Shelter Learniverse

Online Event - Fourth Thursdays - Maddie's Monthly Behavior Connection - Maddie's Fund
2025-05-28 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-06-28 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-07-28 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Virtual
Join us on the fourth Thursday of every month as we talk about dog and cat behavior – supporting pets in our community and animal shelters. Each month, we hear from speakers about topics of interest to our group, such as behavior medications, modifying animal behavior, assessing and improving animal welfare, and how organizations successfully provide behavior support to dogs and cats.
Who should join: Animal welfare staff and volunteers who are interested in dog and cat behavior, and everyone who works to keep pets out of shelters and in homes.
You only need to register once for all meetings: https://maddies.fund/MonthlyBehaviorRegistration
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 Behavior Connection group on Maddie’s Pet Forum – https://maddies.fund/monthlybehaviorconnectionMPF
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/MonthlyBehaviorRegistration

Online Event - 6/3/25 - All Call: Community-Centered Field Services and Animal Control in Action - California for All Animals
2025-06-03 12:00 - 13:00
Now, more than ever, it’s crucial to engage all members of our communities. Starting February 18, Partnering for Pets: A Multicultural Community of Practice, is coming to the All Call to strengthen our capacity to do just that.
Are you passionate about increasing adoptions, foster, return to home, and keeping more pets and people together? Do you want to learn and share practical strategies for building relationships with diverse communities? This community is for you!
June 3 Topic: Community-Centered Field Services and Animal Control in Action
At the next community of practice at the All Call, we’re welcoming Dr. Christina Avila (City of Perris), April Stevenson (City of Rancho Cordova), and Samantha McKain (City of Rancho Cordova) for a discussion focused on progressive and culturally responsive field services and animal control practices.
The All Call will provide a space for learning, sharing, and networking with colleagues dedicated to building stronger connections with all segments of their communities. You’ll hear how California shelters are advancing culturally-responsive programming and building bridges to decrease length of stay and increase positive outcomes for animals, as well as the shelter staff and community members who care for them.
About the All Call
The All Call is a twice-monthly, California community call for animal well-being professionals that occurs on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday. The one-hour call is a dedicated space to share and learn from each other. Popular topics include initiatives that create a more inclusive culture for both staff and community, programs that keep pets with their people, industry trends, research studies, as well as the hard stuff, like what’s not working or what is particularly difficult during times of scarcity. The call is a mix of presentations, storytelling, open discussion, and Q&A time.
The All Call is hosted by the California for All Animals team, Nadia Oseguera-Ramón, Ivy Ruiz, and Allison Cardona. You only need to register one time. Calls are sometimes recorded; recap emails with supplemental resources are sent post-call.
Register here: https://tinyurl.com/all-call

Online Event - 6/5/25 - Maddie's Monthly Foster Connection: Homeward Hound - Bringing Home Your New Dog - Maddie's Fund
2025-06-05 12:00 - 13:00
From environmental changes to grief and loss, Chancel’s presentation explores how emotional readiness, health, and home setup play crucial roles in a successful transition. She’ll challenge the often-cited “3-3-3 rule,” examine how unresolved health conditions can mimic or worsen behavioral problems, and discuss practical tools for managing stress, building trust, and setting dogs up for success. Topics include behavior management, crate/confinement training, enrichment, multi-dog dynamics, and what to expect emotionally during the early days of fostering or adopting.
Guest Speaker: Chancel Siebuhr, Animal Care & Behavior Manager, PAWS of Coronado
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 Event - 6/11/25 - Best Friends Shelter Medicine Monthly Webinar - Best Friends
2025-06-11 13:00 - 14:00
The National Shelter Medicine team with Best Friends Animal Society hosts monthly webinars on various medical related topics for animal shelters.
This month’s webinar is about Infectious Disease Outbreak Management.
All are welcome to attend this month or any of our webinars held monthly. Attendees register only once and can then attend any of the monthly webinars afterwards.
For more info and to register click here.

Online Event – 6/14/25 – Neighborhood Cats TNR Certification Workshop – Community Cats Podcast (small fee applies)
2025-06-14 11:00 - 13:30
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 Neighborhood Cats.
Session duration is 2.5 hours, followed by an optional 15-minute Q&A session.
$10 Fee
Registration Link

Online Event - 1st Tuesdays - All Call - California for All Animals
2025-06-16 12:00 - 13:00
The All Call is a twice-monthly, California community call for animal well-being professionals. The one-hour call is a dedicated space to share and learn from each other. Popular topics include initiatives that create a more inclusive culture for both staff and community, programs that keep pets with their people, industry trends, research studies, as well as the hard stuff, like what’s not working or what is particularly difficult during times of scarcity. The call is a mix of presentations, storytelling, open discussion, and Q&A time.
The All Call is hosted by the California for All Animals team, Nadia Oseguera-Ramón, Ivy Ruiz, and Allison Cardona. You only need to register one time. Calls are sometimes recorded; recap emails with supplemental resources are sent post-call. Find past call resources and recordings, including the recent Multicultural Engagement Community of Practice series, at the Cal for All Animals website.
Register here: https://tinyurl.com/all-call

Online Event - 6/17/25 - All Call: Access to Care Veterinary Partnerships - California for All Animals
2025-06-17 12:00 - 13:00
Now, more than ever, it’s crucial to engage all members of our communities. Starting February 18, Partnering for Pets: A Multicultural Community of Practice, is coming to the All Call to strengthen our capacity to do just that.
Are you passionate about increasing adoptions, foster, return to home, and keeping more pets and people together? Do you want to learn and share practical strategies for building relationships with diverse communities? This community is for you!
June 17 Topic: Access to Care Veterinary Partnerships
At the next call on June 17 at 12 p.m. PT, Jessica Lopez (Executive Director/Founder, The Paw Mission), Ivonne Valdez (RVT/Community Programs Manager, The Paw Mission), and Kristine Watson (Director, City of San Bernardino Animal Services) will share how their access to veterinary care partnership is powering more support for animals and community members.
The All Call will provide a space for learning, sharing, and networking with colleagues dedicated to building stronger connections with all segments of their communities. You’ll hear how California shelters are advancing culturally-responsive programming and building bridges to decrease length of stay and increase positive outcomes for animals, as well as the shelter staff and community members who care for them.
About the All Call
The All Call is a twice-monthly, California community call for animal well-being professionals that occurs on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday. The one-hour call is a dedicated space to share and learn from each other. Popular topics include initiatives that create a more inclusive culture for both staff and community, programs that keep pets with their people, industry trends, research studies, as well as the hard stuff, like what’s not working or what is particularly difficult during times of scarcity. The call is a mix of presentations, storytelling, open discussion, and Q&A time.
The All Call is hosted by the California for All Animals team, Nadia Oseguera-Ramón, Ivy Ruiz, and Allison Cardona. You only need to register one time. Calls are sometimes recorded; recap emails with supplemental resources are sent post-call.
Register here: https://tinyurl.com/all-call

Online Event - 6/24/25 - MCVMA's Community Connections: DEI is dying, but was it ever enough? - MCVMA
2025-06-24 17:00 - 18:00
Join us for a conversation centering on higher education pivoting away from “DEI” language and official programming and how to stay resilient in this changing world. We’ll also discuss DEI in institutions — was it ever really there?
Please note: registration is capped at 20 participants. Registration will close 1 hour before the start time. If you’d like to be added to the waiting list, email us at info@mcvma.org.
All attendees must accept the Group Participation Requirements:
1. This group is intended to support BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) in the veterinary field, their allies, and those looking to become allies. Veterinary professionals (vets, techs, assistants, practice managers/owners, researchers, inspectors, etc.) and students are welcome.
2. Be Respectful and Courteous
We’re all in this together to create a welcoming environment. Let’s treat everyone with respect. Healthy debates are natural, but respect is required.
3. No Hate Speech or Bullying
Bullying of any kind isn’t allowed, and degrading comments about things like race, ethnicity, religion, culture, age, weight, sexual orientation, gender or identity will not be tolerated.
4. No Commercial Advertising, Spam, Irrelevant Comments
5. Respect Everyone’s Privacy
No space is truly “safe” but we aim to make this space “safer” and welcoming. Being part of this group requires mutual trust. Authentic, expressive discussions make groups great, but may also be sensitive and private. Participants may share as little or as much as they’d like, and we advise all to assess the benefits and risks of their participation. We ask that all participants keep discussions and stories shared in the group confidential.
WEBSITE LINK: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/j4Y4o_xzQPGv-gfHCwIWdA#/registration

Online Event - 6/26/25 - Maddie's Monthly Behavior Connection: Leadership through Lifesaving and Euthanasia Process - Maddie's Fund
2025-06-26 12:00 - 13:00
Difficult lifesaving decisions can divide an organization and jeopardize team spirit. Strong leadership is essential to navigate these decisions and gain buy-in from staff and volunteers. At Cincinnati Animal CARE, they have found a way to bring their team along and allow them to become part of the process from beginning to end. Through transparency, open lines of communication, clear action items, and an “everyone’s welcome” attitude, they have developed a supportive and respectful culture that has resulted in a 95% live release rate since 2020, even as a municipal shelter with more than 4,000 dogs and 4,000 cats arriving each year. The buy-in from staff, volunteers, and foster caregivers has resulted in more efficiency from a more united team. The CAC team is now focused on lifesaving rather than criticizing and fighting. This presentation will look at how they developed their culture even when decisions are difficult.
Guest Speaker: Meaghan Colville
Join us on the fourth Thursday of every month as we talk about dog and cat behavior – supporting pets in our community and animal shelters. Each month, we hear from speakers about topics of interest to our group, such as behavior medications, modifying animal behavior, assessing and improving animal welfare, and how organizations successfully provide behavior support to dogs and cats.
Who should join: Animal welfare staff and volunteers who are interested in dog and cat behavior, and everyone who works to keep pets out of shelters and in homes.
You only need to register once for all meetings: https://maddies.fund/MonthlyBehaviorRegistration
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 Behavior Connection group on Maddie’s Pet Forum – https://maddies.fund/monthlybehaviorconnectionMPF
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/MonthlyBehaviorRegistration

Online Event - 7/1/25 - All Call: More Effective Customer Care - California for All Animals
2025-07-01 12:00 - 13:00
Now, more than ever, it’s crucial to engage all members of our communities. Starting February 18, Partnering for Pets: A Multicultural Community of Practice, is coming to the All Call to strengthen our capacity to do just that.
Are you passionate about increasing adoptions, foster, return to home, and keeping more pets and people together? Do you want to learn and share practical strategies for building relationships with diverse communities? This community is for you!
July 1 Topic: More Effective Customer Care
Don’t miss the final Multicultural Engagement Community of Practice session at the All Call! Diana Cruz-Rivas (Director and Board Secretary) and Deisy Melero (Caseworker, Disaster Relief Program) will discuss HEART L.A.’s culturally-responsive approach to customer care and interaction.
Access Part 1 and Part 2 of Heart L.A.’s previous presentation, Housing Rights for People with Emotional Support Animals**,** and invite your client-facing team members to join the call at 12 p.m. PT on July 1.
The All Call will provide a space for learning, sharing, and networking with colleagues dedicated to building stronger connections with all segments of their communities. You’ll hear how California shelters are advancing culturally-responsive programming and building bridges to decrease length of stay and increase positive outcomes for animals, as well as the shelter staff and community members who care for them.
About the All Call
The All Call is a twice-monthly, California community call for animal well-being professionals that occurs on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday. The one-hour call is a dedicated space to share and learn from each other. Popular topics include initiatives that create a more inclusive culture for both staff and community, programs that keep pets with their people, industry trends, research studies, as well as the hard stuff, like what’s not working or what is particularly difficult during times of scarcity. The call is a mix of presentations, storytelling, open discussion, and Q&A time.
The All Call is hosted by the California for All Animals team, Nadia Oseguera-Ramón, Ivy Ruiz, and Allison Cardona. You only need to register one time. Calls are sometimes recorded; recap emails with supplemental resources are sent post-call.
Register here: https://tinyurl.com/all-call

Online Event - 7/3/25 - Maddie's Monthly Foster Connection: Behind the Bark: What Foster Feedback Can Teach Any Program - Maddie's Fund
2025-07-03 12:00 - 13:00
When fosters speak up, we sometimes default to extremes: either it’s just “one unhappy person,” or it’s a sign the whole program is broken beyond repair. But the truth about how fosters experience your program lives in the gaps between assumptions and reality. In this talk, we’ll explore how LifeLine Animal Project developed, launched, and analyzed a foster experience survey to uncover hidden trends, validate unspoken concerns, and turn raw feedback into rapid, strategic improvements. Whether you lead a large shelter or a volunteer-based rescue program, the lessons behind the data can help you strengthen your foundation, one honest answer at a time.
Guest Speaker: Daisy Navin, Foster Programs Manager, LifeLine Animal Project
Daisy Navin is the Foster Programs Manager at LifeLine Animal Project, where she oversees foster program development strategy across three Atlanta shelters, including two high-intake municipal facilities. She helped grow LifeLine’s foster program into one of the largest in the country, which placed over 13,000 animals into foster homes 2024. Daisy is passionate about low-barrier fostering, matchmaking, foster relations, and turning everyday insights into meaningful change. She’s presented with Maddie’s Fund on foster onboarding and loves collaborating with other shelters to troubleshoot, innovate, and share life-saving ideas. Her work focuses around one question: what do
fosters need to keep saying yes?

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 - 7/9/25 - Quick Snips and Quality Care; HQHVSN Updates - Best Friends
2025-07-09 13:00 - 14:00
In this webinar we’ll dive into updates in HQHVSN and learn to streamline operations without compromising care. Discover how to enhance patient safety, patient welfare, and staff well-being, all while maximizing your impact!
Presented by: Dr. Erin Katribe, DVM, DABVP (Shelter Medicine) and Melanie Lyons, LVT from the National Shelter Medicine team with Best Friends Animal Society
WEBSITE LINK: https://bestfriends-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/4717437859110/WN_iRsWQsmFS4aikwy3tfGwsg#/

Online Event - Monthly - Journey You Own Meditation Gathering - JYO
2025-07-09 17:00 - 17:45, 2025-08-13 17:00 - 17:45
Create a shared, supportive space to explore grounding practices.
The guided meditations happen every month and typically run 30-45 minutes. All are welcome to these very low-key sessions, with videos on or off, whatever feels most comfortable to you. No speaking is necessary unless you’d like to share at the end of the session.
Attendees register once and can attend any of the monthly meditation dates. Don’t forget to add the dates to your calendar to ensure you don’t miss out on any sessions.
About the Host
Jyothi Robertson is a student of meditation practice for 40+ years and trauma-sensitive grounding practices formally for the past three years. She was raised by parents who practice meditation and lead spiritual teachings for members of their Indian community. She began pursuing her own formal exploration of spirituality as an anthropology major at Princeton University and conducted fieldwork for her thesis while living at an ashram (spiritual center) in India in 1996. As a veterinarian, she is interested in highlighting the spiritual connection between all living beings.
Jyothi has completed certifications in trauma-sensitive mindfulness, advanced trauma-sensitive meditation, deep listening, DEI, and since 2019, has been receiving training in Buddhist meditation practices and philosophy. As a student learning meditation, she is interested in exploring these practices with others in community.
WEBSITE LINK: https://jyo.world/meditation-gathering/

Online Event - 7/15/25 to 7/17/25 - The Leadership Summit - The AAWA
2025-07-15 10:00 - 11:30, 2025-07-16 10:00 - 11:30, 2025-07-17 10:00 - 11:30
Does your organization have a culture of learning and growth?
The Leadership Summit is a can’t-miss virtual professional development event for animal welfare leaders who want to boost their own skills and inspire their team members to flourish. Each day features a keynote, followed by a roundtable discussion, and then small group conversations.
1pm – 2:30 pm ET, daily, Tuesday, July 15 – Thursday, July 17
Daily Topic & Keynote Speaker
July 15 – Self-Care and Peer Support for Leaders | Jessica Dolce
July 16 – Building Trust in Animal Welfare | Jasmin Robinson & Maria Morukian
July 17 – Strategic Thinking and Balancing Priorities | Dorie Clark
WEBSITE LINK: https://learning.theaawa.org/leadership-summit

Online Event - 7/15/25 - All Call - Shelter Solidarity: Supporting People, Pets and Communities During ICE Actions - California for All Animals
2025-07-15 12:00 - 13:00
Don’t miss the last call before our August break!
Join us on July 15 at 12 p.m. PT as we explore how mass family separations are impacting our work, and how we can take action together. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is disrupting the safety and stability of our communities by targeting our neighbors and co-workers. When individuals face unexpected detention or move out of the U.S. to seek sanctuary, pets are often surrendered—and people become less likely to engage with organizations requiring identification for adoptions, RTO, or volunteer work. As ICE drives distrust, engagement with vaccination, spay/neuter clinics or other community events may drop.
Panelists will offer unique perspectives and practical strategies for supporting families and pets in our communities. This critical conversation will help us understand the changing landscape and develop responsive approaches so that we can act with care instead of fear, and protect each other.
Panelists:

Alessandra Navidad (Arizona Animal Welfare League)
Ruby Montana (Bridge Pups Rescue)
Ki (Community Organizer, Los Angeles)

Find past call resources and recordings, including the recent Multicultural Engagement Community of Practice series, at the Cal for All Animals website.
The All Call is a California community call for animal well-being professionals. The one-hour call is a dedicated space to share and learn from each other. Popular topics include initiatives that create a more inclusive culture for both staff and community, programs that keep pets with their people, industry trends, research studies, as well as the hard stuff, like what’s not working or what is particularly difficult during times of scarcity. The call is a mix of presentations, storytelling, open discussion, and Q&A time.
The All Call is hosted by the California for All Animals team, Nadia Oseguera-Ramón, Ivy Ruiz, and Allison Cardona. You only need to register one time. Calls are sometimes recorded; recap emails with supplemental resources are sent post-call.
Register here: https://tinyurl.com/all-call

Online Event - 7/19/25 - 2025 Online Feline Leukemia Day - Community Cats Podcast (small fee applies)
2025-07-19 07:00 - 14:00
The Community Cats Podcast in partnership with the Tompkins Foundation for FeLV Advocacy will once again host the highly anticipated Online Feline Leukemia Day. This one-day event is dedicated exclusively to supporting cats affected by feline leukemia virus (FeLV), a retrovirus that impacts a cat’s immune system and makes them more vulnerable to illness. Although FeLV is often misunderstood, many cats with the virus can live fulfilling, happy lives with proper care and support.
Designed for animal shelter staff, veterinarians, caregivers, and pet parents who care for these special kitties, the event will offer insights into the latest advancements in FeLV treatment and diagnosis, along with best practices for managing FeLV-positive cats in shelter settings.
Sessions will cover critical topics, including approaches to reduce virus transmission, ways to create enriching environments that enhance the well-being of FeLV-positive cats, and effective strategies for educating the public on FeLV misconceptions and care. Expert speakers from across the animal welfare community will provide practical strategies and answer questions, equipping attendees with the knowledge needed to make a meaningful difference for cats with FeLV. This event is an invaluable opportunity to learn from experienced professionals and connect with others committed to improving the lives of FeLV-positive cats.
WEBSITE LINK: https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/events/2025-online-feline-leukemia-day-conference/

Online Event - 7/22/25 to 7/24/25 - Pacific Animal Control/Service Officer Virtual Summit - Best Friends
2025-07-22 09:00 - 15:00, 2025-07-23 09:00 - 15:00, 2025-07-24 09:00 - 15:00
Join us for a transformative three-day virtual summit tailored specifically for animal control/service officers and dispatch in the Pacific Region. This summit aims to equip officers with advanced skills, innovative strategies, and a supportive network to enhance community engagement and animal welfare outcomes.
Summit Highlights:
– Advanced Field Techniques: Delve into topics like “Beyond the Scanner: Advanced Return to Home in the Field” and “Intake Diversion in the Field” to refine your on-the-ground approaches.
– Community Engagement: Explore “Community Oriented Approaches” while helping identify your biases, and “Community Cat Conflict Mitigation” to foster stronger community relations and proactive solutions.
– Operational Excellence: Sessions on “Strategic Field Operations”, “Understanding your Ordinances” and “Lifesaving Dispatch” will provide insights into effective and lawful practices.
– Wellness and Resilience: Address the importance of mental well-being in the field with a dedicated session on compassion fatigue and resilience-building.
– Interactive Learning: Participate in facilitated roundtables and case studies to share experiences, challenges, and solutions with peers.
WEBSITE LINK: https://bestfriends-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/1817504495481/WN_NVwdoTviQOC9mIUGxljwSA#/registration

Online Event - 7/24/25 - Maddie's Monthly Behavior Connection: Accomplishing the Goal of Successful Outcomes - Maddie's Fund
2025-07-24 12:00 - 13:00
Accomplishing the Goal of Successful Outcomes: Animal Behavior, De-escalation Techniques, & What Happens when they Leave our Care
In this talk, Dr. Carley Faughn will focus on behavioral outcomes for cats and dogs, with an emphasis on large dogs but relevant to all animals. How do you communicate behavior challenges to potential fosters and/or adopters? How does your team discuss these challenges among themselves? How does your team work to de-escalate conversations with potential fosters/adopters as well as the community? What happens once an animal leaves your shelter that has behavior challenges? Dr. Faughn will share tips for all of these questions, with real life examples from 20+ years of experience in animal welfare. Meaningful goals are to keep pets and families safe, together, and happy. In this talk, you will learn ways to accomplish increased lifesaving within your shelter and next foregoing into community homes. Attendees will learn about:
• Tips for safely getting dogs with behavior challenges into foster and ready for adoption with efficient timelines.
• What you can do in and out of the shelter to capture and highlight animals’ fundamental qualities
• Proven strategies for supporting animals with behavior concerns after adoption with a focus on follow-ups, who should be involved in the follow-ups, and ways to keep track of significant behavior information after dogs leave the shelter.
• De-escalation techniques when communicating with distraught fosters, adopters, and the community, as well as working with their own team members.
• How to create a “Tip Sheet Template” to be individually designed for animals moving into foster care and/or adoptive homes
Guest Speaker: Dr. Carley Faughn, Outcomes & Behavior Manager at the Humane Society of Vero Beach & Indian River County
About Maddie’s Monthly Behavior Connection:
Join us on the fourth Thursday of every month as we talk about dog and cat behavior – supporting pets in our community and animal shelters. Each month, we hear from speakers about topics of interest to our group, such as behavior medications, modifying animal behavior, assessing and improving animal welfare, and how organizations successfully provide behavior support to dogs and cats.
Who should join: Animal welfare staff and volunteers who are interested in dog and cat behavior, and everyone who works to keep pets out of shelters and in homes.
You only need to register once for all meetings: https://maddies.fund/MonthlyBehaviorRegistration
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 Behavior Connection group on Maddie’s Pet Forum – https://maddies.fund/monthlybehaviorconnectionMPF
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/MonthlyBehaviorRegistration

Webinar - 7/29/25 - Caring for Each Other: What to do if ICE comes to your vet clinic - MCVMA and AAVMP
2025-07-29 17:00 - 18:00
In the current tumultuous political climate, knowing our rights and caring for our communities is more important than ever. The increased abductions and deportations happening by Immigration and Customs Enforcement have been tearing apart families and communities. These deportations are targeting BIPOC, primarily affecting Latinx and Asian-American communities. Veterinary medicine is not immune to the impacts. Our colleagues, employees, clients, and patients can all be affected. Aside from the devastating human impacts, pets could be separated from their family members with no warning or ability to plan for their care. This could lead to increased strain on shelters and rescues, increase barriers to accessing veterinary care, and lead to the loss of some of our most vulnerable veterinary colleagues. Knowing our rights can help us protect each other.
Join us for a live presentation by the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, hosted by the Multicultural Veterinary Medical Association and the Association of Asian Veterinary Medical Professionals:
Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/6317513410672/WN_2QsiDAgfQXypMQhisY3mVg

Online Event - 8/7/25 - Maddie's Monthly Foster Connection: Foundations of Dog Communication - Maddie's Fund
2025-08-07 12:00 - 13:00
Reading dog body language and communicating effectively with our own behavior are practiced skills that we need to mindfully develop over time. Foster caregivers, adopters and staff need to understand what the dog is telling them and also communicate their intentions to the dog. The goal is always for the human and the dog to be in agreement that “I’m into you!” Through this webcast, you’ll recognize behaviors that suggest the dog is unsure, and consider how to de-escalate the conversation to “I’m into you!”
Guest Speaker: Devan Amundsen, CPDT-KA CBCC-KA, Principal, Animal Welfare United
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 Event – 8/7/25 – Live from the Ranch with Sarah Owings – Karen Pryor Academy
2025-08-07 13:00 - 14:00
On Live from The Ranch, Sarah Owings joins Ken Ramirez to demonstrate protected contact training, which is invaluable for trainers working in a zoo, dog trainers working with aggressive or fearful dogs, and for many trainers who want a safe way to start working with large animals, such as cows, like Sarah.
Tune in on Thursday, August 7, at 1:00 pm (PT) for this free, live broadcast with audience Q&A!
WEBSITE LINK: https://theranch.clickertraining.com/live/#next

Webinar - 8/7/25 - Prop 129: One Year Later - The Bridge Club
2025-08-07 17:00 - 18:00
It has been one year since the Veterinary Professional Associates (VPA) in Colorado was passed. The very controversial legislation has caused confusion, stress and uncertainty for many. This conversation will discuss where it stands today, what is happening and what is planned.
WEBSITE LINK: https://thebridgeclub.com/event/prop-129-one-year-later/

Online Event - 8/21/25 - Maddie's Monthly Behavior Connection - Making the First Move: Approaching Cats with Care - Maddie's Fund
2025-08-21 12:00 - 13:00
Making the First Move: Approaching Cats with Care
Building on Cracking the Cat Code, this session explores how to apply the Considerate Approach when working with cats in shelter environments. Through video examples, you’ll learn how to thoughtfully and confidently approach cats in different settings — from cages to carriers. Gain practical tools to reduce stress, improve adoption readiness, and advocate effectively for the cats in your care.
Guest Speaker: Tabitha Kucera, RVT, KPA-CTP, CCBC, VTS (Behavior)
Join us on the fourth Thursday of every month as we talk about dog and cat behavior – supporting pets in our community and animal shelters. Each month, we hear from speakers about topics of interest to our group, such as behavior medications, modifying animal behavior, assessing and improving animal welfare, and how organizations successfully provide behavior support to dogs and cats.
Who should join: Animal welfare staff and volunteers who are interested in dog and cat behavior, and everyone who works to keep pets out of shelters and in homes.
You only need to register once for all meetings: https://maddies.fund/MonthlyBehaviorRegistration
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 Behavior Connection group on Maddie’s Pet Forum – https://maddies.fund/monthlybehaviorconnectionMPF
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/MonthlyBehaviorRegistration
