No More Homeless Pets
Conference

April, 2004

Building bridges between diverse animal groups was a hot topic. Richard Avanzino (photo right with Faith Maloney) of Maddie's Fund spoke of the importance of coalition building as did Dennis Stearns of No More Homeless Pets in the Triad (North Carolina). Dennis has established a reputation for including various aspects of his community in animal work from local government agencies to the local symphony orchestra.

Best Friends and No More Homeless Pets staff also shared many of the programs we have introduced in Utah and around the country, telling people what works and what doesn't. Why reinvent the wheel?

The overall response from conference attendees was of hope and inspiration. People were scribbling down ideas as fast as the speakers could utter them. Eating lunch at State tables brought people together who barely knew each other existed. Between sessions or after hours I saw many groups of people engrossed in conversations and planning sessions around the courtyard tables. Ideas and plans were forming to go back home with renewed vigor, and high energy to make this a better world for the animals.

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