Shelter Learniverse

Online Meeting - Mondays - Weekly Community Conversations #ThanksToMaddie - Maddie's Fund
2025-10-20 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-10-13 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-10-06 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-09-29 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | 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

Webinar - 10/20/25 - Spectrum of Care: Appropriate Management of Toxicology Cases on a Budget - ASPCAPro
2025-10-20 10:00 - 11:00
The spectrum of care in the management of toxicities refers to the range of strategies used to recognize, assess, prevent and treat adverse effects. The primary goal is to ensure patient safety while maintaining treatment efficacy. This session will demonstrate the value of establishing key goals for veterinary care, while emphasizing the critical role of communication, evidence-based medicine and client-centered decision-making in the treatment of toxicities.
Key Takeaways:
– Learn spectrum of care terminology
– Understand why spectrum of care may be needed
– Recognize the importance of the veterinary team regarding spectrum of care
This webinar is RACE-approved and is eligible for 1 hour of free CE for veterinarians and veterinary technicians.
WEBSITE LINK: https://aspca.zoom.us/webinar/register/4217576001150/WN_rRAve-crSYSOu5QAzusM_w#/registration

Online Conference – 10/19/25 – 2025 NKC Veterinary Conference – National Kitten Coalition (fee applies)
2025-10-19 05:00 - 14:00
The National Kitten Coalition Veterinary Conference (NKCVC) is the only veterinary conference dedicated entirely to kitten care!
This full-day virtual event, scheduled for Sunday, October 19, 2025, will feature presentations by leading veterinary experts covering a wide range of specialized topics, including developmental milestones, behavioral insights, medications, medical protocols, surgical techniques, and more. All registered participants will have access to the recorded sessions and optional quizzes through December 31, 2025, in addition to the live conference.
The NKCVC is a kitten-focused, virtual event intended for veterinarians, veterinary technicians/nurses, those currently enrolled in veterinary or veterinary technician schools, veterinary staff members in private practices and shelters, and those involved in veterinary education and research.
Take advantage of Early Bird registration today and don’t miss the opportunity to secure your spot at a discounted rate!
WEBSITE LINK: http://kittencoalition.org/the-national-kitten-coalition-veterinary-conference/

Webinar - 10/15/25 - No More Cat Wrangling: Techniques for Feline-Friendly Handling - HumaneVMA
2025-10-15 17:00 - 18:30
Many cats experience fear, anxiety, and stress during handling and veterinary visits, leading to various negative consequences for both the cats and their human caretakers. These effects may include reduced quality of life for the cats, increased risks of injury to veterinary staff, lower quality care during visits, and potential surrender of cats by caregivers due to broken bonds. It is essential to limit fear, anxiety, and stress in cats by providing positive and gentle human-to-cat interactions. This session will focus on recognizing signs of fear, anxiety, and stress in cats and provide participants with practical, effective handling strategies.
Learning Objectives:

Understand the physiological and behavioral effects of fear, anxiety, and stress in cats.
Identify common signs of fear, anxiety, and stress in cats to improve early detection and intervention strategies.
Learn and apply handling techniques that prioritize cat comfort and reduce fear, anxiety, and stress in various settings.

Presented by: Tabitha Kucera, CCBC, RVT, KPA-CTP, VTS (Behavior)
WEBSITE LINK: https://humanevma.memberclicks.net/webinars

Online Event - 10/15/25 - Shelter Med LIVE - Small Patients, Big Procedures: Weighing Pediatric Spay and Neuter Considerations - UC Davis KSMP
2025-10-15 16:00 - 17:30
Shelter medicine bridges gaps in veterinary care access, ensuring animals are sterilized, vaccinated, and healthy before going home to the people and communities who care for them. Shelter Med LIVE is the place where vet professionals connect around what it takes to make shelter medicine happen every day—from intake triage to MacGyvering creative fixes. Every third Wednesday, join your UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program outreach veterinarian host and special guests for real talk and real solutions.
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.
On the 10/15 edition, we’re diving into pediatric spay and neuter—what’s new, what’s still misunderstood, and how to make it work in a shelter context. Hosted by Dr. Jennifer Bennett (DVM, MS, CAWA) with guests Dr. Brian DiGangi (DVM, MS, DABVP) and Dr. Emily McCobb (DVM, MS, DACVAA), the discussion will cover everything from pre-surgical candidate considerations, anesthesia tweaks, and recovery, to barriers and implications for shelters and access-to-care programs. Expect the kind of practical wisdom you can only get when you’ve been there, spayed that, plus plenty of “wish I’d known that sooner” takeaways. You’ll find a conversation that’s as accessible as it is evidence-based.
This event has been approved for 1.5 hours 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/webinars

Webinar - 10/15/25 - Medical Care Essentials for Trap-Neuter-Release and Community Cat Programs - Best Friends
2025-10-15 12:00 - 13:00
Learn how to best harness the lifesaving power of community cat programs, where we’ll dive into the medical strategies that keep cats healthy and thriving. From anesthesia to aftercare, this webinar is packed with practical tips for shelter staff and vets committed to saving the lives of cats in our shelters and in our communities.
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/WN_iRsWQsmFS4aikwy3tfGwsg#/registration

Webinar - 10/15/25 - Workers’ Comp Unleashed: Building a Safer, Stronger Workplace - CalAnimals
2025-10-15 10:00 - 11:00
Join Morris & Garritano for a lively session that takes the mystery (and the stress!) out of workers’ compensation. We’ll show you how to build a safer workplace, understand your experience modification (Ex Mod), best practices for claims reporting, and design return-to-work programs that keep your team protected and your costs under control. Carrier partner Jasmine Ariel Contreras from Berkshire Hathaway brings real-world tips and insider strategies to make workers’ comp a breeze.
What You’ll Learn
1. Workers’ Comp Basics: The essentials every organization needs to know.
2. Experience Mod Explained: How it’s calculated and ways to improve it.
3. Safety Culture Boost: Practical steps to prevent injuries and strengthen your workplace.
4. Claims & Return-to-Work: Reporting tips and approaches to get employees back on the job smoothly.
5. Renewal Readiness: How to prepare for policy renewal with confidence.
Who Should Attend
Anyone responsible for safety, human resources and insurance decisions who wants to handle workers comp with confidence and less stress.
Presenters
Lynette Dunn – Morris & Garritano
Mandy O’Neal – Morris & Garritano
Jasmine Ariel Contreras – Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies
Can’t Attend the Live Session?
Register anyway—you’ll receive the full recording to watch whenever it works for you.
WEBSITE LINK: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_93kZs8gIRkGJvDhEHSwexw#/

Webinar - 10/14/25 - Beyond the Page: Meet the Authors Shaping DEI in Veterinary Medicine - Stephen Niño Cital & Camia Tonge - MCVMA
2025-10-14 17:00 - 18:00
Join us on October 14th in celebration of National Veterinary Technician Week as we honor the essential contributions of veterinary technicians and explore how DEI can shape a stronger, more inclusive future for the profession. We’ll be chatting with Stephen Niño Cital, RVT, SRA, RLAT, VTS-LAM co-founder a leading veterinary technician specialist recognized for his expertise in anesthesia, pain management, and cannabinoid medicine and Camia Tonge, CVT, VTS (Small Animal Internal Medicine), MS president-elect of the Academy of Internal Medicine for Veterinary Technicians and Director of Licensed Veterinary Technicians and Assistants at Schwarzman Animal Medical Center.
We’ll be discussing their chapter, “Diversifying the Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) Pipeline,” which explores how broadening representation in veterinary technician specialties strengthens the profession, improves access to care, and fosters more inclusive career pathways.
Read the article now: Diversifying the Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) Pipeline
Join us and register today!
WEBSITE LINK: https://www.mcvma.org/beyond-the-page

Online Course – Starts 10/13/25 – Shelter Care Specialist Certification Program Fall 2025 Session – UC Davis KSMP Shelter Learniverse
2025-10-13
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.

Start learning today and become part of the growing movement to transform animal sheltering.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 9/13/25.
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

Online Conference - 10/11/25 to 10/12/25 - 2025 United Spay Alliance Online Conference - Community Cats Podcast & United Spay Alliance (fee applies)
2025-10-12 07:00 - 14:00, 2025-10-11 07:00 - 14:00
Join the Community Cats Podcast and United Spay Alliance for an informative two-day virtual conference focused on all aspects of spay/neuter. This event will bring together animal welfare experts from across the field to present a variety of topics, including how to establish and maintain a low-cost spay/neuter program, secure funding for essential services, and raise awareness in communities about the importance of spay/neuter initiatives.
Throughout the conference, attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions, hear details and get firsthand knowledge of successful programs, and learn valuable lessons from both professionals and volunteers on what strategies have worked (and what hasn’t) in their spay/neuter efforts. This event offers a chance to connect with others who share a commitment to reducing pet overpopulation and to come away with innovative ideas and practical solutions to make a lasting impact in your community.
WEBSITE LINK: https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/events/2025-united-spay-alliance-online-conference/

Webinar - 10/9/25 - Building a Safety Net of Connections and Resources for Your Community - NACA/Justice Clearinghouse
2025-10-09 12:00 - 13:15
Human service and animal welfare organizations can significantly support each other’s missions while enhancing the interactions of the people they serve. People will often seek help for their pets before seeking help for themselves, and at the same time, pets sometimes present a barrier to accessing essential services. Here lies an opportunity to ensure that communities have access to and are aware of what services are available, especially in times of crisis or change.
By understanding and sharing available resources in the community, your organization can provide each person with a more individualized approach to ensure all aspects of their situation are being addressed while furthering your mission.
The audience will learn:

How to connect with other organizations
What information is relevant to their front-line staff serving community members
How to build a database of resources
Questions to ask to better serve guests/community members

WEBSITE LINK: https://www.justiceclearinghouse.com/webinar/building-a-safety-net-of-connections-and-resources-for-your-community/

Webinar - 10/9/25 - Maddie's Insights: Shelter Practices & Barriers in the Use of Anxiety Medications & Alternatives - Maddie's Fund
2025-10-09 12:00 - 13:00
Fear, anxiety, and stress are common challenges for cats and dogs in shelter environments, yet little is known about how shelters use psychoactive medications and non-medication alternatives to address these welfare concerns. This presentation will include findings from a recently published study examining which psychoactive medications (such as gabapentin, trazodone, and fluoxetine) and non-medication alternatives (such as pheromones and nutraceuticals) are most commonly used in shelters in North America, how shelter staff perceive their efficacy and ease of administration, and the barriers such as cost, uncertainty about efficacy, and time constraints that limit their use, when warranted.
In addition to highlighting key differences between cats and dogs in reported treatment frequency, this presentation will explore how factors such as shelter type, intake volume, and staff roles influence anxiety-medication decision-making. Attendees will gain a comprehensive overview of current practices, perspectives, and challenges to support them in evaluating and applying this information within their own animal care. Based on the barriers identified, the session will conclude with a research-informed discussion on practical strategies to address these challenges and identify priority areas for future work.
Guest Speaker: Bailey H Eagan, PhD, MSC
WEBSITE LINK: https://maddies.fund/MIwebcastsRegister

Webinar - 10/9/25 - Organizational Culture - HASS
2025-10-09 11:00 - 12:00
Explore organizational culture in animal welfare—where compassion meets collaboration to drive lifesaving impact. You will learn how cultivating a strong, inclusive culture can fuel innovation, sustain momentum, and transform outcomes for animals in your community.
WEBSITE LINK: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_YpDVpC_qQ_uGO3Wm3IaG2g#/registration

Online Event - Monthly - Journey You Own Meditation Gathering - JYO
2025-10-08 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 - 10/8/25 - Incubators—All of Your Questions Answered - National Kitten Coalition
2025-10-08 16:30 - 17:00
Join us for a fast-paced, informative webinar designed specifically for kitten caregivers: Incubators—All of Your Questions Answered. In just 15 minutes, we’ll walk through the essentials of incubator use for neonatal kittens—what to look for, how to set up and monitor safely, and common troubleshooting tips. Then, stay for a live 15-minute Q&A session where you can ask your own questions or listen in as others share theirs. Whether you’re fostering, working in a shelter, or supporting fragile feline lives in any capacity, this session is for you.
Can’t attend live? No problem—register anyway! All registrants will receive a recording link after the event so you can watch on your own time. Click here to register for this FREE webinar!
WEBSITE LINK: https://kittencoalition.org/event/incubators-all-of-your-questions-answered/

Online Event - 10/7/25 - All Call - Meeting Challenges Together: Lessons from Fresno Animal Center's Evolution - California for All Animals
2025-10-07 12:00 - 13:00
Connect with your California colleagues—only two All Calls left!
Central Valley animal welfare organizations and pet owners are meeting shared veterinary challenges with innovation and collaboration to make sure animals get the care they need. Fresno Animal Center Director Alma Torres and her team have built powerful local and regional partnerships—and they’re seeing real results.
At the October 7 All Call, Alma and colleagues Candace Krider, DVM, (Medical Director, Fresno Animal Center) and Samantha Yang (Division Manager, City of Fresno) will walk us through key strategies that have helped the shelter and community navigate difficult times and keep moving forward.
You’ll learn how they’ve:

Established a medical clinic and coordinated with partner organizations to expand spay/neuter access
Launched new community programs to provide free microchips, vaccines, and pet food
And reduced barriers through initiatives like fee-waived reclaims and free adoptions to keep and bring more pets and people together.

Bring your questions to the conversation and leave with lessons you can adapt for your own shelter. Register for the All Call.
The All Call is a 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 Nadia Oseguera-Ramón and Ivy Ruiz. 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

Hybrid Conference - 10/4/25 - Spectrum of Care Symposium: Incorporating Accessible Strategies into Your Daily Practice - UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine (fee applies)
2025-10-04 07:30 - 17:00
Join us at the UC Davis Spectrum of Care Symposium: Incorporating Accessible Strategies into Your Daily Practice at UC Davis, where veterinary professionals come together to explore practical, evidence-based approaches to providing high-quality care across a range of clinical settings and client circumstances. Topics include applying research to real-world practice, accessible diagnostic strategies for cardiac disease, and collaborative, compassionate end-of-life care.
Why Attend?
UC Davis, home to one of the top veterinary schools in the world, provides the perfect backdrop for collaborative learning and professional growth. Attendees will benefit from expert-led sessions and networking with like-minded professionals committed to advancing inclusive and client-centered care.
Experience Davis
Beyond the conference, enjoy the charm of Davis—a vibrant college town known for its bike-friendly streets, welcoming atmosphere, and thriving food and arts scene. Whether you’re enjoying local coffee shops, scenic campus paths, or nearby vineyards, Davis offers a relaxed yet inspiring environment for your professional development.
Date: Saturday, October 4, 2025
Time: 7:30 am – 5:00 pm (PDT)
Statutorily Approved CE Credit: Up to 7 hours (pending approval)
Location: In-Person at Gladys Valley Hall, Davis, CA or Live Interactive Virtual Symposium
WEBSITE LINK: https://ce.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/symposia-article/ucd-spectrum-care-symposium-how-incorporate-contextualized-care-your-daily

Online Event - 10/2/25 - Maddie's Monthly Foster Connection: Smarter Systems for Stronger Support - Maddie's Fund
2025-10-02 12:00 - 13:00
Long Stay Pet Workshop
With every shelter stuffed to bursting, finding fosters and adopters is crucial. For some pets this is simple, but others are harder to place. In this workshop, we’ll discuss your favorite long stay pets to identify strategies for marketing them to fosters and adopters. This workshop is not just for foster staff– it’s open to anyone who is interested in marketing pets who are harder to place!
Make sure to bring information about your own favorite or most challenging long stay. We’ll choose several and work through them together, discussing what works, what doesn’t work and some innovative new ways that can get extra attention and help them find the right home. We’ll discuss how we talk about behavioral and health challenges in bios and social media and discuss the optimal ways to be frank about issues while also not deterring potential adopters. We’ll look at different social media channels and how to optimize content about those pets for those channels to get the message across and help these pets put their best paw forward. Be prepared for a fun, frank and useful webinar with a lot of workshopping and participation!
To submit a question for our presenters or a long stay pet you’d like to discuss during the workshop, please fill out this form:
https://forms.gle/i1K3jAvzsJCfRtBs6
Guest Speaker: Finnegan Dowling, Shelter Program and Engagement Manager, Mutual Rescue
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

Webinar - 9/24/25 and 10/1/25 - Lifesaving Labs: Managed Intake - Best Friends
2025-10-01 11:00 - 12:00
Supercharge your shelter’s lifesaving with Best Friends’ Lifesaving Labs, a virtual series spotlighting five impactful topics designed to help increase your organization’s save rate. Each session features proven programs, engaging workshops, and dynamic discussion panels to spark ideas, share strategies, and support your lifesaving goals. Catch up on-demand or join upcoming live sessions on Wednesdays at 2pm ET!
September & October: Managed Intake

September 24 at 2pm ET: Session #1
October 1 at 2pm ET: Session #2

You’ll also have opportunities like:

Chance for you and your organization to engage in real-time discussions, and ask questions
Resources to help you put action behind the information in your shelter
Opportunities for your organization to submit proposals and be selected for funding to implement featured topics
Recording of the sessions for your reference

WEBSITE LINK: https://bestfriends-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/1817549180061/WN_McXDOqvQTiK7gcEopvveAw#/registration

Webinar - 9/30/25 - Beyond the Page: Meet the Authors Shaping DEI in Veterinary Medicine - Bridging Gaps in Veterinary Care: Equity, Access, and Innovation - MCVMA
2025-09-30 17:00 - 18:00
Multicultural Veterinary Medical Association (MCVMA) is launching a new webinar.
Beyond the Page: Meet the Authors Shaping DEI in Veterinary Medicine is a groundbreaking webinar series that brings to life the voices behind Elsevier’s Veterinary Clinics: Small Animal Practice – Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Veterinary Medicine, Parts 1 & 2 – the first comprehensive, open-access DEI publications in veterinary medicine.
Thanks to a generous grant from Maddie’s Fund®, MCVMA secured permanent open access to these volumes. Now, Beyond the Page takes this knowledge further with live, interactive conversations that connect scholarship to action.
Our first installment features none other than Dr. Michael Blackwell, Director of the Program for Pet Health Equity at the University of Tennessee, former Chief of Staff in the Office of the Surgeon General of the U.S., and recipient of the AVMA’s 2025 Frederick Douglass Patterson Lifetime Achievement Award.
We’ll discuss his chapter, “Bridging Gaps in Veterinary Care: Equity, Access, and Innovation,” which explores practical strategies for closing gaps in care, addressing inequities, leveraging innovation, and reimagining how our profession can better serve diverse communities.

Join us! September 30 5pm PT 8pm ET
Read the chapter for free now at: mcvma.org/publications
Register for our free webinar to be part of this inspiring conversation: https://bit.ly/MulticulturalVMABeyondthePage

Webinar - 9/30/25 - Before Four Weeks: Updated Vaccination Recommendations for Neonatal Puppies and Kittens - UC Davis KSMP
2025-09-30 11:00 - 12:30
We know that the single best way to protect neonatal and juvenile animals from infectious disease is to care for them in an environment where exposure to disease is low, but those environments can be hard to find! Despite efforts to find low-risk housing options for these vulnerable animals, underage puppies and kittens still sometimes end up being housed in animal shelters or other environments where exposure risk is real. Previous recommendations have been to wait until 4 weeks of age to begin vaccination, potentially missing opportunities to provide protection as early as possible.
In this webinar, we’ll explore updated recommendations for early vaccination of neonatal and juvenile puppies and kittens in environments that present meaningful risk. We’ll cover the science, the supporting literature, and most importantly, how to apply these new guidelines in a shelter setting.
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

Describe the immunological basis for vaccine protocols in neonatal animals
Summarize the literature supporting early vaccination in high‑risk environments
Identify scenarios where early vaccination is recommended due to disease risk
Apply updated vaccine protocols in animal shelters
Adapt vaccination strategies for use in other high‑exposure settings

This webinar has been approved for 1.5 hours of continuing education credit in jurisdictions that recognize RACE approval, as well as 1.5 Certified Animal Welfare Administrator (CAWA) continuing education credit by The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement (AAWA) and National Animal Care and Control Association (NACA).
Can’t make it live? Register to receive a recording and resources after the event.
Presenters: Kate Hurley, DVM, and Sandra Newbury, DVM
Register now: http://www.shelterlearniverse.com/webinars

Hybrid Conference - 9/26/25 to 9/28/25 - Aggression in Dogs Conference - Puppyworks (fee applies)
2025-09-28 06:00 - 14:00, 2025-09-27 06:00 - 18:30, 2025-09-26 06:00 - 16:00
Join the world’s foremost experts on aggression in dogs!
In a Nutshell

Attend Online or In-Person
14 Renowned Speakers
14 Groundbreaking Sessions
Save Additional $10 with Discount Code Puppyworks10
Exchange Ideas with a Community of your Peers

19.5 CEUs​
CCPDT, IAABC, KPA, PPAB, IACP, and PPGA (Whether you attend in-person, online or watch the recordings)
​In-Person Location:
Hilton Charlotte University Place
8629 Jm Keynes Drive
Charlotte, NC 28262
WEBSITE LINK: https://www.puppyworks.com/conference

Webinar - 9/25/25 - From Kennels to Clicks: What Marketing Strategies Actually Drive Adoptions - Best Friends
2025-09-25 13:00 - 14:00
Want more adoptions? The data is in — and your marketing strategy might be the key. Join us on September 25 at 4pm ET as we reveal the results of a recent animal welfare marketing survey that shows what really works when it comes to increasing pet adoptions.
Whether your shelter is already performing above average or you’re looking for fresh ways to engage your community, this session will provide actionable insights you can put into practice right away. We’ll dig into how marketing efforts across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and your shelter’s website impact adoption success, and how listing pets consistently on Adopt a Pet and Petfinder plays a vital role. You’ll learn which tactics are working, where your shelter stands compared to others, and how to celebrate the areas where you shine while identifying where you can reach further.
Panelists include Michelle Dunivan, Senior Director of Insights and Analytics at Best Friends Animal Society; Caitlin Quinn, Adjunct Instructor, University of Florida, and freelance communications consultant; and Jessica Arias, Director of Animal Services, City of Burlington, NC. Kasey Spain, Senior Manager of Network Engagement and Shelter Pet Data Alliance, will moderate.
If you’re ready to connect your community work to real adoption results, this webinar is your roadmap. Walk away with practical ideas, inspiration, and a clear call to action: keep doing what’s working, and grow where you can.
WEBSITE LINK: https://bestfriends-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/4917520773897/WN_3dBw2fQqRR6UwB3AhFf6uA#/registration

Online Event - 9/25/25 - Maddie's Monthly Behavior Connection - The Human Side of Shelter Work: Building Compassion Satisfaction and Resilience (Part 1) - Maddie's Fund
2025-09-25 12:00 - 13:00
Working in animal shelters can be deeply meaningful—and emotionally draining. In this session, Valerie Bogie, MSSW, Veterinary Social Worker, defines key terms while sharing fresh strategies to help you to increase your well-being and continue the work you are so passionate about!
Attendees will learn:

The signs and impact of secondary trauma, burnout, burden transfer and compassion fatigue
Navigating moral distress and tough ethical dilemmas
The importance of compassion satisfaction—and how to cultivate it
Tools to better understand yourself, build resilience, and practice sustainable self-care

This webinar is for anyone working in or around animals in shelters—especially those feeling the weight of the work. Leave with renewed clarity, practical tools, and a reminder that you matter, too.
About Maddie’s Monthly Behavior Connection: 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
