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more nebulous to really look at your population and say, ‘How can we ensure that these animals aren’t being stressed? How can we maximize the space to make sure that they can stretch out completely from the tips of their front toes to the tip of their tail? What do we need to do to ensure that the environment is conducive to them being able to express normal behaviors?’” The introductory workshop will discuss the meaning of each freedom, along with practical steps for measuring stress and improving animals’ lives. Expo-goers are welcome to attend any combination of the Five Freedoms workshops—choose the ones that really interest you, or check out all seven! Here’s a peek at what you can expect from the workshops devoted to each freedom—the track concludes with Give ’em a ride: Best practices for transporting companion animals (Friday, May 12, 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m., see page 27 for details). FREEDOM FROM HUNGER AND THIRST: MANAGING STARVATION CASES Wednesday, May 10, 1:30 p.m.–3:00 p.m. Far too often, animal welfare workers encounter emaciated animals, and even veterans of the field can find themselves shocked and horrified by the sight of a horse with protruding ribs or a dog too weak to stand. “Starvation is one of the worst types of cruelty out there because it is so painful,” says Janette Reever, a manager for the HSUS Animal Cruelty, Rescue and Response Team. “It’s heartbreaking because of how much pain these animals go through.” The animal welfare professional’s role in starvation cases, Reever says, is to keep a cool head, document the scene and gather the necessary facts. “You can’t let your emotions run away with you,” she cautions, “and sometimes there are credible reasons why the animal looks that way.” While some starvation cases involve intentional cruelty, others are the result of owner ignorance, like not knowing that horses need to be dewormed, Reever notes, adding that in any case, the situation needs to be addressed immediately and appropriately. And while your initial response in starvation cases may be to give the animals all the food they want, that’s not the best course, and it’s important to get them on a regimented plan overseen by a veterinarian. Reever will lead an interactive workshop on responding to starvation cases, covering such basics as the difference between livestock starvation and cat and dog starvation; the importance of photographs and other documentation; protocols for assessing an animal’s body condition; and effective follow-up steps. Anyone who performs cruelty investigations or rescues will find the workshop useful, Reever says, and she plans to get attendees talking about their experiences in the field. “There’s just nothing better than to save an animal or to help an owner,” Reever says, “so that the animal can have a better life.” Starvation cases require specific protocols for both nursing the animal back to health and documenting evidence. FREEDOM FROM DISCOMFORT: DOES A HOME ALWAYS HAVE TO BE A HOUSE? Wednesday, May 10, 3:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m. Does the sight of a cat or dog living outside immediately trigger your rescue instincts? It’s understandable: You want every animal to have what your own pets enjoy—a comfortable home within the safety of four walls. A free-roaming animal subject to the dangers of the outdoors doesn’t meet your standards. But is your vision of the ideal home blinding you to the reality that many animals enjoy an outside life? Darci Adams, HSUS state director for South Dakota, has spent nearly seven years coordinating veterinary clinics at large Native American reservations where free-roaming dogs and cats are the norm. She’s met dogs like Suzy, a “rez dog” who is looked after by two families and sleeps in a pile of straw beneath a porch when it’s cold. Suzy spends her days visiting neighbors, running with her pack of canine friends and greeting kids as they return home from school. “She’s really happy,” says Adams. “It might not be a long life, but if I die, I would come back as a rez dog.” When she worked at an animal shelter 10 years ago, Adams took pride in the strict standards the shelter had for evaluating potential homes. But encounters with happy, healthy rez dogs and local ranch dogs gave her a new perspective. She started asking herself questions like: Is removing an animal who’s lived his life outside and trying to force him to cuddle with us at night truly in his best interests? How can rescuers balance quantity versus quality of life, and does the prospect of a longer life compensate for the fear and distress some animals feel when “trapped” inside a home? #animalcareexpo �� 15 OPPOSITE PAGE: CHARLESTON ANIMAL SOCIETY. THIS PAGE: KATHY MILANI / THE HSUS


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