Shelter Learniverse and Industry-Wide Calendar

Dogs Playing for Life Presents: Learn about all the ways in which DPFL Playgroups are transforming shelters all across the country! This webinar (formerly offered in three parts) will cover the Why, the What, and the How of playgroups. Attendees will be introduced to dynamic video examples and impactful data and experiences from some of the over 350 shelters who have embraced the power of letting shelter dogs play!

PPG Presents (fee applies): Almost three-quarters of dogs have some kind of canine anxiety, according to research. This talk is an overview of how to help fearful dogs, starting with recognizing the signs of fear and helping the dog to feel safe. We’ll look at the prevalence of fears in dogs, the kinds of fears that are most common, and some of the specific steps that can be taken to protect fearful dogs.

CalAnimals Presents: Shelterly and Petco Love Lost are the leading software tools designed to facilitate disaster response and recovery. Join us for this important session to learn about how Shelterly can help you track, manage, and care for animals during disaster incidents and how the use of Petco Love Lost can effectively support reunification.

NACA/Justice Clearinghouse Presents: Navigating the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) can be a very difficult task and it is important that we protect the rights of the disabled while also being cognisant that there might be those who are claiming the use of a service animal incorrectly.  This webinar will give you the tools to understand and provide protections afforded under the ADA while also giving you tools to approach those who are using the term “service animal” incorrectly.

Maddie’s Fund Presents: Behavioral euthanasia is a sensitive topic with a wide variety of personal thoughts and emotions. But what do we actually know about it? How often does it happen, and why? Do we have data we can use to make decisions? Where can we turn for information? This talk will walk you through the existing (and pending!) research on behavioral euthanasia to help us separate fact from fiction. There will be time for your questions.

ASPCAPro Presents: Join us for an insightful session in collaboration with the University of Wisconsin Shelter Medicine Program that will help your agency navigate the complexities of contracting for animal sheltering services. Our panelists will discuss the necessities of developing contracts with local governments, outline essential steps to build collaborative relationships with key government stakeholders and explore ways to demonstrate the need for adequate compensation for these valuable services.

CalAnimals Presents: For decades mainstream narratives have been villainizing, blaming, and shaming pet owners, community members, and other animal welfare advocates. Stories and messages have failed to describe the root causes of issues. The result is that precious energy and resources go to faulty strategies and infighting. Pet families are separated, and animals go without the care they need. In this webinar we explore how better stories and messages can help us overcome these challenges and help us focus on doing our best work for pets and people together.

PPG Presents (fee applies): When a dog is frightened, we often make use of classical conditioning. Counter conditioning is a very effective tool to help dogs learn to like things they were previously afraid of, but many people make mistakes in its implementation—and then think it hasn’t worked. This talk will give an overview of those all-important details and why they matter.

HASS Presents: Stray pet intake is overwhelming animal shelters and there is a rising need for solutions to get those pets back home. Join industry experts from three HASS pilot shelters—Cincinnati Animal CARE, Greenville County Animal Care, and San Diego Humane Society, to learn about their pet reunification programs and how their efforts can be replicated where you live to get more lost pets home.

PPG Presents (fee applies): This presentation will explore how important animal management messages can be spread through an animal behaviour lens, provide examples of where and how trainers can collaborate with local government agencies, and showcase opportunities to share responsible pet ownership messages through their own work.