Webinar - 11/13/25 - Generating Government Buy In - HASS
2025-11-13 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Virtual
In many communities, animal services rise and fall with the priorities of local government—and if you’re not part of the conversation, you’re likely missing out on funding, partnerships, and critical support. Whether you’re operating under a city contract, connected to law enforcement, or simply the only game in town for animal welfare, knowing how to work with your local leaders is key. Join Mike Wheeler, Director of Cabot Animal Support Services, as he shares his straightforward, proven approach to building relationships with decision makers—and how you can do it, too.
WEBSITE LINK: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_SIllF2-WSxOrlLsSuADZ2Q#/registration

Webinar - 11/13/25 - Maddie's Insights: The Animal Welfare Assessment Grid - Maddie's Fund
2025-11-13 12:00 - 13:00
Discover how the Animal Welfare Assessment Grid (AWAG) turns everyday animal care records into powerful, visual evidence of welfare over an animal’s entire life. This innovative, cloud-based tool scores physical, behavioral/psychological, environmental, and procedural factors—revealing trends, pinpointing key events, and helping you take targeted action to improve quality of life.
Whether you’re caring for animals, conducting research, or making the case for change, AWAG’s data-driven insights make animal well-being measurable, actionable, and easy to communicate.
Learning outcomes:

Describe the structure and utility of the AWAG in assessing canine welfare
Understand the scoring and interpret what scores mean
Identify the factors scored in dogs
Recognise predictors of behaviour disorders and their implications for clinical
practice
Explore future applications of the AWAG and utilise its potential to improve well-
being

Guest Speakers:

Rachel Malkani, Veterinary and Animal Welfare Scientist, Clinical Animal Behaviorist, Founder and Board Member of the Dog Friendly Clinic
Sarah Wolfensohn, OBE, BSc, MA, VetMB, FRSB, DipECAWBM, FRCVS, Director, Welfare Assessment Technologies, Ltd.

WEBSITE LINK: https://maddies.fund/MIwebcastsRegister

Online Course – 11/15/25 – Colony Caretaking Tips and Tricks Certification Workshop – Community Cats Podcast (small fee applies)
2025-11-15 11:00 - 13:00
In this session we will review all of the best practices for keeping your community cats well cared for during the year. We will cover feeding, housing, and treatment from the team at Neighborhood Cats with their 20 years of experience dealing with all things community cat!
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.
WEBSITE LINK: http://communitycatscentral.thinkific.com/courses/take/colony-caretaking

Online Meeting - Mondays - Weekly Community Conversations #ThanksToMaddie - Maddie's Fund
2025-11-17 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-11-24 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-12-08 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-12-15 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-12-22 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-12-29 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-01-05 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-01-12 11:00 - 12:00 and 1 more date
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

Webinar - 11/18/25 - Doors Wide Open: Social Work Guidelines in Animal Welfare Settings - Open Door Veterinary Collective
2025-11-18 12:00 - 12:30
Join us for a 30-minute panel discussion introducing the Social Work Guidelines in Animal Welfare Settings, a groundbreaking new resource created by and for social workers working in animal welfare organizations across North America.
Whether your organization already employs a social worker, you are exploring how social work can enhance your mission, or you are simply curious about how social work skills fit into animal welfare, this panel conversation is for you.
Developed through a year-long participatory action research project funded by the ASPCA, the Guidelines provide a roadmap for social work practice in animal welfare settings at the individual, organization, and community/policy levels.
Discussion topics include:

How animal welfare organizations can use the guidelines to strengthen human and animal well-being
Common challenges and strategies for successful implementation
Ways non-social work staff can engage with and benefit from the guidelines
Bring your lunch and your curiosity. This will be an engaging, real-world conversation about advancing both ends of the leash.

Panelists and Guidelines Co-Authors:
Kayla Anderson, Veterinary Social Worker, The Program for Pet Health Equity
Kelly Bremken, Veterinary Social Worker, Oregon Humane Society
Laurie Maxwell, Director of Veterinary Social Work, MedVet
Augusta O’Reilly, President, International Veterinary Social Work Association
Alexis Telfair-Garcia, Director of Social Work Program Development, Austin Pets Alive!
Facilitator: Janet Hoy-Gerlach, PhD, LCSW, LISW-S, Director of Veterinary Social Work, Open Door Veterinary Collective
WEBSITE LINK: https://maddiesfund-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_1QXhCo6QRRSKBYInJ_Ki0Q#/registration

Webinar - 11/19/25 - Big Dogs, Big Challenges: Data-Driven Solutions to Move Dogs Out of Shelters - Shelter Animals Count
2025-11-19 11:00 - 12:00
Large dogs continue to be one of the biggest challenges for shelters across the country—often staying longer, facing more barriers to adoption, and contributing to capacity pressures. But shelters and rescues are finding creative, data-driven solutions to help these dogs move from crowded kennels into loving homes.
In this session, we’ll highlight strategies that organizations are using to overcome the challenges of placing big dogs, from innovative foster programs to targeted adoption promotions and community partnerships. You’ll also hear how data is helping shelters identify what works, where gaps remain, and how to adapt programs for greater impact.
Whether your kennels are full or you’re looking to build stronger pathways for large dogs, this webinar will provide practical ideas and inspiration you can put into action right away.
This webinar will be recorded.
WEBSITE LINK: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Btr6qVDTRbS2bCGa1KFQMg#/registration

Online Event - 11/19/25 - Shelter Med LIVE - Pills, Skills, and New Bills: Keeping the California Shelter Clinic Compliant - UC Davis KSMP
2025-11-19 16:00 - 17:00
November Topic: Pills, Skills, and New Bills: Keeping the California Shelter Clinic Compliant
Hosted by Dr. Jenn Bennett with guests Dr. Jena Valdez (Chief Medical Officer, San Francisco SPCA), Dr. Ginger White, (Veterinarian, ASAP Cats), and Dr. Carissa Jones (Chief Veterinarian, OC Animal Care)
Over the past few years, new California laws have expanded what shelter staff, technicians, and veterinarians can do for animals. Meanwhile, shelter medicine remains a hot topic at the Veterinary Medical Board and the California Veterinary Medical Association as they consider compliance and concerns around compounding pharmaceuticals, owner exemptions for medical care, and veterinarian of record relationships.
On this episode of Shelter Med LIVE, Drs. Valdez, Jones and White will share how they work through these issues in-shelter and with partner organizations. Together, we’ll unpack recent and upcoming changes and what they actually mean for your daily practice.
Join the discussion on the questions everyone’s asking:

Can I still compound? What are the rules for drugs used in High-Quality High-Volume Spay/Neuter surgery and dispensing for common shelter treatments?
What can I delegate to veterinary staff or technicians to expand the medical care for shelter animals when I’m not onsite? What about serving owned animals?
What’s actually required for Vet of Record relationships, and what should I be aware of when working with shelters?

Send your biggest questions to sheltermedicine@ucdavis.edu in advance. After this hour, you’ll feel more confident about the do’s, don’ts, and how to leverage laws at your shelter.
About Shelter Med LIVE
Shelter medicine bridges gaps in veterinary care access, ensuring animals are sterilized, vaccinated, and have the medical treatment they need before going home to the people and communities who care for them.
Ask questions (or send them in ahead of time). This isn’t a lecture—it’s a conversation for everyone who wants to nerd out on shelter medicine. Kick back and recharge with your colleagues in the middle of a long week.
This event has been approved for 1 hour of continuing education credit by CAWA and NACA.
Can’t make it live? Register to receive the recording and resources after the event, accessible through the UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program Shelter Learniverse, #ThanksToMaddie!
WEBSITE LINK: https://www.shelterlearniverse.com/events

Online Conference - 11/22/25 - RISE Remix: Moving Forward. No Turning Back. - MCVMA
2025-11-22 08:00 - 18:00
In 2021 and 2022, MCVMA’s groundbreaking RISE Conference made history with 60+ speakers of color, sparking vital conversations on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in veterinary medicine. Since then, we’ve watched the attacks on DEI unfold: companies and organizations gutting programs, dropping staff, and abandoning their commitments. The message from some organizations is clear: their so-called “DEI values” were just a trend. That’s not us.
That’s why we’re back with RISE Remix, a powerful one-day virtual CE gathering reigniting the conversations, voices, and actions fueling lasting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in veterinary medicine. This dynamic event brings together fan-favorite speakers from our past RISE Conferences alongside fresh perspectives and timely topics aimed at driving meaningful progress in our profession.
What to Expect:

Resource: Deep-dive DEI content with tools and strategies designed to spark intentional, measurable change—not just performative action.
Include: A deeper cultural awareness and broader global connections that challenge the status quo and enrich our collective practice.
Support: Focused discussions on affordable care, outreach, and meeting the needs of communities impacted by veterinary care shortages.
Elevate: Insightful sessions led by BIPOC specialists, offering leadership, expertise, and inspiration.

Stay tuned. You won’t want to miss it! Visit mcvma.org/rise-remix-2025 for more details.
WEBSITE LINK: https://mcvma.org/rise-remix-2025/

Online Meeting - Mondays - Weekly Community Conversations #ThanksToMaddie: Accessible Pet Grooming Services for Underserved Populations - Maddie's Fund
2025-12-01 11:00 - 12:00
Access to affordable and inclusive pet grooming services remains a significant challenge for many underserved communities, including the unhoused population, low-income households, seniors, individuals with disabilities, and residents of rural areas. This presentation examines the increasing demand for equitable pet care resources and highlights how accessible grooming services can enhance animal health, foster stronger human–animal bonds, and reduce shelter relinquishment. We will examine barriers such as transportation limitations, financial constraints, and the scarcity of pet-friendly community programs.
Additionally, we present innovative service models—including mobile grooming units, community-based partnerships, and subsidized care programs—that expand reach while maintaining quality and compassion. By identifying practical strategies and sharing successful case examples, this session aims to inspire stakeholders, service providers, and policymakers to collaborate in creating sustainable, inclusive grooming solutions that keep pets healthy and families together.
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

Webinar - 12/3/25 - Sanitation and Cleaning for Kitten Caregivers - National Kitten Coalition
2025-12-03 16:30 - 17:00
With thorough cleaning and sanitation, you can significantly lower the risk of virus and disease transmission in your shelter or home.
Join us for a presentation on the current protocols and best practices for cleaning and sanitization when handling and caring for kittens. We will discuss effective products and procedures for disinfecting rooms, cages, bedding, and litter boxes to help keep your kittens safe and healthy.
In this concise 30-minute session, Dr. Emily Coleman, DVM, will share essential cleaning protocols and product recommendations to help reduce the spread of infectious diseases. The presentation will be followed by a live Q&A, giving you the chance to ask questions and get advice on your sanitation challenges.
Speaker: Emily Coleman, DVM
WEBSITE LINK: https://kittencoalition.org/event/sanitation-and-cleaning-for-kitten-caregivers-2/

Online Course – Application deadline 12/5/25 – Shelter Care Specialist Certification Program Winter 2026 Session – UC Davis KSMP Shelter Learniverse
2025-12-05 00:00 - 23:59
Are you ready to take your career in animal sheltering to the next level? Offered by the Koret Shelter Medicine Program Shelter Learniverse as part of Maddie’s® Million Pet Challenge, the Shelter Care Specialist Certification Program empowers frontline animal shelter workers to provide exceptional care, grounded in best practices, with a focus on improving outcomes for animals and communities.
Through engaging online courses, you’ll gain expertise in:

Best practices to reduce animal stress.
Foundational animal care and medical care to enhance your skills.
Behavior, training, and enrichment for healthier, happier animals.
Population management to optimize shelter resources.
Daily care best practices that streamline your workflow and maximize impact.

Whether you’re new to shelter work or a seasoned professional, this program equips you with the tools, knowledge, and recognition to make a greater difference.
Why Become Certified?

Advance your career with professional credentials.
Learn practical, actionable skills to improve daily operations.
Gain confidence in providing high-quality care for every animal.

Applications are being accepted for the Winter 2026 session starting 1/5/26! Start learning today and become part of the growing movement to transform animal sheltering.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 12/5/25.
Certification is currently free, #ThanksToMaddie!
Winter 2026 Session Cohort Priorities:

Shelter Type: Public or Private Shelter with Stray Intake Contracts (NOTE: We may be able to accept applicants from some fully private shelters – no stray intakes – but much of the content will be more relevant to shelters that do take in strays).
Shelter Intakes: Shelters must take in both dogs and cats.
Shelter Size: This group will prioritize medium to larger shelters (typically 4,000 intakes/year or more) but will also consider smaller shelters as space is available.

Enrollment is limited; applicants from these shelter types will be prioritized for this session.
Learn more about upcoming sessions and apply at https://tinyurl.com/SCS-General

Online Course – 12/6/25 – Neighborhood Cats TNR Certification Workshop – Community Cats Podcast (small fee applies)
2025-12-06 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 2.5-hour session includes an optional 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).
WEBSITE LINK: https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/events/tnr-certification-workshop-presented-by-neighborhood-cats-dec-2025/

Webinar - 12/8/25 - Resolving Barking Dog Conflicts in Your Community - CalAnimals
2025-12-08 14:00 - 15:00
Presenter: Stuart Clough, NoiseNet
Noise complaints are often the largest source of calls to an animal management team. And animal noise can be a major issue when it is incessant, particularly at night.
But resolving barking cases is hard, time consuming and gathering evidence to prove what is going on is always challenging, sometimes impossible. Barking cases also take time away from solving other problems that are often deemed more important.
Stuart Clough from NoiseNet has been working with ACO’s in Australia and the US to resolve thousands of animal noise complaints. He will describe why noise creates a serious issue for many people, and how understanding why can make it much easier to resolve these cases through mediation.
He will also talk about the use of technology to help resolve noise complaints but also how this technology can be used to help assess animal welfare and to engage with owners who have animals they are struggling to socialise / control. The first alert of a dangerous dog is often a barking complaint – so this provides an opportunity to solve emerging issues before they become a problem.
WEBSITE LINK: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_S6BgFBjeQ7OMEQXqEl3T0A

Webinar - 12/9/25 - Vet Med Legislation Year-End Updates - The Bridge Club
2025-12-09 17:00 - 18:00
To advance veterinary medicine, strong legislative action is essential. This year-in-review conversation offers valuable insight into the policy shifts shaping the future of the profession—and what to expect in 2026. It’s a must-attend for anyone looking to understand what’s happening beyond the exam room.
WEBSITE LINK: https://thebridgeclub.com/event/end-of-year-update-on-vet-med-legislative-updates/

Webinar - 12/10/25 - What Happens When They Go Home? - Petszel
2025-12-10 10:00 - 11:00
Animal welfare organizations work tirelessly every day to care for animals in their community. For many of these animals, adoption is the goal. But what happens after that pet heads home with their new person? Join us as we take a deep dive into data from nearly 40,000 post-adoption surveys sent to pet parents throughout the United States.
Data were collected over a 6-month period in 2024, and included time points one day, one week, and one month after adoption. We will explore data surrounding the most common (and less common) challenges that adopters faced, giving organizations actionable insights to help better prepare pets for their post-adoption journey and prepare staff to better serve pet parents with post-adoption issues before they get out of hand. In addition, we will look at questions around adopters’ engagement with veterinary care, training, pet loss prevention, and more.
Speakers: Julie Levy, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, DABVP & Michael Greenberg, DVM
WEBSITE LINK: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_RkK4_loHQim5f_wJA4KWhw#/registration

Webinar - 12/10/25 - Expanding Veterinary Access in Shelters: Creative Models That Drive Lifesaving - Best Friends
2025-12-10 13:00 - 14:00
Access to veterinary care has become a significant barrier to lifesaving in animal shelters. Traditional staffing models can no longer meet the medical needs of growing shelter populations. This session explores creative, flexible veterinary relationship models that expand access to care without relying solely on hiring a full-time on-site veterinarian. We will cover practical approaches including regional veterinary partnerships, telemedical support, community-based care, shared-care networks, veterinarian of record models, protocol-driven care, and leveraging non-DVM staff under appropriate oversight. Attendees will leave with actionable strategies to bring more veterinary support into their shelter, reduce bottlenecks to lifesaving, and improve outcomes for animals even in resource-limited environments.
Presented by: Dr. Colleen Guilfoyle, DVM
National Shelter Medicine; Best Friends Animal Society
WEBSITE LINK: https://bestfriends-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/4717437859110/WN_iRsWQsmFS4aikwy3tfGwsg#/registration

Online Event - Monthly - Journey You Own Meditation Gathering - JYO
2025-12-10 17:00 - 17:45, 2026-01-14 17:00 - 17:45
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 - 12/11/25 - Maddie's Insights: Exploration of Opportunities for Barriers and Bias During Off Site Animal Adoption Events with Dr. Lexis Ly - Maddie's Fund
2025-12-11 12:00
This webcast presentation shares findings from a large survey of 484 U.S. animal shelter and rescue organizations on adoption event practices and adopter screening procedures. Participants will learn about common processes in adoption decision-making, the role of implicit bias in these processes, and how organizational procedures can affect both the speed and equity of pet adoptions. The session will highlight areas for animal shelter professionals to reflect on their own adoption practices and consider strategies for reducing barriers while supporting successful matches between people and pets.
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 approved for 1 hour of continuing education credit until 10/14/2027 in jurisdictions which recognize RACE approval.
Guest Speaker: Dr. Lexis Ly, Researcher
Lexis Ly, PhD, is researcher with a background in companion animal issues and One Welfare. Her previous work used animal shelter and community data to understand how to maintain human-animal bonds, help animal shelter services provide equitable services, and reduce intake and increase adoption of shelter animals.
WEBSITE LINK: https://maddies.fund/MIwebcastsRegister

Webinar - 12/16/25 - Doors Wide Open: Pawsitive Peer Support: Helping Each Other Without the Heavy Load - Open Door Veterinary Collective
2025-12-16 12:00 - 12:30
Join Open Door Veterinary Collective for a second series of lively conversations as we explore innovative and practical solutions that organizations are using to address barriers to accessing pet care and resources in their communities.
Animal welfare work is rewarding – and often emotionally intense! In this 30-minute webcast, we’ll explore how to support each other in ways that strengthen connection without adding emotional strain. You’ll learn practical tools for peer debriefs that allow space for processing difficult experiences without “trauma dumping”, including strategies to listen with care, respond with empathy, and keep both the speaker and the listener/supporter resilient!
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

Explain the difference between healthy peer support and trauma dumping.
Use low-impact debrief techniques to process challenging situations with colleagues.
Apply active listening skills that reduce emotional overload for both parties.
Understand how to compassionately set boundaries around support provision.

Earn continuing education credit from The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement towards CAWA CEs as well as from the National Animal Care & Control Association (NACA).
Speaker: Janet Hoy-Gerlach, PhD, LCSW, LISW-S, Director of Veterinary Social Work, Open Door Veterinary Collective
Come with your lunch and your questions! This will be an engaging, real-world conversation about advancing human and animal well-being together.
Who should attend? Everyone is welcome! This series is perfect for those interested or involved in access to veterinary care. Each session will be recorded and viewable on-demand within a few days after the event.
Earn continuing education credit from The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement towards CAWA CEs as well as from the National Animal Care & Control Association (NACA).
WEBSITE LINK: https://maddies.fund/DoorsWideOpenWebcastSeriesRegister

Online Course – Starts 1/5/26 – Shelter Care Specialist Certification Program Winter 2026 Session – UC Davis KSMP Shelter Learniverse
2026-01-05 08:00 - 17:00
Are you ready to take your career in animal sheltering to the next level? Offered by the UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program Shelter Learniverse as part of Maddie’s® Million Pet Challenge, the Shelter Care Specialist Certification Program empowers frontline animal shelter workers to provide exceptional care, grounded in best practices, with a focus on improving outcomes for animals and communities.
Through engaging online courses, you’ll gain expertise in:

Best practices to reduce animal stress.
Foundational animal care and medical care to enhance your skills.
Behavior, training, and enrichment for healthier, happier animals.
Population management to optimize shelter resources.
Daily care best practices that streamline your workflow and maximize impact.

Whether you’re new to shelter work or a seasoned professional, this program equips you with the tools, knowledge, and recognition to make a greater difference.
Why Become Certified?

Advance your career with professional credentials.
Learn practical, actionable skills to improve daily operations.
Gain confidence in providing high-quality care for every animal.

Start learning today and become part of the growing movement to transform animal sheltering.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 12/5/25.
Certification is currently free, #ThanksToMaddie!
This program is most relevant for individuals working in public shelters or private shelters with municipal contracts. Enrollment is limited; applicants from these shelter types will be prioritized for this session.
Learn more about upcoming sessions and apply at https://tinyurl.com/SCS-General

In-Person Workshop - 1/13/25 to 1/16/25 - Shelter Behavior & Enrichment Workshop - Shelter Playgroup Alliance (fee applies)
2026-01-13 00:00 - 2026-01-16 23:59
Don’t miss out on this hands-on workshop to build essential skills for safely working with dogs in the shelter over four days at Berkeley Animal Care Services. You will work in small groups along side experienced, certified coaches to build your skills in a supportive and constructive environment. Join us January 13-16, 2026, and you will earn a Certificate of Completion, as well as the confidence and skills to improve the lives of the animals in your care.
​This workshop is limited to 20 participants. Register to secure your spot now!
Who: Shelter Staff & Volunteers
What: Behavior & Enrichment Workshop
When: January 13-16, 2026
Where: Berkeley Animal Care Services, 1 Bolivar Dr, Berkeley, CA 94710
Cost: $800
​CEUs: 27 (CCPDT), 20 (IAABC)
No prerequisites are required to attend this workshop. This is a special offering open to all shelter staff and volunteers, regardless of the status of online course work.
WEBSITE LINK: https://www.shelterdogplay.org/in-person-workshops
