Shelter Learniverse

Online Event - First Fridays - First Fridays: AI for Animal Welfare Professionals Collaboration Calls - Outcomes for Pets Consulting
2026-04-03 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-05-01 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-06-05 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-07-03 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Virtual
Please join us every first Friday of the month to discuss AI use in animal shelters, share new AI developments, and join your peers in discussing creative solutions to common problems.
Meetings will occur the first Friday of each month at 11 am PST / 2 pm EST.
Registering for this meeting will register you for the complete series.
REGISTER NOW: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_tzBOM-0PQ6KEJp3lyAJ0fA#/registration

Online Course – 4/4/26 – Neighborhood Cats TNR Certification Workshop – Community Cats Central (small fee applies)
2026-04-04 11:00 - 13:45
Ready to make a difference for feral and stray cats in your community? Join our expert instructors to learn the best practices for Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) and effective colony management. You’ll learn what TNR is, why it works, and how to address common challenges such as communicating with neighbors, preparing for trapping, conducting large-scale trapping operations, feeding, and providing winter shelter.
If you’re new to TNR, you’ll gain the essential skills needed to kickstart your TNR journey, while experienced trappers can refresh and sharpen their techniques.
Take advantage of the interactive format, extensive handouts, and real-life video footage from actual projects. Attendees will receive a certificate of attendance and access to a dedicated Facebook group for ongoing networking with fellow TNR advocates.
Led by experts from Neighborhood Cats, this 2.75-hour session includes an 15-minute Q&A. Registration is just $10.
This course/webinar/series/conference has been approved for Continuing Educational Units by the National Animal Care & Control Association (NACA). National certificate holders can submit for credit consistent with the NACA CEU policy located https://nacatraining.org/continuing-education-recertification/
WEBSITE LINK: https://communitycatscentral.com/events/live-tnr-certification-workshop-april-2026/

Webinar - 4/15/26 - Protecting Kittens Through Vaccination: A Webinar for Rescues, Shelters, and Caregivers - National Kitten Coalition
2026-04-15 16:30 - 17:00
Join us for a practical 30 minute webinar designed to help rescue organizations, shelters, fosters, and caregivers understand the essentials of kitten vaccination. Led by Emily Coleman, DVM, this session will walk you through the recommended vaccination schedule, explain why vaccines are critical for young kittens, and provide a clear overview of the diseases they protect against.
Whether you’re caring for a single foster kitten or managing a busy shelter, this webinar will give you the confidence to support healthy starts and prevent outbreaks. With easy to follow guidance and real world tips, you’ll leave with the knowledge you need to keep kittens safe and thriving on their journey to adoption.
Presenter: Emily A. Coleman, DVM
WEBSITE LINK: https://kittencoalition.org/event/protecting-kittens-through-vaccination/

Webinar - 4/16/26 - Maddie's Insights - Fur-ever starts now: Supporting dogs and adopters post-adoption - Maddie's Fund
2026-04-16 12:00 - 13:00
Each year, thousands of dogs are relinquished to rehoming organizations and adopted into new homes. Like many dog owners, adopters often encounter early health and behavior concerns—but for adopted dogs, these challenges can sometimes lead to returns.
In 2018, Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, launched a post-adoption support program. Adopters from any UK Dogs Trust Rehoming Centre receive follow-up calls about their dog’s health and behavior at 2 days, 2 weeks, and 4 months after adoption.
This presentation reviews the program’s methodology and participant cohort, highlights the most common adopter-reported concerns, examines use of behavior support (and reasons it’s declined), and explores return-to-kennel rates, including when and why dogs are returned.
Our speakers are Drs. Eleanor Jordan and Lauren Samet, both of Dogs Trust, a British animal welfare charity and humane society which specializes in the well-being of dogs. It is the largest dog welfare charity in the United Kingdom, caring for over 15,000 animals each year.
Learning Objectives:

Understand common health and behavior concerns in dogs post-adoption in the UK.
Learn where adopters in the UK may seek advice from after adopting a dog.
Explore how embedding post-adoption support into the adoption process in the UK impacts engagements with the service.

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 submitted 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

Webinar - 4/16/26 - Ask Us Anything: Real-World Answers for Everyday Animal Welfare Challenges - NACA/Justice Clearinghouse
2026-04-16 12:00 - 13:15
Got a question? We’re ready.
Join us for an open Q&A session designed for animal welfare professionals at every stage of their careers. Our expert panel — representing municipal agencies, nonprofits, rural programs, and large-scale operations — will tackle your toughest questions, from staffing and funding to intake, public pressure, and field enforcement. Bring your challenges, get practical solutions.
Panelists
Mike Wheeler, Director of Community Services for Cabot, Arkansas
Jerrica Owen, Executive Director, National Animal Care & Control Association
Spencer Conover, Chief Operating Officer, National Animal Care & Control Association
Dr. Josh Fisher, Animal Services Director, City of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County
WEBSITE LINK: https://www.justiceclearinghouse.com/webinar/ask-us-anything-real-world-answers-for-everyday-animal-welfare-challenges/

Webinar - 4/22/26 - Rethinking Retroviruses: FeLV and FIV Testing Updates - Best Friends
2026-04-22 13:00 - 14:00
This session will equip shelter veterinarians and staff with the most current, evidence-based guidance on FeLV and FIV testing, interpretation, and management in the shelter setting. Participants will explore updated diagnostic recommendations, common testing challenges, and practical approaches for integrating testing into daily shelter operations. The session will also highlight strategies that support efficient population flow, informed decision-making, and strong lifesaving outcomes.
This program has been submitted for RACE approval (but is not yet approved) for 1 hour of continuing education credit in jurisdictions which recognize RACE approval.
Presented by: Dr. Erin Katribe, DVM, DABVP (Shelter Medicine Practice)
National Shelter Medicine; Best Friends Animal Society
WEBSITE LINK: https://bestfriends-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/4717437859110/WN_iRsWQsmFS4aikwy3tfGwsg

Webinar - Fourth Thursdays - HASS Connect - HASS
2026-04-23 11:00 - 13:00, 2026-05-28 11:00 - 13:00
You are invited every fourth Thursday of the month, to join fellow leaders from national, government, and non-profit animal welfare organizations for a strategic roundtable discussion focused on the most pressing challenges facing our field. From staffing shortages and volunteer engagement to community trust, and the evolving role of shelters, this session invites candid dialogue, shared learning, and collaborative problem-solving. Whether you’re leading a municipal agency, nonprofit organization, or national initiative, your insights and experiences are vital to finding solutions.
*You only need to register for the series once.
Time: 1-2 p.m. CT
Register here: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/eYjSHEXEQ–_PxoL4pH2_g#/registration

Hybrid Conference - 4/24/26 to 4/26/26 - IAABC Foundation Animal Behavior Conference 2026 - IAABC (fee applies)
2026-04-24 05:00 - 14:15, 2026-04-25 05:00 - 14:15, 2026-04-26 05:00 - 14:15
Join animal welfare professionals at the 2026 IAABC Foundation Animal Behavior Conference. This conference features a dedicated Shelter Track on Saturday, April 25, with sessions on behavior assessment, welfare optimization, and enrichment strategies. Explore 40+ evidence-based sessions across species.
Contact: questions@iaabcfoundation.org
WEBSITE LINK: http://iaabcfoundation.org/animal-behavior-conference/

Webinar - 4/27/26 - Lost & Found: They Don’t Have to Be Shelter Bound! - CalAnimals
2026-04-27 10:00 - 11:00
You won’t want to miss this important webinar to learn about proactive strategies that helped Washoe County Regional Animal Services achieve Return to Home RTH success of 63% of dogs and 8% of cats.
Presenter: Shyanne Schull, Director, Washoe County Regional Animal Services
WEBSITE LINK: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_YrXEFYRUSCGxBs8paItKrQ#/
