Running a shelter is not an easy job. There will be hard days and depressing days. There will be happy days and triumphs. You’ll spend a lot of hours sweating over your finances or cleaning kennels. You may be witness to cruel mistreatment of animals. You’re going to encounter a lot more doggy doo and kitty poop than ever before. So how do you objectively assess the success (or failure) of your shelter?
The shelter leaders and board of directors are responsible for seeing your mission statement come to life. If you aren’t fulfilling your mission, then something may need to change. Your shelter may continually evolve and re-evaluate and readjust. This is where a board of directors can come in handy — they can be the objective observers who aren’t up to their elbows in fur on a daily basis.
How do you stay positive and focused on your mission?
- Celebrate the small goals: every adoption is one more pet in a good home. Every spay or neuter you pay for means fewer animals born in the future.
- Take time to do the things you love. If your favorite thing about running a shelter is spending time in the cat room, be sure you do that every day.
- Appreciate and thank your volunteers and paid staff. Recognize their hard work and their contributions to your shelter’s success.
- Ask people for their “happy tales” — stories of the adopted pets in their new homes.
- Stay connected with your community. Hold fun fundraising events that make shelter staff and shelter supporters all feel good about your work.
- Keep your eyes open for positive press.
Your shelter may not make a HUGE impact right away. But remember that you are changing lives for people and animals in your community every day. Even one animal placed in a good home is a triumph. Even one person educated about the importance of spaying and neutering is a victory.