Webinar - 4/3/25 - Systems Change and Collaboration to Improve Animal Welfare - Life of Riley
2025-04-03 11:00 - 12:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Virtual
Life of Riley’s community has grown to encompass stakeholders in animal advocacy and the pet industry, academia and government agencies, human service providers as well as veterinary clinics and animal shelters. We believe everyone has a role in co-creating a better world for human and non-human animals and remain committed to building and supporting platforms that foster trust, listening, and relationship building amongst diverse stakeholders. To this end, we have invited Reos Partners to lead our next webinar on Systems Change and Collaboration. Reos Partners has worked with stakeholders holding disparate views and interests on a range of issues — from land reform in South Africa to educational reform in Brazil — to co-create sustainable solutions to these complex social challenges. Join us on Zoom to learn about and explore these approaches in the context of complex animal welfare challenges.
Register here: https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/springpointpartners/systems-change-and-collaboration-to-improve-animal-welfare-890173240

Online Event - 4/3/25 - Maddie's Monthly Foster Connection: Caring for Cats - Maddie's Fund
2025-04-03 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
In this presentation, Stephanie will share insights on how she got the dog foster program off the ground, built a thriving online community, and engaged foster caregivers. She’ll dive into the impact of their field trip program, provide practical tips on fostering engagement within your online groups and discuss how she works foster care into the shelter’s communications regularly. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to grow, you’ll leave with actionable strategies to boost your canine foster program!
Guest Speaker: Stephanie Jackson, Public Information Officer, Louisville Metro Animal Services
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

Online Event – 4/5/25 – Neighborhood Cats TNR Certification Workshop – Community Cats Podcast (small fee applies)
2025-04-05 11:00 - 13:30 | Virtual
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.
This session is led by Susan Richmond, Executive Director, and Bryan Kortis, National Programs Director, and lasts 2.5 hours, followed by an optional 15-minute Q&A session. The cost of registration is just $10.00.
This course/webinar/series/conference has been approved for Continuing Educational Units by the National Animal Care & Control Association (NACA). National certificate holders can submit for credit consistent with the NACA CEU policy located https://nacatraining.org/continuing-education-recertification/
WEBSITE LINK: https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/events/tnr-certification-workshop-presented-by-neighborhood-cats-april-2025/

Webinar - 4/7/25 - Multicultural Engagement Strategies to Increase Pet Adoptions - CalAnimals
2025-04-07 10:00 - 11:00 | Virtual
Join us for a panel discussion, “Multicultural Engagement Strategies to Increase Pet Adoptions,” in support of the 2025 California Adopt-A-Pet Day. Panelists include Christina Lee (StellaFirma Strategies), Debra Olmedo, RVT (Patitas y Palabras), Elsa Ramos (Oakland Animal Services), and Monika Khuc, LMFT (WAGS Pet Adoption).
Drawing from their diverse lived experience and expertise in community engagement and organizing, pet adoptions, animal behavior and veterinary medicine, the panelists will share strategies for engaging multicultural communities to build trust and boost pet adoptions. The discussion will cover the importance of multilingual outreach, the value of colloquial translations, and their direct impact on pet retention and adoption.
The California for All Animals team will share statewide findings about multicultural engagement and how their free translation services are impacting shelters and animal control agencies across California.
WEBSITE LINK: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_LA83_1cQRYC06CENBj5FLw#/registration

Online Meeting - Mondays - Weekly Community Conversations #ThanksToMaddie - Maddie's Fund
2025-04-07 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-04-28 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 May 2024 or are new to these meetings, please use this link to register:
https://maddies.fund/CommunityConvoRegistration2024
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/CommunityConvo2024Registration

Online Event - Monthly - Journey You Own Meditation Gathering - JYO
2025-04-09 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 - 4/10/25 - From Pickup to Prevention: How Field Services Can Keep Pets Home - HASS
2025-04-10 11:00 - 12:00 | Virtual
The role of field services is not limited to enforcement of public safety, but should be embraced as the first responders to pet support services and community engagement! This often includes a primary responsibility of their role to pick up lost pets and transporting to the shelter in the hopes an owner would retrieve them. HASS asks, what if this wasn’t the only method for field services to support lost pet reunification?
In honor of ACO Appreciation Month and to continue our conversation on lost pet reunification, HASS welcomes you to join Jace Huggins, VP & Chief of Humane Law Enforcement at San Diego Humane Society and Mike Wheeler, Director of Cabot Animal Support Services, as they discuss how to unite with your local animal control team to support less lost pet intake and more keeping families together.
WEBSITE LINK: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/7017380094930/WN_kcSfw6pNSo-SnOOIqK7sbA#/registration

Webinar - 4/10/25 - Maddie’s Insights: Exploring Efficacy, Barriers, and Best Practices of Companion Animal Foster Caregiving - Maddie's Insights
2025-04-10 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
Foster care is a unique form of human-animal interaction that is increasingly understood to be an effective tool for improving the welfare of shelter-living animals. Even brief stays in foster care can allow animals to escape the stressors of the shelter, provide an environment that allows for greater social interaction, and offer opportunities for improved health and behavior.
In this presentation, we will highlight the key takeaways revealed in the 42 published articles evaluating companion animal foster care programs that are included in our recent review paper: Companion animal foster caregiving: A scoping review exploring animal and caregiver welfare, barriers to caregiver recruitment and retention, and best practices for foster care programs in animal shelters. During our discussion, we will examine a variety of foster care programs that have been studied, explore the evidence of their effects on human and animal welfare, evaluate the successes and challenges in supporting shelter foster care programs, illuminate discrepancies in equity and diversity of caregiver engagement that offer opportunities for recruitment, and recommend best practices for lasting programmatic success.
Learning Objectives:
1. Describe scientific research about foster caregiving as an intervention for companion animals.
2. Identify the proximate (i.e., physical and emotional) and distal (i.e., length of stay and adoption outcomes) welfare benefits of foster caregiving for shelter animals as well as their caregivers.
3. Explore opportunities for improving foster care programs in animal shelters, including utilizing a stepwise approach to foster caregiving, providing greater caregiver support, increasing the diversity of caregiver involvement, and expanding the extent of community engagement within foster care programs.
Guest Speakers:
Lisa Gunter, Assistant Professor, PhD, CAAB, CBCC-KA, and Grace Phillips, Master’s Student, Virgina Tech, School of Animal Sciences
Register for Maddie’s Insights Webcasts: https://maddies.fund/MIwebcastsRegister

Online Event – 4/12/25 – 2025 Online Behavior Day Conference – Community Cats Podcast (fee applies)
2025-04-12 07:00 - 14:00 | Virtual
Join Community Cats Podcast for our annual Online Behavior Day, an exciting event 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—from managing vet visits and providing enrichment to addressing litter box issues and navigating multi-cat households.
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.
Registration is just $25 and includes access to the live event and recorded sessions after the event, as well as speaker slides, handouts, and more.
WEBSITE LINK: https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/events/2025-online-behavior-day/

Online Certificate Program – Starts 4/14/25 – Animal Shelter Management Certificate Program – Marketing and Development – Humane Network/UoP (fee applies)
2025-04-14 | Virtual
Society’s relationship to pets continues to evolve. The majority of people consider their pets to be beloved family members and expect their local animal shelter to work diligently to save the lives of the dogs and cats that enter the facility. This program will provide the knowledge you need to assume a management or leadership role at an open-admission animal shelter. You’ll learn how to maximize a shelter’s lifesaving potential through program management, community engagement, and shelter operations while at the same time preparing yourself for an exciting career.
The five courses are:

Leadership covering strategic planning, analyzing operations, decision-making, managing people and processes to achieve results, organizational responsibilities, and working with a board of directors.
Shelter Operations covering adoptions, animal care and sheltering fundamentals, animal behavior and enrichment, and customer service.
Community Program Development covering volunteers, foster care, spay/neuter, pet retention, events, and community relations.
Animal Health and Clinic Operations covering understanding shelter medicine, basic animal health considerations and care, euthanasia decisions, and clinic operations.
Marketing and Development covering development fundamentals, fundraising strategies, marketing fundamentals, adoption promotion, social media and websites, and media relations.

Each of these courses include live video conference sessions with top experts in the field providing students valuable contacts within the field. Additionally, alumni have access to exclusive networking opportunities and receive notification of employment opportunities.
You can sign up for individual courses or all five for a discount. All five must be completed to get a certificate.
Who will benefit from the program?

Professionals seeking a career change to something more personally fulfilling.
New shelter directors.
Shelter directors or managers wishing to improve their organization’s live release rate and sustainability.
People working in the animal welfare field who wish to advance into management roles.
Board members of animal shelters.

Credit for program/courses
Upon completion of all five courses, you will receive a Certificate in Animal Shelter Management from the University of the Pacific.
Each course earns:

Continuing Education Units (CEUs) from the University of the Pacific
Association of Animal Welfare Advancement CAWA Continuing Education (CE) credits

Individual courses (6 CEUs): $399
Certificate/all courses (30 CEUs): $1,495, special bundle pricing if you register for ALL courses up front ($500 discount!)
Schedule and Registration
Each of the five online courses are six weeks long and are offered sequentially. The entire program is about seven months long, and a new round starts again after a short break. More information on start dates of each course and the registration form can be found on the University of the Pacific website.
​WEBSITE LINK: http://pacific.edu/education/professional-development/certificate-programs/animal-shelter-management

Conference - 4/15/25 to 4/18/25 - Animal Care Expo 2025 - HSUS (fee applies)
2025-04-15 07:00 - 20:30, 2025-04-16 07:30 - 17:45, 2025-04-17 07:30 - 23:00, 2025-04-18 07:30 - 12:30 | Virtual
Animal Care Expo is the largest international educational conference and trade show for animal welfare professionals and volunteers. We are excited to host Expo 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada, April 15-18 at Caesars Forum, where we expect to welcome over 2,500 attendees. Experts from all facets of animal welfare around the globe will join together to learn about the latest programs, share best practices, gain inspiration, and build lasting connections.
Animal Care Expo 2024 offered:

Nearly 100 workshops across 12 tracks.
An expansive exhibit hall providing the opportunity to engage with animal welfare organizations, vendors and sponsors, learning about the latest products and services in the industry.
Continuing education opportunities in a variety of disciplines.
Networking opportunities where you can share knowledge, gain advice and draw inspiration from the experiences and outlooks of your global colleagues.
A dog park with adoptable dogs and cattery with adoptable cats where attendees can take some time from their day to unwind and cuddle with adorable animals.
Plus, several delicious plant-based meals throughout the conference.
Hands-on community service activities are planned for the exhibit hall as well as out in the community on May 15 (more to come).

Altogether, the networking and educational opportunities at Animal Care Expo yield professional and personal dividends for attendees that last throughout the year and beyond.
WEBSITE LINK: https://humanepro.org/expo

Online Event - 1st Tuesdays - All Call - California for All Animals
2025-04-16 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
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 - 4/22/25 - Opening your own procedure clinic to reduce economic euthanasia and provide affordable options - United Spay Alliance
2025-04-22 11:00 - 12:00 | Virtual
Thinking of Opening a Clinic in Your Community? Don’t Miss This Free Webinar – LIVE SESSION ONLY!
Join us on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 for a special presentation from Dr. Lisa Warren on how to open a procedure-focused clinic that serves your community’s animal welfare needs.
Designed for veterinarians and anyone interested in starting a clinic, this session will explore Dr. Warren’s collaborative partnership model, proving that procedure clinics can be both profitable and community-driven.
Can’t wait? Check out our blog post with a sneak peak into Dr. Warren’s work in Kentucky here.
What: Opening your own procedure clinic to reduce economic euthanasia and provide affordable options
When: Tuesday, April 22, 2025 @ 2:00 PM ET
Live session only – no recording will be available! Don’t miss this opportunity to learn directly from Dr. Warren.
WEBSITE LINK: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/637890912072853085

Webinar Series - 4/22/25 - Doors Wide Open: How to Multiply Existing Donor Dollars for Veterinary Care in Your Community - Open Door Veterinary Collective
2025-04-22 12:00 - 12:30 | Virtual
Topic: Engaging with Human and Social Service Providers to Increase Access to Care for Animals and People
In this session we’ll share the statistics that describe the crisis in accessing veterinary care from a credit and cash-flow perspective and offer practical solutions to help pet families pay for veterinary care over time, at your clinic or with clinics in your community.
We’ll share research that demonstrates that these expanded payment options offer the ability to multiply donor (or discount) dollars by 14.5, turning $100,000 into $1,450,000 of veterinary care in your community among clients unlikely to qualify for common payment tools such as CareCredit. This will enable you to best target limited dollars to the cases that most need them and to expand care overall, keeping clinics working to sustain accessible care.
Guest Speaker: Heather Cammisa, Program Manager at pethelpfinder.org and Chief Enterprise Officer at Open Door Veterinary Collective
Register here: https://maddiesfund-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_1QXhCo6QRRSKBYInJ_Ki0Q#/
Join Open Door Veterinary Collective for 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.
We’ll cover various topics and share successful strategies through short 30-minute presentations, panel discussions, video snippets and Q&A sessions.
Topics and featured programs include:
• Pet Inclusive Transportation Options
• Access to Financially Friendly Pet Services
• Engaging with Human and Social Service Providers to Increase Access to Care
• Successful Program Profiles: Neighborhood Pets and their Community-Centered Well-Being for People and Pets
• How to Multiply Existing Donor Dollars for Veterinary Care in Your Community and more!
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.
Come make friends and learn to make access to care more achievable for all involved! #ThanksToMaddie
Learn more: https://forum.maddiesfund.org/opendoorwebcasts

Webinar - 4/22/25 - The Roundtable: Navigating Resistance and Strengthening Community - The AAWA
2025-04-22 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
This roundtable discussion explores the realities of helping animal welfare organizations make progress toward their equity and inclusion goals, despite roadblocks and resistance. Learn from industry leaders as they share:

Experiences creating long-term change at their organizations
Challenges and successes they faced while addressing inequities in the workplace
Lessons learned

Panelists:

Todd Cramer, CAWA, Chief Operating Officer, Potter League for Animals
Meredith Jones, Chief Community Initiatives Officer, Operation Kindness
Jennifer Toussaint, Chief of Animal Control, Arlington County Animal Control / Animal Welfare League of Arlington
Facilitator: Jasmin Robinson, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives, The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement

(Art by Hannah Moren)
WEBSITE LINK: https://learning.theaawa.org/p/4-22-2025

Webinar - 4/23/25 - A Culture of Return to Home: What is it and Why is it Important? - GoodPup
2025-04-23 10:30 - 11:30 | Virtual
Explore ways to ensure that your agency proactively promotes lost pet reunification
Lead by: Jackie Rose
WEBSITE LINK: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-culture-of-return-to-home-what-is-it-and-why-is-it-important-tickets-1207192518319

Webinar - 4/23/25 - Stay Safe During Equine Emergencies - HVMA
2025-04-23 17:00 - 18:30 | Virtual
Presented by: Rebecca Gimenez Husted, PhD, Technical Large Animal Emergency Rescue, Inc.
This webinar will contain information useful to all veterinary professionals, even those who do not practice on horses. Since horses are often transported to different locations, accidents can happen anywhere. Practitioners will be introduced to easy ways to learn the Incident Command model for safe teamwork for daily use in the clinic, as well as response to field emergencies. Choosing the correct end points relevant to various dangerous scenarios, and the difficult decision-making processing for triage, treatment and euthanasia will be threaded throughout the presentation.
During this webinar attendees will learn:

The importance of trained handlers. Where to stand, where not to stand and the significance of watching other people’s position.
Examples of soft and hard extensions of the arm and simple large animal rescue specialty tools
Proven techniques for physical and chemical restraint.
Manipulations for laterally recumbent animals, repositioning and recovery positions for large animals
Procedures for de-escalation of stress in the animal patient while the veterinarian is responding to the location.

This webinar is FREE for all attendees.
1.5 hours of RACE CE credits for HumaneVMA members only.
WEBSITE LINK: https://humanevma.memberclicks.net/webinar-equine-emergencies

Webinar - 4/24/25 - Pioneering the Path: Innovations in Field Services Our Communities Need - NACA/Justice Clearinghouse
2025-04-24 10:00 - 11:15 | Virtual
Join us as we explore cutting-edge advancements in animal field services. From AI-assisted tracking to community engagement strategies, this webinar uncovers the tools and approaches needed to build stronger, more resilient communities. Join us as we pave the way for a brighter future together.
Speaker: Dr. Josh Fisher
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/pioneering-the-path-innovations-in-field-services-our-communities-need/

Online Event - 4/24/25 - Maddie's Monthly Behavior Connection - Cracking the Cat Code: Recognizing Feline Signals for Better Care - Maddie's Fund
2025-04-24 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
Understanding feline body language is crucial for ensuring the safety and well-being of both shelter cats and their caregivers. This session provides staff and volunteers with the practical tools to assess and respond to feline body language using the Fear Free FAS (Fear, Anxiety, and Stress) scale. Participants will learn how to identify stress signals, improve observational skills, and apply strategies to enhance human-cat interactions. Through interactive exercises and video demonstrations, attendees will gain the confidence to advocate for the cats in their care, promoting better welfare and adoption outcomes.
Guest Speaker: Tabitha Kucera, RVT, KPA-CTP, CCBC, VTS (Behavior)
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

Webinar - 4/24/25 - Circle Work: Movement Stations to Increase Confidence and Decrease Reactivity - FDSA (fee applies)
2025-04-24 15:00 - 16:00 | Virtual
One of the most challenging components about working with a reactive dog in the real world is that the environment itself isn’t always predictable. And what if your goal is to help a reactive dog acclimate to a new environment, and/or acclimate to other dogs being present? How can we change the environment, to then change their behavior? Course circles are stations with pieces of equipment (think platforms, cones, cavalleti poles, slow feeders, etc) placed in a large circle, with strategic behaviors assigned to each station. Course circles are designed to: – Build the dog’s skill set – Facilitate movement and body awareness – Allow for scent gathering with other dogs present – Create predictability using environmental cues – Be fun and engaging for both ends of the leash Learn how to use course circles for dogs who struggle staying relaxed and responsive in the presence of triggers, or in unfamiliar environments. Whether you’re a seasoned professional looking for a fresh approach to your leash reactivity cases and group classes, or a handler of a reactive dog looking for ways to help your dog feel more secure in the world, this webinar is for you.
Presenter: Jessica Wheatcraft
WEBSITE LINK: https://www.fenzidogsportsacademy.com/index.php/self-study/webinars

Webinar - 4/25/25 - Fading Kitten Syndrome: Fight the Fade - National Kitten Coalition
2025-04-25 10:00 - 11:00 | Virtual
Don’t miss this invaluable opportunity to learn from Dr. Emily Coleman as she explores the life-saving strategies for panleukopenia in kittens. Specifically designed for foster families and kitten caregivers, this webinar will provide you with crucial knowledge on recognizing early symptoms, accessing timely care, and implementing effective vaccination and cleaning protocols to stop the spread of this devastating disease. Equip yourself with the tools and confidence to safeguard the health of the kittens you care for and make a lasting impact on their lives.
WEBSITE LINK: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/3217434560281/WN_1ziS4PI5RHOQoyAvc-53Gw#/registration

Hybrid Conference – 4/26/25 and 4/27/25 – Feline Health Symposium - Health Breakthroughs for EveryCat: Focusing on Future Therapies for Feline Heart Disease and Beyond – EveryCat Health Foundation (fee applies)
2025-04-26, 2025-04-27 | Virtual
EveryCat Health Foundation and North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine are excited to partner once again for a feline health symposium!
Join us on April 26-27, 2025 at North Carolina State College of Veterinary Medicine in Raleigh, NC for Health Breakthroughs for EveryCat: Focusing on Future Therapies for Feline Heart Disease and Beyond.
The focus this year is feline heart disease, including feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, with some very exciting news being announced!
This symposium will feature two tracks:
a two-day track for veterinary professionals offering continuing education credits, and
a one-day track for non-veterinary professionals.
Featured speakers include:
Joshua Stern, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (Cardiology),
Jose Novo Matos DVM DipECVIM (Cardiology) MRCVS,
Ronald H. L. Li, DVM, MVetMed, PhD, DACVECC,
Alex Lynch, BVSc(Hons) DACVECC MRCVS,
Margaret Gruen, DVM, MVPH, PhD, DACVB, Fear Free Certified
and many others!
Both in-person and live stream options are available!
WEBSITE LINK: https://felinesymposium.squarespace.com/

Online Course - Application deadline 4/26/25 - Shelter Care Specialist Certification Program Summer 2025 Session - UC Davis KSMP Shelter Learniverse
2025-04-26 | Virtual
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 summer 2025 session starting 5/26/25! Start learning today and become part of the growing movement to transform animal sheltering.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 4/26/25.
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

Conference – 4/27/25 to 4/29/25 – Humane Canada’s Summit for Animals – Humane Canada (fee applies)
2025-04-27 - 2025-04-30 | Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth, Boulevard René-Lévesque Ouest 900, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
Join us in Montréal, Québec for the biggest and boldest animal welfare conference in Canada!
Join us at Humane Canada’s Summit for Animals in Montréal, Quebec, April 27-29, 2025, where you’ll discover innovative strategies and practical solutions to enhance the well-being of animals in your community and beyond.
Education:
Our conference features diverse speakers, including experts in advocacy, community outreach, animal care, farmed and wild animals, shelter medicine, fundraising, marketing and more. They will share valuable insights and best practices that you can implement in your daily work and organization. Dive into our conference educational topics here.
Networking:
Experience the Discovery Hub, where you can explore a dynamic exhibit floor featuring cutting-edge products, technology and services, make connections and enjoy delicious food. This area brings together exhibitors and top-tier partners, all seamlessly connected within the conference venue. At the Discovery Hub, you will also find our Hot Topics area, where you can gather in small groups to discuss current topics and pressing issues in animal welfare.
Wellbeing:
Unwind in our Happy Walrus Recharge Room, a relaxing and calm space to support your mental and physical well-being while at the conference.
Fun:
Our Yappy Hour will be the perfect opportunity to mingle with fellow attendees in a laid-back environment before the conference officially begins.
Our friends at the Montréal SPCA will give us a warm welcome to their city at our scocial: Soirée Rendez-vous, and will host shelter tours.
This is a fantastic opportunity to connect with fellow animal welfare professionals, advocates and volunteers from across Canada, the United States and abroad to learn, share and advance together. Join us and be part of the movement to create a more humane world for all animals.
WEBSITE LINK: https://reg.eventmobi.com/summitforanimals

Online Event - Fourth Thursdays - Maddie's Monthly Behavior Connection - Maddie's Fund
2025-04-28 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
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
