Bold new leaders for no-kill
UNIVERSITY COLLABORATES WITH BEST FRIENDS ON EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
The bolder the leader, the bigger the goals. And as more shelters work toward ending the killing of companion animals, they need skilled leaders to guide the way. That’s why Best Friends is collaborating with Southern Utah University (SUU) on a first-ofits-kind executive leadership program to guide top-level staff in animal services and welfare organizations on how to successfully lead transformational lifesaving progress.
The Best Friends Executive Leadership Certification is the only tailor-made program for animal services leadership at the highest level to be endorsed by a university, and the only one focusing on no-kill methodology. Now, more of those bold leaders will have the knowledge, the skills and, most important, the support to lead their shelters to no-kill.
Find out more about the SUU partnership:
bestfriends.org/suu
PAVING THE WAY TO NO-KILL IN THE LONE STAR STATE, ONE NEUTER AT A TIME
Sometimes, change is groundbreaking and paradigm-busting. Other times, it’s just a matter of simple common sense, but even so, it can still mean thousands of lives saved. Texas (where more pets are killed in shelters than in any other state) recently saw the latter kind of change, and it’s going to make a monumental difference.
Lack of spay/neuter is a big problem in Texas because there simply aren’t enough licensed veterinarians to keep up with the demand. It’s no wonder shelters are always full of unwanted litters of kittens and puppies. Veterinarians from other states have been willing to come in and help, but until recently, the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners was unwilling to issue temporary licenses to out-of-state veterinarians. This prevented vets from helping in areas where the shortage is especially critical, the parts of the state where the most dogs and cats are killed in shelters.
Best Friends knew this was a major hindrance to saving lives. It became a priority for our advocacy team to address the issue, so we worked with Dr. Michael White, the director of the Harris County shelter, to change the situation. Dr. White is also a member of the veterinary licensing board and a lifesaving champion.
A few months later, the board agreed to change its position — to start allowing licensed out-of-state veterinarians to come to Texas to help with spay/neuter surgeries. It won’t solve all the problems in the Lone Star State, but it’s a Texas-sized step in the right direction.
You can change the world for animals near you. Join our 2025 Action Team: bestfriends.org/
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