For an animal, being involuntarily away from its home can bring up all kinds of emotions. Just like it would for a person. But without words, the feelings emerge as behaviors, which can be problematic.
The Seattle Animal Shelter tackles these issues with care, knowledge and respect, thanks to its specialized Behavior Program.
“Dogs and cats are social animals. They do best where they have social companionship,” said Dr. Sheila Segurson, Director of Outreach and Research for Maddie’s Fund and a behavior consultant for the shelter. “Oftentimes animals aren’t being housed with their best friends. The big things lacking in shelters are the companionship piece and control over their environment. It’s such a big factor in terms of wellbeing for animals.”
This team of 10 people is a volunteer-based program that aims to correct behaviors that could be barriers to adoption. The program has a manager position that is fully funded by the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation. The first person to take on that role, Kimberlee Spicer, moved on in June 2022.
“She did a great job collaborating with foster parents and foster leads,” said Tracy Bahrakis, Seattle Animal Shelter’s manager of animal care. “She would try to connect pets with the right parents and then help troubleshoot with parents of pets in foster homes. She did a great job taking the program from part-time into (something) really robust.”
The program is now in a transitional period, evaluating its needs while looking to hire a new manager. SAS is working with Dr. Segurson, DVM, who has advanced specialty training in animal behavior, to identify shelter needs and develop the job description for the new leader.
“Seattle is so lucky that the (Seattle Animal Shelter) Foundation funds this position,” Dr. Segurson said. “Even having one funded position is really not enough — this person is responsible for supporting the welfare of all animals in care: helping them get adopted, support them after adoption, and to prevent animals from coming in with regard to behavior. This position relies so heavily on volunteers.”
Dr. Segurson has been working to help define the scope of this role and match resources to needs. Goals looking forward include stronger focus on supportive training for staff, volunteers, and foster and adoptive parents to decrease stress in shelter – supporting the animal throughout its journey.
Watch this video to learn more about the Behavior Program and animals that the volunteers and staff have helped.
The program will continue to shift away from just doing behavior modification in the shelter and instead using techniques to support adopters and keep the animal in its home, out of the shelter in the first place. Shelter behaviors can be artificially stimulated and not reflect the true personality of the animal.
“The future program in behavior is about the mental health of the animal, really focusing on enrichment,” said Jocelyn Bouchard, deputy director of the Seattle Animal Shelter. “Some animals don’t do well in a shelter setting. To move them into foster and work with them in foster is all part of it. We’re making sure we’re doing everything to minimize stress and care for their mental health.”
“The general goals haven’t changed,” she said. “It’s to save more lives and to help rehome these animals in a way that they’re going to be successful. How we’re going about it will change a little.”
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To support the important and valuable programs Seattle Animal Shelter runs, like the Behavior Program, consider donating to the Seattle Animal Shelter Foundation.
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