This is the second installment of a two-part webinar series on data-driven decision making for animal welfare organizations. The first course provided guidance on which data to track, the importance of organized and clean data input, some of the softwares used, and how data can be used in managing animal welfare organizations. This one unpacks data analysis and how it can provide guidance in managing and operating an animal shelter.

This webinar’s instructor is Dr. Josh Fisher, the Animal Services Director for the City of Charlotte/Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. He has an educational background in population management/medicine, public health, veterinary sciences, informatics, and healthcare administration and have been working in the veterinary medical/animal welfare field for over 15 years holding management roles.

Specifics he discussed in this course are:

• The different types of analysis, how these are done, what it can provide, how it is used, and how its results can be leveraged in animal welfare organizations.
• Case studies and live demonstrations were provided to show how to…
  • Select and pull data from a software to be analyzed.
  • Process the data and use Excel to come up with analyses and summaries.
  • Using the analysis results to answer questions and provide insights that organizations need to manage operations better.
• Stressing the garbage-in-garbage-out concept that requires data captured is consistent, complete, and correct.
• A glimpse into the CMPD’s Chameleon system’s features and capabilities.
• Options for shelter softwares in terms of generating the reports, analysis, and summaries.

Points Josh clarified during the Q&A were about:

• The difference between predictive and causal analysis in terms of how the analysis is conducted, what it is trying to establish, and how each are used in the animal welfare setting.
• The process of correlation typically used in causal analysis.
• Built-in and automated reporting functions in shelter softwares.
• How data analysis can help smaller agencies focus on their priorities.
• What it entails to learn and employ data analysis and data-driven decision making.
• The common periodic reports CMPD generates which helps with strategic priorities and decision making.
• Using reports for marketing, community engagement, and social media efforts.

Other Webinars in this Series

• Aug 17: Part 1 -Data-Driven Decision Making for Animal Welfare Organizations
• Sept 21: Part 2 -Data-Driven Decision Making for Animal Welfare Organizations (this webinar)

Or click here to view and register for other upcoming NACA  webinars on the JCH Platform.

Audience Comments

• “Data is everything!! I liked the breakdown of the different types.” — Elisabeth
• “Loved the practical applications segment, as it outlines how we would apply these types of data pulls to research methods within our own rescue. …Thank you so much!” — Mary
• “Thinking about the different ways to analyze data.” — Matthew

View our Animal Welfare Webinar  Schedule and Recordings

This webinar has been certified by the National Animal Care & Control Association and is approved for 1 Continuing Education Unit. Please refer to your NACA membership portal for current CEU submission process. Current NACA Members who attend the live presentation or watch the recording will be able to download a jointly issued attendance certificate that includes the National Animal Care & Control Association logo. Visit the NACA training page for a complete list of future trainings.