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Maddie's Candid Conversation with Ed Jamison: An in-depth discussion about diversity, equity and inclusion

  • 1.  Maddie's Candid Conversation with Ed Jamison: An in-depth discussion about diversity, equity and inclusion

    Posted 03-02-2021 02:56 PM

    Watch our open, informal 30-minute conversation and Q+A with @Ed Jamison, Director of Dallas Animal Services, hosted by our own @Mary Ippoliti-Smith on Wednesday, March 23rd at 12pm (PT). Learn and be inspired by Ed's journey promoting diversity, equity and inclusion in his daily work.

    Come away with ideas to keep more people and pets together through respect and appreciation as valuable members of your community.

    Press play on the video below to watch and use this thread to continue the conversation with Ed and ask any questions or share your thoughts on the topic!


    Director of Dallas Animal Services

    About Ed Jamison: 
    Ed became the Director of Dallas Animal Services (DAS) in October of 2017. With over 39,000 dogs and cats entering DAS yearly, Dallas is the 3rd largest intake in the United States. Ed has been tasked to increase public safety by getting loose animals off the streets, while at the same time increasing positive outcomes. To accomplish that, Ed is leading a staff of over 200 employees, maximizing the relationships with the rescue community, rebuilding the volunteer base, and instituting new, progressive programming.

    DAS realized a 90 + percent rate for four consecutive months, which is a first for the Department, and is on pace to finish FY2020 at over 90 percent. Prior to coming to Dallas, Ed was the Chief Animal Control Officer for the City of Cleveland, Ohio, but he entered the Animal Care & Control World in the mid 2000's while he was the Animal Warden for the City of Garfield Heights, a suburb of Cleveland. In his time serving Cleveland, Ed made a push to redefine the way Animal Control functions and re-brand the public's perception of the industry, particularly with "pit-bull" type dogs. The award winning, trademarked CITY DOGs Cleveland Adoption and Volunteer programs are flourishing and being copied throughout the country.

    #OrganizationalManagement

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    Charlotte Otero
    Community Strategist at Maddie's Fund
    she/her
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  • 2.  RE: Maddie's Candid Conversation with Ed Jamison: An in-depth discussion about diversity, equity and inclusion

    Posted 03-02-2021 03:25 PM
    Can't wait for this!  Ed you are STAR!   And Mary's going to make it fun and inviting and just cool.

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    alison gibson
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  • 3.  RE: Maddie's Candid Conversation with Ed Jamison: An in-depth discussion about diversity, equity and inclusion

    Posted 03-03-2021 06:15 AM
    What a great opportunity to hear more about Ed's work - Very excited for this!

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    Caitlin Quinn
    HeARTs Speak
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  • 4.  RE: Maddie's Candid Conversation with Ed Jamison: An in-depth discussion about diversity, equity and inclusion

    Posted 03-23-2021 12:39 PM
    what a great session just now! You are a rockstar Ed!

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    Sharon Fletcher
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  • 5.  RE: Maddie's Candid Conversation with Ed Jamison: An in-depth discussion about diversity, equity and inclusion

    Posted 03-23-2021 12:40 PM
    Thanks so much for the wonderful conversation today, Ed! I have a question about how your team represents themselves when they're going out into the community. Are they in DAS shirts, uniforms or some other indicator that they're part of the DAS? Are you going door to door introducing yourselves and seeing if anyone needs any particular help or services or is it more of driving through the streets, waving and talking to anyone who approaches your team?

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    Charlotte Otero
    Community Strategist at Maddie's Fund
    she/her
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  • 6.  RE: Maddie's Candid Conversation with Ed Jamison: An in-depth discussion about diversity, equity and inclusion

    Posted 03-23-2021 12:50 PM
    Hi Charlotte.... Prior to COVID we had a team walking door to door throughout the neighborhoods introducing themselves, explaining City Codes, and identifying resources. The plan is for this to get broken down into City District Resource Officers after COVID, so each community will have that "go to person" in their area that they can connect directly with.  All DAS team members are in uniform when they are in the community.

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    Ed Jamison
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  • 7.  RE: Maddie's Candid Conversation with Ed Jamison: An in-depth discussion about diversity, equity and inclusion

    Posted 03-23-2021 12:45 PM

    Hi Ed!

    Since you mentioned making duckling ramps, I am faced with trying to build 5-10 for my neighborhood as duckling season has begun. The lagoons are about 1 foot deep, and our HOA probably doesn't want us to just plop wooden planks down. Do you have any suggestions on the best and most cost-effective way to create ramps? Please be as detailed as possible, e.g., "Go to Home Depot and purchase these materials."

    Here are pictures of a ramp built by a neighbor, and the adorable family of ducks. Thanks!


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    Irene Chansawang
    Maddie's Fund
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  • 8.  RE: Maddie's Candid Conversation with Ed Jamison: An in-depth discussion about diversity, equity and inclusion

    Posted 03-23-2021 12:57 PM
    Hi Irene... Depending on how deep it is at the edge, bricks or rocks are the easiest, cheapest, and least cumbersome looking.

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    Ed Jamison
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  • 9.  RE: Maddie's Candid Conversation with Ed Jamison: An in-depth discussion about diversity, equity and inclusion

    Posted 03-23-2021 01:29 PM
    How can I watch this presentation again? I missed 15 min. Tx

    Augusta 






  • 10.  RE: Maddie's Candid Conversation with Ed Jamison: An in-depth discussion about diversity, equity and inclusion

    Posted 03-23-2021 03:06 PM
    Hi Augusta, 

    Here's the link to watch the recording and see the comments from the chat:
    https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/JPJVK0gcc58JZsBWQCByCLKZ9fhCGe2xV2gvkaebqPcqq7bZYPgpHznSNAI668BA.NyIgjqw54QzYQ2EW

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    Charlotte Otero
    Community Strategist at Maddie's Fund
    she/her
    ------------------------------



  • 11.  RE: Maddie's Candid Conversation with Ed Jamison: An in-depth discussion about diversity, equity and inclusion

    Posted 03-23-2021 03:13 PM
    Hi Irene and Ed.  Here's a link to the Dallas Morning News article about Ed's tenure at DAS including a picture of his ramp:  https://www.dallasnews.com/news/commentary/2021/03/15/ed-jamison-fixed-dallas-broken-animal-shelter-and-curbed-loose-dogs-heres-why-hes-leaving-das/

    Ed's such an animal people person - he travels around with a cement brick and cardboard (probably a cat carrier) in case of a duck rescue emergency.  What a guy!!!!!

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    Mary Ippoliti-Smith
    Maddie's Fund
    510-453-4773
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  • 12.  RE: Maddie's Candid Conversation with Ed Jamison: An in-depth discussion about diversity, equity and inclusion

    Posted 03-23-2021 03:20 PM
    Haha! I love it! Thanks for finding this article, Mary!

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    Irene Chansawang
    Maddie's Fund
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  • 13.  RE: Maddie's Candid Conversation with Ed Jamison: An in-depth discussion about diversity, equity and inclusion

    Posted 03-23-2021 04:57 PM
    Thanks so much, Ed!

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    Irene Chansawang
    Maddie's Fund
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  • 14.  RE: Maddie's Candid Conversation with Ed Jamison: An in-depth discussion about diversity, equity and inclusion

    Posted 03-23-2021 08:53 PM
    I'm getting a message that I have to pay. Any way to get free access?

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    Augusta Farley
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  • 15.  RE: Maddie's Candid Conversation with Ed Jamison: An in-depth discussion about diversity, equity and inclusion

    Posted 03-24-2021 06:47 AM
      |   view attached
    Hi Augusta.  My bad for not realizing that the newspaper link was limited in free access.  Here's a PDF of the article.

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    Mary Ippoliti-Smith
    Maddie's Fund
    510-453-4773
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  • 16.  RE: Maddie's Candid Conversation with Ed Jamison: An in-depth discussion about diversity, equity and inclusion

    Posted 03-24-2021 09:08 AM
    Thank you, Mary. That was an enlightening read re Dallas's progress. Augusta

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    Augusta Farley
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  • 17.  RE: Maddie's Candid Conversation with Ed Jamison: An in-depth discussion about diversity, equity and inclusion

    This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous
    Posted 03-23-2021 01:21 PM
    This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous

    Hi Ed,
    Thanks for all you do!
    I'm posting anonymously since this case is still open. But our (very awesome) ACO is currently investigating an "abuse" case, which she has determined not to be abuse, but rather people who love their dog and need help (education + financial assistance for vet care).  We have provided them free vet care and she continues to work with the owner towards a good outcome. However, the neighbors who called in the complaint, are now beating her up on social media (Nextdoor, Facebook etc.), claiming she is incompetent, posting photos of her helping them in their yard and making mean comments, etc. Do you have any advice? She is a strong, capable woman but this has been really upsetting to her.




  • 18.  RE: Maddie's Candid Conversation with Ed Jamison: An in-depth discussion about diversity, equity and inclusion

    Posted 03-23-2021 01:38 PM
    These situations are tough, and one that we all in the industry deal with often.  The lines between cruelty, intentional neglect, and the need for resources that will improve the animal's life are confused by many. From a practical standpoint, taking a case to court that doesn't meet the legal definition of cruelty will hurt the officer's efforts in the long run when there are clear cut cases. Hopefully the jurisdiction the ACO works for is supportive and can help with public messaging about the laws, and about the City/County wanting to help its residents whenever possible.

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    Ed Jamison
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