The project aims to connect participating animal welfare organizations with human welfare organizations to address the common social service needs in their communities, together
(AUSTIN, TX) February 6, 2025–Human Animal Support Services (HASS), an international project bridging the gap between human and animal welfare, officially launched the Human Commonalities Project (HCP). Knowing that 98% of pet owners agree that pets are family, this project’s goal is to identify the commonalities between people interacting with the animal shelter through owner surrender as well as lost pet reclaim. In identifying these factors, HASS has partnered with three participating pilot shelters, Columbia Animal Services, Hays County Animal Resource Center, and Kent County Animal Shelter, to initiate solutions developed in collaboration with their local human welfare organizations to address these needs.
“The core of HASS is connection,” said Elkie Wills, Director of Human Animal Support Services. We’re thrilled to work alongside these animal welfare organizations who believe the future of support for pets and people is at the intersection of human and animal welfare. The team at HASS is eager to aid in creating the collaborative and strategic solutions that stem from this project.”
In recognition of the desperate need for change in how we support our communities and the power of progressive partnerships, HASS seeks to aid in bridging the gap between these animal welfare organizations and the local human welfare organizations in their communities. The strategy is rooted in a three-phase approach:
- Research and Evaluation: Conduct qualitative and quantitative research to understand how human and animal services intersect in the participating community by surveying the local human welfare organizations’ role in their community and how they specifically engage with people and pets. In addition, this data will be reviewed in comparison to local and national trends to identify the core and often systemic factors in leading to these pets entering the shelter. HASS will work with all involved to develop a response strategy accordingly that provides holistic solutions for people and pets.
- Power in Partnerships: Initiate and/or strengthen connections between animal and human services within a participating community to support an integrated experience for individuals and their pets. Explore opportunities for human services to incorporate pet support into their frameworks to address the needs of families and eliminate unnecessary intake of animals when the best option for care is outside the shelter doors.
- Initiate Impact, Practically: Inform industry stakeholders, funders, and partners about the project progress, impact, and opportunities for involvement. Identify funding sources, and solution-oriented programming to support collaborative initiatives to keep solutions sustainable with room for growth.
With phase one of the project slated to be completed this Spring, HCP will provide a pathway toward creating a united social service approach in these communities. Having these real-world examples of successful think-tank-driven roundtables will then enable other communities to replicate the approach as well.
In the additional phases of HCP, HASS will utilize the findings and lessons learned from the project to develop resources that arm other communities to replicate the project successfully and generate further progress toward a united welfare approach.
To stay informed on HCP’s progress, visit humananimalsupportservies.org.
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About Human Animal Support Services (HASS):
The Human Animal Support Services (HASS) project is a movement seeking to revolutionize the animal welfare industry by leading with and embracing a community support model. By providing both private and municipal animal shelters with equitable access to data-driven resources, education, and implementation tools, HASS aims to create pathways toward unified support systems for pets and their people in every community. HASS encompasses a network of more than 1,500 animal and human welfare professionals. A project facilitated by Austin Pets Alive! (APA!), HASS’s 41 pilot shelters and 300+ partner organizations have joined the movement by committing to implement the HASS model. To learn more, visit www.humananimalsupportservices.org.
