Halloween is here!  And you know what that means... you get to dress up your pets and not feel guilty about it. 

I am running a contest for the best pet costume!  Submit your photos on PetPoint Community of your furry friend and email me so I can see the photos! I will contact the winner by November 6th about their prize!!

Contest runs from today until November 5th! 

Email: marybart@petpoint.com or send me a message via PetPoint Community!

-Mary Bart Houston, Regional Director Shelter Outreach & Host of PetPoint Community

PetPoint Summit 2009 - San Antonio

The PetPoint Summit had a full agenda of esteemed and reputable presenters from various areas of expertise. Topics of discussion included how data can assist shelters in turning adopters today into donors tomorrow, using data for shelter health planning, increasing adoption success through photography, using data to create veterinary programs to benefit the community and several opportunities to learn from our team. 

Sunday was a full day of presentations and an event that included a cocktail party on a river barge along the Riverwalk followed by dinner in the Terrace of the Omni - La Mansion del Rio. The party featured networking opportunities, good food and of course the opportunity to talk with the Pethealth team.  Monday had a half day of presentations that included a bonus PetPoint workshop to provide updated face to face training from our team. 

These 2 days were a great opportunity for all of us in animal welfare to acquire the tools through PetPoint for which data can be used to the advantage and success of achieving the mission.  It also was a great opportunity to socialize and interact with colleagues and friends.

- Jorge Ortega, Regional Director Shelter Outreach for Texas

The conference began on Friday, October 23rd at 8am with the welcoming provided by Rich Avanzino, President of Maddie's Fund. 

Both Friday and Saturday were filled with riveting lectures on how to improve shelter marketing, promote fostering, capturing better photos of your adoptables, controlling the spread of infectious diseases, and learning more about forensic investigation of animal cruelty.   There was a total of 200+ attendees present ranging from Shelter Veterinarians, Vet Techs, Shelter Directors, Managers, to volunteers.  There was something for everyone! 

PetPoint was one of the sponsors at the conference!  All attendees loved the swag we offered.   

Evelyn and Katie from Atlanta Humane Society admiring the goodies on display for the taking.

The ASPCA had their new CSI vehicle on display after Dr. Melinda Merck spoke on what is being done to improve investigation techniques in animal welfare.  

After a long of retaining information I accompanied Atlanta Humane Society to dinner at Ballyhoo's.  It was quite delicious! 

(Katie, Richard, Andrea, MB and Miguel)

The conference ended the evening of Saturday, October 24th.  It was an excellent conference that provided invaluable information as well as an opportunity to hear from several experts in the field of shelter medicine.  And many Executive Directors that are truly making a difference in the lives of many animals. 

For more information or to find out when next year's conference will be contact: University of Florida Shelter Medicine Department at 352.273.8660 or email: sheltermedicine@vetmed.ufl.edu

- Mary Bart Houston, Regional Director Shelter Outreach & Host of PetPoint Community

I have been dreading this day for a very long time.  On Thursday, October 15th, Moses passed away.  He would have been 14 years old in December. 

There is not greater gift than a dog's love.  They love you unconditionally and accept you for who you are no matter what.   They don't hold grudges and always forgive you. 

I will miss my best friend every day for the rest of my life but I know our paths will cross again. 

Love ya, Moses!

1995 - 2009

I have just returned from a chilly and wet trip to Canada.  The point of the trip was to learn more about Pethealth as a company and the opportunity for the regional reps to collaborate together on many challenging scenarios. 

As always, I return with my brain hurting and the need for much sleep.  I thought it would be nice to share with our fellow PetPoint users what the home office looks like and where all the big ideas are generated.  This way there is more of a connection between the shelters and the corporate office. 

Hope you enjoy! 

The gorgeous Sandy who became camera shy.  The boots are too fabulous for words!

Patty, Jorge and Tammy on their first day of training.  The nerves were at an all  time high!

To get brownie points Patty, Roma and I decided to wear shirts in support of Mark Warren's son Theo at his hockey game.  I think the big guy liked it! 

The adorable Theo after his game!  I'm sure his buddies were heckling him with the old ladies wearing his name on their chest!  He took it all in stride.  Good kid! 

- Mary Bart Houston, Regional Director Shelter Outreach & Host of PetPoint Community