Shelter Learniverse

Hybrid Course - Sign-up deadline 2/1/24 - Behavior and Enrichment Academy & Resources (BEAR) - San Diego Humane Soicety
2024-02-01 | Virtual
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

Online Event –2/3/24 – Neighborhood Cats TNR Certification Workshop – Community Cats Podcast (small fee applies)
2024-02-03 11:00 - 13:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
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.
WEBSITE LINK: https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/events/the-neighborhood-cats-tnr-certification-workshop-feb-2024/

Online Meeting - Mondays - Weekly Community Conversations #ThanksToMaddie - Maddie's Fund
2024-02-05 11:00 - 12:00, 2024-02-12 11:00 - 12:00, 2024-02-26 11:00 - 12:00
Maddie’s Fund hosts a weekly 50-minute Zoom call for animal well-being professionals. These calls are a collaborative space to share exciting new programs and research, discuss uncomfortable topics, connect with peers in the industry, and more, all while sharing a common goal of preserving the human-animal bond.
Who Should Join?
Executive directors, animal well-being leaders, shelter workers, pet support professionals, volunteers, rescue organizations and anyone who shares the common goal of preserving the human-animal bond.
Win Ca$h for Attending!
Each month, Maddie’s Fund will be giving away up to $10,000 in grants. You can enter to win each time you attend a call or watch on-demand during the month by completing the giveaway drawing entry forms shared in the chat during the calls.
Register Today
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.
All calls are recorded and uploaded to the Community Conversations page on Maddie’s Pet Forum https://forum.maddiesfund.org/communityconversations
Please note: All views expressed on these calls are not necessarily endorsed by Maddie’s Fund.
WEBSITE LINK: https://forum.maddiesfund.org/communityconversations

Online Course - Starts 2/6/24 - Medical Aspects of Community Cat and Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Release Programs - VIN (fee applies)
2024-02-06
Course Information:
In shelters across the country, dramatic increases in feline lifesaving have been accomplished through the implementation of community cat programs. Community cat programming consists of a combination of proactive, targeted trap-neuter-vaccinate-release (TNVR) and shelter-neuter-return (SNR) programming as a live outcome pathway for cats that enter the shelter system.
In this course, learn techniques to safely handle community cats in the high-quality, high-volume, spay/neuter clinic or private practice setting, preventive care protocols for TNVR/SNR cats, how to design a multi-modal anesthetic protocol appropriate for TNVR/SNR cats, surgical techniques for efficient sterilization, techniques for prevention and management of surgical complications, and management of common conditions found in free-roaming cats that enter the shelter or present for sterilization surgery (ectoparasites, traumatic injuries, upper respiratory tract disease).
Presenter: Erin Katribe, DVM, MS, ABVP (Shelter Medicine)
Course Open: February 6-23,2024
Real Time Sessions (RTS): Tuesday, February 13, 2024; 8:00-9:30 pm ET (USA) World Clock Converter
Total CE Credit: 1.5
RACE Category: 1.5 hours Medical
Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of the course, the participant should be able to

describe programs that shelters may implement to increase live outcomes for cats.
describe the components of a comprehensive community cat program.
discuss the impact of targeted TNR programming on feline populations.
describe preventive care protocols for community cats.
describe principles of managing feral/unsocialized cats in an HQHVSN setting.
discuss options for anesthetic protocols in TNR/SNR cats for sterilization.
discuss techniques for efficient sterilization surgery.
discuss techniques for prevention of surgical complications in high-risk cases and management of these complications when they occur.
describe techniques to safely handle unsocialized cats in the HQHVSN setting.
discuss strategies to prevent transmission of infectious disease in the HQHVSN setting.
describe options for treatment/management of these infectious diseases in TNR/SNR cats and compare/contrast with management of privately-owned pet cats:

Feline upper respiratory tract disease
Notoedres cati
Otodectes
Injuries associated with trauma (fractures, wounds, spinal trauma)

Level and Prerequisites: This basic VIN CE course is open for enrollment to veterinarians, and veterinary technicians/technologists actively interested in Community Cat and Trap-Nueter-Vaccinate-Release programs.
WEBSITE LINK: https://www.vin.com/ce/MULT315-0224.htm

Online Event - 1st and 3rd Tuesdays - All Call - California for All Animals
2024-02-06 12:00 - 13:00
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 California for All co-leaders Allison Cardona and Nadia Oseguera and is enriched by rotating facilitators. You only need to register one time. Calls are sometimes recorded; recap emails with supplemental resources are sent post-call.
At the February 6 All Call, dog behavior experts Shonyae Johnson, Maria DeLeon, and Kayla Wade will provide practical solutions for working with large dogs in shelters and share strategies for supporting fosters and adopters who have large dogs. They’ll also answer your most pressing dog behavior conundrums. Is your shelter struggling with jumpy/mouthy behaviors in big dogs? How can we equip staff and volunteers to pinpoint and address environmentally-motivated behaviors? How can we best support adopters with the resources we have?
Submit your questions now!
Register here: https://tinyurl.com/all-call

Webinar - 2/7/24 - Your Case Study-Canine Aggression with Dr. C Calder and Dr. S Emmons - PPG (fee applies)
2024-02-07 12:00 - 13:00
Dr Calder and Dr Emmons will present a Canine Aggression Case Study in this webinar.
This is a case report of Opie who presented for generalized anxiety, aggression towards unfamiliar people, aggression towards familiar people, and aggression at the veterinary hospital. Medical conditions that contributed to his behavior and medication intervention along with training and behavior modification.
WEBSITE LINK: https://petprofessionalguild.com/event-5584132

Webinar - 2/8/24 - Access to Care Includes Access to Dignity - Life of Riley
2024-02-08 11:00 - 12:00
Speakers from Companions and Animals for Reform & Equity (CARE) will present on the positive impact of Racial Equity Diversity and Inclusion (REDI) training on vets, shelters and people.

Dr. Azalia Boyd, Chief Veterinary Medical Officer, Urban CAC Program & Chairperson, CARE Veterinary Advisory Committee
Alina M. Luna, Ph.D., Dean, Circle of Learning & Leadership
Dr. Raye Taylor, Senior Veterinary Medical Officer, Rural Community Animal CARE
James Evans, Founder & CEO

WEBSITE LINK: https://lor.dog/webinars/

Webinar - 2/8/24 - Maddie's Insights: The Influence of Field Trip and Sleepover Programs on Shelter Dog Welfare - Maddie's Fund
2024-02-08 12:00 - 13:00
Animal shelters can be stressful for dogs, but human interaction, such as foster caregiving, can improve their experience. In this webcast, Dr. Gunter will discuss multiple studies she and her team have carried out as part of the Arizona State University/Virginia Tech Maddie’s Nationwide Fostering Study in which we studied the effects of field trip and sleepover programs on the welfare of dogs living in shelters. Their initial studies investigated the physiological impacts of these programs, and their published study examined how field trips and sleepovers influenced dogs’ likelihood of adoption and length of stay. They also explored factors related to the performance of these programs. Overall, their findings support the implementation of these programs. Learn how you can use short-term fostering programs to improve the welfare of dogs in your shelter as they await adoption.
Learning Objectives:

Describe potential stressors that make shelters stressful for dogs
Relate how human social interaction can improve the welfare of dogs in the shelter
Extrapolate the different activities dogs likely engage in during field trips and sleepovers
Discuss the research findings about field trips and sleepovers
Differentiate how field trips and sleepovers impact dogs’ proximate and distal welfare

This webinar has been pre-approved for 1.0 Certified Animal Welfare Administrator continuing education credits by The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement and by the National Animal Care & Control Association. It has also been submitted for approval for 1 hour of continuing education credit in jurisdictions which recognize the Registry of Approved Continuing Education (RACE) approval.
Register once for all Maddie’s Insights webcasts here: https://maddies.fund/MIwebcasts
After the webcast, continue the conversation on this thread in Maddie’s Pet Forum: https://maddies.fund/MIwebcastsFosterCareImpact
About the presenter:
Dr. Lisa Gunter, Assistant Professor of Animal Behavior and Welfare at Virginia Tech

Before beginning her graduate studies, Dr. Lisa Gunter worked for nearly a decade with dogs in animal shelters and with pet dogs and their owners. The goal of Lisa’s research is to better the lives of companion animals and their owners. To this aim, she has investigated the breed labeling of shelter dogs, their breed heritage, shelter housing and social interactions, temporary and long-term fostering, short-term outings, behavioral indicators of welfare, post adoption interventions focused on owner retention – and more recently, fostering during the pandemic and safety net programs to help keep people and their pets together. Under the mentorship of Clive Wynne, Lisa earned her Master’s in 2015, and her PhD in 2018 as a graduate student in the behavioral neuroscience and comparative psychology program at Arizona State University.
WEBSITE LINK: https://maddies.fund/MIwebcasts

Online Event - 2/8/24 - American Black History Series: Fellas of Human and Animal Well-Being - CARE
2024-02-08 15:00 - 16:00
February is Black History Month and Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity (CARE) is back with its 4th Annual American Black History Series.
CARE hosts this free series in order to raise awareness around the lack of Black veterinarians and to raise scholarship funds for Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) veterinarian students. Only two percent of the veterinary field are African American.
All events are scheduled to take place on Thursdays at 3PM / 6PM ET in February unless otherwise noted.
February 8: Fellas of Human and Animal Well-Being
The animal well-being industry lacks representation of BIPOC people, especially Black men, despite the role of important figures from the past and present who help animals every day. Join host Sterling “Trap King” Davis as he speaks with panelists Daryl Fletcher from SOOFA Ranch and Donell Randolph from Oakland Animal Services. Register Now
WEBSITE LINK: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUvdO-uqT4rG9VzlU5Js6Hq5RfA4hbP9SNx#/registration

Webinar - 2/13/24 - Better Futures for Animals – And With – Animals: The Canine Cellmates Model for Post-Conviction Animal Care Programs - NACA/Justice Clearinghouse
2024-02-13 10:00 - 11:15
Join Deputy District Attorney Jill Hollander and Animal Legal Defense Fund Managing Attorney David B. Rosengard for a discussion of programs that pair defendants (either via diversion or as part of a sentence) with high euthanasia-risk animals in need of socialization and behavioral support.
We will examine the penological goals these programs prioritize, they ways they safeguard animal interests, and their impact in the broader community. This presentation will additionally walk through Fulton County, Georgia’s Canine Cellmates program as a case study. The program prevents men who have been charged or convicted of crimes from experiencing the myriad traumatic life disruptions and setbacks incarceration causes because courts can offer participation in Canine Cellmates as a diversion program or incarceration alternative. Successful completion of Canine Cellmates also allows participants the ability to have charges dismissed or eligible convictions expunged.
For this reason, the program not only saves Fulton County financial resources associated with court and incarceration costs, but it also saves the county financial resources successful participants might otherwise need, had they not learned the foundational skills Canine Cellmates provides. Furthermore, the program’s human graduates experience family restoration, increased employability, and low recidivism rates. These graduates become model citizens for teaching compassion to other humans and animals, which promotes the vitality of a strong community within a One Health-oriented ecosystem.
This webinar has been certified by the National Animal Care & Control Association and is approved for 1 Continuing Education Unit. Please refer to your NACA membership portal for current CEU submission process. Current NACA Members who attend the live presentation or watch the recording will be able to download a jointly issued attendance certificate that includes the National Animal Care & Control Association logo. Visit the NACA training page for a complete list of future trainings.
WEBSITE LINK: https://www.justiceclearinghouse.com/webinar/better-futures-for-animals-and-with-animals-the-canine-cellmates-model-for-post-conviction-animal-care-programs/

National Shelter Medicine Rounds – 2/13/24 – A Discussion of Infectious Disease in Shelters – UW Shelter Medicine Program
2024-02-13 12:30 - 13:30
Please join us for the next installment of National Shelter Medicine Rounds Tuesday, February 12.
The media attention around severe canine respiratory disease has started to dwindle, but disease in shelters remains a concern. Our program has consulted with several shelters in the previous six months experiencing cases of Strep zoo. The number of cases is unusual, but the contributing factors seem to be growing more common. We’d love to talk with you about some cases, conditions of dogs in shelters, and risk factors for infectious disease.
National Rounds is a platform for discussion of current topics relevant to shelter medicine for continued learning and collaboration. While primarily intended for shelter veterinarians, others interested in shelter medicine are welcome to join; we believe everyone will take something away from these calls!
We hope to have an open discussion, so come with questions and feel free to unmute to participate! Our hope is to create a space that feels safe for all participants; we ask you to follow these Accountable Space guidelines. The presentation portion of National Rounds will be recorded, but the discussion and Q & A sessions will not.
If you or someone you know would like to be added to the national rounds email list, please send your request to nationalsheltermedicinerounds@vetmed.wisc.edu.
Please use the following Zoom link to access National Rounds calls: https://uwmadison.zoom.us/j/97442637396
Meeting ID: 974 4263 7396
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,97442637396# US (Washington DC)
+13052241968,,97442637396# US
Zoom Meeting Link: https://uwmadison.zoom.us/j/97442637396

Webinar - 2/14/24 - Living with Claws: Confidently Provide Guidance to Feline Owners - HSVMA
2024-02-14 17:00 - 18:00
This discussion will equip the veterinary team with information and tools to educate pet parents on alternatives to declawing. By ending the elective onychectomy procedure we are protecting the welfare of our feline patients, but we also must know how to help pet parents live in harmony with cats and their claws. With a plethora of information out there, this discussion will streamline what you need to know today to set your pet parents up for success tomorrow.
Learning Objectives:

Discuss the reason cats have claws and why they have a need to scratch
Provide training on how to select appropriate scratchers and where to put them in the home
Troubleshooting difficult cases (like curtain climbers!)
Summarize the five pillars of environmental enrichment to help improve the welfare of cats and discuss why lacking these in the home can lead to destructive and unwanted behaviors.

Presented by: Ashlie Saffire, DVM ABVP (feline)
WEBSITE LINK: https://hsvma.memberclicks.net/webinar-living-with-claws

Online Event - 2/15/24 - Maddie's Candid Conversation: Dianne Prado - Maddie's Fund
2024-02-15 12:00 - 13:00
In our Season 3 premiere on February 15, 2024 at 12pm PT, meet Dianne Prado, Founder and President of the Housing Equity & Advocacy Resource Team (HEART LA), a unique non-profit that was truly born from the heart. Dianne’s compelling story reveals the values, mind-set and skills she’s used to create meaningful and impactful work, despite near-insurmountable challenges – not least of which was discrimination in many forms. Maddie’s Fund® Executive Leadership Team member Mary Ippoliti-Smith hosts the discussion and Q+A.
Can’t attend live? Register anyway! The program will be recorded and made available on Maddie’s University for continuing education credit from The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement and the National Animal Care and Control Association.
Afterwards, continue the conversation with Dianne on Maddie’s Pet Forum:
https://maddies.fund/CandidConvoDiannePrado
About Guest Speaker:
Dianne Prado is the Founder and President of the Housing Equity & Advocacy Resource Team (HEART LA), a legal non-profit that helps ensure people and their pets remain housed. Dianne is an appointed public member of the CA Veterinary Medical Board, trainer and consultant for the Stay Housed Los Angeles (SHLA) Eviction Defense Program, and Lecturer in Law for UCLA Law School teaching Los Angeles Housing Law and Policy.
WEBSITE LINK: http://maddies.fund/CandidConvoDiannePradoRegister

Online Event – 2/15/24 – American Black History Series: Figures you should know about, and why you don’t – CARE
2024-02-15 15:00 - 16:00
Throughout history, we have seen and heard of the stories of powerful figures who, one way or another, influenced the society we live in today. In this segment, we will discuss significant historical figures you may not know about due to our historic and modern-day inequities. As we know, there is still much work to do, especially considering the Human and Animal Wellbeing space.
Speakers: Dr.Alina Luna and Johnny Jenkins
CARE is hosting our 3rd annual American Black History Month Series. This speaker series aims to raise $250,000 towards African American Veterinary Scholarships for students at Tuskegee’s College of Veterinary Medicine.
American Black History Month: Dark Shadows are Evidence of our Ascent.
CARE is telling the stories of suffrage and pain. While the dark shadows were meant to destroy black people, the fact that we can tell our own narratives, is evidence that we have risen.
You must register ahead of the event to receive your registration link. Please click on the link to sign up. While registration is FREE, we are asking everyone to contribute towards our Dr. Jodie G Blackwell Black Veterinary Scholarship fund. Donate Here.
WEBSITE LINK: https://careawo.org/american-black-history/

Online Event - 1st Tuesdays - All Call - California for All Animals
2024-02-16 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

Webinar - 2/17/24 - From the Backyard to the Front Page: Building a TNR Movement - Community Cats Podcast
2024-02-17 11:00 - 13:00
Are you passionate about making a paws-itive impact on your community’s free-roaming cat population? If so, don’t miss our upcoming webinar: “So many cats, so few trappers… and veterinarians… and holding space… and transporters.”
Hosted by the pioneers of the community Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program in New York City, this webinar is your gateway to learning how to mobilize your community effectively. Whether you live in a bustling urban area or a suburban paradise, we understand the challenges you face and have tailored this session to provide practical insights.
Don’t miss out on this invaluable opportunity to make a difference! Whether you’re a seasoned trapper or a cat enthusiast looking to contribute, this webinar is for you.
Anyone is welcome to join on Saturday, February 17, 2024 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM ET.
📌 Registration is now open! Secure your spot: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/4813235730668081753
Let’s come together and create a brighter, safer future for our feline friends. Share the news with your fellow cat lovers, and let’s make this webinar a success!
WEBSITE LINK: https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/events/from-the-backyard-to-the-front-page-building-a-tnr-movement-presented-by-neighborhood-cats-feb-2024/

Webinar - 2/20/24 - Audience-Centric Marketing Strategies for Animal Welfare Organizations - Hearts Speak
2024-02-20 11:00 - 12:00
On 2/20 at 2:00pm ET, tune in to our FREE webinar with Giveffect for a session dedicated to elevating your marketing efforts through audience-centric strategies.
In this webinar, you’ll learn how to effectively identify and segment your audience to create personalized communications that connect with your community. We’ll show you how to refine your core messages to align with your audiences for greater impact. Expect to gain insights into essential tools and practical steps to successfully implement your audience-engaged marketing plan.
Don’t miss this chance to transform your outreach and engagement!
WEBSITE LINK: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/8817062941861/WN_cUGCewLsQSCrLZnki-SCIg#/

Online Event - 1st and 3rd Tuesdays - All Call - California for All Animals
2024-02-20 12:00 - 13:00
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 California for All co-leaders Allison Cardona and Nadia Oseguera and is enriched by rotating facilitators. 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 Course - Starts 2/21/24 - Lifesaving by the Numbers: Effective Population Management in Animal Shelters - VIN (fee applies)
2024-02-21
Course Information:
Proactive population management is a cornerstone of health and welfare for shelter populations. Reducing length of stay in animal shelters reduces the risk of infectious disease, as time in the shelter is the top risk factor. Behavioral welfare is improved when animals spend less time in the shelter.
Strategies to reduce length of stay include daily population rounds, tracking animal flow through the shelter and removing bottlenecks, pathway planning, open selection, managed admissions, and fast-tracking of highly adoptable pets. The course will also cover practical strategies to build efficiency in medical programs, as many of the common bottlenecks are related to the provision of veterinary care. Additionally, while daily population rounds are crucial for collaboration across shelter teams and are key to ensuring animals keep moving on their shelter pathway, they can be challenging to implement, particularly in large shelters.
Presenter: Erin Katribe, DVM, DABVP (Shelter Medicine Practice)
Course Open: February 21-March 9, 2024
Real Time Sessions (RTS): Wednesday, February 28, 2024; 8:00-10:00 pm ET (USA) World Clock Converter
Total CE Credit: 2
RACE Category: 2 hours Medical
Learning Objectives: Upon completion of the course, the participant should be able to

discuss the benefits of reducing length of stay on individual animal health, lifesaving capacity of the shelter, and individual animal behavioral welfare.
define capacity for care in a shelter.
discuss how to determine average or median length of stay.
define pathway planning.
dDiscuss the following strategies for reducing length of stay:

Pathway planning
Fast-tracking
Open selection
Managed intake/admissions and intake diversion

discuss the goals and practical implementation of daily population rounds.
discuss the importance of tracking key metrics in shelter populations, including length of stay, intake and outcome metrics, and disease incidence metrics.

Level and Prerequisites: This basic VIN CE course is open for enrollment to veterinarians and veterinary technicians/technologists interested in strategies to reduce length of stay while also reducing infectious disease spread in the shelter setting.
WEBSITE LINK: https://www.vin.com/ce/SHEL102-0224.htm

Online Event – 2/21/24 and 2/28/24 – Back Where They Belong: An online solution-sharing summit to get animals home faster, easier, better – Maddie’s® Million Pet Challenge
2024-02-21 09:00 - 14:00, 2024-02-28 09:00 - 14:00
Register Now!
Back Where They Belong: A solution-sharing summit to get animals home faster, easier, better.
February 21 and 28, 2024 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
Join your colleagues nationwide for two half-days of actionable programs that you can begin to implement today to slow the number of animals coming into the shelter and get the ones that do back home faster, easier, better.
Whether it’s getting community cats back to their hangouts and caretakers or reuniting dogs and their families, we know there’s no place like home sweet home for animals and their people. Of course we want new homes for animals who need them, but sometimes we forget how easy and impactful prioritizing going home again can be. From reducing shelter crowding to protect animals from disease and allow your team to provide better care, to building support and positive relationships in the community, the payoff is powerful for population management and beyond. And when we go all in on return to home, we reconnect with the reason we do this work: to do our best to give each animal we meet the right outcome–in the right place.
At this two-day virtual gathering, frontline staff will each share the most effective ways they’re incorporating return-to-home goals into everyday processes, protocols and community programming to ensure animals spend more nights at home, not in the shelter.
Learn more and register at www.sheltersummit.com!

Powered by partnership. This event is brought to you by the Maddie’s® Million Pet Challenge Learniverse at the UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program.

Invite your team
Download, print, and share this flyer and post it at your shelter to invite other staff members!
Click to download the flyer

Online Event – 2/22/24 – American Black History Series: Environmental Justice and Black Farming and Why They Matter – CARE
2024-02-22 15:00 - 16:00
Get curious with representatives from CARE’s Environmental Justice, Community Animal CARE, and CARE Center teams. What is Environmental Justice and how is that different from Environmental Protection? What is the Black Farmers Act and why is it needed? Aline Silva interviews Akisha Townsend Eaton, Rae Williams, and Tre Law to share important historical information for Black land owners and farmers, how it intersects with Environmental Justice, and why we should all care about this to benefit humans and animals.
Speakers: Akisha Townsend Eaton, Rae Williams, Tre Law, and Aline Silva
CARE is hosting our 3rd annual American Black History Month Series. This speaker series aims to raise $250,000 towards African American Veterinary Scholarships for students at Tuskegee’s College of Veterinary Medicine.
American Black History Month: Dark Shadows are Evidence of our Ascent.
CARE is telling the stories of suffrage and pain. While the dark shadows were meant to destroy black people, the fact that we can tell our own narratives, is evidence that we have risen.
You must register ahead of the event to receive your registration link. Please click on the link to sign up. While registration is FREE, we are asking everyone to contribute towards our Dr. Jodie G Blackwell Black Veterinary Scholarship fund. Donate Here.
WEBSITE LINK: https://careawo.org/american-black-history/

Online Event - 2/22/24 - What Found Feels Like Contest Deadline - Maddie's Million Pet Challenge
2024-02-22 17:00
Join Maddie’s® Million Pet Challenge in making 2024 the year we amplify What Found Feels Like and celebrate animals going home in the shelter and community. It’s the year we shine a light on the bright spots and Return-to-Home solutions you’re advancing, starting with the Back Where They Belong summit February 21 and 28. Every dog and cat returned home counts—and for the people who’ve been missing them, the impact is immeasurable!
Submit your photos, videos and stories of dogs and cats heading back to the people, places, and animal pals they know and love by February 22 at 5 pm PT. We’ll draw two $100 gift card winners who will be announced at the closing session of the Back Where They Belong summit on February 28.
Register for the summit and bring your team; everyone is welcome, and it’s free, #ThankstoMaddie!
WEBSITE LINK: https://maddiesmillionpetchallenge.org/found/

Online Course – Starts 2/26/24 – Compassion Fatigue Strategies Plus – University of Florida – Maddie’s Shelter Medicine Program (fee applies)
2024-02-26
Today’s animal welfare and veterinary medical professionals are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible for animals, people, and the organizations that heal, connect, and protect them. If that’s you, it’s easy to feel like nothing you do is ever good enough. The work feels never-ending. Taking care of your own needs might seem impossible.
Transforming empathic distress (aka compassion fatigue) is absolutely possible for you and your staff. That’s why the Shelter Medicine Program at the University of Florida is once again offering its Compassion Fatigue Strategies online course with certified compassion fatigue educator Jessica Dolce.
This course will help you recognize signs and symptoms of compassion fatigue, burnout, and vicarious trauma, learn how to reduce stress injury, increase your self-care and team-care practices, build compassion satisfaction, restore resiliency, and make successful changes in your life and in your organization.
By the end of class you’ll:

Have 6 strategies to help you do the work you love, without being sidelined by compassion fatigue and burnout, so that you can feel energized and happy again
Know which self-care and stress management practices work for you
Have a personal mission statement so that you can feel clear about why you do this work even when it’s challenging
Have clear and manageable goals, so that you can make lasting changes in your sleep, diet, friendships, or anything else that really matters to you
Feel comfortable using super simple meditation practices, so that you can restore your balance
Clearly understand how and when to get professional mental health help, without shame
Know how to collaborate with your staff and coworkers on these issues so that you can all benefit from what you learned in the course

Early individual registration is $299 per person by January 26, 2024. Regular individual registration is $349 per person January 27, 2024 through February 26, 2024.
WEBSITE LINK: https://sheltermedicine.vetmed.ufl.edu/education/continuing-education/compassion-fatigue-strategies/

Grant Opportunity - 2/26/24 - Open Arms Challenge Registration Period Begins - Maddie's Fund
2024-02-26
Join us for the all-inclusive 2024 Open Arms Challenge! This grant Challenge is like no other. For the entire month of April 2024, animal shelters, foster-based organizations and public charities are encouraged to create a new program or expand an existing one focused on keeping pets and people together. Beginning in 2024, there will only be one Challenge per year.
Apply to participate in the 2024 Open Arms Challenge between February 26 – March 6, 2024.
Interested organizations can apply through the Maddie’s Fund grants portal until 5pm PT on March 6, 2024.
To be considered to PARTICIPATE in this Challenge, your organization must be:

A U.S.-based government agency or 501c3 public charity
A shelter, foster-based organization or other animal welfare organization focused on keeping pets and people together or animals in their communities
Focused on dogs and/or cats
An active participant in Shelter Animals Count
Current on all grant reporting for any prior Maddie’s Fund grants

If you have any questions, please contact grants@maddiesfund.org
WEBSITE LINK: https://www.maddiesfund.org/open-arms-challenge-2024.htm

Online Event - 2/27/24 - The Roundtable: HR with an Eye on DEI -The AAWA
2024-02-27 13:00 - 14:00
Join us for a discussion with industry leaders about building a fair and just workforce. Learn how they’re recruiting and onboarding talent through a lens of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Panelists will share highlights and challenges they experienced along the way, while attendees will walk away with next steps for updating their recruitment and onboarding initiatives. This session will benefit hiring teams and hiring managers who are preparing to recruit new talent at their shelters and organizations.
The Roundtable Panel:

Meshia Burrell, Vice President of People and Culture, The Anti-Cruelty Society
Aubrey Daniels, HR Manager, Pasado’s Safe Haven
Mark Neff, Executive Director, Forsyth Humane Society

Moderated by Jasmin Robinson, Director of DEI Initiatives, The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement
This roundtable has been approved for 1 Certified Animal Welfare Administrator continuing education credit.
WEBSITE LINK: https://learning.theaawa.org/p/RT-2-27-24

Webinar - 2/28/24 - The Case for Feline Fix by Five - National Kitten Coalition
2024-02-28 11:00 - 12:00
Join us on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, at 2:00pm ET for a deep dive into Feline Fix by Five.
Learn about early spaying/neutering procedures and get talking points to address any concerns your local veterinarians or potential adopters may have.
The National Kitten Coalition (NKC) is excited to host a webinar on early spaying/neutering in recognition of National Spay/Neuter & Feline Fix by Five Awareness Month. We are delighted to have Dr. Phil Bushby, DVM, MS, DACVS, Feline Fix by Five Veterinary Consultant & Marcia Lane Endowed Chair of Humane Ethics and Animal Welfare at Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine, as our guest speaker.
Eligible registrants will be entered into our SnuggleSafe® Giveaway*! Attendees will receive two extra entries in the prize draw.
*The SnuggleSafe® Giveaway is available to all residents of the forty-eight (48) contiguous United States and the District of Columbia. To participate in the giveaway, you must register before the start of our webinar, “The Case for Feline Fix by Five,” on February 28, 2024. By registering for the webinar, you will automatically be entered into the drawing for a chance to win a SnuggleSafe® Microwave Heatpad.
To increase your chances of winning, we encourage you to attend the webinar, as attendees will receive two extra entries in the prize draw. We will announce the winners during the webinar and give away 2 SnuggleSafe® Microwave Heatpads.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity and register now!
WEBSITE LINK: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/4617086374868/WN_lIwXW9ZFTQSBh0nt3a1K2Q

Webinar - 2/28/24 - Data: Looking Back and Forward - The AAWA
2024-02-28 12:00 - 13:00
In 2023, animal shelters and rescues in the United States faced a third consecutive year of high intake with adoption rates unable to keep pace. The resulting crisis is mounting, with organizations across the country over capacity and under stress. Join us to analyze key data insights, challenges, and successes from 2023, then peek into what Shelter Animals Count (SAC) has planned for 2024.
SAC experts Samantha Hill, Director of Data and Technology, and Emily Tolliver, Director of Communications, will offer an exclusive opportunity to stay ahead in the constantly evolving landscape of animal welfare.
WEBSITE LINK: https://learning.theaawa.org/p/2-28-24
