Trailblazers in Animal Welfare: Highlights From HumanePro Animal Care Expo
Last week, nearly a dozen Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County staff members attended HumanePro’s Animal Care Expo, hosted by The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). This annual multi-day event offered many educational workshops, learning labs, and networking opportunities for animal welfare professionals. Attendance was made possible thanks in part to grant funding from the HSUS and ASPCA Northern Tier Shelter Initiative.
In line with our Three-Year Strategic Plan, we’re committed to offering professional development opportunities for our team. The expo provided invaluable opportunities for our team to discover innovative approaches and establish connections to enhance our collective work on a global scale.
This experience broadened our knowledge to bring forth fresh ideas to our community, helping us continue to make a positive impact on the lives of both pets and the people who love them.
DEI Trailblazers – Cultivating Diverse Emerging Leaders
When our shelter drafted our Three-Year Strategic Plan, we made a commitment to embedding a DEI framework throughout our practices, policies, and human relations. Miguel Sheets, the shelter’s director of information technology, and Julia Bonsell, the shelter’s volunteer manager, advanced these efforts by forming a DEI committee focused on increasing inclusivity, providing a welcoming environment for all staff, volunteers, and community members, and keeping pets with people and animals in their communities when possible.
One of the DEI committee’s first achievements was its participation in Maddie’s Fund’s Open Arms Challenge, successfully deploying a grassroots marketing campaign that connected underserved communities with our shelter’s pet support services.
Recognizing Miguel and Julia’s efforts, the Humane Society of the United States honored them with the DEI Trailblazer Award during Animal Care Expo. The DEI Trailblazer Award recipients are animal welfare professionals who represent, work alongside, and serve historically marginalized and underserved communities to provide equitable access to animal care support services.
Empowering Our Community
Attending HumanePro’s Animal Care Expo was transformative for our team at the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County. It strengthened our commitment to professional growth, innovation, and DEI principles. Miguel and Julia’s DEI Trailblazer Awards highlight our efforts to support underserved communities. Armed with new knowledge and connections, we’re better prepared to positively impact the lives of pets and their owners in our community.
Explore how our Three-Year Strategic Plan serves as our compass to become a leading animal welfare organization through inclusive well-being by supporting our people, fostering impactful relationships with our community, and transforming our shelter through best practices.
