The Roundtable: Transport – Best Practices

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Recorded On: 08/17/2022

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The data from Shelter Animals Count tells us shelters are full right now because there have been more animals entering shelters than leaving them for the past 5 months straight. Traditional methods for alleviating shelter crowding, including transport, are proving difficult to implement due to staffing and volunteer shortages, decreased funding, and other roadblocks. 

Animal transport, at its most basic level, is a supply and demand equation. However, there is much more to consider when establishing a successful transport program that benefits communities, adopters, over-crowded source organizations, destination organizations, and most importantly, companion animals. This exclusive roundtable conversation will explore the current challenges of companion animal transport and discuss how shelters are adapting in a COVID world. Questions from the audience will follow the roundtable discussion. 

Moderated by Jim Tedford, CAWA, CEO & President, The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement

The Roundtable Panel:

  • CJ Bentley, Vice President for Animal Welfare, Atlanta Humane Society, Georgia
  • Jillian Sergio, Executive Director, Companion Animal Alliance, Louisiana
  • Karen Walsh, CAWA, Senior Director, Animal Relocation, ASPCA
  • Matt Witte, Vice President of Operations/COO, Wisconsin Humane Society, Wisconsin

This roundtable has been pre-approved for 1 Certified Animal Welfare Administrator continuing education credit.

Read the Q&A blog.

CJ Bentley

Vice President for Animal Welfare, Atlanta Humane Society

CJ Bentley began her career in animal welfare as volunteer with theMichigan Humane Society as a canine behavior consultant.  After a briefstint as Executive Director for APDT, she joined Michigan Humane staff,remaining there for somewhere around 20-plus-ish years, much of that timeserving as their Sr. Director of Operations.  She is currently the VP ofAnimal Welfare with Atlanta Humane Society, where she’s been for last 4years.  Her responsibilities include animal sheltering and logistics,community outreach, volunteers, and the animal protection unit at AHS.

Jillian Sergio

Executive Director, Companion Animal Alliance

Jillian is Companion Animal Alliance's Executive Director, starting April 2019. Previously, Jillian was CAA’s Outreach Manager overseeing the Communications, Adoptions, Foster, Rescue and Volunteer departments. Her work depended on coordination with our veterinary, intake and kennel teams. During her time away, she was Manager of the Steamboat Springs, CO public shelter, including all aspects of shelter operations. Prior to working in animal welfare, Jillian’s background included nonprofit program management.

Karen Walsh, CAWA, LVMT, CFE

Senior Director, Animal Relocation, ASPCA

Karen S. Walsh, CAWA, LVMT, CFE, is the Senior Director of Animal Relocation for the ASPCA and the former executive director of the McKamey Animal Center in Chattanooga, TN. She graduated from Blue Ridge in Virginia with a degree in veterinary technology and has achieved designations as a Certified Animal Welfare Administrator and a Certified Compassion Fatigue Educator. Karen has held leadership positions in both veterinary and animal welfare organizations and was appointed to serve on the Tennessee state Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners. 

Matt Witte

Vice President of Operations/COO,​ Wisconsin Humane Society

Matt Witte has been with Wisconsin Humane Society for 17 years, including as VP of Ops for the past 11 years. Previously he was in other Ops and HR roles.  

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