Code Enforcement 2016 Annual Report

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2016 Annual Report— Department of Code Enforcement 24 SBACC Manager's Summary I took over as Shelter Manager Nov. 1411, 2016 after a fourteen year careerwith the South Bend Police Department. The moment I walked through the door, I realized this was where my heart truly is. The SBACC is one of the City's most dedicated and hardest working staff with whom I have ever had the pleasure of working. In 2016,SBACC was successful in lowering its euthanasia numbers once more as we �. continued our efforts to one day achieve a "no kill" status. For the first time, SBACC participated as a stop in the famous Urban Adventure Games. The staff really enjoyed being a part of it and it was great exposure for the shelter as many of the residents °• didn't even know where we were located. Staff participated in de-escalation training in 2016 to help enhance their abilities to manage angry residents. Staff also received updated equipment this year to help ensure job safety and increase job efficiency. Also in 2016,the shelter added its own photography studio in order take great pictures that capture the personalities of our animals to help them get adopted. We also increased our social media presence to help educate, inform, and let the community know about our wonderful adoptable animals. To that end,we started a "Shelter Selfie of the Day"that shows various staff and volunteers taking selfies with the animals. Looking forward to 2017,we have many great goals to work toward. We are increasing our community outreach efforts with programs like SBACC H.E.A.L. (Heart, Education,Achievement, and Leadership). Project H.E.A.L. will work with at- risk youth and shelter dogs. Teenagers will be taught humane education,compassion and empathy while in turn training our shelter dogs in basic manners. This not only educates and helps the kids, it is great enrichment for the dogs and will increase their chances of being adopted. In early 2017, SBACC began offering low-cost classes for dog owners called "Good Dog Tech: Proactive Solution for Problem Pups". These classes help people address behavioral issues they are having with their pups. Our intended audience is members of the community who desperately want to keep their canine companion, but cannot afford to hire a trainer or take them to training classes. Since one of our goals is to help keep our adopted pups in their new homes, we offer one free class to anyone who adopts one of our dogs! Another 2017 goal for SBACC, is to work with Military Veterans by introducing a program called Project V.A.L.O.R. (Veterans Aspiring to Lead Our Rescues). This program will allow us to work with veterans suffering from PTSD. Veterans will work with our shelter dogs in a setting that allows them to socialize with one another, learn coping skills and provide enrichment to our shelter animals. 1300 County-City Building, 227 W. Jefferson Blvd., South Bend, IN 46601 Rev.M13.10.17