I was at the conference, having traveled from Delaware. I was so inspired by the number of fellow animal lovers and attendees. Thank you to Best Friends for an incredible conference. For helping each and every one of the 650 attendees by providing amazing speakers, workshops and panel discussions. With the day to day work at the sanctuary, the organization and the staff inspire each and everyone of us to carry on with our fight for the animals. It's an honor and a privilege to be a member of Best Friends. Working together, I know we will one day achieve a world with No More Homeless Pets. Kate Hungerford Bethany Beach, DE "I'm for Dogs"

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Long time BF member and volunteer (also volunteer for Los Angeles Animal Services) in LA area. For those of use who have to work full time, and do all we can with limited time and funds for the animals, how can we do more? I dream all the time of doing more, but it's difficult on a limited budget and a full time job. Does anyone have any suggestions? I do catnippers/dog washing at shelters/super adoptions/lint roller/fostering/care for several ferals, but want to do more. Any ideas would be welcome! Wished I could have attended this conference - sounds just fabulous!

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What exactly has Cimeron at Project Bay Cat done that is so different than any of us feral cat people who feed colonies, TNR tons of cats, adopt out tame ones, network with other feral people in the area, etc. Tell me what kind of "inroads" Bay Cat continues to make. From what I have heard and experienced myself, she makes a big hooplah over what she's done and yet we all help as many or more cats and we aren't always in the spotlight. I'd like to know what exraordinary things she's done for the cats.

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Among Cimeron's feral accomplishments include: The Homeless Cat Network gave a presentation to Foster City, CA and officials got very excited that it would be free to the taxpayers. The Sequoia Audubon Society was concerned for the bird population - Project Bay Cat worked with them to determine where feeding stations would be safest for both the birds and the cats. Cimeron's very real work for animals, around the world, is an inspiration to anyone who sees a problem and think's "what can I do?" It doesn't take away from what anyone else has done! Project Bay Cat Tool Kit: http://www.cimeron.com/page3/page45/PBCToolkit.html

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I'm sorry but I have, and so has many other feral cat people, worked with citizens who don't want the cats somewhere and we were able to come to a compromise so the cats could stay. She gave a presentation? Big deal. I have also gone in front of city council members to talk about the benifits of TNR. What other "work" has she done that is so worthy of being known around the world for?

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I will give a person credit where credit is due and there are people at Best Friends do deserve the praise. But I don't see that this person has done anything beyond what many other dedicated feral cat people do. One thing she is better at doing js promoting herself. I will give her that much.

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My heartfelt gratitude and sincere thanks to the Best Friends' staff and founders for presenting such an awesome, educational conference. And, kudos to the Las Vegas Ambassadors. What a great, friendly bunch of folks. Not only did I learn many new facts regarding animal welfare, I thoroughly enjoyed meeting and talking to fellow volunteers and the many rescue people that were in attendence. Thank you BFAS for providing me the "positive" tools I need to help the animals and their caregivers in Florida.

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The conference was TERRIFIC! I have unpacked the suitcase, but all the literature, biz cards, notes and handouts I brought back are still in a pile on the table. A BIG pile. Great workshops, great speakers, and the people attending it were an amazing bunch, too. I started wondering "wow -- they let ME in here?" I am NOT a natural born optimistic glass 1/2 full person -- but just like with every visit to Bf, I came home from NMHP buoyed up and confident that with the knowledge shared by all these speakers and attendees, yes, I too can make a real difference. Thank you, BF!

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I too attended the conference and learned even more than I did at last year's event. You learn from the speakers, but more importantly you learn from other attendees. It was awesome meeting Becky Robinson and Elena with Alley Cat Allies. Yes, there are many things that we as individuals accomplish for the animals, but until we can share and not criticize we will never accomplish 'No More Homeless Pets'. Let's be supportive, we all know how hard it is, but we need to come together until there are "NO More Homeless Pets". It starts with each one of us doing just a little bit more, each day. Spread the word positively and more people will climb on board to help. Thank You Best Friends for all you do!

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Instead of focusing on who has done what and who has done more than others and blah blah blah, why don't we focus that energy where it counts? It's not about recognition, it's about the animals.

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This was my first BF conference and I very much enjoyed it. I SO needed to listen to, and commune with, people who feel as strongly about no kill as I do. There are 5 kill shelters in Houston killing around 80,000 animals per year. I get so worn down sometimes fighting with city politicians and shelter leaders & staff who just don’t seem to care how many animals are dying, even though life saving alternatives are right in front of them. It can be exhausting at times. But, the speakers and attendees at the conference were like an IV of energy and renewed sense of purpose for me. It gives me hope and faith that we can make no kill a reality everywhere. So, I will continue the fight and continue spreading the message that no kill is a reality in other cities and can be a reality for Houston. If all 2.2 million Houstonians expect it, I have to believe we can make it so. To Best Friends and all the other wonderful people at the conference, thanks for the IV! :-)

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I attended the NMHP Conference for the second year in a row and am so happy I did. I live in Key Largo, FL and although we are a small town we have big hearts when it comes to our furry friends. I can't wait to share all I've learned with my fellow animal advocates. I am re-inspired to do all I can for the animals. Thank you Best Friends for having this wonderful educational and networking opportunity for those of us who truly believe that in our lifetime we can create a world with NO MORE HOMELESS PETS! Michele Beach TheAnimalAngels.com Key Largo, FL

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I had a super time at the conference and learned a ton of stuff. I also went to the No Kill Conference held this past May in Washington - and this past weekend had a different feel - the tone really seemed to be all about "what can one person do" - and that's what I came away with - what CAN I do as one person in the rescue community locally here in my own town - and I think this conference gave me some great tools to help get some things started! And having the opportunity to visit the Best Friends Sanctuary was over the top! That was amazing! Not to mention travelling all the way across the continent to get there - that was also something too!

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I would love to attend one of these conferences, but they always seem to be the same weekend as National Pit Bull Awareness Day. The rescue group that I volunteer with always has an event on that date to bring awareness to the issues that Pit Bulls face. Please consider scheduling this for another weekend! From reading the article and the comments, it definitely seems like a great opportunity to learn so much about helping homeless pets!

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This was my second NMHP conference; I attended last year. And this year was as inspiring and educational and fun as last year, maybe even more, if that is possible! Hearing about and hearing from the people and groups who have put together successful programs and organizations is what it is all about. I live in south Louisiana, not exactly the mecca of animal rights and welfare. Last year, I came home from the conference with a suitcase full of information and a head full of ideas, and I got busy. If "they" can do it "there", we can do it here! Right on! Even in south Louisiana. And little by little, in my little corner of the world, some impotant changes are happening. So, when we read about and listen to and meet those folks who are doing fantastic progressive things, it's about learning and trying it out ourselves. All of us animal welfare people want to see a day of No More Homeless Pets, and we are all working very hard. Let's learn from each other. You bet, I want to learn as much as I can from and about those people and programs that are working and bringing us closer to a day of No More Homeless Pets! Whoohoo!!

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This was my first conference and it taught me how important each individual's contribution is, no matter how small... we're talking lives saved! I also learned how important it is to work together towards a common goal. That promoting adoptions should be treated business, a business with a heart and a business without competition! If you are in it for the animals, you cannot look to humans for recognition. Your recognition comes silently from the animals you save. Thank you best friends for bringing us together! I'll be there next year.

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Even tho I'm a longtime volunteer, this was my first conference; and I must say that I can't rave enough about this! :) The speakers, topics, networking abilities, local volunteers, venue, food-everything was great! I am one of the lucky ones since I work for an org who is making a difference in the community little by little(fcnmhp.org)so I do get the necessary commaraderie when times get tough, but now I feel refreshed and renewed enough to carry me through...especially after visiting the sanctuary-it's kinda like icing on the cake! Thank you Best Friends, speakers and ALL of you who came!

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I am a volunteer at Nashville Humane Association and attended this conference---what a refreshing gathering. I learned so much and hope to implement the TNR program for our "community cats" Robin Avison

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This was my first NMHP conference; I was thoroughly impressed and took away a lot of good things. One particular thing I did take away was the opportunity to applaud other's success. When someone saves a life or many lives, it's a good thing. And so to read on this site the negative comments from "RescuerCalifornia" towards the good work done by Cimeron Morrissey was very sad. If we're going to make things better for the animals it's imperative that we support one another. Someone's else's success is YOUR success too! It doesn't matter if 'she' or 'they' or 'that group' gets more attention than your own group - what matters is that the 'issue (i.e. saving lives) IS getting attention. Look beyond your own personal circumstances to the bigger issue - every time an animal issue get attention it's for the greater good. It's not about 'who' gets what (so what if someone gets their 15seconds of fame) - it's about doing the right thing and cheering one another on in what is most often an overwhelming and thankless task. Be happy in other's success because it means that the animals will live. And that is ultimately what really counts. Shannon (askelly @ rogers.com)

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This was our first NMHP Conference and it won't be our last. We learned so much useful information that we can implement in our current program. I was very impressed with all of the speakers and the content of their messages. I was particularly impressed by Mike Arms presentations. It is good to know that someone in the No Kill movement recognizes there are those of us in municiple Animal Services that share the same philosophy. We have major hurdles to overcome but with the dedication of our people we will succeed. Thanks Best Friends we will see you next year. Charlie Nickle, Director, Savannah Animal Services (cnickle@cityofsavannah.org)

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I am surprised at some of the negative comments about Ms. Morrissey. There are many of us who do this work in our communities, it's true, but we should not deny any one of them the recognition they deserve. It's about the animals, in this case - cats...... it's not about us. Any attention anyone of us can bring to the TNR issue is a step in the right direction! I could not attend the conference this year but hope to in the future. In the meantime, I'll be TRN'ing cats in Sherman Park! Thanks to all of you all over the country who do the same in your community!

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I, too, was surprised at the negative comments directed at Cimeron - certainly NOT in the spirit of what the conference was all about! Anyone who can bring as much attention to feral cats and TNR as Cimeron has deserves to be applauded! She is a very inspirational speaker and has done a fantastic job with the Homeless Cat Network newsletter, which, again, has brought more attention to the plight of homeless cats. Isn't this what it's all about?? As for Project Bay Cat - there used to be hundreds of unneutered cats along the Bay Trail in Foster City. There are now less than 100, almost ALL of whom have been fixed, thanks to Cimeron's efforts. This, by no means, takes away from what others are doing. It IS all about the cats. We should not let purrsonality conflicts distract us from our common goal.

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This was my FOURTH NMHP conference and - as always- I was recharged, inspired and thrilled to meet others like me who volunteer to help make a difference for the animals and the people who care about them. I attend LOTS of conferences and always count on THIS conference to uplift me and remind me about the important work we are doing. I can't thank the Best Friends staff enough for creating the environment to meet with passionate and inspirational individuals. In addition to the quality of the PEOPLE in attendance, the sessions that offered realistic best practices (such as Aimee St Arnaad's) were worth every penny and ALL the effort of lining up the pet sitters, dog walkers and taking vacation time from work..thank you, thank you, thank you Best Friends...anxious to add next year's conference on my calendar, so get back to me soon!(lol)

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I was also at the NMHP Conference and it was wonderful. I learned so many things that my head is still swimming. I want to thank everyone who helped to put this together. It was truly wonderful and I look forward to going again next year.

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I attended last year’s conference and thought it was great. Good enough in fact that I thought it would be tough to be any better. That will teach me to think! This year we were all in one place—the advantage of a bigger venue. Yes, a longer walk for some (those buildings last year ranged from right by the conference area to a long walk away). This venue had more to see and more to do—a good thing for those who wanted more than just the conference. I think I echo what a lot of others got out of it—positive messages, passionate people and successes we could take back and use to make suggestions. Our work lends to seeing bad things, hearing bad news and seeing results we don’t like. If we focus on just that, it can get overwhelming. Keeping positives in perspective is needed—and the conference provided a huge does of that! I’ve attended a lot of conferences for various reasons, and this one was far and away better and better in every way. There were always at least two sessions I really wanted to attend. Often times three and in one case I wanted to really hit all four. You listen to these folks talk about their programs, or how they went about solving a problem (or are in the middle of working on it). It provides proof that one person can make a difference by getting things going. NO one ever said it can all be done by one person—yet it has to start somewhere. I didn’t agree with every approach—heck the speakers on the panels didn’t always agree with each other’s approach. It provides and important message though that there is more than one road to get to NMHP. That not every approach is correct for every person, community or group. It is results we are after and getting others to buy into getting to those results takes a lot. It takes energy, it takes money, it takes politics, it takes time and it takes a continual voice to keep saying the message. A lesson the groups in our area haven’t learned yet is working together. The New York City Coalition showed how much of a difference it makes. It may take time, but I’ve seen that for some situations you have to accept that and work with it, or we will fail. We all saw what others have done or are doing. As Julie Castle pointed out, there will indeed be folks from our audience that will in time be speakers at the later conferences sharing the successes they’ve help get to that can be repeated by the rest of us. Money wise, this conference is a bargain and excellent use of money. Al the information, the inspiration, the topics covered that affect us all and not just a few, the food, the positive energy and the remarkable speakers made the cost more than worth it. Way more than worth it. So many fronts are in need of work for MNHP to come true; changes in laws, changes in thinking, money, marketing, new ideas on how to approach managing people, teaching the truth about animals and about people. People created every problem we see as a problem concerning pets. The animals can’t fix the problems or the people. It’s the people who have to fix the people. This conference did an excellent job in showing us ways to do just that. You can count on me attending the next conference that Best Friends puts on—it’s a class act all the way.

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This was the first NMHP Conference that "Love Is The Pits" has attended but we plan on making it an annual event! There was so much information & inspiration that we left feeling recharged and renewed in our committment to saving animals. Many many thanks to everyone involved.

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