News
Best Friends Is in the House!
November 08, 2008, 3:29PM MT
By Patty Meehan
And Louisiana is There
And Louisiana is There
By Patty Meehan, BFAS Network Volunteer
On the weekend of October 24-26, the city of Las Vegas experienced an amazing thing. Over 650 animal welfare advocates and workers from all over the world descended upon the city, filling the hotel and nearby restaurants with conversation that non-attendees must have found “interesting.”
Snippets of conversation that they likely overheard included things like “I was pulling the dog” and “the cat was chipped”. Hmmm….
Topics also included those near and dear to us animal folks, but that must have raised some eyebrows to those within earshot, such as the best litter scooper ever, a wonderful new way to combat kennel cough, and the best way to bottle feed that litter of 10 bullies. (What? Bottle feeding bulls? What are those people doing?)
But among those of us who attended the 2008 NMHP conference, there was a pervasive attitude that we were “with our people.” I heard it more than a few times and experienced it myself. And that sensation of being with ‘family’ was only reinforced by the palpable warmth and positive attitudes extended by the BFAS staff, for which Best Friends is known world-wide.
I have been a member and fan of Best Friends Animal Society for some years. I’m also a ‘remote’ volunteer, as a Network Volunteer and an Ambassador. I strongly believe in the mission and the method of BFAS. So when I heard, months ago, that they would be once again holding their National No More Homeless Pets conference, after a three-year hiatus (thank you, Hurricane Katrina), I immediately put the date in my calendar, as I knew I was going to be there. I registered as soon as registration opened, and contacted my petsitter immediately, to reserve her for the dates.
I knew, before even seeing the list of speakers or the workshop agenda that what was going to be presented at this conference was going to be the most cutting edge information about moving successfully towards a society of No More Homeless Pets. And my expectations were not only met, but surpassed.
It was very difficult to choose which workshops to attend, as they all presented information that I know Louisiana animal welfare organizations can benefit from. Keeping Louisiana in mind, I attended workshops about breed discrimination, municipal programs that are successfully lowering euthanasia rates and increasing adoption and return-to-owner rates, how no-kill advocates and animal control can work together successfully, and how to do successful adoption events, manage volunteers, and run a successful foster program. I also made a point to talk to people who had attended workshops I hadn’t, and to get information from them, as well. Needless to say, it was a very busy weekend. I think I went through at least two entire ink pens, taking notes.
Panel Discussion, Saturday morning, with some of the leaders in the field of animal welfare.
You can read all about the conference, the speakers, and the content of the presentations, at the No More Homeless Pets Conference site, and the NMHP National Conference interest group.
Included in the information on the NHHP Conference site, you will also find links to the programs presented and discussed, as well as resources that these programs utilize. The conference presenters targeted the four primary areas of concern facing animal welfare agencies and advocates today; puppy mills, breed discrimination, feral cat populations, and helping families keep their companion animals while going through troubled times.
The Dog Behavior Rehabilitation at Dogtown presentation, including wonderful information about and videos of some of the Victory Dogs!
One of the very coolest parts of the weekend for me personally was meeting many of the Best Friends staff, including the Volunteer Programs staff, with whom I’ve emailed many times but had never met. And the Sanctuary Dog Training staff. What a treat.
The BFAS Dog Training Staff
John Garcia, BFAS dog trainer, and me.
As a life-long Louisianan and animal lover, and being involved with helping animals as long as I can remember, I know all too well the struggles that we face here in Louisiana, with too many homeless animals, dog fighters, and backyard breeders. The hope and direction that I got, attending this conference, has served to reinforce my personal commitment to reach our goal of No More Homeless Pets in my home state and to share as much information as I can with other animal advocates here.
It was an amazing weekend. Of course, attendees included some of the MOST special guests there as well….. Some of the Best Friends Sanctuary dogs were there, which was a very special treat for those of us experiencing dog-withdrawal, being away from home.
Best Friends dog trainer Ann Allums, and a very special BF conference attendee, enjoying the festivities at the social Friday evening.
Not able to attend the NMHP Conference or want to recapture some favorite moments? Check out a videos from the conference on YouTube.
photos by Patty M