Pet Advocacy 101
The pandemic made pet ownership more prevalent than ever with over 70% of the population owning pets, yet only a small number of social service agencies can meet the need for pet-accessible services. As the impact of COVID continues, social service agencies are seeing a vast increase in needs, and animal shelters are full from an exponential increase in owner-surrendered pets. This is where pet advocacy comes in! In this presentation, we will dive into how to create a pet advocacy program to make your agency more accessible to pet owners by focusing on three philosophies: recognizing the important bond between human and animals; seeking resources for those in need that support their goals as pet owners; and creating resources that support the welfare of both pet and pet owner.
In this session, you will learn:
The impact the pandemic has had on pet ownership and pet retention.
The barriers pet ownership can create between the owner and social services.
The three philosophies of pet advocacy and how to implement practices into your work.
Who should attend?
Social service providers working with pet owners
Animal welfare program managers and staff
Mental health program managers and staff
Domestic violence program managers and staff
Victim advocates
Presented by
Zoë Agnew-Svoboda
zagnewsvoboda@bestybnb.com
Director of Engagement and Program Development
Zoë has worked in animal welfare for over a decade. Prior to joining BestyBnB, she spent close to 8 years providing direct service to survivors of domestic violence by managing the pet advocacy program at a domestic violence agency in Kansas City, Missouri. With this program, she gained first-hand knowledge on the positive impact pets play in our lives and how the relationship we share with animals can be life-saving. Zoë regularly provides training on her vast knowledge of the connection between domestic violence and animal abuse, and how to provide pet advocacy services. In her role with BestyBnB, she partners with agencies to implement lifesaving programs for survivors seeking safety with their pets.
*BestyBnB webinars are geared toward professional development and are not intended to be utilized for therapeutic or psycho-educational purposes. If you are a survivor of domestic violence seeking help please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline.