Tuesday, November 10, 2009, 07:33 PM EST
[General]
On November 8th and 9th Savannah, GA was the destination city for our third PetPoint Summit for 2009.
Attendees came from all over to hear expert speakers in marketing, shelter statistics, and shelter medicine as well as our very own PetPoint Senior Staff. The event hosted 58 people in the gorgeous Hyatt Regency in downtown Savannah.
The Summit kicked off on November 8th with Dr. Moyer.
On Monday, November 9th Dr. Newbury spoke at length on improving shelter conditions and understanding the stats and how your shelter can make a difference.
Lunch provided by the Hyatt's talented staff and boy was it good.
59 attendees and guests boarded the Savannah Riverboat cruise for a night to remember. Good food, music, and lots of dancing....
Gilberto is a special one! Enough said.
Yes, I was caught in the act of doing the Electric Slide.
Yes, I do look a bit frightened dancing with PP Patty!
(Saturday dinner with the EDs of the organizations)
Frank Valente, President of Humane Society of the Treasure Coast, and me!
Saturday, October 31, 2009, 11:51 AM EST
[General]
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!!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009, 07:56 PM EST
[General]
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.
