The euth part will suck. I do have to get my euth cert and I will be responsible for euth'ing the babies. And those will be the days I drive home in tears wishing I'd just taken a job as a fry cook at Mickey D's. But I know that I'll be euth'ing a lot less than they are right now. So even though I can't save them all, I can save way more as the Director than I could if I didn't take the job.
I did get in touch with some of the volunteers there by e-mail. I've given them my phone number and encouraged them to call me. It sounds like they've got a very dedicated group there but for some reason the current Director treats them like crap. They're not allowed there on days the shelter is closed which is stupid. They want to go walk the dogs and give them their food and water and play with them. Why would you not allow trusted vols that have been helping for years to do that?? That's a HUGE help to a shelter!!!
There are a lot of issues they have. And they're a group of people with huge hearts that want to help as much as I do. They've got a list of the problems there and they want to help come up with solutions. They're just a wonderful bunch of people.
Just got the paperwork out the other day. I did find out that the mayor could care less how the Director runs it. As long as there are no problems he doesn't want to hear from you. That's wonderful news! They said the Director gets to make ALL of the decisions on what criteria to base whether or not they're going to work with a rescue on, how they're going to care for the animals medically when they arrive, the criteria to base adoptions on, when and why animals are euth'd, etc. It's exactly what I want!!!
If I get the job the first thing I plan on doing is having a half day of adoptions, closing early and bringing in all of the staff and volunteers and having a very open meeting. Bring me every single problem you see that currently exists and let's work together to come up with a plan of attack to change that. The next thing I'm doing is sending out a blast e-mail to every rescue I've worked with in the country and begging them to start coming to pull from there. No more crazy pull fees, no more demanding they use our vets or boarders or transporters. Pulled with just their vaccs and de-wormer, there's no pull fee. Then do a pull fee that's a la carte - HW test before pull $10, Spay and neuter for a discounted price, rabies, etc. I know rescues up north have a horrible time getting animals vetted because it's so expensive. So if I do a proposal for the local vets and give them a list of what we're willing to pay for vetting, we can extend that price to the rescues if they want to pull them fully vetted. They can just set up payment with them directly over the phone.
Once that's all set up I want to do a huge community event. Invite the public in to see the shelter, meet me, see the animals, and do a short meet and greet telling them about the changes we're planning. I'd like to discuss the current euth rate and what our goals are for a month out, six months out and a year out. Then get with the schools and get a much needed educational program started for each grade. With paid staff I can easily take an hour or two away from the office to go do them. And I'm in the middle of getting Munchi CGC certified so I can take her with me. Figured the kids would respond better to the educational material if they've got her to interact with one on one.
Anyway, that's where we stand. They don't close the application accepting until Monday. So I don't expect to hear from them for another week or so if they're even willing to talk to me at all. I'm on pins and needles, crossing every single thing I can. My tummy gets all twisty and gurgly when I think about it. I know I can do this job and do an amazing job. I've been in touch with the Director of another shelter in the middle TN area that had euth rates of over 90% and when their new Director came in he dropped it to 6%! So with a Director that's truly driven it can work and there's no doubt I'm very driven. I want this so bad!!!! If I don't get it I'm going to be so crushed!
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