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Shelter Learniverse and Industry-Wide Calendar

Tag: Companion Animals

  • Webinar – 7/24/24 – Who let the dogs out? Unleashing solutions: Finding solutions to the problem of Fiji’s free-roaming dog population – Getting 2 Zero

    Webinar – 7/24/24 – Who let the dogs out? Unleashing solutions: Finding solutions to the problem of Fiji’s free-roaming dog population – Getting 2 Zero

    Overpopulation of dogs is an issue in Fiji, similar to many other South Pacific and industralized nations worldwide. This presentation explores results from a door-to-door survey in the Tavakubu ward of Lautoka, highlighting the impacts of human behavior in maintaining free-roaming dog populations, including ownership apathy, indiscriminate feeding, and low compliance with responsible pet ownership practices. Our findings underscore the importance of understanding the negative impacts of “toxic charity” and emphasize the need to shift from predominantly shelter-based strategies and free-of-charge services to promoting responsible dog ownership and caregiver behaviors. Outputs of this study underscore the importance of ongoing evaluation of knowledge, attitudes, and practice (KAP) studies to understand how animal welfare initiatives can support community behavior changes that foster sustainable, long-term dog population management strategies.

    This event will be recorded and the recording will be available the day after the event.

    Speakers:

    Casey Quimby – Co-Founder and Managing Trustee, Animals Fiji

    Casey is an Animerican-Fijian with nearly 15 years of experience operating a shelter and multiple veterinary clinics throughout Fiji. Casey has been a pivotal figure in the region’s animal welfare efforts. She earned her Master’s Certificate in Shelter Medicine from the University of Florida in 2018 and has been at the forefront of data collection and population management in Fiji over the past four years. Her dedication to developing evidence-based, research-informed strategies has significantly contributed to sustainable and humane solutions for companion animal population management in local communities.

    Dr Jessica Hoopes – Animals Fiji Volunteer

    Jessica is a Canadian Veterinarian with over 10 years’ experience working in veterinary and shelter medicine and animal management in Canada, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Costa Rica, and Australia. Her experiences working in the Pacific Islands have underscored the importance of developing evidence-based, research informed strategies for addressing free roaming cat and dog populations, that are tailored to the needs of the local community. While currently working as the One Health Research Coordinator for Animal Management in Rural and Remote Indigenous Communities (AMRRIC), she spent the past 5 years remotely supporting rescue groups in Fiji in developing a framework for baseline data collection with the hopes of informing sustainable and humane solutions for companion animal population management.

    WEBSITE LINK:  https://www.g2z.org.au/g2z-webinars-and-online-events.html

  • Hybrid Course – Sign-up deadline 2/1/24 – Behavior and Enrichment Academy & Resources (BEAR) – San Diego Humane Soicety

    Hybrid Course – Sign-up deadline 2/1/24 – Behavior and Enrichment Academy & Resources (BEAR) – San Diego Humane Soicety

    Registration is now open for Behavior and Enrichment Academy & Resources (BEAR), an innovative new educational program created by Shelter Playgroup Alliance and San Diego Humane Society. Sign up today for the Spring 2024 cohort beginning Feb. 1!

    At the end of this rigorous, multi-phase educational program, participants will be prepared to perform the key tasks of a shelter behavior professional. The BEAR program includes four distinct online phases and three corresponding in-person workshops at San Diego Humane Society in San Diego, California. Consisting of approximately 200 hours of learning, the entire curriculum can be completed in as little as two years!

    The BEAR program is designed to prepare current shelter staff and volunteers to transition to behavior-focused roles, and private trainers to transition to a shelter environment. It can also benefit animal welfare professionals who want to incorporate behavior-related tasks into their existing roles, including veterinary staff who want to bring low stress and/or fear free handling into their practice.

    Visit sdhumane.org/BEAR to learn more and register! The deadline to sign up for the Spring 2024 cohort is Feb. 1, 2024 at 5 p.m. PST.

    WEBSITE LINK:  https://www.sdhumane.org/behavior-and-training/resources/bear-program.html

  • Webinar – 12/2/23 – Neighborhood Cats Trapper Certification Webinar – Community Cats Podcast

    Webinar – 12/2/23 – Neighborhood Cats Trapper Certification Webinar – Community Cats Podcast

    Are you ready to be part of the solution for feral and stray cats in your neighborhood? Our expert instructors will teach you best practices for Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) and colony management. Learn what TNR is and why it works. We’ll cover getting along with neighbors, preparations for trapping, trapping itself (including entire colonies at once), feeding, providing winter shelter, and more. Take advantage of the interactive format, extensive handouts, and video footage of actual projects. Attendees will receive a certificate after taking a short quiz and gain access to an ongoing Facebook group for networking with other TNR activists. Instructed by Susan Richmond, executive director, and Bryan Kortis, national programs director. Session duration is 2.5 hours, followed by an optional 15-minute Q&A session. Workshops held monthly.

    WEBSITE LINK:  https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/events/the-neighborhood-cats-tnr-certification-workshop-dec-2023/

  • Online Course – Starts 1/8/24 – Principles of Contemporary Animal Services Certificate Course – Best Friends and Southern Utah University (fee applies)

    Online Course – Starts 1/8/24 – Principles of Contemporary Animal Services Certificate Course – Best Friends and Southern Utah University (fee applies)

    The Principles of Contemporary Animal Services certificate course is a great way to develop an understanding of the animal services profession by learning about the field’s history, current state, and future possibilities.

    The certificate course is built around contemporary best practices provided by experts and organizations in the field to give you a well-rounded view of the profession. With course content curated by Best Friends Animal Society as well as leading practitioners and researchers in the field, you will have access to a wide range of earned expertise, perspectives, information, and resources.

    Choose from two participation options:

    • POCAS Certification – successful completion earns an SUU Institutional Certificate and one Continuing Education Unit (CEU), $399
    • POCAS Fast Track – successful completion earns three credits that may articulate into undergraduate or participating master’s degree programs at Southern Utah University, $699

    WEBSITE LINK:  https://bestfriends.org/learn/principles-animal-services

  • Online Event – 7/18/20 – 2020 Online Feline Leukemia Day – Community Cats Podcast

    Online Event – 7/18/20 – 2020 Online Feline Leukemia Day – Community Cats Podcast

    The Community Cats Podcast and Feline Leukemia advocacy supporter Margaret Tompkins are thrilled to announce our first-ever online FeLV Educational Day, to be held July 18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m Eastern (7 AM to 2 PM Pacific).

    We will have a wonderful group of speakers sharing their expertise around Feline Leukemia. Planned speakers include Amy Kohlbecker (Best Friends Animal Society), Dr. Julie Levy (University of Florida), Britney Fox Hover (Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society), Danielle Case (Tree House Humane Society), Dr. Heather Kennedy (KC Pet Project), and Monica Frenden (American Pets Alive).

    For just $25 for the day, hear from the best and learn about the great success we have had saving the lives of kitties with Feline Leukemia.

    PLEASE NOTE – Webinar registration links will appear on the page you will be sent to after completing your purchase. Please click the link to complete your registration for the day.

    WEBSITE LINK:  https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/online-feline-leukemia-day-2020/

  • BLOG: Pets, Mental Health & COVID-19

    BLOG: Pets, Mental Health & COVID-19

    Since I was a young child I have had a deep understanding of how animals can bring happiness into peoples’ lives. My first word as a 1 year old was “dog” and I grew up wanting to become a veterinarian due to my passion for animals and the love they give.  However, in my later years I began to recognize the impact pets can have on your mental health as well. 

    During my undergraduate education I started to struggle with depression and anxiety that affected my daily routine. Being a busy college student in a difficult major made it easy to slip into a rut where I was greatly lacking balance and calmness in my life. 

    Enter in Molly- my ten year old rescued supermutt who has been our family dog since 2011. I made the decision to bring her with me to college my junior year, and little did I know it would be one of the best choices I could have made for myself, and for her. Despite the challenges that come as a result of being a full time student and dog mom, I became stronger and more focused on incorporating stability and happiness into my life. Having her with me allowed me to be more intentional with how I spend my time, get outside to appreciate nature, and have an appreciation for all the little things in life-even if that means having to deal with lots of barking at squirrels….

    The role that animals play in the happiness and mental wellbeing of their owners is being further exhibited during social distancing as a result of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19). As of Early March 2020, California began a shelter in place protocol, as businesses began to close and people were ordered to stay home to prevent the spread of COVID-19. As the majority of the United States followed swiftly we have seen a tremendous increase in unemployment (Cox, 2020), as well as many Americans working from home as their jobs allow. This has resulted in millions of people-many of whom may live alone- being stuck inside with their pets.

    Pets are now stepping up to the plate as being the sole source of physical contact for many Americans who live alone or are socially isolated from others. Not only do pets get us to literally get up and move around more (ahem-potty breaks!), but they can have a significant physiological impact on human health. For example, studies have shown that people experience lower blood pressure and heart rates when they live with a pet (Vormbrock, 1988). But the powerful impact that pets have on people goes beyond just our physical health.

    It’s no coincidence that there are therapy animals in some of the most mentally stressful places in society as well: airports, prisons, hospitals, memory care facilities, universities, etc… Animals have been proven throughout the ages to be incredible sources of positive energy, emotional stability, and comfort. For instance, Johns Hopkins Hospital works with Pet Partners to bring in therapy dogs “to improve patients’ psychological status” (Hedin, 2018). It is abundantly evident that animals serve as a strong source of comfort to many people in vulnerable states. However, it’s not just healthy for a select group of individuals- we can all benefit from our pets during the time of COVID-19. 

    There have been studies illuminating how companion animals assist with coping during a crisis. Schools that have experienced on-campus shootings have started using therapy animals as a way to help students recover from these traumatic events. Research indicates that the use of animal assisted therapy can greatly reduce depression, symptoms of PTSD and anxiety (O’Haire et al., 2016). Being at home with our pets during this crisis may prove to have an immeasurable impact on the coping success and recovery from COVID-19. 

    Keeping one’s mental health afloat during a crisis is no simple task, especially when this crisis is impacting everyone across the globe. However, having a pet is certainly something to be taking advantage of during this time. Companionship and love is a priceless gift that our furry (or fur-less) friends bring to our lives. Now more than ever, let us be extra thankful for the snuggles, laughs and distractions from the stressful world around us. The bonds that we share with our animals could also help us all recover from this in the future. 

    With that all being said, I’m going to go hug my dog now!