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  • New Adoption Counseling Course for Shelter Staff, Volunteers, and Fosters

    New Adoption Counseling Course for Shelter Staff, Volunteers, and Fosters

    There’s a new, free self-paced course available at Maddie’s® University, and it’s all about facilitating successful adoptions!

    This course provides guidance for navigating the entire adoption process, with an emphasis on adoption counseling. The course demonstrates the general adoption counseling process and then dives into adoption counseling for pets with behavior or medical conditions. Text content is supported by videos, infographics and exercises. All videos are shareable and all infographics are available for download so you can use them in training. 

    “This course goes deep on adoption counseling for cats and dogs and spans a number of interconnected topics,” co-author Rachel Jones shares. Topics include:

    • Customizing meet and greets for individual animals and their behaviors and medical needs.
    • Order of operations when receiving inquiries through different channels
    • Using approachable language when discussing different types of behaviors and medical needs.
    • Prioritizing counseling topics.
    • Important paperwork to consider.
    • Helping potential adopters determine whether a pet is a match themselves.
    • Setting adopters up for success in the home.
    • Fostering a welcoming environment.
    • Ways to simplify your own placement processes without sacrificing quality.
    • Minor marketing tips.
    • And more.

    The Adoption Counseling course is eligible for 2.0 hours of credit from the Association for Animal Welfare Advancement (AAWA) and the National Animal Care & Control Association (NACA).

    Enroll now for free
  • Get More Animals Home with Back Where They Belong Summit Sessions and Resources, Now On-Demand

    Get More Animals Home with Back Where They Belong Summit Sessions and Resources, Now On-Demand

    Have you heard? By getting just 20% more stray dogs back home in our communities, we have the power to end unnecessary shelter euthanasia and find homes for every dog who needs one.

    Presenters from organizations across the country—municipal, non-profit, and national—came together in a mega event to share the best resources and most successful methods they’re using to reduce shelter crowding and get more dogs and cats back home. Now every short, solution-packed presentation and recommended resource is available on-demand at Maddie’s® University for free, #ThankstoMaddie!

    Pick the 25-minute sessions that speak to you. Whether you’re a field officer, frontline staff member, manager, or dedicated volunteer navigating tough decisions, topics like these will help you make a difference today:

    • The Crucial Role of Return to Home in Reducing Shelter Crowding and Euthanasia Today (Dr. Kate Hurley, UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program)
    • Contracts, Jurisdictions, Fees and Local Ordinance Considerations to Promote Return to Home (Cole Wakefield, Good Shepherd Humane Society)
    • Empowering Dispatch With Training, Support and Resources for the Public (Michelle George, Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity—CARE)
    • Working With Finders to Help Get Animals Back Where They Belong (Mike Wheeler, Cabot Animal Support Services)
    • Getting Pets Home with Better Approaches to On-Pet IDs and ID/Microchip Tracing (Nina Stively, Loudoun County Animal Services)
    • Making It Easy for Owners to Find and Redeem Lost Pets: Tech Tips and Communication Strategies – Bobby Mann and Mia Navedo-Williams, Humane Rescue Alliance
    • Using Technology to Improve Your Lost and Found Systems (Elkie Wills, San Diego Humane Society)
    • And more!

    You’ll want to share these sessions with your team and stakeholders, including city leaders and decision-makers, to get everyone on board with programming that prioritizes getting dogs and cats back to the people and homes they know and love. Every single action we take together adds up. When it comes to making things better for shelter staff and animals, plus the people who are missing dogs and cats in the community, the impact is immeasurable.

    Get on-demand solutions now
  • Online Event – 5/6/26 – Live Community Discussion: The Connection Between Access to Veterinary Care and Access to the Veterinary Profession – Open Door Veterinary Collective

    Online Event – 5/6/26 – Live Community Discussion: The Connection Between Access to Veterinary Care and Access to the Veterinary Profession – Open Door Veterinary Collective

    The veterinary profession is dealing with a workforce shortage and pet families are finding it harder to be able to afford needed care. These issues feel separate, but they actually have a lot more in common than you might think.

    Join us on May 6th at 7:30PM ET for a Live Discussion with Valerie Marcano – DVM, PhD, DACPV; Shadi Ireifej, DVM, DACVS; and Serena Nayee, DVM to explore their research, “The Connection Between Access to Care and Access to the Veterinary Profession”, published in Veterinary Ophthalmology.

    We’ll discuss:
    -The socio-economic barriers affecting both pet owners and future veterinary professionals
    -The influence of geography and education access
    -Why these issues matter for public health and the future of the profession
    -Practical strategies to reduce barriers and expand access

    WEBSITE LINK: https://opendoorconsults.org/live_discussions/

  • Online Event – First Wednesdays – Live Community Discussion – Open Door Veterinary Collective

    Online Event – First Wednesdays – Live Community Discussion – Open Door Veterinary Collective

    Join Dr. Kristin Jankowski of Open Door Veterinary Collective every first Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. EST as we talk with leaders in access to veterinary care. Each session is interactive, giving participants the chance to engage in meaningful conversation. Sessions run 50-60 minutes, depending on the discussion.

    WEBSITE LINK: https://opendoorconsults.org/live_discussions/

  • Webinar – 5/21/26 – Implementing Pilot Programs: Turning Ideas into Action in Your Organization – Best Friends

    Webinar – 5/21/26 – Implementing Pilot Programs: Turning Ideas into Action in Your Organization – Best Friends

    Pilot programs can be one of the most powerful tools shelters and rescues have to drive meaningful change — when they’re designed, implemented, and measured thoughtfully. Whether you’re testing a new approach to foster engagement, field services, intake diversion, or another lifesaving strategy, pilots allow you to start small, learn quickly, and build the case for lasting impact.

    Register to join live on Thursday, May 21 at 4pm ET.

    In this panel‑style webinar, you’ll hear from three shelter leaders about pilot programs they launched to address critical challenges in their communities: Dr. Joanne Stephens, Veterinarian, MatSu Animal Shelter in Alaska; Kassy Selmon, Director, Harrison County Animal Control in West Virginia; and Anastasia Ramsey, Superintendent, Fort Worth Animal Care and Control in Texas. Audrey Lodato, Senior Director of Regional Programs, Best Friends Animal Society, will moderate.

    Panelists will walk through how they identified the change they wanted to see, built internal and external support, and advocated for trying something new, even when resources or buy‑in were limited — speaking candidly about what worked, what didn’t, and the lessons they wish they’d known at the start. Attendees will come away with practical advice and actionable guidance about launching a pilot program in their shelter or rescue.

    Whether you’re a shelter leader, manager, staff member, or volunteer — this webinar is for anyone looking for practical, achievable ways to test new ideas, build momentum for change, and move lifesaving efforts forward — one pilot at a time. Save your seat and join live!

    WEBSITE LINK:  https://bestfriends-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/4917520773897/WN_GnL1xdtnTt2RIy-AgP_Wdw

  • Webinar – 5/14/26 – Maddie’s Insights: Implications of Weeklong Fostering and Co-housing on Shelter Dog Welfare – Maddie’s Fund

    Webinar – 5/14/26 – Maddie’s Insights: Implications of Weeklong Fostering and Co-housing on Shelter Dog Welfare – Maddie’s Fund

    Meeting both the physical and psychological needs of dogs living in animal shelters is a challenging proposition. Negative environmental inputs, such as excessive noise, restrictive kenneling, and social isolation, contribute to compromised canine welfare. Human-animal interaction, such as a temporary stay in a caregiver’s home, has been shown to reduce dogs’ cortisol levels and increase their rest. What is not well understood, though, is if longer durations of foster care could extend those benefits. In addition, co-housing in the animal shelter has been even less explored scientifically, but previous studies suggest that dogs’ behavior can be improved through living with another dog.

    In this webcast, we will:

    • discuss previous research about field trips and sleepovers
    • describe new findings about weeklong fostering and co-housing
    • differentiate how to utilize field trips, sleepovers, and weeklong fostering to positively impact dogs’ proximate and distal welfare
    • recognize utility of co-housing on entry into the animal shelter

    Earn continuing education credit from The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement towards 1.0 CAWA CEs. This webinar has also been pre-approved for 1.0 continuing education credits by the National Animal Care & Control Association (NACA). It has also been approved for 1 hour of continuing education credit in jurisdictions which recognize RACE approval for on-demand viewers. We will post the recording on Maddie’s University a day or so after the live webcast.

    WEBSITE LINK:  https://maddies.fund/MIwebcastsRegister

  • Online Event – 5/20/26 – Shelter Med LIVE: Decisions, Decisions: Sharing Shelter Leadership – UC Davis KSMP

    Online Event – 5/20/26 – Shelter Med LIVE: Decisions, Decisions: Sharing Shelter Leadership – UC Davis KSMP

    At the end of the day, shelter veterinarians and organizational leadership are aligned in purpose…but why doesn’t it always feel that way? When roles, authority, and expectations overlap or conflict, working together can be tricky. Yet team clarity and animal outcomes depend on collaboration—especially in high-stakes situations. At this month’s Shelter Med LIVE, we’ll dive into how we can build better relationships with executive leadership, advocate for medical standards, and take more leadership in shelter decision-making.

    Join host Dr. Jenn Bennett and guests Drs. Erin Doyle and Ada Norris to strengthen your role across three core areas that drive clinical care:

    • Shelter policies and protocols
    • Population health strategies
    • Organizational culture

    About Shelter Med LIVE
    Shelter medicine bridges gaps in veterinary care access, ensuring animals are sterilized, vaccinated, and have the medical treatment they need before going home to the people and communities who care for them. Shelter Med LIVE is the place where vet professionals connect around what it takes to make shelter medicine happen every day—from intake triage to MacGyvering creative fixes. Every third Wednesday, join your UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program host Dr. Jenn Bennett and special guests for real talk and real solutions.

    Ask questions (or send them in ahead of time). This isn’t a lecture—it’s a conversation for everyone who wants to talk shop about shelter medicine. Kick back and recharge with your colleagues in the middle of a long week.

    This event has been approved for 1 hour of continuing education credit by CAWA and NACA.

    Can’t make it live? Register to receive the recording and resources after the event, accessible through the UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program Shelter Learniverse, #ThanksToMaddie!

    WEBSITE LINK:  https://www.shelterlearniverse.com/events

  • Webinar – 5/13/26 – ASV Guidelines in Practice: Improving Quality of Care and Lifesaving – Best Friends

    Webinar – 5/13/26 – ASV Guidelines in Practice: Improving Quality of Care and Lifesaving – Best Friends

    The Association of Shelter Veterinarians Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters are more than a reference for minimum standards, they can serve as a practical tool to guide daily shelter decisions that affect both quality of care and lifesaving. This webinar will explore how shelters can use the Guidelines to evaluate practices, support decision-making, and strengthen conditions that help animals move safely and successfully through shelter care.

    Presented by: Dr. Becca Boronat, MV, CAWA, National Shelter Medicine Veterinarian
    National Shelter Medicine; Best Friends Animal Society

    WEBSITE LINK: https://bestfriends-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_iRsWQsmFS4aikwy3tfGwsg

  • Online Event – 5/12/26 – One Health Clinic Coffee Hour – One Health Clinic

    Online Event – 5/12/26 – One Health Clinic Coffee Hour – One Health Clinic

    A monthly One Health Clinic Coffee Hour where participants can talk about successes, discuss barriers, and explore ways to work toward integrated healthcare models for those experiencing homelessness with pets (or rural families or elderly populations).

    The Coffee Hour will be on Tuesday, May 12th at 2:30-3:30 Pacific on Zoom.

    Join Zoom Meeting
    https://washington.zoom.us/j/99200444453?pwd=aFQwOGJJRG1xeUFLYm93S3BXNlMwUT09
    Meeting ID: 992 0044 4453
    Passcode: 051009

    We look forward to seeing you/meeting you/hearing from you!

    WEBSITE LINK: https://washington.zoom.us/j/99200444453?pwd=aFQwOGJJRG1xeUFLYm93S3BXNlMwUT09

  • Online Meeting – 5/11/26 – Weekly Community Conversations #ThanksToMaddie: Want More Impact? Think Networks, Not Organizations – Maddie’s Fund

    Online Meeting – 5/11/26 – Weekly Community Conversations #ThanksToMaddie: Want More Impact? Think Networks, Not Organizations – Maddie’s Fund

    Jane Wei-Skillern will share key principles of network leadership—an approach that prioritizes mission over individual organizations and focuses on building strong, trust-based relationships across a broader ecosystem. Rather than working in isolation, leaders can expand their impact by sharing leadership, aligning around a common goal, and mobilizing partners across sectors.

    Maddie’s Fund hosts a weekly 50-minute Zoom call for animal well-being professionals. These calls are a collaborative space to share exciting new programs and research, discuss uncomfortable topics, connect with peers in the industry, and more, all while sharing a common goal of preserving the human-animal bond.

    Who Should Join?
    Executive directors, animal well-being leaders, shelter workers, pet support professionals, volunteers, rescue organizations and anyone who shares the common goal of preserving the human-animal bond.

    Win Ca$h for Attending!
    Each month, Maddie’s Fund will be giving away up to $5,000 in grants. You can enter to win each time you attend a call or watch on-demand during the month by completing the giveaway drawing entry forms shared in the chat during the calls.

    Register Today
    Join us each Monday at 11am PT/2pm ET to receive support and learn about innovative ideas other organizations across the country are seeing success with. If you registered prior to July 2025 or are new to these meetings, please use this link to register:
    https://maddies.fund/CommunityConversationsRegistration2025

    All calls are recorded and uploaded to the Community Conversations page on Maddie’s Pet Forum https://forum.maddiesfund.org/communityconversations

    Please note: All views expressed on these calls are not necessarily endorsed by Maddie’s Fund.

    WEBSITE LINK:  https://maddies.fund/CommunityConversationsRegistration2025

  • Online Event – 5/7/26 – Maddie’s Monthly Foster Connection: Supporting Fearful Foster Cats – Maddie’s Fund

    Online Event – 5/7/26 – Maddie’s Monthly Foster Connection: Supporting Fearful Foster Cats – Maddie’s Fund

    Shelters can be overwhelming places, impacting cats’ well-being and adoptability. In this session, we’ll explore actionable strategies to reduce stress and fear for cat fosters. From environmental factors to trust-building techniques, you’ll leave with practical techniques that can be used immediately to reduce stress and fear in cats.

    Guest speaker: Tabitha Kucera, CCBC, RVT, KPA-CTP, VTS, Board Certified Veterinary Technician Specialist in Behavior, Chirrups and Chatter.

    About Maddie’s Monthly Foster Connection:
    Join us on the first Thursday of every month to discuss successful foster innovations and programs, collaborate with others in the field, answer questions and talk through complex foster-related issues.

    Who should join: Foster managers, coordinators, volunteers and any staff who are interested in learning about what’s working in foster programs.

    You only need to register once for all meetings: https://maddies.fund/MonthlyFosterRegistration

    Can’t attend live?  Register anyway and you will get a link to the recording within a day or two after each meeting.

    All recordings and resources shared during the webcast will also be available in the Maddie’s Monthly Foster Connection group on Maddie’s Pet Forum https://maddies.fund/monthlyfosterconnectionMPF

    Maddie’s Fund does not share registration information.

    The opinions expressed by webinar presenters are their own and do not necessarily represent those of Maddie’s Fund.

    WEBSITE LINK:  https://maddies.fund/MonthlyFosterRegistration

  • Online Course – 5/16/26 – Increasing Your Impact With Targeted TNR – Community Cats Central (small fee applies)

    Online Course – 5/16/26 – Increasing Your Impact With Targeted TNR – Community Cats Central (small fee applies)

    Led by the team at Neighborhood Cats, this workshop examines why spay/neuter volume alone isn’t enough to create lasting reductions in community cat populations—and what successful programs do differently. Instead of spreading resources thin, effective TNR programs focus on identifying areas of highest need and strategically concentrating efforts to achieve meaningful, long-term impact.

    This session introduces the concept of targeted TNR, a data-informed approach that helps programs of any size maximize results while using time, funding, and volunteer capacity more efficiently.

    What You’ll Learn

    Why Targeting Matters in TNR
    Learn why high sterilization numbers don’t always translate into sustained population decline—and how targeted approaches change that outcome. This section breaks down the science and strategy behind focusing efforts where cats are most concentrated.

    How to Identify and Focus on High-Need Areas
    Explore practical methods for identifying hotspots, prioritizing locations, and directing resources to achieve high sterilization rates. You’ll learn how to apply targeting principles whether you’re running a small volunteer-driven program or managing a large-scale TNR initiative.

    Valuable Resources & Certification
    Take advantage of the interactive format and live Q&A, extensive handouts, and real-life video footage from actual projects. Attendees will receive a digital certificate after passing a brief quiz and access to a dedicated Facebook group for ongoing networking with fellow TNR advocates. Plus the live course recording will be available for you to review for one year.

    WEBSITE LINK: https://communitycatscentral.com/events/increasing-your-impact-with-targeted-tnr-2026/