Pet Problems Are People Problems

November 4, 2025

1:45 pm - 2:45 pm |

The days of animal sheltering organizations operating in silos are behind us. This session will discuss not only the importance of partnering with human service organizations in your community, but also how to get started. Based on insights from recent collaborations between human services and animal welfare—through roundtables and surveys—we’ll explore how these powerful partnerships can strengthen your community by supporting both ends of the leash. 

Attendees will leave the session with knowledge on: 

  • A step-by-step overview on how to set up roundtables to partner with human service organizations in their community, including how to get started, who to invite, and lessons learned
  • Key takeaways from human service provider surveys and pet owner surveys 
  • A toolkit with a step-by-step guide on how to set up a roundtable with human services in your community, ecosystem mapping, and more

Speakers

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Elkie Wills
Director of Human Animal Support Services, Austin Pets Alive! HASS

Elkie Wills has been a dedicated leader in animal welfare since 2004, shaping impactful programs and initiatives to support pets and their families. From spearheading marketing, outreach, and education efforts at the Humane Society of Yuma to leading community engagement and reunification efforts at San Diego Humane Society, her work has strengthened countless communities. A longtime collaborator with HASS since its inception in 2020, she now serves as its director, driving innovative strategies to keep pets with the people who love them.

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Amanda Foster
Director of Programs, Austin Pets Alive! HASS

Amanda Foster is the Director of Programs for the Human Animal Support Services (HASS) project, where she leads research design and program implementation efforts to help answer some of the field’s most pressing questions. She began her career through AmeriCorps service at a Washington state shelter, and has since held various leadership roles in shelter operations and worked in animal shelter research.