by Roxanne Hicks | May 25, 2026 | Adoption, Community Engagement, Public Education, Rescue Resources
8 Fixes That Actually Work A volunteer at a small dog rescue messaged me recently. She said her team is snippy, the owners are burnt out from repeating themselves, grant applications keep slipping through the cracks, and nobody can figure out why everything feels like... 
by Roxanne Hicks | May 14, 2026 | Community Engagement, Public Education, Shelter Management, Shelter Reform, Uncategorized
In animal sheltering, many phrases sound good until they hit the front counter. “Managed intake” is one of them. On paper, managed intake sounds thoughtful, humane, and organized. It suggests planning, capacity awareness, and better outcomes. And in some cases,... 
by Roxanne Hicks | Jun 14, 2025 | Advocacy, Community Engagement, Public Education
If you’ve worked in a shelter or rescue for more than five minutes, you’ve already felt the weight of breed restrictions.You know the drill: a family falls in love with a dog, they’re ready to adopt, and then the final gut punch. Their landlord says no to pit bulls.... 
by Roxanne Hicks | Mar 11, 2025 | Advocacy, Community Engagement, Public Education
Public perception and community engagement are not just public relations efforts—they are critical components of a successful shelter. A shelter cannot operate in isolation; its effectiveness depends on how well it connects with the people it serves. When the... 
by Roxanne Hicks | Feb 22, 2025 | Advocacy, Animal Control, Community Engagement, Public Education, Rescue Resources, Shelter Management, Shelter Reform
Animal shelters should be places of hope—where every pet has a real chance at finding a home, and every community is supported in responsible pet ownership. Yet, too often, shelters and rescues are burdened by outdated systems, limited resources, and public...