Becky Robinson, president and founder of Alley Cat Allies, earlier this year named Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals president Jane Hoffman to her Feline Forward Task Force. The task force is composed of leaders in animal protection whose experience and breadth of knowledge in navigating challenging situations qualify them to help animal organizations either remain on or get back on track during these extraordinary times.
“No one wrote the playbook for our field to survive a year like this,” explains Becky. “We’ve all prepared for disasters, but nothing as comprehensive and sustained as the COVID-19 crisis.”
Most organizations whose mission is to save animals are adapting to shrunken operating budgets, extended closures to the public, furloughed employees and volunteers, and postponed fundraising events. An uncertain future looms large, causing great anxiety and concern.
It is with those organizations in mind that Becky created the Feline Forward Task Force. “We want to help our colleagues across the country adapt to new realities and reimagine ways to serve their communities and save the lives of animals,” Becky says.
The task force provides organizations with access to solid experience and proven new strategies for thriving in this difficult environment. “We are all being forced to find new protocols and new tools, some of which will take us into the future,” says Becky.
Specifically, the task force can help organizations large and small address new challenges in a wide range of activities, including spay/neuter programs, adoptions and foster placements, budgeting, fundraising, events, social media, and numerous others.
Jane’s extensive background in animal protection spans more than three decades and includes the creation of the Alliance and its innovative, lifesaving programs, including the NYC Feral Cat Initiative.
“I am honored to be a part of the Feline Forward Task Force and join this impressive team of extremely talented, creative, and accomplished leaders in our field,” says Jane. “Once again Becky has demonstrated a keen understanding of the most pressing needs of the moment by creating this task force. I look forward to collaborating with my fellow task force members to seek solid solutions to the new challenges presented by the COVID-19 crisis.”
To learn more about the Feline Forward Task Force, its members, and how it is helping animal protection organizations, visit the Alley Cat Allies website.