with their owners, some have developed innovative strategies and are making significant strides in this crucial area. With current trends in technology, data sharing, and community outreach, many shelters are achieving impressive return-to-home rates. British Columbia SPCA and HASS Partner Organization, Wisconsin Humane Society, are two shelters who are achieving dog return-to-home rates as high as 80% by...
Human Animal Support Services (HASS) Announces New Field Services Toolkits to be Included within HASS Playbook
The new resources were developed in partnership with NACA and other field services experts to create a united standard of care (AUSTIN, TX) December 10, 2024–Human Animal Support Services (HASS), an international project bridging the gap between human and animal welfare, announced today the inclusion of 11 new toolkits to the HASS Playbook. Developed in partnership with the National Animal Care Association (NACA) and other animal welfare industry experts within field services, the new resources aim to provide shelters with...
Human Animal Support Services (HASS) Announces Elkie Wills as Director
(AUSTIN, TX) December 9, 2024–Human Animal Support Services (HASS), an international project bridging the gap between human and animal welfare, announces Elkie Wills as Maddie’s® Director of Human Animal Support Services, bringing more than 20 years of animal welfare and community engagement experience to the project. Launched in 2020, HASS will reemphasize its commitment to supporting people and their pets under Elkie’s direction and continue to work with pilot and partner organizations to implement data-driven,...
Letter from the NEW HASS Director
Hello HASS Community, My name is Elkie Wills and I’m proud to share that I’m leading the HASS project as the new Maddie’s® Director of Human Animal Support Services. Formal titles aside–I really want to take this opportunity to introduce myself and share why I’m thrilled to be not only a part of this community, but to help mobilize the HASS movement this community has built! While I call the snowy state of Michigan home now, I had the honor of most recently hailing from sunny San Diego as the...
What We’re Learning from Community Programs
[embedded content] What are leaders of community-centered programs in Baltimore and Dallas learning as they work with people and pets beyond the shelter? Hear from them on the many issues they face and the questions their experience has raised: What societal factors contribute to shelter intakes? How do you work with your community members to understand what they need and to divert intakes by offering community resources; and how are these leaders reaching towards understanding their impact? Source: Human Animal Support...
Sharing Solutions to Support Lost Pet Programs
[embedded content] Stray pet intake is overwhelming animal shelters and there is a rising need for solutions to get those pets back home. In this webinar, industry experts from three HASS-supported shelters—Cincinnati Animal CARE, Greenville County Animal Care, and San Diego Humane Society, discuss their pet reunification programs and how their efforts can be replicated where you live to get more lost pets home. Access the presentation slide deck using the embedded Google Slides presentation below. Source: Human Animal Support...
Human Animal Support Services (HASS) Platform Pets.Findhelp Sees Nearly 200,000 Searches Since July 2023
(AUSTIN, TX) October 15, 2024–Human Animal Support Services (HASS), an international project revolutionizing the animal welfare industry by uniting human and animal welfare, launched the pet support services platform pets.findhelp.com two years ago. A first-of-its-kind search engine, the site connects users in need of free and low-cost pet support services such as veterinary care, food banks or crisis sheltering with local service providers. In the past year alone, pets.findhelp saw more than 195,000 searches–a new record of human...
Past, Present, & Future of Animal Welfare with HASS
[embedded content] Since 2020, the animal welfare industry has faced an increase of challenges unlike ever before. From overfilled kennels and a lack of municipal support to increased needs for mental health support in the workplace—and a decrease in community engagement. What is needed is a fresh, human-services-rooted perspective that rallies municipal and community support with ease. In this webinar, Dr. Ellen Jefferson, Co-Founder of HASS & CEO of Austin Pets Alive!, and Mike Wheeler, Director of Community Services at Cabot...
