Topic Description: In this presentation, Rachel Long, Director of Operations at the East Bay SPCA in Northern California, and Donna Reynolds, Co-Founder and Director of BAD RAP discuss the challenges and successes of putting together a pit bull adoption program in a shelter setting. Only by collaborating and creating Pit Bull Hall were the two organizations better able to help more pit bulls and educate more people. They will highlight the plans that went into piloting pit bull hall including all the concerns regarding taking in, assessing, training and adopting pit bulls and pit bull mixes. Similarly, they will give a frank description of what both groups were hesitant about and how they overcame these issues in a private non profit setting.  Lastly, they will discuss how other shelters can use Pit Bull Hall as a model for similar adoption programs.

Topic Description: This session was presented by: Berenice Mora, BAD RAP; Patty Finch, Manager of Grants and Research, PetSmart Charities; and Ruth Steinberger, Executive Director, Oklahoma Spay Network Everyday we are frustrated by what appears to be people not listening to basic common sense when it comes to pet care. But what are the realities of socio-economics that drive us? How do we effectively overcome those divisions in order to help animals? Our own experience may affect our perceptions. Learn how to move beyond middle class messaging to communicate effectively with people in generational and situational poverty. Learn about the hidden rules among economic classes and the characteristics of poverty that can be harnessed to improve the lives of companion animals. Hear real-life examples of how to successfully enable people in poverty to act on the spay/neuter message.