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 (America/Los_Angeles) | Virtual
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 | Virtual
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 | Virtual
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/

Online Event - 4/18/26 - Feline Behavior Summit 2026 - Community Cats Central (small fee applies)
2026-04-18 07:00 - 14:00 | Virtual
Join Community Cats Central for an exciting virtual summit designed to deepen your understanding of feline behavior and improve your ability to support cats in your home, shelter, or rescue organization.
Understanding cat behavior is crucial for building positive relationships with cats, reducing stress, and preventing behavior-related issues that can lead to relinquishment or abandonment. This event features some of the animal welfare industry’s most trusted authorities on feline behavior, who will lead a variety of workshops covering a wide range of cat behavior concerns.
You’ll gain valuable insights into new concepts, tools, and techniques that can be immediately applied to help resolve common behavioral challenges.
In addition to the informative workshops, enjoy fun cat trivia and prizes that will enhance your experience, along with opportunities to network with fellow professionals and volunteers in the animal welfare community. This is a great chance to connect with others who share your passion for improving the lives of cats.
Date: April 18, 2026 Time: 10:00 – 5:00 PM ET
Cost: $25
REGISTER NOW: https://communitycatscentral.thinkific.com/courses/feline-behavior-summit-2026

Online Meeting - 4/20/26 - Weekly Community Conversations #ThanksToMaddie: Uncovering Insights on the Latest in Shelter Medicine Research - Maddie's Fund
2026-04-20 11:00 - 12:00 | Virtual
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 $5,000 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. If you registered prior to July 2025 or are new to these meetings, please use this link to register:
https://maddies.fund/CommunityConversationsRegistration2025
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://maddies.fund/CommunityConversationsRegistration2025

Online Event - Monthly - Journey You Own Meditation Gathering - JYO
2026-04-21 06:30 - 07:15, 2026-04-29 17:00 - 17:45, 2026-05-05 06:30 - 07:15, 2026-05-13 17:00 - 17:45 | Virtual
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/

Webinar - 4/22/26 - Caring in a Crisis: Pet & Human First Aid Essentials - Center for Pet Family Well-being
2026-04-22 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
April is National Pet First Aid Awareness Month, and we’re marking the occasion with a special webinar, Caring in a Crisis: Pet & Human First Aid Essentials. Join Becky DeBolt, DVM, and Jason French, MD, as they share practical, real-world guidance on responding to common injuries and emergency situations affecting both pets and people—so you’re prepared when every second counts.
Topics will include heat stress, animal bites, zoonotic (animal-to-human) illnesses, and other situations where quick, informed action can make a critical difference.
Don’t miss this opportunity to build confidence and lifesaving skills—REGISTER TODAY!
WEBSITE LINK: https://tiny.utk.edu/April2026Webinar

Webinar - 4/22/26 - Rethinking Retroviruses: FeLV and FIV Testing Updates - Best Friends
2026-04-22 13:00 - 14:00 | Virtual
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 been 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 - 4/23/26 - HASS Connect: Let's Talk Artificial Intelligence - HASS
2026-04-23 11:00 - 12:00 | Virtual
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.
This month at HASS Connect, we are exploring the transformative potential of AI and how to truly optimize it for our industry. Whether you are already using AI and can share your insights or are simply curious to learn how it can streamline your daily work, we invite you to join us. Together, we will share real-world experiences and troubleshoot challenges to help you uncover the untapped potential of these tools.
*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

Online Event - 4/23/26 - Maddie's Monthly Behavior Connection: The Cypress Protocol - Maddie's Fund
2026-04-23 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
When reactive dogs are confronted with their triggers at every turn in the shelter setting, how do we make progress? This presentation will go over a special shelter dog, Cypress, and the multifaceted approach his shelter team took to help him overcome his reactivity and find his way into a home. From finding ways to control his environment, to playgroups, to training volunteers to continue working with him, his team pulled out every tool in their box to teach him how to cope in the shelter setting—and eventually in his new home. His case created what his shelter now calls the “Cypress Protocol” and has helped many dogs in the shelter setting succeed.
Guest Speaker: Lindsay Echito and Marie Lombardo, Orphans of the Storm
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

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 | Virtual
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 | Virtual
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#/

Online Meeting - 4/27/26 - Weekly Community Conversations #ThanksToMaddie: Beyond Assumptions - Maddie's Fund
2026-04-27 11:00 - 12:00 | Virtual

Webinar - 4/29/26 - Foster Spotlight: Lessons from Award-Winning Programs - Maddie's Fund
2026-04-29 12:00 - 14:00 | Virtual
Join us for a dynamic look at some of the winning strategies from the 2025 Foster 50 Challenge. Through a series of lightning-fast talks, you’ll learn how grant funding helped spark new ideas, expanded foster programs, and created measurable change for communities and animals in need. In this 2-hour webcast, you’ll walk away with practical strategies and inspiration that show what’s possible when shelters invest in fostering. There will be time for your questions and answers, too.
Who should attend? Everyone is welcome! This webinar is perfect for those interested or involved in existing foster care programs, foster coordinators, marketing, leadership and operations enthusiasts. It will be especially helpful to those registered for the 2026 Foster 50 grant challenge (deadline to register is April 30).
Participants will be eligible for up to 2 Certified Animal Welfare Administrator (CAWA) and National Animal Care & Control Association (NACA) continuing education credit hours.
Come make new friends and help make the world of foster care accessible and enjoyable to all involved!
Time: 12noon Pacific – 2pm Pacific
Register: https://maddies.fund/Foster50Spotlights

Webinar - 4/30/26 - One Health, Two Patients: The Human–Animal Bond in Homeless Health - Center for Pet Family Well-being
2026-04-30 11:00 - 12:00 | Virtual
When it comes to healthcare for pet owners experiencing homelessness, the One Health clinical care model is proving to both improve access to veterinary care as well as human healthcare. Established in Seattle in 2018 in a collaboration between the University of Washington’s Center for One Health Research and Washington State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, the One Health Clinic integrates veterinary and human primary care to benefit both members of the family.
In this 1-hour webinar we’ll examine the success of integrated human and veterinary care on healthcare, homeless services, and housing, and explore how this model of care can be modified to meet the needs of your community.
WEBSITE LINK: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tQL_ZbiFR666oNuixiwseQ#/registration

Online Event - First Fridays - First Fridays: AI for Animal Welfare Professionals Collaboration Calls - Outcomes for Pets Consulting
2026-05-01 11:00 - 12:00 | 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 Meeting - Mondays - Weekly Community Conversations #ThanksToMaddie - Maddie's Fund
2026-05-04 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-05-11 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-05-18 11:00 - 12:00 | Virtual

Online Event - First Thursdays - Maddie's Monthly Foster Connection - Maddie's Fund
2026-05-07 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
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

Conference - 5/11/26 to 5/13/26 - The Gathering 2026 - CARE (fee applies)
2026-05-11 05:00 - 14:00, 2026-05-12 05:00 - 14:00, 2026-05-13 05:00 - 14:00 | The Study at University City, 20 S. 33rd Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, United States
The Gathering is CARE’s annual multi-day conference bringing together community members, practitioners, researchers, advocates, and organizers working at the intersection of Human and Animal Well-being.
Across three days, The Gathering creates space to examine how the Animal Welfare and Animal Protection fields have caused harm through exclusion, bias, and inequitable practices — and to collectively build pathways toward reform that honor both people and animals.
Grounded in CARE’s core pillars — Intention, Mobilization, Peace, Education, Acknowledgment, Compassion, and Heart — this conference centers BIPOC leadership, lived experience, and community-based knowledge. Sessions move beyond theory to focus on practical tools, shared learning, and relationship-building that participants can bring back to their communities and institutions.
The Gathering is designed for those who understand that animal welfare cannot be separated from human well-being, environmental justice, and systemic equity. Programming will reflect CARE’s four divisions:

Research & Development
Narrative & Truth Telling
Community Animal CARE
Environmental Justice & Policy

This is not a traditional conference. It is a space for honest dialogue, accountability, healing, and action — built with accessibility, care, and community at the center.
WEBSITE LINK: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/companionsandanimalsforreformandequity/event/thegathering4/

Webinar - 5/13/26 - Avoiding Costly PAGA Claims: A Practical Compliance Guide for Animal Shelters & Nonprofits - CalAnimals
2026-05-13 10:00 - 11:00 | Virtual
California’s Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) continues to create significant legal and financial exposure for nonprofit organizations, including animal shelters and animal control agencies. Many well-intentioned employers are unaware of common wage-and-hour compliance gaps that can quickly lead to costly claims.
In this practical and informative webinar, employment defense attorney Mandeep Rupal will break down the most common pitfalls that lead to PAGA lawsuits and provide clear, actionable strategies to help organizations reduce risk. Attendees will gain insight into key compliance areas, including meal and rest breaks, timekeeping practices, employee classification, and documentation practices.
Designed specifically for animal welfare organizations, this session will equip leaders and managers with the tools they need to proactively strengthen compliance while continuing to focus on their mission.
Presenter: Mandeep Rupal, Attorney at Law
WEBSITE LINK: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_O_nPEHFNRtC1mrXjSIcNrA

Online Course – Starts 5/14/26 – Shelter Dog Behavior Mentorship with Trish McMillan – Shelter Behavior Hub (fee applies)
2026-05-14 00:00 - 23:59 | Virtual
Taught by world-renowned shelter expert, Trish McMillan, The Shelter Dog Behavior Mentorship helps shelter staff understand dog behavior, reduce stress, and improve adoption rates. It’s a valuable program for creating a better environment for shelter dogs and promoting successful adoptions.
How does this work? In Part One, you’ll do a self-audit of your current behavior programming, and put together a list of goals for the next year. Once you have that list together, you’ll be enrolled in Part Two, for a whole year.
There are 20 modules, with zoom meetings every two weeks and a lively online discussion list where you can submit homework, ask questions, and get advice in between zoom mentoring sessions.
Goals:

Shorten length of stay
Reduce stress and improve behavior
Understand the WHY behind behavior
Learn and implement science-based best practices

If you’ve already taken the course and just want access to the materials and webinars without the personal coaching, certificate, or CEU’s, b you can enroll in the on-demand version of this course, just $150 for the first month and $50 for each month afterward. Unenroll any time!
WEBSITE LINK: https://trish-s-school-bcb6.thinkific.com/courses/SDBM365-shelter-dog-behavior-part-one
