Mission Possible: Making the Connection between Governmental Agencies, Private Organizations and Pet-Overpopulation :12/22/2008 PBCACC 1 Mission Possible: Making the Connection between Governmental Agencies, Private Organizations and Pet-Overpopulation Presented by: Dianne M. Sauve, Director Palm Beach County Animal Care & Control


What is Pet Overpopulation? :12/22/2008 2 What is Pet Overpopulation? “It is only natural that as the human population rises, so does the number of companion animals. This does not mean that pet-overpopulation is a myth. If we accept that there are now more humans, and subsequently more animals, but that there are not enough people willing to adopt this increase in animals, then it is reasonable to say that there are too many unwanted animals. This in and of itself, defines pet overpopulation.”


Dog/Cat “Overpopulation – A Myth? :12/22/2008 3 Dog/Cat “Overpopulation – A Myth? 600,000 companion animals in Palm Beach County * 450,000 dogs/cats – 270,000 unaltered * 2/3’s of all households have at least one pet * 45 % of all pet owners have more than one pet * Majority of animals (excluding feral cats) arriving at shelters are owned 3


The millions of animals that die each day demand that private and governmental interests work together :The millions of animals that die each day demand that private and governmental interests work together 12/22/2008 PBCACC 4 Photograph from PBCACC’s “Op Around the Clock” – performed 3 times annually, this event, hosted by ACC, combines rescue organizations, private veterinarians, volunteers, pharmaceutical companies, and government, to provide free sterilizations for cats. The goal: 400 cats sterilized in each 24-hour marathon. Featured in the pic are Dr. Julie Levy, UF & Operation Catnip, & Dr. Irma Morales, local private veterinarian.


As a private organization you must define your mission and find common ground with government on the subject of POP :As a private organization you must define your mission and find common ground with government on the subject of POP 12/22/2008 PBCACC 5 Leave emotion out of meetings and discussions Recognize and accept authority Be reasonable Decide who from your organization will act as the key “players” Determine whether trust exists between your organization and government If not, find out why and address the problems from the top Understand and accept that if there is an absence of trust on the part of either side, there will be no positive effect KNOW THE RULES!!!


Rule # 1: Establish Trust :Rule # 1: Establish Trust 12/22/2008 PBCACC 6 Members of great teams trust one another on a fundamental, emotional level and they are comfortable being vulnerable with each other about their weaknesses, mistakes, fears, and behaviors. They reach a point where they can be completely open with one another, without filters. Remember: Your agenda is not everyone’s agenda. Save the frogs!


HEY!! We’re all good guys (aren’t we?) Don’t we all want the same thing? :12/22/2008 PBCACC 7 HEY!! We’re all good guys (aren’t we?) Don’t we all want the same thing? Analyze your organizations image and determine how it fits with animal control and/or public health Leave your ego at the door Set up a meeting with the Director or his/her designee Have an agenda and follow it Don’t ramble Don’t have too many “causes”; are you trying to help spay/neuter efforts in the community? Increase adoptions? Perform last resort rescue from shelters? etc Please remove my uterus


Rule # 2: Engage in Healthy Conflict & Not Negative Debate: “Agree to Disagree Nicely” :12/22/2008 PBCACC 8 Rule # 2: Engage in Healthy Conflict & Not Negative Debate: “Agree to Disagree Nicely” Meet with genuine concern for the issue Meet in person Not by e-mail and never by mass e-mails 1st seek Understanding – not necessarily agreement Explain how a partnership can benefit the community Encourage a response Ask to develop a plan Extract buried disagreements, shed light on them and force team members to work through them Your shelter kills My shelter is open-door My group saves the most animals I have gas…


Rule # 3 – Commit for the long term good :Rule # 3 – Commit for the long term good Does commitment occur if we argue? Does commitment occur without conflict or trust? What must we embrace in order to achieve commitment? 12/22/2008 PBCACC 9


Slide 10:12/22/2008 PBCACC 10 “Commitment is about a group of intelligent, driven individuals buying in to a decision precisely when they don’t naturally agree. In other words, it’s the ability to defy a lack of consensus.” In other words, both parties must “buy-in”


Buy-In…Is there a cost? :Buy-In…Is there a cost? Buy-In is not about getting your own way Buy-In is not about winning or losing Buy-In is about conflict and leadership “ Good leaders extract ideas and opinions and then have the courage and wisdom to make a decision.”


So…that means we don’t get to decide, huh? :So…that means we don’t get to decide, huh? If the decision is not a consensus, can there “buy-in”? “Yes, because humans are drastically more reasonable than we think. Most people don’t have to get their way, they just want to have their ideas heard and considered within the context of the final decision.” Make this clear to your to your governmental agency leader. I II lose if you can’t work together…


Key Points – Achieving Commitment :Key Points – Achieving Commitment Commitment requires buy-in and clarity on both sides Clarity requires that organizations avoid assumptions and ambiguity. Discussions are ended with a clear understanding about what they have decided upon and how the community will benefit. Buy-in does not require consensus. Organizations learn to disagree with government and still commit to a decision that will help the community and pets.


Rule # 4: Accountability :Rule # 4: Accountability Accountability is based on: Trust The ability and willingness to engage in healthy conflict for the better good Commitment to a plan of action 12/22/2008 PBCACC 14 Do I look like I enjoy the glow of pregnancy??


Accountability is achieved by: :Accountability is achieved by: Publication of Goals and Standards What the partnership needs to achieve the goal– who needs to achieve what, how everyone must behave in order to achieve Openly displayed – so they are not easily ignored Simple and Regular Progress Reviews to provide feedback Team Rewards – shift from individual performance to team achievement: No segregated publicity.


Rule # 5: Pay Attention to Results :Rule # 5: Pay Attention to Results The ultimate obstacle is for a partnership to care about something other than the collective goals of the group The collective or team goal must be more important to the organization than the organization’s individual goal or status


Partnerships to Keep the Connection PositiveWhat Palm Beach County is doing to minimize “control” and maximize “compassion” and how we got to where we are today… :Partnerships to Keep the Connection PositiveWhat Palm Beach County is doing to minimize “control” and maximize “compassion” and how we got to where we are today… 4 Directors in 4 years Developed total transparency Developed positive rapport with rescue organizations and private shelters Developed 500K annual Subsidy to financially assist private animal organizations Demanded humane treatment of every animal sheltered Developed positive support with media Go public with mistakes Admit when things go wrong Demand “buy-in” from management 12/22/2008 PBCACC 17 “I’m not different, I’m gifted”


Government & Private at it’s best! :Government & Private at it’s best! “Op Around the Clock” 24-hour marathon to sterilize cats Will be held 3 times annually 1st event January 5-6, 2008 sterilized 415 cats in 24 hours 12/22/2008 18 Spay Me


Pet Overpopulation Enhancement 2 :12/22/2008 PBCACC 19 Pet Overpopulation Enhancement 2 Citizens Animal Patrol “Volunteers from the public assisting Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control to educate the public on pet overpopulation”


Private Support Funding Government Enhancement 3 :Private Support Funding Government Enhancement 3 12/22/2008 20 West County shelter to become “free” sterilization clinic (opens Oct. 1, 2008) Ability to perform a minimum of 3,500 sterilizations annually


POP Enhancement 4 :POP Enhancement 4 12/22/2008 21 $500,000.00 voucher program targeted to residents on public assistance This program will fund a minimum of 5,000 sterilizations each year Will offer all veterinarians ability to participate


POP Enhancement 5 :POP Enhancement 5 12/22/2008 22 Expand days of operation of Spay Shuttle Ability to perform 2,500 surgeries annually


Enhancement 6 :Enhancement 6 12/22/2008 23 Encourage PBC School District to support humane education in the public school system Encourage schools to require graduating students perform community service in a public or private animal shelter


Conclusion: You can inspire commitment and gain consistent credibility with your local animal control agency! :12/22/2008 PBCACC 24 Conclusion: You can inspire commitment and gain consistent credibility with your local animal control agency! Be honest and impeccable with your word Compose yourself at all times Keep your promises Remember your mission Don’t take things personally Surround yourself with smart people Don’t make assumptions Watch your mouth Don’t gossip Find a POP program that both you and your local ac can agree on Who says neutered dogs Have no Balls?


Words of Wisdom… :12/22/2008 PBCACC 25 Words of Wisdom… “Effective people, especially leaders, are skilled at reading situations, thinking on multi-levels, and making accurate decisions. Some experts believe that leaders are born, not made. The truth, most likely, lies somewhere in between”