Quality refers to the degree of excellence in our practices and expectations.

Importance:

• Animal Well-Being: By prioritizing the quality of care that our residents receive, we ensure their mental, physical and emotional well-being while we are looking after them.
• Adopter Satisfaction: High quality leads to increased customer satisfaction, loyalty, and positive word-of-mouth, leading to even more animals finding homes.
• Community Support: Maintaining high levels of quality encourages the community to support and provide necessary financial support for our mission.
• Reputation: A commitment to quality builds a strong reputation, which can open the doors to more opportunities to help animals in need.

Example: A cat team member notices a broken climbing structure in a kitten room and either fixes it themselves or alerts the maintenance team that repairs are needed.

High standards refer to a commitment to excellence and the expectation that work will be completed to the best possible level. This involves setting ambitious goals and striving for the highest level of performance. At PBHSN, we strive to set the standard for animal care in the industry.

Importance:

• Animal Well-Being: By prioritizing our high standards, we not only provide the best possible environment while they are in our care, but we set them up for their best chance at finding their forever home.
• Continuous Improvement: Maintaining high standards encourages a culture of continuous improvement, where employees are motivated to innovate and enhance their skills.
• Consistency: High standards ensure that every aspect of the organization operates reliably and efficiently, leading to more predictable outcomes.
• Employee Engagement: Working in an environment that values high standards fosters pride in one’s work and encourages employees to take ownership of their contributions.

Example: It takes a lot of work and coordination to get the dogs out for three walks per day. It would be easier to reduce the walks to two per day. However, our high standards tell us that we should strive to provide the best possible experience for our residents, which means more walks!

Together, a focus on quality and high standards creates a culture of excellence that benefits both Patty Baker Humane Society Naples and our animals, driving long-term success and sustainability. Our standards act as a beacon to guide our decisions.

Teamwork emphasizes the importance of communication, cooperation, and shared responsibility among team members. Even though we have different roles and responsibilities, we are all on the same team. We practice and prioritize gratitude for each other. We strive to remember that it takes all of us working on different aspects of sheltering in order to succeed. No task is too small for anyone in the organization to complete.

Importance:

• Enhanced Problem Solving: Diverse perspectives within a team lead to more innovative solutions and effective problem-solving.
• Increased Efficiency: Collaboration often streamlines processes, enabling tasks to be completed more quickly and effectively.
• Supportive Environment: Teamwork fosters a sense of belonging and support, enhancing morale among employees.

Example: The Cat Care team had a very busy afternoon of adoptions and wasn’t able to finish their closing checklists for the day. The Dog Care team finished so they headed over to help the Cat Care team finish up.

Dependability refers to the reliability and consistency of individuals and teams in fulfilling their commitments and responsibilities. It means being someone others can count on to deliver results.

Importance:

• Trust Building: Dependable team members create a culture of trust, where individuals feel confident relying on one another to meet deadlines and deliver quality work.
• Improved Performance: A dependable team leads to greater accountability, which enhances overall performance and productivity.
• Reduced Stress: When team members can count on each other, it reduces anxiety and allows for a more focused and cohesive work environment.

Together, teamwork and dependability create a strong foundation for collaboration, fostering an environment where individuals feel valued and motivated to make a difference in the lives of our residents.

Kindness is the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate toward others. It involves showing empathy and compassion in interactions, not only between colleagues and the public, but between us and the animals we serve as well. We ask for what we need instead of blaming others or feeling resentful. We do not judge each other when they ask for help.

Importance:

• Positive Work Environment: Acts of kindness contribute to a supportive and inclusive workplace culture, enhancing employee morale and well-being.
• Stronger Relationships: Kindness fosters trust and rapport among colleagues, making it easier to collaborate and communicate effectively.
• Encouragement of Empathy: When kindness is prioritized, it encourages individuals to understand and appreciate each other’s perspectives and experiences.
• Self Care: We are also kind to ourselves – prioritizing our physical and mental health so that we support our own longevity at PBHSN.

Example: A member of the Finance team notices that their colleague on the Animal Care team looks shaken up. They go over to check on their teammate to make sure they’re ok or if there’s anything they can do to help, like find their supervisor to talk to.

Respect involves recognizing and valuing the inherent worth of individuals, treating them with dignity, and honoring their perspectives, rights, and contributions. We respect our own emotions and how they affect others when we act on those emotions without thought of others.

Importance:

• Supports Our Residents: By learning to respect each individual animal and their needs, we provide the best care possible for them.
• Fosters Inclusion: A respectful environment embraces diversity and promotes inclusivity, allowing everyone to feel valued and heard.
• Encourages Open Communication: When respect is present, individuals are more likely to express their thoughts and ideas without fear of judgment, leading to richer discussions.
• Builds Stronger Teams: Respectful interactions strengthen team dynamics, as individuals feel safe and supported in their contributions.

Example: A supervisor has to reject a social media promotion idea because it doesn’t fit with the PBHSN brand, but they do so by thanking their team member for their brainstorming and directing the team members’ energy toward another area that could use creative ideas.

Together, kindness and respect create a culture of compassion and appreciation, fostering positive relationships and enhancing collaboration within Patty Baker Humane Society Naples.

Equity refers to the fair treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement for all individuals, while striving to identify and eliminate barriers that have historically led to unequal outcomes.

Importance:

• Inclusivity: Equity ensures that everyone has the resources and support they need to succeed, regardless of their background or circumstances.
• Diverse Perspectives: By promoting equity, we promote a wider range of talents and viewpoints, leading to better decision-making and innovation.

Example: The leadership team strives to make sure that all decisions keep equity in mind such as not favoring those who feel empowered enough to ask for what they need. Some people have cultural backgrounds or other factors that make it harder for them to ask for something. Those people should not be forgotten when we make decisions.

Belonging is the sense of being accepted, valued, and included. It emphasizes emotional connections and the importance of individuals feeling that they are an integral part of the community.

Importance:

• Mental Well-Being: A strong sense of belonging can positively impact mental health, reducing feelings of isolation and promoting overall well-being.
• Cultural Cohesion: Belonging fosters a cohesive culture where individuals support one another and work collaboratively towards common goals.

Example: An employee shares that they now feel more comfortable with a different gender identity than the one they had when we first met them. We enthusiastically support them – updating all of their information in our records and ensuring that it is communicated to the team in a way that makes them feel comfortable and safe.

Together, equity and belonging create a supportive and inclusive environment where everyone can thrive, contribute their best work, and feel valued as part of Patty Baker Humane Society Naples.

Solutions refer to effective methods, strategies, or processes designed to address specific challenges or problems. They focus on providing practical outcomes that help us achieve our goals.

Importance:

• Problem-Solving: Solutions-oriented approaches empower teams to tackle obstacles head-on, fostering resilience and adaptability.
• Efficiency: Identifying and implementing solutions can streamline processes, reduce waste, and enhance productivity.

Example: Instead of automatically saying no to an incoming admission request, the Shelter Manager takes a look at the floor and realizes that, with a couple of kennel moves, we can make room for the request.

Creativity is the ability to think outside the box, generate original ideas, and approach problems with a sense of possibility. It involves using imagination and innovation to create value. We are open to new ideas and new methods.

Importance:

• Helping Others: Using creativity and resilience, we can help where others may have had to say no.
• Engagement: Encouraging creativity fosters a dynamic and engaging work environment where employees feel inspired to express themselves and contribute.
• Adaptability: Creative thinking enables teams to adapt to changing circumstances and find unique solutions to emerging challenges.

Example: One of our dogs who was working on muzzle training kept trying to grab the muzzle because he thought it was fun. In order to reduce the distraction, the Canine Behavior team realized they could do this training while he was walking on a treadmill.

Together, solutions and creativity form a powerful combination that enables PBHSN to effectively navigate challenges while fostering a culture of innovation, continuous improvement and hope.

Passion is a strong enthusiasm and emotional investment in our work. Our passion for serving animals and our community drives us to pursue our goals with energy and commitment.

Importance:

• Motivation: Passion fuels motivation, inspiring individuals to go above and beyond in their roles and to persist through challenges.
• Quality of Work: When people are passionate about what they do, it often translates into higher quality work and greater attention to detail.
• Cultural Influence: A passionate workforce contributes to a positive organizational culture, where enthusiasm and engagement are contagious.

Example: Many employees care deeply about dogs, cats, and other animals in need, and want to ensure that their stay in a shelter is as comfortable as possible. Others enjoy connecting the public with our mission, helping us to find adopters, and donors. Some want to cure sick pets. What passion motivated you to join PBHSN?

Joy is a feeling of great pleasure and happiness that comes from engaging in activities, achieving goals, or simply enjoying the moment. We remember to try to find joy and laughter even in the hardest times.

Importance:

• Well-Being: Experiencing joy at work contributes to overall mental and emotional well-being, reducing stress and burnout.
• Team Dynamics: Joyful interactions foster stronger relationships among team members, promoting collaboration and camaraderie.

Example: We often make funny but appropriate videos for social media with our animals to share the joy that comes from having a companion. For example, we let the animals choose their special Valentine’s Day toy. Our first priority is making sure the activity for the video is respectful of our animals and then, we share the final product with the community – so we can all smile together!

Together, passion and joy create a vibrant work environment where individuals feel motivated and fulfilled, leading to greater creativity, collaboration, and overall success.