Shelter Learniverse

Webinar - 10/16/24 - Northern Tier Shelter Initiative Zoomies: Contracts, Compensation and Collaboration - ASPCAPro
2024-10-16 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Virtual
Join us for an insightful session in collaboration with the University of Wisconsin Shelter Medicine Program that will help your agency navigate the complexities of contracting for animal sheltering services. Our panelists will discuss the necessities of developing contracts with local governments, outline essential steps to build collaborative relationships with key government stakeholders and explore ways to demonstrate the need for adequate compensation for these valuable services.
Takeaways

The essentials for building and maintaining collaborative relationships with key government stakeholders
Key elements to include and what to avoid in contract negotiations for animal sheltering services
Pros and cons of various contractual models

Suited for:
This session is best suited for animal welfare leaders and staff as well as local governments that contract for animal sheltering services.
Speakers:

Triniti Halverson, CAWA, Executive Director of Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter
Megan Dennis, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at the Humane Society for Southwest Washington
Kate Meghji, Chief Operating Officer at Humane Rescue Alliance
Julianna Tetlow, Senior Director of Government Relations at the San Diego Humane Society & Civic Alliance Solutions
The University of Wisconsin Shelter Medicine Program

WEBSITE LINK: https://www.aspcapro.org/training/webinar/ntsi-zoomies-contracts-compensation-collaboration-how-build-animal-sheltering

Online Event - 1st Tuesdays - All Call - California for All Animals
2024-10-16 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

Online Event - 10/15/24 - State of HASS Webinar Follow-up Q&A Session - HASS
2024-10-15 15:00 - 16:00 | Virtual
Mike Wheeler, Director of Community Services at Cabot Animal Support Services, is planning an informal Q&A with people who attended the State of HASS live webinar or watched the replay to dive deeper into some topics and hear more from you.
Sign up here to join us for a follow-up session to learn more and ask questions about HASS data, research, and progress. You will also hear more about what one pilot director, Mike Wheeler from Cabot Animal Support Services, is doing in Arkansas to make it the HASS capital of the world!
WEBSITE LINK: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd_-D0s3U9jbb59hepOChPFUVzNJujjCr3bHFL2cRmSl4PK0A/viewform

Online Event - 10/15/24 - All Call: Big Dog Solutions for Big Dog Populations - California for All Animals
2024-10-15 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
Join us for the next All Call on October 15! Director of Placement Izzy Nidetz will share Pasadena Humane’s approach to their large dog placement programs.
About the Presentation:
Large dogs often face significant challenges in finding homes, leading to longer stays in shelters and increased pressure on kennel space. To address this, we must explore innovative strategies that set both dogs and people up for success. How can we foster greater community involvement and encourage potential adopters to give big dogs a chance?
We will explore proven solutions for getting large dogs into foster and adoptive homes through creative, results-driven programs. Topics will include Pasadena Humane’s Adoption Trial Program, Field Trip and Sleepover Programs, and unique events that have successfully engaged the public. Attendees will leave with actionable ideas for implementing or enhancing similar programs to improve outcomes for large dogs in their own communities.
The All Call is a twice-monthly, California community call for animal well-being professionals that occurs on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday. 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 California for All co-leaders Allison Cardona and Nadia Oseguera and is enriched by rotating facilitators. You only need to register one time. Calls are sometimes recorded; recap emails with supplemental resources are sent post-call.
Register here: https://tinyurl.com/all-call

Online Conference - 10/12/24 to 10/13/24 - 2024 United Spay Alliance Online Conference - Community Cats Podcast (fee applies)
2024-10-13 07:00 - 14:00, 2024-10-12 07:00 - 14:00 | Virtual
The cat caretaking community is gathering together this October for a virtual convention for anyone who’d like to help make spay/neuter services affordable and accessible in their community!
Join the Community Cats Podcast and United Spay Alliance as they partner up to offer a two-day virtual conference that will focus on all aspects of spay/neuter. You’ll see presentations from all sorts of animal welfare experts on topics ranging from starting a low-cost spay/neuter program and funding spay/neuter services, to raising awareness in the community and more! You’ll have opportunities to ask questions, hear what works and didn’t work for professionals and volunteers from the community, and you’ll come away with new ideas to help you control the pet population in your area.
Why Attend?

Expert Presentations: Learn from leading animal welfare experts about starting and funding spay/neuter programs, raising community awareness, and much more.
Interactive Sessions: Ask questions, engage with professionals and volunteers, and gain practical insights to help control the pet population in your area.
Networking Opportunities: Connect with like-minded individuals and organizations dedicated to animal welfare.

Scholarships: Thanks to our generous sponsors, scholarships are available for those interested in attending. The scholarship includes access to both the live event and recorded sessions. Visit Community Cats Podcast’s scholarships page to apply!
REGISTER NOW: https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/events/2024-united-spay-alliance-online-conference/

Webinar - 10/10/24 - Americans with Disabilities Act and Service Animals in Field Services - NACA/Justice Clearinghouse
2024-10-10 12:00 - 13:15 | Virtual
Service animals provide assistance to many people across this country. So how do you know if an animal is a service animal? What do you do if the animal is or isn’t a service animal? These are questions facing Animal Control Officers and others every day.
Navigating the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) can be a very difficult task and it is important that we protect the rights of the disabled while also being cognisant that there might be those who are claiming the use of a service animal incorrectly. This webinar will give you the tools to understand and provide protections afforded under the ADA while also giving you tools to approach those who are using the term “service animal” incorrectly.
Want to prepare for this webinar? The webinar, From Guide Dogs to Therapy Squirrels: The Americans with Disabilities Act and Animal Welfare Professionals, will be freely available on the JCH YouTube channel until Oct 11, 2024. Hit the bell icon on the JCH YouTube channel page to receive notifications of our latest video releases.
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/americans-with-disabilities-act-and-service-animals-in-field-services/

Webinar - 10/10/24 - Maddie’s Insights: Behavioral Euthanasia: Just the Facts! - Maddie's Fund
2024-10-10 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
Maddie’s® Insights is our ongoing webcast series with practical tips based on current research to help pets and people. In October, Miranda Hitchcock, MS, CDBC, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA will be discussing factors associated with behavioral euthanasia in pet dogs.
Behavioral euthanasia is a sensitive topic with a wide variety of personal thoughts and emotions. But what do we actually know about it? How often does it happen, and why? Do we have data we can use to make decisions? Where can we turn for information? This talk will walk you through the existing (and pending!) research on behavioral euthanasia to help us separate fact from fiction. There will be time for your questions.
Register here: https://maddies.fund/MIwebcastsRegister

What you’ll come away with:

An understanding of the history of research on behavioral euthanasia and the gaps
A summary of the 2024 paper “Factors Associated with Behavioral Euthanasia in Pet Dogs” and learn about the methods used (and why)
The types of behaviors that led to euthanasia in this study, and the information we can (and can’t) use from it to make decisions
The main findings of the study, including pieces that agree or disagree with previous literature
The limitations of research like this, and the potential for future study
Takeaways for pet professionals based on this research and resources available for folks in this situation

Can’t attend live? Register anyway and you will get a link to the recording after the webcast.
This webinar has been pre-approved for 1.0 Certified Animal Welfare Administrator continuing education credits by The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement and by the National Animal Care & Control Association. It has also been approved for 1 hour of continuing education credit in jurisdictions which recognize the Registry of Approved Continuing Education (RACE) approval.
Maddie’s Pet Forum discussion thread https://maddies.fund/MIwebcastBehavioralEuthanasia
About Guest Speaker: Miranda Hitchcock (she/her), MS Applied Animal Behavior, CDBC, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA, Fear Free Certified
Miranda is the co-founder and executive director of Every Dog Behavior and Training, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing inclusive, accessible dog training and behavior resources.
She began working with dogs as a volunteer at an animal shelter and fell down the rabbit hole of behavior. She moved to Austin for a Maddie’s Executive Leadership Fellowship with two of Austin’s shelters before becoming the operations manager at the municipal animal shelter.
Miranda left sheltering to found Every Dog in 2019, taking her behavior and leadership expertise to the nonprofit world. She is a certified dog trainer and multi-certified dog behavior consultant. She holds a master’s degree in applied animal Behavior and Welfare from Virginia Tech. In 2024, her first research paper on behavioral euthanasia was published in the journal Frontiers of Veterinary Science.
When not working, Miranda loves rock climbing, listening to fantasy audiobooks, and snuggling with her pittie, Nina.
WEBSITE LINK: https://maddies.fund/MIwebcastsRegister

Webinar - 10/10/24 - Disaster Response Technology: Shelterly & Petco Love Lost - CalAnimals
2024-10-10 10:00 - 11:00 | Virtual
Responding effectively during disasters involves careful allocation of resources and information management. With ever increasing frequency and intensity of disaster events, many organizations find themselves thinly stretched during responses. Utilizing technology is critical for ensuring animals get tracked throughout incidents and get back to their people whenever possible.
Shelterly and Petco Love Lost are the leading software tools designed to facilitate disaster response and recovery. Join us for this important session to learn about how Shelterly can help you track, manage, and care for animals during disaster incidents and how the use of Petco Love Lost can effectively support reunification.
Presenters:
Aaron Klein, Petco Love Lost
Abbie Moore, Petco Love Lost
John Peaveler, Humane Innovations
Trevor Skaggs, Shelterly
WEBSITE LINK: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_I_2PEWcqRlGQnjCVeBjIsg#/registration

Webinar - 10/9/24 - How to Help Fearful Dogs Feel Safe with Dr. Zazie Todd - PPG (fee applies)
2024-10-09 14:00 - 15:00 | Virtual
Almost three-quarters of dogs have some kind of canine anxiety, according to research. This talk is an overview of how to help fearful dogs, starting with recognizing the signs of fear and helping the dog to feel safe. We’ll look at the prevalence of fears in dogs, the kinds of fears that are most common, and some of the specific steps that can be taken to protect fearful dogs.
Management is important for several reasons. We’ll also look at the role of the dog’s attachment to their guardian, why it’s so important to work at the dog’s pace and not make them face their fears, and which techniques work best with fearful and anxious dogs. We’ll also talk about how to evaluate and prioritize the changes that will be most important in an individual case.
Learning Objectives

Appreciate the importance of choices and routine (including how to cope with changes)
Describe the secure base effect and understand what attachment to the guardian means for a fearful dog
Evaluate the changes that will be most beneficial for a fearful dog, including the role of management
Recognize tools, approaches, and actions that are detrimental for a fearful dog, and help clients choose (and stick to) alternate approaches.

WEBSITE LINK: https://www.petprofessionalguild.com/webinars-events/webinars/how-to-help-fearful-dogs-feel-safe-with-dr-zazie-todd/

Online Meeting - Mondays - Weekly Community Conversations #ThanksToMaddie - Maddie's Fund
2024-10-07 11:00 - 12:00, 2024-09-30 11:00 - 12:00, 2024-09-23 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 $10,000 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

Webinar – 10/4/24 – DPFL Playgroups: The Why, the What, and the How – Dogs Playing for Life
2024-10-04 08:00 - 11:30 | Virtual
Learn about all the ways in which DPFL Playgroups are transforming shelters all across the country! This webinar (formerly offered in three parts) will cover the Why, the What, and the How of playgroups. Attendees will be introduced to dynamic video examples and impactful data and experiences from some of the over 350 shelters who have embraced the power of letting shelter dogs play! This is a 3.5-hour presentation with Q&A at intervals throughout. This webinar will not be recorded. This course has been pre-approved for 3 continuing education unit (CEU) credits for Certified Animal Welfare Administrator (CAWA) by The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement (AAWA) and by the International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP).
WEBSITE LINK: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_zlBqbWQpRtmPrZExC3_tzA#/registration

Hybrid Conference - 10/4/24 to 10/6/24 - The Gathering III: CARE Conference 2024 - CARE (fee applies)
2024-10-04 - 2024-10-06 | Loews Hotel Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
The Gathering is CARE’s 3rd annual conference which highlights the wisdom of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) people working in partnership with Human and Animal organizations and Proximate Leaders. This unique event is deeply rooted in Community Wisdom.
We will be opening our invitation to 250 Attendees including veterinary students, animal welfare professionals, donors and community members advocating for Human well-being and Animal Care.
This year’s Gathering will focus on recognizing the gifts we have as individuals, prioritizing relationship building, and partnering together to bring about systemic change.
Love in Action. Love is a Verb.
WEBSITE LINK: https://careawo.org/thegathering/

Online Event – 10/3/24 – Live from the Ranch: A New Approach to Loose-Leash Walking with Kiki Yablon and Ken Ramirez – Karen Pryor Academy
2024-10-03 13:00 - 14:00 | Virtual
On the Live From The Ranch, Kiki Yablon will join Ken Ramirez to discuss a new approach to loose-leash walking. Rather than just walking by your side, in this method, a dog and a person move through space together, almost like they were off-leash, interacting with each other and the world in ways both parties find enriching.
WEBSITE LINK: https://theranch.clickertraining.com/live/#next

Online Event - 10/3/24 - Maddie's Monthly Foster Connection: Foster Volunteer Retention - Identifying Practices That Support Healthy and Satisfied Volunteers - Maddie's Fund
2024-10-03 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
Foster volunteers are critical to the success of shelters and rescues and to the welfare of the animals in their care. Given the required investment in recruiting and training volunteers, it is critical that their experience is emotionally satisfying and encourages their continued participation. This presentation, based on surveys of over 900 foster volunteers, identifies the factors related to volunteer satisfaction and their intention to continue providing foster care. It examines the emotional needs of volunteers, the types of support that they would most like to see provided by their organizations, and the shelter and rescue practices that lead to greater satisfaction among foster care volunteers.
Guest Speaker: Dr. Laura Reese, Professor, Departments of Urban and Regional Planning, Global Urban Studies, and Political Science, Michigan State University
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 - 10/1/24 - All Call: Power and Pushback: Addressing Landlord Resistance to Emotional Support Animal (ESA) Protections - California for All Animals
2024-10-01 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
Register for Part 2 of our conversation on addressing gaps in Emotional Support Animal (ESA) documentation and protection for vulnerable communities!
HEART LA’s Zaira Bernal (Paralegal) and Diana Cruz (Program Director/Law Clerk) will return to the All Call on October 1 for a conversation on addressing landlord resistance to ESA protections. What do you need to know to advance disability justice and help people and pets at risk of eviction stay together in your community? Submit your questions for the presenters.
About the 10/1 Call:
In this follow-up presentation, we shift the focus from individual barriers to the systemic challenges presented by landlords, particularly small property owners, in ensuring the legal protections afforded to tenants with Emotional Support Animals (ESAs). Despite clear state and federal laws, landlords often disregard these protections, leading to ongoing harassment, pushback, and, in some cases, the denial of rightful accommodations for individuals with disabilities. This presentation will explore how tenants frequently report resistance from landlords even after informing them of their rights, highlighting the critical role larger organizations play in advocating on their behalf.
The presentation will conclude by offering strategies for intervention that our organization has found effective. These include drafting reasonable accommodation requests on behalf of our clients, involving governmental agencies like the Los Angeles Housing Department and the California Department of Disabilities, and partnering with animal welfare organizations to identify solutions that benefit all parties. By acknowledging landlords as actors in the housing ecosystem and uplifting tenant power, this presentation aims to foster a more equitable approach to ESA-related housing issues, ensuring that legal protections are upheld for vulnerable individuals in our community.
Watch the Part 1 recording. At the 9/17 All Call, Zaira and Diana explored common challenges individuals with disabilities face when seeking the required documentation for Emotional Support Animals (ESAs), focusing on the limitations of current policy and real-world hurdles. They also offered practical solutions HEART LA has implemented to address these challenges. These include facilitating self-certification for individuals receiving disability benefits in California, partnering with organizations to connect clients with healthcare providers, directly engaging with cautious medical professionals to educate and alleviate concerns, and training caseworkers and other qualified third parties on how to issue ESA documentation.
The All Call is a twice-monthly, California community call for animal well-being professionals that occurs on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday. 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 California for All team members Allison Cardona, Nadia Oseguera, and Ivy Ruiz, and is enriched by rotating facilitators. You only need to register one time. Calls are sometimes recorded; recap emails with supplemental resources are sent post-call.
Register here: https://tinyurl.com/all-call

Online Certificate Program – Starts 9/30/24 – Animal Shelter Behavioral Management Certificate Program – Humane Network/UoP (fee applies)
2024-09-30 | Virtual
The shelter environment is a very stressful place that affects the psychological well-being of the animals. Comprehensive behavior programs are essential to keep the animals behaviorally and emotionally healthy during their stay. This eight-week course will give you the knowledge and skills to develop an effective behavior program aimed at improving the welfare of the animals in your care.
09/30/2024 – 11/24/2024 – Now available for registration.
Who will benefit from this program?

Anyone currently affiliated with an animal shelter or rescue organization who wants to learn more about animal behavior as it relates to the shelter/foster environment.
Anyone who wants to improve the emotional wellbeing of the animals in your care.
Anyone seeking a behavior specialist position with an animal shelter or rescue organization.

What You Will Learn

Gain knowledge on how to read dog and cat animal body language and signaling
Learn techniques for safe, humane handling of the animals
Understand how the shelter environment effects the emotional wellbeing of the animals and how to use stress reduction techniques to improve welfare
Gain knowledge on how to keep the animals physically, mentally, and socially stimulated through shelter-wide enrichment programs
Understand the value of effective canine and feline behavior assessments
Obtain the knowledge and skills needed to implement training and behavior modification techniques to improve the behavior and emotional state of the shelter animals
Obtain skills needed to ensure quality customer service for adoption counseling and follow-up.

Continuing Education Units (CEUs): 4.8 CEUs
Course Code: UNSM 050
Course Price: $399
WEBSITE LINK: https://uc.pacific.edu/search/publicCourseSearchDetails.do?method=load&courseId=2133958

Online Event - Fourth Thursdays - Maddie's Monthly Behavior Connection - Maddie's Fund
2024-09-28 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

Webinar - 9/27/24 - Bridging the Gap: How VPAs Can Revolutionize Veterinary Care - United Spay Alliance
2024-09-27 11:00 - 12:00 | Virtual
Are you ready to learn about a game-changing opportunity in veterinary care?
Join us for a FREE webinar, “Bridging the Gap: How VPAs Can Revolutionize Veterinary Care,” featuring expert Dr. Bob Murtaugh, where we’ll dive into the exciting push for the Veterinary Professional Associate (VPA) position. This new role is set to enhance and support the veterinary profession, offering solutions to both current and future challenges.
In this session, you will:

Discover how the VPA role addresses veterinary provider needs.
Learn how practitioners can promote growth and improve access to care.
Gain practical insights on how YOU can help bring this role to life.

This webinar is designed with you in mind—whether you’re a veterinary professional, animal lover, or simply curious about the future of veterinary care. The entire session will be Q&A format, allowing you to engage directly with Dr. Murtaugh and ask your most pressing questions throughout the discussion.
📅 Date & Time: Friday, September 27th from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM ET
📍 Location: Online
🎟️ Cost: FREE!
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to shape the future of veterinary care! Reserve your spot now and be part of this exciting discussion. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at info@unitedspayalliance.org
REGISTER TODAY: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/5968507998059028570

Webinar - 9/26/24 - Shelter Behavior Roundtable: Tracking Behavioral Observations in Shelter Animals - ASPCAPro
2024-09-26 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
Join us for an insightful session that will help you enhance your organization’s methods for collecting and utilizing behavioral observations in shelter animals. Our expert panelists will examine a mock behavioral communications flowchart and share valuable, practical tips to help you evaluate your shelter’s behavioral communication processes. You’ll walk away knowing how to implement small changes that can significantly improve the behavioral health of shelter animals.
Takeaways

Learn tips and tools for assessing your current system
Understand the important role of integrated care in behavioral health

Suited For
This webinar is best suited for animal behavior professionals, shelter professionals, and shelter volunteers.
Credits
This webinar has been submitted for CCPDT credit and is pending approval.
Presenters
Elise Gingrich DVM, MPH, MS, DACVPM, DABVP (Shelter Medicine Practice), Senior Director, Shelter Medicine Shelter Services, ASPCA
K.C. Thompson, Shelter Operations Manager, Humane Society of Charlotte
Katie Donohue, Associate Director of Behavior Services – Adoption Centers CBCC-KA
WEBSITE LINK: https://www.aspcapro.org/training/webinar/shelter-behavior-roundtable-tracking-behavioral-observations-shelter-animals

Webinar - 9/26/24 - From Horror to Hope: An Anti-Puppy Mill Advocate’s Eye-Opening Journey Inside of USDA Kennels - Life of Riley at Spring Point
2024-09-26 11:00 - 12:00 | Virtual
Speakers:

Mindi Callison, Founder and Executive Director of Bailing out Benji
Alexis Bell, Research Analyst Bailing out Benji

Mindi and Alexis have devoted their lives to ending puppy mill cruelty and Bailing Out Benji is widely known as a powerful and tireless advocate for the dogs on these facilities. Through their examination of inspection records and images from licensed dog breeding facilities, they have uncovered and exposed cruelty and played critical roles in shutting down bad facilities and passing animal protection legislation. Earlier this year, members of Bailing Out Benji were given intimate access inside USDA kennels in the Midwest: they were allowed to see every inch of these facilities, touch everything (including dogs!) and had all their questions answered by the kennel owners.
Join Mindi and Alexis for a conversation about their experience and hear why animal advocates can be hopeful about changes that are happening within the industry.
WEBSITE LINK: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYvdO-qqTwsE9cLZ_pIAXRc8lpwnlI00ijf#/registration

Webinar - 9/25/24 - The Future of Post-Adoption Support - University of Florida Maddie's Shelter Medicine Program
2024-09-25 10:00 - 11:00 | Virtual
Are you an animal welfare professional looking to enhance your organization’s post-adoption support? Could your return rates for adoptions decrease if your adopters could get real-time answers to the most common settling-in issues for a new pet?
Petszel can lighten this load for you. Join us for a webinar to explore how Petszel can help your organization make more adoptions stick and see examples from other shelters that are using this app.
Date: September 25, 2024, 1:00 pm ET
Title: The Future of Post-Adoption Support
Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_NqcIQaHWTA2wvA_vY2Angw
This new app developed by shelter directors and veterinarians works with your existing software to trickle tailored content delivered at the right time to new adopters. Automated post-adoption engagement and adopter check-in surveys delivered to your inbox let you know if issues are developing, giving your team time to help before a return occurs.
Petszel is free for shelters and rescues. Direct connection to PetPoint, Shelterluv, and ShelterBuddy (Chameleon coming soon!) reduces staff time and can even transfer medical records to the pet’s new veterinarian to improve continuity of care.
WEBSITE LINK: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_NqcIQaHWTA2wvA_vY2Angw

Webinar - 9/25/24 - For Dog's sake, can you stop that? Canine-Friendly Body Language Improvements for Humans - Dogs Playing for Life (fee applies)
2024-09-25 09:00 - 11:30 | Virtual
Dogs are resilient and oh-so-forgiving! These qualities make them endearing as companions, along with their ability to love unconditionally. So, why do some dogs struggle to understand us when we are offering affection or when we want to help them, not harm them? In this session, we will focus on the HUMAN handling that contributes to unwanted behavior, even “aggression”. Get ready to rethink your approach as we reveal the common and widely accepted and taught handling errors that set dogs up for failure. Through extensive video examples, we will demonstrate alternative handling techniques that help dogs to trust and thrive!
This webinar will demonstrate:
– Examples of handling that causes negative behavior compared to handling that promotes desired behavior
– Demonstration of handling that induces trust and learning with dogs that are too afraid to respond initially to food rewards or affection
– Comprehensive discussion around the correct use of pressure and release and why this is a critical skill for shelter canine handlers to master to save more dogs
This is a 2-hour presentation followed by a 30 min Q&A session. This webinar costs $20 and you will receive the recording the next day.
WEBSITE LINK: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_4bcg2hn4TGGXti0SZvCoCw#/registration

Online Course – Starts 9/24/24 – Canine Social Behavior – IAABC (fee applies)
2024-09-24 | Virtual
This course will teach you about canine communication, play, greetings, conflict resolution behaviors, and puppy social development. Dig into the science of canine social behavior, with an emphasis on dog-to-dog social interactions. Veterinarians, behavior consultants, trainers, groomers, kennel staff, shelter workers, day care staff, pet sitters, dog walkers, and keen guardians will all benefit from this course.
This course will help you:

Explain the importance of social relationships between dogs from a scientific perspective
Accurately interpret body language in dogs and understand how body language is linked to emotional states and communication
Describe and understand the stages of puppy development and how development can affect adult behaviors, including the development of problem behaviors
Recognize and interpret play and greeting behaviors in dogs
Describe the functions of conflict and reconciliation behaviors in dogs

Course Begins: September 24, 2024
Duration: 5 weeks
Instructor: Camille Ward, PhD, CAAB
Course type: Instructed Course
** IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT WEEKLY ONLINE MEETINGS **

Auditors do not attend online meetings
Meetings are not recorded
Meetings take place on Tuesdays at 1:00 pm Eastern (first meeting October 1st)
Meetings are 1 hour in duration
There are 5 meetings for this course

WEBSITE LINK: https://iaabcfoundation.org/courses/canine-social-behavior/

Online Workshop - 9/23/24 - Leadership Accelerator: Effective Strategies to Make DEI Stick - The AAWA
2024-09-23 10:00 - 14:00 | Virtual
A four-hour accelerated workshop for leaders working towards an equitable and just profession.
In this executive level leadership online workshop, you will work together as a cohort of committed leaders. You will engage in self-reflection, create a roadmap for making DEI a strategic goal in your organization, and identify the core skills leaders need to model.
Workshop Objectives:

Define concepts of DEI and impact on animal welfare
Examine our DEI Journey Maps and share with others
Practice calling in conversations and how to foster open communication
Strategize new ways to incorporate DEI practices throughout your organization
Craft a 90-day action plan for the top three things you can do that would advance DEI in your organization

While we recognize the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion from multiple levels of an organization, this course is specifically designed to support leaders, including executives, C-level staff, directors of municipal animal services, and board members.
Presenters:
– Jasmin M. Robinson, Director of DEI Initiatives, The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement
– Maria Morukian, Founder & President, MSM Global Consulting
WEBSITE LINK: https://learning.theaawa.org/p/9-23-24

Online Certificate Program – Starts 9/23/24 – Animal Shelter Management Certificate Program – Leadership – Humane Network/UoP (fee applies)
2024-09-23 | 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

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: https://uc.pacific.edu/search/publicCourseSearchDetails.do?method=load&courseId=21282#courseSectionDetails_2946837

Webinar - 9/21/24 - Return-to-Field: Saving the Lives of Community Cats - Community Cats Podcast
2024-09-21 11:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
It used to be that a feral cat had little chance of exiting a shelter alive after he entered. But that’s no longer the case. In recent years, more and more shelters have adopted Return-to-Field (RTF) programs. Instead of euthanizing healthy community cats (whether feral, friendly or otherwise), the shelter will spay or neuter, eartip and vaccinate, then return the cat back to where he was found. We’ll cover the policies behind RTF, the mechanics of implementing the program, current controversies over the RTF of friendly cats, and how to combine RTF with TNR in general to lower cat populations and create sustainability.
WEBSITE LINK: https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/events/return-to-field-saving-the-lives-of-community-cats-presented-by-neighborhood-cats-sept-2024/

Webinar - 9/19/24 - Embracing Proactive and Progressive Practices: Balancing the Letter and Spirit of the Law in Animal Control - NACA/Justice Clearinghouse
2024-09-19 12:00 - 13:15 | Virtual
In this engaging presentation, we delve into the nuanced concept of the “Letter of the Law vs Spirit of the Law” as it pertains to animal care and control practices. Addressing a crucial aspect of the profession, we explore the delicate balance between enforcing regulations strictly by their written word and interpreting them with empathy and foresight. By emphasizing proactive and progressive measures over punitive actions, we equip animal control officers with the tools to navigate complex situations effectively.
Drawing on real-life scenarios and case studies, we’ll examine the benefits of approaching enforcement with a holistic understanding of animal welfare and community needs. By fostering compassion-driven interventions, this session empowers officers to make informed decisions that prioritize both legal compliance and the well-being of animals and communities alike, one that honors the spirit of the law while upholding its letter.
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.
This webinar has been pre-approved by the Maine Animal Welfare Program for 1 Continuing Education Unit for the State of Maine’s ACO annual training. You can find more information about Certification, required annual training or submitting materials for credit at Maine’s Animal Control Officer Resource Page.
Presenter:
Spencer Conover has dedicated his life to innovative, servant leadership at some of the top animal welfare organizations across the country including, the Dumb Friends League, Best Friends Animal Society, the Humane Society of Utah, and Pasco County Animal Services. He is passionate about leadership development and surrounding himself with other lifesaving individuals. Spencer has a Master of Interdisciplinary Studies in Contemporary Animal Services Leadership and Leadership Studies. He is a certified green belt in lean six sigma process improvement. Spencer has had the pleasure to lead various shelter operations teams including animal control, adoption, intake, customer care, foster care, volunteer, education/outreach, transfer/rescue, and animal behavior. He is an animal control officer, CPR, and humane euthanasia certified with training in dangerous/fractious animal handling. Spencer has a passion for shelter operation, statistics, data-driven decision-making, and innovative, life-saving community-based programs.
WEBSITE LINK: https://www.justiceclearinghouse.com/webinar/embracing-proactive-and-progressive-practices-balancing-the-letter-and-spirit-of-the-law-in-animal-control/
