Disaster Fundraising and Communications with Pasadena Humane

Disaster Fundraising and Communications with Pasadena Humane

Author: The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement September 3, 2026 Duration: 56:19

In January 2025, the Eaton Fire burned for 24 daysin Pasadena Humane's service area. Evacuations and warnings affected more than 100,000 residents and 20,000 structures, over 9,400 structures were destroyed and Pasadena Humane assisted more than 3,000 animals during the response.

 Katherine is joined by three Pasadena Humane leaderswho guided this work and later co-presented their lessons at Animal Care Expo: Jamie Holeman, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer; Kevin McManus, PR & Communications Director; and Alyssa Staniland, PhilanthropyCommunications Manager.

They'll discuss the first hours of the crisis, internal alignment, storytelling, fundraising, overwhelming public attention, and what it takes to keep supporters engaged after the cameras leave.


Download the toolkit they mention here: https://bit.ly/phdisasterkit


Ever wonder what really happens behind the doors of an animal shelter or rescue? the Intake pulls up a chair to those conversations, offering a genuine look at the world of animal welfare. Created by The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement, this podcast moves beyond simple stories to explore the real challenges, heartwarming successes, and complex decisions faced by professionals and volunteers every day. You'll hear from the people on the front lines-from shelter directors and veterinarians to foster families and humane educators-as they discuss practical strategies, compassionate care, and the evolving philosophy of protecting animals. While the subject matter is rooted in animal welfare, the discussions naturally resonate with anyone who shares their home with a pet or is thinking of adding a furry member to their family. It’s a resource that feels like a thoughtful conversation with experts who understand that caring for animals involves the whole community, including kids and adults alike. Tune in for an honest and insightful audio experience that deepens your understanding of the dedicated work that ensures animals find safety, health, and love. Each episode of this podcast connects the dots between daily care and the broader mission of creating a more humane world for all creatures.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

the Intake
Podcast Episodes
Adoption Trends Uncovered: Insights from the 2025 Report [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:09
Are shelter adoptions changing — and what does that mean for pets, people, and the future of animal welfare?In this episode, we dive into the 2025 State of Shelter Adoptions Report, one of the most comprehensive snapshot…
Pet Insurance & Peace of Mind: A Shelter’s Secret Advantage [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:04
Pet insurance might not be the flashiest topic—but what if we told you it could be the secret ingredient to boosting adoptions, supporting your staff, and building long-term trust with pet parents?In this episode of The…
Alleviating the Licensing Burden & Getting More Pets Home [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:27
If you’re an animal welfare professional looking to reduce intake, increase RTO, and provide faster solutions for lost pets and worried families, this episode is for you. Katherine Shenar hosts Front Street Animal Shelte…
The Kitten Lady & Orphan Kitten Club Pt. 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:51
This episode kicks off Part 1 of a 2-part interview with Hannah Shaw, widely known as The Kitten Lady, and Jackie Noble, the newly appointed executive director of Orphan Kitten Club, to explore the unique challenges and…
The Kitten Lady & Orphan Kitten Club Pt. 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:46
In this episode, we sit down with Hannah Shaw, a/k/a The Kitten Lady, an advocate for cat welfare, especially neonate kittens, and Jackie Noble, executive director for the Orphan Kitten Club, Shaw’s nonprofit she created…
Not-So-Secret Strategies of 4-Star Foster Programs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:58
Hill’s Pet Nutrition just released their 2024 State of Shelter Adoption Report, with data suggesting there could be gains in exploring our messaging to potential volunteers around foster opportunities. The Association’s…
Grow Your Foster Program, Texas-Style [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:29
Hill’s Pet Nutrition just released their 2024 State of Shelter Adoption Report, and you may be surprised to learn that 1 in 3 people would be more likely to adopt if foster-to-adopt were an option at their shelter, or th…
RTO Reality Check: Stop Judging & Start Strategizing Around Lost Pets [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:09
It's true that intake numbers are still below pre-pandemic 2019, yet animal shelters are over capacity. And the numbers show that interest in adoptions is waning. There is a potential solution... But why aren’t more orga…
Temperature Check: New Tool Reduces Stress for Pets at the Vet [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:08
Taking a dog’s or cat’s temperature with a traditional rectal thermometer in a clinical or shelter setting… Wish it could be both more efficient and less stressful for the animal? Well, it CAN. Find out how in this conve…