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What does it take to build an animal shelter that can serve its community for the long haul? For Jess Townsend, it starts with understanding the bigger picture, supporting your people, and recognizing that animal welfare is a marathon, not a sprint.
In this episode of Top Dog Podcast, Jess Townsend, Executive Director of Midcoast Humane, shares her 20-year journey in animal welfare and the unique challenges of serving 39 towns across Midcoast Maine. From rural resource shortages and veterinary access to rising owner surrenders, Jess discusses how shelters can respond to changing community needs while building sustainable organizations.
In this conversation, we discuss:
✔ Jess’s journey from pharmaceutical marketing research to animal welfare ✔ Building Midcoast Humane across 39 Maine communities ✔ The unique challenges of serving rural communities ✔ How housing and job insecurity can affect pets and their families ✔ Rising owner surrenders and declining stray populations ✔ The impact of veterinary shortages and reduced spay/neuter access ✔ Why funding is critical to addressing animal welfare challenges ✔ Why animal welfare is a marathon, not a sprint ✔ Avoiding burnout by learning to pace yourself ✔ Creating a workplace culture where people can acknowledge difficult moments ✔ Emotional regulation and the impact of secondhand trauma ✔ Why leaders need to focus on successes as well as challenges ✔ Building community-centered animal shelters ✔ Jess’s vision for leaving her community better than she found it
Jess offers a thoughtful perspective on the realities of modern sheltering, reminding us that sustainability isn't just about the animals. It's also about creating organizations where people can thrive, communities can find support, and shelters can continue doing their best work for years to come.
Learn more about tools supporting animal welfare organizations: https://doobert.com/
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