Leading And Organizing Social Change For Companion Animals
This case study illustrates how an animal-focused grassroots coalition in Hillsborough County, Florida organized and led initiatives for change while at the same time garnering community support for the development and implementation of programs to address the problem of companion animal overpopulation.
Historically, government agencies and shelters have addressed the problem of companion animal overpopulation through euthanization. However, community efforts have demonstrated that the number of animals entering shelters may be lowered through creative strategies. This case study of Hillsborough County, Florida, demonstrates such an example, where the social change efforts encountered five types of challenges including performance metrics, coalitions and collaboration, integrating professional and volunteer animal protection organizations, the handling of stray cats, and community leadership.