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  • Webinar – 1/21/26 – Kitten Development–Fast Tracked – National Kitten Coalition

    Webinar – 1/21/26 – Kitten Development–Fast Tracked – National Kitten Coalition

    Join us for this quick, 30 minute webinar covering the important milestones kitten caregivers need to know about. This live session will not only help you accurately determine the age of kittens, but it will also provide you with essential information to know what’s expected with for the first 12 weeks of a kitten’s development.

    Gain the confidence to know what physical characteristics kittens should be showing as they grow and develop. You’ll also have a chance to ask questions!

    Register now for this free webinar! This webinar will be recorded and made available through NKC’s eLearning soon after the live event.

    Presenter: Rosemarie Crawford, LVT

    WEBSITE LINK:  https://kittencoalition.org/event/kitten-development-fast-tracked/

  • Webinar – 2/19/26 – Whiskers and Welfare: New Legislation & Collaborative Animal Disaster Response – CalAnimals

    Webinar – 2/19/26 – Whiskers and Welfare: New Legislation & Collaborative Animal Disaster Response – CalAnimals

    Disaster Preparedness and Response is becoming too familiar in California. What should local jurisdictions do to prepare and respond to a disaster in their area? What partners are available within your area, region, or state? Join CalAnimals, CVET, & CalCART to discuss the collaborative efforts during Animal Disaster Response.

    Presenters
    Ashley Patterson, DVM – CVET
    Claudia Sonder, DVM – Napa CART
    Ryan Soulsby, RVT, CACO – CalAnimals

    WEBSITE LINK: https://www.calanimals.org/on

  • Online Course – 2/6/26 to 2/16/26 – Application Period for Spring 2026 Online Instructor-Led Courses – Maddie’s Fund®

    Online Course – 2/6/26 to 2/16/26 – Application Period for Spring 2026 Online Instructor-Led Courses – Maddie’s Fund®

    Spring 2026 Courses begin the week of March 9, 2026

    Looking to implement a new program, learn more about a specific subject and create positive change for pets and people in your community? Maddie’s Fund® Online Instructor-Led Courses provide an interactive educational opportunity for those who are looking to benefit from the wisdom of established innovative programs. They’re the catalyst you need to take your programs and learning to the next level! All courses are free #ThanksToMaddie!

    These courses require completion of:

    • Self-paced online materials
    • Zoom classes with your instructor and classmates (The length and number of Zoom classes are course-dependent, but can range from 4
    • to 6 classes, at 60, 75, or 90 minutes.)
    • Final project
    • Course Evaluation Survey

    Class size is limited and the selection process is competitive.

    To be eligible, your organization must be a U.S.-based 501c3 or government animal welfare organization. All Maddie’s University courses are pre-approved for NACA and CAWA CE (continuing education) credits.

    Application period: February 6 – February 16, 2026.

    Spring 2026 Course Offerings

    NEW! Adoption Marketing: Positive Framing, Connective Storytelling, More Adoptions!
    NEW! Cooperative Care for Dogs
    Developing Your Own Kitten College
    Feline Lifesaving: Essential Cat Programs for Shelters
    Fostering Dogs with Behavior Concerns: Supporting Dogs and People
    Humane Education: Tools & Techniques to Expand Your Reach
    Live Better: The Power of You
    NEW! Rural Sheltering
    Shelter Clinic Management
    NEW! Work Better: The Power of Us

    WEBSITE LINK: http://university.maddiesfund.org/online-instructor-led-courses

  • Online Course – Starts 1/12/26 – Animal Shelter Management Certificate Program – Shelter Operations – PetcoLove/UoP (fee applies)

    Online Course – Starts 1/12/26 – Animal Shelter Management Certificate Program – Shelter Operations – PetcoLove/UoP (fee applies)

    About the Course

    Quality animal care and efficient processes are essential to a shelter’s success and lifesaving mission. Designed for shelter professionals and leaders, this course provides the knowledge and skills to ensure exceptional care for animals and develop effective adoption programs, all while delivering excellent customer service for your community. You will explore animal care and enrichment for both cats and dogs, understand core principles of shelter medicine and clinic operations, and be provided with an essential understanding of animal health considerations to make appropriate decisions.

    Individual cost: $595 (Bundle courses to save!)
    Course Dates: 1/12/26 – 3/8/26
    8.0 CEUs

    About the Program

    The Animal Shelter Management Program, originally developed in partnership with the Humane Network and now powered by Petco Love, is an innovative professional development opportunity designed to strengthen the future of animal welfare. This redesigned, now 3-course online certificate program brings together the expertise of a leading national nonprofit dedicated to saving pet lives with the academic excellence of a top-tier university, creating a transformative curriculum for current and aspiring shelter leaders.

    Through a combination of evidence-based coursework, real-world case studies, and leadership training, participants gain the tools and strategies needed to address the complex challenges of modern animal sheltering. From operational management and community engagement to fundraising and lifesaving program design, the program equips professionals with the knowledge and confidence to elevate their organizations and expand their impact.

    Rooted in compassion, collaboration, and excellence, the Animal Shelter Management Program reflects Petco Love’s unwavering commitment to create a lifesaving nation for pets. In partnership with the University of the Pacific, this program not only advances shelter leadership but also fosters a sustainable, innovative future for animal welfare across communities.

    ​WEBSITE LINK:  https://www.pacific.edu/education/professional-development/certificate-programs/animal-shelter-management

  • Online Event – 2/5/26 – Maddie’s Monthly Foster Connection: Shelter Evacuation via Emergency Foster Homes – Maddie’s Fund

    Online Event – 2/5/26 – Maddie’s Monthly Foster Connection: Shelter Evacuation via Emergency Foster Homes – Maddie’s Fund

    One day ahead of Hurricane Helene hitting Asheville, NC, Brother Wolf Animal Rescue orchestrated a shelter evacuation into emergency foster homes with 100 animals going out the door in just two hours and two-thirds of the emergency fosters never having fostered for the organization previously. This action turned out to be lifesaving, as their shelter was consumed by 12 feet of floodwaters that very night. With full shelters across the US and an increase in natural disasters (a hurricane in the NC mountains?!), every animal welfare facility can benefit from having a plan in place to quickly evacuate pets to the safety of emergency foster homes. Join the Brother Wolf team to learn how to prepare ahead of time, communicate effectively when an evacuation occurs, collaborate with your community for support, and oversee the logistics seamlessly. These same strategies can be used to place animals into emergency foster homes due to any crisis: full shelter, unexpected large intake, part of shelter under construction, etc. The Brother Wolf team will walk you through turning a crisis into an opportunity for community connection and lifesaving work, together.

    Guest Speakers:

    Leah Craig Chumbley, Executive Director, Brother Wolf Animal Rescue
    Sara Groce, Director of Programs, Brother Wolf Animal Rescue
    Megan Malek, Senior Coordinator of Volunteers & Fosters, Brother Wolf Animal Rescue

    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

  • Webinar – 2/3/26 – The Fungus Among Us: Preventing, Diagnosing, and Treating Ringworm – UC Davis KSMP

    Webinar – 2/3/26 – The Fungus Among Us: Preventing, Diagnosing, and Treating Ringworm – UC Davis KSMP

    Ringworm stinks! Everyone in shelter medicine knows it, and many wrestle with it. But what we know about dermatophytosis—and how best to manage it—has evolved. A familiar challenge now comes with clearer science, smarter strategies, and better outcomes.

    In this webinar, experienced shelter veterinarians share how new and ongoing research has transformed the way they diagnose, treat, and manage ringworm in shelter settings. Drawing from hands-on experience treating a lot of cats, they’ll break down updates on what works and how to avoid overcomplicated pathways that lead to increased LOS and unnecessary crowding.

    You’ll walk away with practical, evidence-based guidance for building a consistent and effective ringworm management strategy, one that protects animal health and supports well-being during treatment—and preserves staff sanity.

    By the end of this webinar, you’ll be able to:

    • Confidently distinguish true ringworm infections from look-alikes
    • Build an effective, streamlined treatment protocol, including how to determine cure
    • Support the well-being of animals and staff using insights from the newly updated Ringworm Management Guidebook

    Approved for 1.5 hours of continuing education credit by RACE, CAWA, and NACA.

    Presenters: Cynthia Karsten, DVM, DABVP (Shelter Medicine Practice), KSMP, Rebecca Stuntebeck, DVM, DABVP (Shelter Medicine Practice), Paws to Elevate, Erica Schumacher, DVM, UW Madison Shelter Medicine Program

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

  • Webinar – 1/14/26 – Defeating Distemper: Proven Strategies to Save Lives – Best Friends

    Webinar – 1/14/26 – Defeating Distemper: Proven Strategies to Save Lives – Best Friends

    Transform canine distemper from a death sentence into a lifesaving success story. In this webinar, learn how shelters can manage outbreaks effectively, apply updated protocols to clear infected dogs faster (no more months of isolation!), and save the lives of both exposed and infected animals.

    Presented by: Dr. Erin Katribe, DVM, DABVP (Shelter Medicine Practice)

    National Shelter Medicine; Best Friends Animal Society

    Register here: https://bestfriends-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_iRsWQsmFS4aikwy3tfGwsg

  • Online Conference – 1/24/26 to 1/25/26 – Online Cat Conference 2026 – Community Cats Podcast (fee applies)

    Online Conference – 1/24/26 to 1/25/26 – Online Cat Conference 2026 – Community Cats Podcast (fee applies)

    Each year, the global Community Cats Podcast community comes together for this unique virtual event—no travel required!

    Take part in two days filled with cat-centric content, speakers from a wide variety of animal welfare roles share their perspectives on the field, providing valuable insights to help you or your organization create a more humane world for community cats.

    Attendees can take advantage of the interactive format, useful handouts, and get access to an exclusive Facebook group to network with other cat-focused volunteers and professionals.

    This online conference features presentations from Adopt a Pet, Orphan Kitten Club, Tompkins Foundation for FeLV Advocacy, Kitty Cat Cafe and Adoption Lounge, Neighborhood Cats, International Cat Care, and the University of Tennessee’s Program for Pet Health Equity.

    For a limited time, registration is just $50 and will give you access to the live event, recorded sessions afterward, speaker slides, handouts, and more. Use code TCC26EB at checkout to receive the discount. Early bird discounts end at midnight on December 25, 2025.

    WEBSITE LINK:  https://communitycatscentral.thinkific.com/courses/2026CatCon

  • Webinar – 1/14/26 – Capacity for Care: Setting the Right Target & Finding Tools to Stay There – CalAnimals

    Webinar – 1/14/26 – Capacity for Care: Setting the Right Target & Finding Tools to Stay There – CalAnimals

    The term “Capacity for Care” gets thrown around a lot, but what does it actually mean and can it even be useful in the face of the seemingly relentless onslaught of large dogs shelters are facing today?

    In this practical webinar, Dr. Kate Hurley from the UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program will cover the specifics of how to calculate the right target number to maximize life-saving while optimizing animal health and welfare – and staff sanity. Hurley will demonstrate how any shelter can use the Koret Shelter Medicine Program’s free online C4C calculator to estimate how many animals need to be housed at any one time, based on expected monthly intake and target length of stay. Then we will dive into a practical example of how this number was calculated and aligned with housing capacity at the South L.A. branch of Los Angeles Animal Services (LAAS), part of one of the largest and most challenging shelter systems in the United States.

    Annette Ramirez, Interim General Manager from LAAS, along with members of her team, will share their agency’s experience of going from severe crowding to attaining, and more importantly maintaining, a population pretty close to their Capacity for Care. A key to success was moving from long standing policies driving a reactive decision making process to a proactive framework that can identify dogs at risk before they deteriorate severely or the population swells beyond staff’s ability to provide care. And they did it even in the face of rising intake and without increasing the euthanasia rate! It’s a pretty inspiring example and we hope it will be a useful one for many shelters facing similar challenges.

    Presenters:

    Dr. Kate Hurley from UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program
    Annette Ramirez, Garens Loyd, Sarah Quintanilla from Los Angeles Animal Services

    WEBSITE LINK: https://www.calanimals.org/on

  • Webinar – 1/7/26 – New Horizons (Laws) for California Animals – in and out of the shelters – CalAnimals

    Webinar – 1/7/26 – New Horizons (Laws) for California Animals – in and out of the shelters – CalAnimals

    San Francisco SPCA’s Shelter Policy and Legal Services program is ready to start 2026 off with a bark and a purr and fill you in on all the new laws passed last year that become effective on January 1, 2026. Learn about the expanded potential for RVTs and VAs to do more in the shelters; about the expanded ability to have RVT-run vaccination clinics to help public animals across the state; and several more bills that continue to improve the lives of California animals in the shelters, and in their new homes.

    Presenter: Bruce Wagman, Attorney

    WEBSITE LINK: https://www.calanimals.org/on