Our focus for the last few years has been the number of animals killed annually at Memphis Animal Shelter.  And, although euthanasias have been reduced dramatically, more needs to be done. Studies show that education is the single most effective tool we can use to prevent animals from dying in shelters.  Most people get animals because they want them, however, far too many owners do not understand their pets’ normal behaviors or needs.  When problems occur, if owners cannot find help, animals are abandoned, dumped or surrendered.  RAOT offers a variety of programs and services to help owners with pet problems and enhance the human/animal bond. 

Volunteers staff an education booth at an event at left.  Literature on virtually every aspect of responsible animal ownership is being distributed.  A pet behavior counselor and trainer is usually available to assist with pet behavior problems, including common problems, like barking, jumping and housebreaking. 

Another program, our Kidz'n'Dogs Safety Program, teaches children how to be safe around dogs.  The program is a huge hit with children in area libraries.  Lynn Dunlap and her dog, Styler, review the proper procedure for meeting and greeting a dog in the picture at right. 

RAOT, whenever possible, helps owners who need assistance, due to circumstances (medical, financial, or otherwise) beyond their control, to keep or place pets. Our philosophy is that it is better for all concerned if an animal can stay with its owner! 

For example, we were contacted by a senior facility with an elderly tenant who has a pet but only gets $122 a month in retirement. They had let the woman move in, to get her off the streets, on her promise to pay $5 a month toward a pet deposit.  She was facing eviction but, rather than give up her dog, she would move out and live on the streets in the dead of winter!   RAOT raised the deposit, plus a little extra for some food, treats and a toy.  There was not a dry eye in the house when the deposit and food were delivered.  In this picture, the woman radiates joy for the acts of charity that allowed her to keep her dog.

We are fostering two dogs now for a couple who got off-track and became unable to provide for their child or their pets.  The couple is getting their lives together and plan to get their pets back soon after.

RAOT supports any and all legal and humane owner/pet related activities.  Such activities have been shown to enhance the human/animal bond and reduce the probability that owners will relinquish their pets to shelters.

RAOT offers telephone counseling when owners have problems.  We offer obedience classes.  We have a reference library of books and videos available for those interested. 

In the picture to the right, volunteers greet the shelter truck when it delivers animals to an off-site adoption day hosted by RAOT.  Every adoption days that RAOT has hosted for Memphis Animal Shelter has a 100% success rate!  To-date,, no dog has found a home and none have had to go back to the shelter!

Our "Homeward Bound" program assists other groups and individuals, who live outside the area, who have learned about an animal on the Internet and want to adopt it from the shelter to do so.

We hope you will join us in our efforts to address the needs of owners and animals.

Donna Malone
President