Jen Woodard-Reynolds adds her knowledge of animal welfare to the staff at Stray Haven Humane Society as its new executive director, a position she has filled for the last three months. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her career started in the Los Angeles area working for the Best Friends Animal Society. She served as director of animal control of Kern County, and eventually vice president of training programs for Caesar Millan, better known the Dog Whisperer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Though her work, she has seen animal welfare evolve over time. Mainly the change has been online. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI think the beauty of animal welfare right now is really the Internet. And with social media, it\u2019s really kind of united everybody,\u201d Woodard-Reynolds said. \u201cI started before social media was a tool, and when it came about, it really connected rescues and transport programs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Woodard-Reynolds was involved in one of the first animal transport programs sending Chihuahuas from Southern California, where they are in abundance, to New York. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now, Woodard-Reynolds finds herself in New York at Stray Haven where she works to connect the community and animals alike. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe are helping those who cannot keep their animals,\u201d she said. \u201cWe\u2019re helping the animals that are lost in our community, and we are providing a safe haven for them and bettering them as they transition through us to their next home.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Under her and the Board of Directors\u2019 leadership, Stray Haven will be continuing its vaccination and spay and neuter clinics, which will remain at low cost to the public. Woodard-Reynolds also wishes to provide more training and educational opportunities, whether it is to the public or to youth in schools. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe want people to understand what it means to be a responsible pet owner,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
One goal Woodard-Reynolds holds high is increasing Stray Haven\u2019s number of animal fosters in order to give the animals a better chance of getting adopted, as well as getting them out of the shelter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis is a stressful environment in every way,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s loud. It\u2019s chaotic. If you think about it, a lot of these animals come from a home with one or two other people, and now they\u2019re here with 30 other dogs and 60 cats and 15 staff members living in a kennel – and that\u2019s just not normal.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Volunteers can fill out a foster application online or in person to get a chance to be an extension of the shelter but with perks for the dogs and cats as well as kittens and puppies. With an animal getting the same level of care, but living in a home its stress level decreases dramatically, leading to a healthier life for the animal in its transition time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf we didn\u2019t have a foster, some of them wouldn\u2019t have made it\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kennel and cattery staff, who are balancing so many dogs and cats who may have individual needs, spend most of their day cleaning and giving the animals the attention they deserve. But with so many, this can be a challenge. Woodard-Reynolds told the story of Holly Jo, a bull terrier that was so stressed in the kennels that she developed medical issues. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A foster was found for Holly Jo, Woodard-Reynolds said, and the dog relaxed immediately. She was a whole new dog, once she got out of the shelter environment. The foster eventually ended up adopting Holly Jo. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stray Haven is there to support the foster through the whole process. If needed they will supply the necessities \u2014 litter, cat condos, medication, food \u2014 at no cost to the foster. Many of the kittens and puppies that are fostered may have medical issues, which the shelter then sets the foster up with contacts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the most important services that fosters\u2019 give is their connections. Woodard-Reynolds hopes that fosters are involved in adoptions, whether that be finding its forever home, or as simple as walking a dog with a bandana saying, \u201cAdopt Me.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n