by Roxanne Hicks | Jul 28, 2026 | Adoption, Shelter Management, Shelter Reform
You did the counseling. You matched the dog. You high-fived the team when the adopter walked out the door with a leash in one hand and a folder of paperwork in the other. Then the dog disappears. Not literally, usually. But from your shelter’s perspective, that... 
by Roxanne Hicks | Jul 6, 2026 | Advocacy, Public Education, Shelter Reform
Everyone keeps sharing the good news. Save rates are up. More shelters are going no-kill. The national numbers are moving in the right direction. And if you work inside a shelter right now, you are probably reading those headlines and feeling like you are losing your... 
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 | Feb 18, 2026 | Advocacy, Public Education, Shelter Reform
We need to talk about the word “damaged.” It’s used in shelter work as if it were a diagnosis. “She’s in a shelter, so something must be wrong with her.”“He’s been returned twice. Probably damaged.”“I don’t want a broken dog.” Let’s correct that narrative.... 
by Roxanne Hicks | Feb 8, 2026 | Advocacy, Public Education, Shelter Management, Shelter Reform
Transparency is one of those words that gets thrown around a lot in animal welfare. Everyone agrees it’s important. Everyone says they value it. And yet, many shelters actively avoid it. Not because they’re hiding something evil.Not because they don’t care. But... 
by Roxanne Hicks | May 25, 2025 | Compassion, Rescue Resources, Shelter Management, Shelter Reform
How to Improve Daily Operations and Reduce Chaos If your shelter days sometimes feel like a blur of emergencies, never-ending to-do lists, and constant problem-solving, you are not alone. Shelter work is intense. It is emotionally charged, fast-paced, and often...