Welcome to our Shelter Industry Events Calendar!

Here, you’ll find a variety of webinars, learning opportunities, online meetings, and national events focused on animal sheltering and related interests.

While some events are hosted by the UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program, most are organized by other groups and agencies. Please note that being listed here doesn’t mean we’ve reviewed the material.

We’re here to provide you with a range of resources to help make your life easier. For more details about any event, feel free to contact the organizer directly (you’ll find their info in the event description).

Know of any event that we are missing that you think should be shown here? EMAIL US at events@sheltermedportal.com

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Webinar – 9/11/24 – S.A.F.E. Method for Managing Separation Anxiety with Lynn Brearey – PPG (fee applies)

Virtual

PPG Presents (fee applies): When dogs have separation anxiety, they cannot be at home alone, creating stress and anxiety for all concerned. This webinar will present a management plan for families to implement. This plan will help their dog be more comfortable at home and provide them with well-deserved freedom, a win-win situation for all.

$15 – $25

Webinar – 9/11/24 – Unresponsive Behavior: A Guide to the Evaluation and Compassionate Choices for Refractory Behavior Problems in Companion Animals – HSVMA

Virtual

HSVMA Presents: Refractory behavior problems are something we have all seen in practice. These cases are often highly charged emotionally, and we know that owners who feel they have come to the end of their ability to care for a challenging pet are heartbroken and often guilt ridden. During this important webinar we will consider how to evaluate these cases.

Free

Webinar – 9/12/24 – DPFL’s Approach to On-Leash Reactivity – Dogs Playing for Life (fee applies)

Virtual

Dogs Playing for Life Presents (fee applies): Reactivity on the part of dogs living in shelters is a rampant issue that can contribute to behavioral deterioration, increased length of stay, and even loss of life. From a misdiagnosis of “aggression” to dogs whose reactive behavior escalates to problematic and potentially unsafe levels, learning how to help dogs suffering from reactivity issues is a crucial need shared by our entire industry.

$20

Webinar – 9/12/24 – Maddie’s Insights: Aligning Programs with Community Needs to Support Companion Dog Retention – Maddie’s Fund

Virtual

Maddie's Fund Presents: In this session, Seana will share research on pre-COVID retention programs focused on companion dogs offered by US animal sheltering organizations, highlighting gaps between these programs and community needs. She will outline a strategic decision-making process for selecting community programs to support pets in homes and discuss different program options.

Free

Online Meeting – Mondays – Weekly Community Conversations #ThanksToMaddie – Maddie’s Fund

Virtual

Maddie's Fund Presents: 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 May 2024 or are new to these meetings, please use this link to register:
https://maddies.fund/CommunityConvoRegistration2024

Free

Webinar – 9/16/24 – Northern Tier Shelter Initiative Zoomies: Ideal Age for Spay Neuter in Dogs & Cats – ASPCAPro

Virtual

ASPCAPro Presents: With some veterinary professionals promoting pediatric spay/neuter and others recommending waiting or foregoing sterilization altogether for some breeds, how should we base our decisions and recommendations? This case-based discussion covers the critical evaluation of recent studies on the ideal age for spaying and neutering dogs and cats, specific variables that impact timing considerations, and comparisons of some of the risks and benefits of early spay/neuter surgery.

Free

Online Event – 1st and 3rd Tuesdays – All Call – California for All Animals

Virtual

California for All Animals Presents: 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.

Free

Online Event – 9/17/24 – Let’s Prioritize Veterinary Technicians – The Bridge Club

Virtual

The Bridge Club Presents: In this day and age where most practices face staffing challenges, we are going to put the lens on one of our most valuable resources: Veterinary Technicians. Join us for an important conversation about the challenges faces and proposed solutions. We want to hear from you: What should be prioritized?

Free

Webinar – 9/18/24 – Stranger Danger! Advocating for and Advancing Your Human-Reactive Dogs – Dogs Playing for Life (fee applies)

Virtual

Dogs Playing for Life Presents (fee applies): At DPFL's Stranger Danger webinar, you will learn how to work with dogs that are wary of strangers by building their confidence and helping them to develop the skills to meet new people (and potential adopters) happily and successfully! Even for the private dog trainer or dog owner, the skills taught in this webinar will help support your stranger danger dog to expand their comfort level when meeting new people at home!

$20

Webinar – 9/19/24 – Frustration Elicited Aggression: what is it, how it occurs and how to stop it with Shannon Riley – PPG (fee applies)

Virtual

PPG Presents (fee applies): Since every human and animal is unique, we must look at how the individual is understanding what is expected. A puppy may be confused by what we are trying to teach or the teacher may not know how to “fix” a problem in a way that the learner understands it. Understanding frustration elicited aggression can not only help the learner learn and the teacher teach, it can also help improve the bond between the human and the animal.

$20 – $30

Webinar – 9/19/24 – Embracing Proactive and Progressive Practices: Balancing the Letter and Spirit of the Law in Animal Control – NACA/Justice Clearinghouse

Virtual

NACA/Justice Clearinghouse Present: Drawing on real-life scenarios and case studies, we’ll examine the benefits of approaching enforcement with a holistic understanding of animal welfare and community needs. By fostering compassion-driven interventions, this session empowers officers to make informed decisions that prioritize both legal compliance and the well-being of animals and communities alike, one that honors the spirit of the law while upholding its letter.

Free

Webinar – 9/21/24 – Return-to-Field: Saving the Lives of Community Cats – Community Cats Podcast

Virtual

Community Cats Podcast Presents: In recent years, more and more shelters have adopted Return-to-Field (RTF) programs. We’ll cover the policies behind RTF, the mechanics of implementing the program, current controversies over the RTF of friendly cats, and how to combine RTF with TNR in general to lower cat populations and create sustainability.

Free

Online Certificate Program – Starts 9/23/24 – Animal Shelter Management Certificate Program – Leadership – Humane Network/UoP (fee applies)

Virtual

Humane Network/UoP Presents (fee applies): This award-winning online certificate program provides practical information and valuable networking for current sheltering professionals, those looking to advance their career, or move into the field of animal sheltering. The program’s courses include leadership, shelter operations, community program development, animal health/clinic operations, and marketing/development.

$399 – $1495

Online Meeting – Mondays – Weekly Community Conversations #ThanksToMaddie – Maddie’s Fund

Virtual

Maddie's Fund Presents: 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 May 2024 or are new to these meetings, please use this link to register:
https://maddies.fund/CommunityConvoRegistration2024

Free

Webinar – 9/25/24 – For Dog’s sake, can you stop that? Canine-Friendly Body Language Improvements for Humans – Dogs Playing for Life (fee applies)

Virtual

Dogs Playing for Life Presents (fee applies): In this session, we will focus on the HUMAN handling that contributes to unwanted behavior, even “aggression”. Get ready to rethink your approach as we reveal the common and widely accepted and taught handling errors that set dogs up for failure. Through extensive video examples, we will demonstrate alternative handling techniques that help dogs to trust and thrive!

$20

Webinar – 9/26/24 – From Horror to Hope: An Anti-Puppy Mill Advocate’s Eye-Opening Journey Inside of USDA Kennels – Life of Riley at Spring Point

Virtual

Life of Riley at Spring Point Presents: Earlier this year, members of Bailing Out Benji were given intimate access inside USDA kennels in the Midwest: they were allowed to see every inch of these facilities, touch everything (including dogs!) and had all their questions answered by the kennel owners. Join Mindi Callison and Alexis Bell for a conversation about their experience and hear why animal advocates can be hopeful about changes that are happening within the industry.

Free

Online Event – Fourth Thursdays – Maddie’s Monthly Behavior Connection – Maddie’s Fund

Virtual

Maddie's Fund Presents: 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.

Free