We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Lisa Schuette. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Lisa below.
Hi Lisa, thanks for joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
I founded the nonprofit Carson Animal Services Initiative (CASI) in 2012 in response to Carson City needing a new animal shelter. The old shelter was built in the early sixties and since that time Carson City had grown to a point that the building, for a variety or reasons, could no longer safely meet the needs of the animals or the community. Unfortunately, due to budget constraints and competing priorities, plans to replace the old shelter kept getting pushed back. CASI was established to raise both awareness and funds to help see this project through.
I am thrilled to say that our community really rallied behind the project. The Carson City Board of Supervisors had been discussing a 1/4 cent tax sales tax for city corridor improvements and the building a multipurpose athletic center, and CASI’s efforts inspired the inclusion of a new animal shelter within the scope of the project. Fast forward to October 2016, we celebrated the opening of the new shelter. In the following months, CASI designed, fenced, and equipped a dog play area, and purchased a custom built animal control vehicle that we donated to the city.
Meeting our initial objective, CASI now focuses on increasing access to spay/neuter for pets of low-income households and assisting with veterinary costs for people who otherwise can’t afford emergency care for their pets. This new focus not only reduces animal suffering but has a direct impact in reducing the numbers of animals surrendered to local shelters.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I had been serving on an animal advisory committee to help the old shelter come into compliance with best practices for animal sheltering following a series of unfortunate events. The team and staff were able to make progress but were limited by the constraints of a very old building, and as such the committee disbanded several months later as needed mitigations were beyond what could or should be spent on a building that was far beyond repair. While I understood not investing in an old building, I didn’t understand stepping away from the problem. The next day I met with the committee chair and the Deputy City Manager, and I told them I was going to start a nonprofit with the mission to help Carson City build a new animal shelter to replace the old one.
I’ve been amazed and encouraged by this journey. I had no idea how to start a nonprofit, only a determination to make the building of a new animal shelter possible. I’m grateful for the people who helped with the 501(c)3 application and the creation of by-laws, as well as our wonderful members and supporters. Together we built strong community support for a capital project and we gained the attention of city supervisors who appreciated our willingness to be a part of the solution. Since the start, CASI volunteers have been out in the community, raising awareness about the importance of spay/neuter, the availability of wonderful pets to adopt, and inviting people to participate in helping to reduce animal suffering.
An important takeaway is the reminder that a good idea backed by a committed group of people really can make a positive difference for a community. CASI’s origional mission was to help the city build and equip a new animal shelter. Having met our original objective, CASI now focuses on spay/neuter outreach, to date helping over 1500 pets from low-income households have access to spay/neuter surgery through our Critter Fixer program. Working with local veterinarians, our efforts are directly reducing the numbers of homeless pets and animals surrendered to shelters not only in Carson City but surrounding counties. Additionally, we team with Pets of the Homeless for their wellness clinic, providing spay/neuter vouchers, as well as work with both Shakespeare Animal Fund and Options Veterinary Clinic to provide financial assistance to help with emergency vet bills. CASI also assists during emergencies, volunteering at the Fuji Park animal evacuation sites during the Caldor and Davis fires.
Financial outreach takes fund raising. Our events include CASI Bark Whine & Dine, Pooch Plunge dog swim, Pictures with Santa, etc… We are incredibly grateful for the commuity support we receive from businesses, the city, and individuals alike.
Have you ever had to pivot?
Reflecting on this question, I realize that my career choices have all resulted from pivots. I’m a big picture thinker, so my pivots were really about doing the job better, even if that meant taking on a different role.
I began my formal career as a deputy, assigned first to the jail and then to patrol. I enjoyed the job and felt that I made a positive contribution. My husband and I met as deputies and as the relationship grew it became apparant that if we ever wanted days off or shifts to overlap in any way one of us would need to do something else. When there was an opening at Juvenile Probation I applied, was hired and loved the job. As a probation officer I worked with kids who didn’t have the skills/ability/support/desire (obviously the situation varied with each) to follow basic rules and once on probation they had 4-5 pages of requirements. While I understand and appreciate the process, for me it made more sense to reach kids earlier and help them understand how their decisions influence their opportunites. Ten years working with kids in the justice system led me to want to reach them sooner, thus my decision to go back to school to become a teacher.
Teaching middle school health was amazing. I frequently drew from my experiences in law enforcement, especially when discussing the impacts of drug and alcohol use, but even more generally when discussing growing up and the desire to make one’s own decisions. Basically we were connecting the dots…what do you want, how can you get there, and what kinds of things can jam you up. I’m proud to report that in 2013 I was named Carson City School District’s Teacher of the Year.
When I was younger, I never considered law enforcement or education as possible career choices. I’m grateful I was open to pivoting toward opportunity, and continue to be. When CASI met its objective of helping Carson City to build and equip the new animal shelter, we as a group pivoted to assisting pets from low income households have access to spay/neuter and emergency medical care. As opportunities arise we embrace them.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
When I started CASI I spoke at several public forums regarding the mission, the need for the new shelter, and the cost. There was a small but vocal group that really pushed back against the idea of an animal shelter costing four million dollars, citing “we don’t need a Taj Mahal” and asking why we would spend so much money on a building designed to house stray animals. Note: animal shelters are expensive; as with veterinary hospitals, it’s critical that considerations be made to mitigate risk of disease spread, manage temperature, air quality, noise, etc.
Instead of defending the cost, I leaned into the comments and agreed that we don’t need a Taj Mahal, but I followed with a series of questions to those in attendance as to the whys behind the project: Why have a city animal shelter? Is there a benefit to people who don’t like animals? Are there people who don’t visit the shelter because it’s too sad? How many don’t go to the shelter because you would come home with all the animals? How many avoid the shelter because it’s depressing, too loud, stinks, etc? Bringing it back to the initial discussion, animal shelters are needed. However, if people stay away, animals don’t get adopted, services can’t be provided, and costs actually increase. Animal shelters that are built to be inviting bring people in, and as such, they are a community asset. Animal services provide opportunities to enhance public safety, they help lost animals safely get back home, and even help meet the needs of people who don’t care for animals by reducing the numbers of stray dogs running at large. A well designed shelter and animal services department is a win-win. I’m happy to report that following the discussion, several of the people who had been pushing back the loudest became supporters.
My experience with CASI inspired me to run for public office, and I have, since then, faced similar situations in my role as a city supervisor. I approach the decisions that have competing interests in much the same way. We as a community are all in this together. Finding common ground, and working toward positive outcomes is, in my mind, what it’s all about.
Contact Info:
- Facebook: friendsofcasi
- Other: Our website is currently being updated so it is a work in progress. It should be more presentable in a few weeks.
friendsofcasi.orgOur email is [email protected]
Critter Fixer 775-400-7379
CASI meets the 3rd Thursday of every month. For more information, please call Lisa at 775-671-2413.
