Shelter Learniverse

Hybrid Conference - 5/8/25 to 5/11/25 - IAABC Foundation Animal Behavior Conference 2025 - IAABC (fee applies)
2025-05-09, 2025-05-10, 2025-05-11 | Virtual
Our education experts will deliver a rich mix of insights on the latest in animal behavior and training science, research, challenges, and best practices.
Join us in Colorado Springs, where behavior consultants, animal trainers, veterinary professionals, shelter and rescue staff, working animal experts, and passionate enthusiasts are all welcome. With the stunning backdrop of the Rockies and our shared dedication to animal behavior and training, this conference is sure to be an unforgettable experience!
Our pre-conference events on May 8 operate at a financial loss to make unique learning exPreview (opens in a new tab)periences accessible. Spaces are limited and offered on a first come, first served basis.
WEBSITE LINK: https://iaabcfoundation.org/animal-behavior-conference/

Online Meeting - Mondays - Weekly Community Conversations #ThanksToMaddie - Maddie's Fund
2025-05-12 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-05-19 11:00 - 12:00, 2025-06-02 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
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 Conference - 5/13/25 - The Maui Wildfire: An In-depth Look at Community Cats and Disaster Response - Community Cats Podcast (fee applies)
2025-05-13 10:00 - 15:15
In the summer of 2023, a wildfire sparked by a fallen power line destroyed the historic town of Lahaina in Maui, Hawaii. The blaze left behind not only over five square miles of rubble and ash, but hundreds of surviving cats, most of them community cats. Join the leaders of the wildfire response, including animal welfare professionals from Maui Humane Society, UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program and Neighborhood Cats, and learn how they rescued and pursued live outcomes for every cat who made it through the fire, feral or not.
After this conference, you and your agency will be prepared to implement a wildfire or other disaster response for cats in your community, including running a shelter-in-place program in the disaster zone, initial treatment and assessment after rescue, housing fire cats, pathways towards specific outcomes, reunification efforts and, ultimately, placement.
Stay tuned for more details about the speakers and program. Let’s work together to ensure no cat is left behind in times of disaster!

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/the-maui-wildfire-an-in-depth-look-at-community-cats-and-disaster-response/

Webinar - 5/13/25 - The Adopter Experience: A Guide to Increasing Adoptions - Shelter Animals Count
2025-05-13 12:30 - 13:30
In order to address the backlog of pets in shelters and rescues, we need to increase adoptions. If you are unable to attend this workshop at the Animal Care Expo by Humane World for Animals, we are going to give you the opportunity to hear from each of the session’s panelists with five distinct perspectives, about the latest data-supported methods to attract adopters, help them find a match and support them for the long haul.
To tackle the backlog of pets in shelters and rescues, boosting adoptions is essential. Join a panel of experts as they share the latest data-driven strategies for attracting adopters, matching them with the right pets and supporting them throughout the adoption journey. Gain insights into the adopter experience, from navigating online processes to visiting a local shelter, and walk away with practical tips to enhance adoptions at every stage while fostering community engagement.
Panelists:
Lindsay Hamrick – Humane World for Animals
Amanda Foster – Human Animal Support Services (HASS)
Stephanie Filer – Shelter Animals Count
Courtney Suthoff – Hill’s Pet Nutrition April Huntsman – Adopt-a-Pet
WEBSITE LINK: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_oOiX_ntHRludG9hN4-Ldsg#/registration

Webinar - 5/14/25 - Unlocking AI for Animal Shelters - Outcomes Consulting
2025-05-14 11:00 - 12:00
Join us on May 14 at 2 PM EST / 11 AM PST for a live webinar led by Kristen Hassen of Outcomes Consulting Group, designed specifically for animal shelter professionals. This interactive, fast-paced session will teach you how to easily integrate AI into operations to save time, streamline processes, and improve outcomes. Whether you’re just getting started with AI or looking to expand your AI toolkit, this session will provide actionable insights and real-world examples to help your team work smarter and save more lives.
WEBSITE LINK: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_jsE51Gw-RFqVlNn-RowUNA#/registration

Online Training – 5/14/25 – Surrender Prevention Certification Workshop Presented by Dr. Rachel Geller – Community Cats Podcast (small fee applies)
2025-05-14 11:00 - 12:30
As a Surrender Prevention Specialist, you may be the difference between a cat losing her home and staying in her home. Join this session to learn what surrender prevention is and why it works.
Instructed by Dr. Rachel Geller, she will share real examples, with proven results, setting the potential surrenderer and cat on the road to a happy relationship together and keeping the cat in her home.
We’ll cover how to empathize with cat owners, working around their limitations (financial, time, patience), and focus on the 3 most common reasons for surrender: litter box problems, scratching (and not on the scratching post!), and inter-cat aggression.
Take advantage of the interactive format, extensive handouts, and video footage of actual techniques. This session is being recorded and recordings will be shared. Attendees will receive a certificate after taking a short quiz.
This session is led by Dr. Rachel Geller, founder of All Cats All the Time, Inc. and lasts 1.5 hours, including an optional 15-minute Q&A session. 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://register.gotowebinar.com/rt/8757944804645518678

Online Event - Monthly - Journey You Own Meditation Gathering - JYO
2025-05-14 17:00 - 17:45
Create a shared, supportive space to explore grounding practices.
The guided meditations happen every month and typically run 30-45 minutes. All are welcome to these very low-key sessions, with videos on or off, whatever feels most comfortable to you. No speaking is necessary unless you’d like to share at the end of the session.
Attendees register once and can attend any of the monthly meditation dates. Don’t forget to add the dates to your calendar to ensure you don’t miss out on any sessions.

About the Host
Jyothi Robertson is a student of meditation practice for 40+ years and trauma-sensitive grounding practices formally for the past three years. She was raised by parents who practice meditation and lead spiritual teachings for members of their Indian community. She began pursuing her own formal exploration of spirituality as an anthropology major at Princeton University and conducted fieldwork for her thesis while living at an ashram (spiritual center) in India in 1996. As a veterinarian, she is interested in highlighting the spiritual connection between all living beings.
Jyothi has completed certifications in trauma-sensitive mindfulness, advanced trauma-sensitive meditation, deep listening, DEI, and since 2019, has been receiving training in Buddhist meditation practices and philosophy. As a student learning meditation, she is interested in exploring these practices with others in community.
WEBSITE LINK: https://jyo.world/meditation-gathering/

Online Event - 1st Tuesdays - All Call - California for All Animals
2025-05-16 12:00 - 13:00
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 - 5/17/25 - Targeted TNR and Getting the Most Bang for Your Buck Certification Workshop - Community Cats Podcast (small fee applies)
2025-05-17 11:00 - 13:00
The more cats you fix, the more impact your TNR program will have, right? Wrong! Spay/neuter volume alone is rarely enough by itself to keep consistently reducing a community’s free-roaming cat population over time. Another aspect to the program needs to be identifying areas of high need (meaning, lots of cats) and then focusing TNR resources at that location in order to achieve high sterilization rates. Discover what targeting is, why it’s so important, and how you can do it no matter how large or small your program currently is. This program is presented in partnership with Neighborhood Cats. This class offers a certification option.
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: Targeted TNR Registration

Online Certificate Program – Starts 5/19/25 – Animal Shelter Behavioral Management Certificate Program – Humane Network/UoP (fee applies)
2025-05-19
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.
Dates: 5/19/25 – 7/13/25
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 – 013
Certificate Price: $429
WEBSITE LINK: https://uc.pacific.edu/search/publicCourseSearchDetails.do?method=load&courseId=2133958

Webinar - 5/19/25 - Redefining the Gold Standard: A New Framework for More Accessible Care - UC Davis KSMP
2025-05-19 13:00 - 14:30
What if the “gold standard” isn’t gold for everyone?
We all know it’s time to have this conversation. At best, one-size-fits-all thinking in veterinary care limits our ability to help—and feels disempowering on both sides of the exam table. At worst, care without context results in barriers that prevent us from even meeting the pets who need us most.
Let’s flip the script!
A standing-room-only presentation at this year’s Animal Care Expo reinforced what we’ve all been thinking: It’s time to say no to the status quo! Join us Monday, May 19, from 1- 2:30pm Pacific for Redesigning the Gold Standard: A New Framework for More Accessible Care.
By the end of this webinar, you’ll be able to:

Articulate the difference between spectrum of care, incremental care, gold standard, and standard of care—and learn how contextualized care is critical to all.
Match care to context—balance medical best practices with real-world constraints, community needs, and ethical obligations.
Understand how the law supports your ability to provide care.
SCOPE before you SOAP.

Presented by Dr. Jennifer Bennett, Dr. Sarah Mantovani and Kelly Bremken, MSSW
Register now: https://sheltermedicine.zoom.us/webinar/register/8017470939827/WN_QUVCHUn_RvKtsnVarFa8dw

Webinar - 5/20/25 - Unleash the Power of Pet Reunification - CalAnimals
2025-05-20 10:00 - 11:00
Join Gina Knepp from Petco Love and Sarah Aguilar, Director Santa Barbara County Animal Services Division, for an engaging session that will transform your approach to lost pet recovery! Discover the exciting enhancements of the Love Lost platform, packed with innovative features designed to bridge the gap between shelters and community members. Whether you are new to the platform or a seasoned user, this session promises valuable insights on maximizing its potential. Learn about the latest mapping tools and discover how field officers can leverage these upgrades to reunite lost pets with their families right where they are are-saving time and resources for everyone involved. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to enhance your impact in the community.
Presenters:
Gina Knepp, Petco Love
Sarah Aguilar, Santa Barbara County Animal Services
WEBSITE LINK: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_9IRbnlkuQKC5Tu91N-arWw#/registration

Webinar Series - 5/20/25 - Doors Wide Open - Successful Program Profiles: Neighborhood Pets and their Community-Centered Well-Being for People and Pets - Open Door Veterinary Collective
2025-05-20 12:00
Topic: Successful Program Profiles: Neighborhood Pets and their Community-Centered Well-Being for People and Pets
Join Geraldine, Becca and Janet as they discuss the community-centered approach of Neighborhood Pets Outreach & Resource Center, a membership-based, Cleveland nonprofit created by proximate leaders—those deeply connected to the communities they serve. They have built strong human service and community development partnerships to help families also access vital healthcare, legal and emergency resources.
This webcast highlights how Neighborhood Pets offers adaptable strategies for innovative community building in support of human and pet well-being!
Guest Speakers:
– Geraldine D’Silva, National Director of Programs & Partnerships at Open Door Veterinary Collective
– Janet Hoy-Gerlach, PhD, LCSW, LISW-S, Director of Veterinary Social Work at Open Door Veterinary Collective
– Becca Britton, Executive Director at Neighborhood Pets
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

Online Event - 5/20/25 - All Call: Helping Paws and People - Food and Resource Pantry Programming - California for All Animals
2025-05-20 12:00 - 13:00
Now, more than ever, it’s crucial to engage all members of our communities. Starting February 18, Partnering for Pets: A Multicultural Community of Practice, is coming to the All Call to strengthen our capacity to do just that.
Are you passionate about increasing adoptions, foster, return to home, and keeping more pets and people together? Do you want to learn and share practical strategies for building relationships with diverse communities? This community is for you!
May 20 Topic:
As food banks face funding cuts, communities are mobilizing to ensure individuals and families have access to food and other resources without judgment. At the next community of practice at the All Call, we’ll learn about Pasadena Humane and Humane Society of Sonoma County’s approaches to multicultural community engagement and supporting pet guardians experiencing food insecurity. If you’ve already registered for the All Call, all you need to do is join the call at 12 p.m. PT.
Speakers:

Laura Lampley, Sr. Director of Animal Resources and Admissions at Pasadena Humane
Miguel Ruelas, Helping Paws Manager at Pasadena Humane
Jorge Delgado, Community Initiatives Manager at Humane Society of Sonoma County
Cel Jimenez, Community Initiatives Coordinator at Humane Society of Sonoma County

Through June 3, the All Call will provide a space for learning, sharing, and networking with colleagues dedicated to building stronger connections with all segments of their communities. You’ll hear how California shelters are advancing culturally-responsive programming and building bridges to decrease length of stay and increase positive outcomes for animals, as well as the shelter staff and community members who care for them.
About the All Call
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-Ramóna, 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: https://tinyurl.com/all-call

Ahora, más que nunca, es esencial que todos los miembros de nuestras comunidades participen. A partir del 18 de febrero, Partnering for Pets: A Multicultural Community of Practice (Colaborando para mascotas: Una comunidad de práctica multicultural), llegará a All Call para reforzar nuestra capacidad de hacer precisamente eso.
¿Le apasiona aumentar las adopciones, el cuidado temporal, el regreso a casa y mantener juntos a más mascotas y personas? ¿Quiere aprender y compartir estrategias prácticas para cultivar relaciones con comunidades diversas? ¡Esta comunidad es para ti!
Hasta el 3 de junio, el All Call ofrecerá un espacio para aprender, compartir y establecer contactos con colegas dedicados a construir conexiones más fuertes con todos los segmentos de sus comunidades. Escuchará cómo los refugios de California están avanzando en programas culturalmente responsables y construyendo puentes para reducir la estancia y aumentar los resultados positivos para los animales, y también para el personal del refugio y los miembros de la comunidad que los cuidan.
Acerca de All Call
All Call es una llamada comunitaria que se realiza dos veces al mes para profesionales del bienestar animal en California, los primeros y terceros martes. La llamada de una hora es un espacio dedicado a compartir y aprender unos de otros. Los temas más populares incluyen iniciativas que crean una cultura más inclusiva tanto para el personal como para la comunidad, programas que mantienen a las mascotas con su familia, tendencias de la industria, estudios, y también temas difíciles, como lo que no funciona o lo que es particularmente difícil en tiempos de crisis. La sesión es una mezcla de presentaciones, historias, debate abierto y tiempo para preguntas y respuestas.
All Call está organizada por Allison Cardona, Nadia Oseguera-Ramóna e Ivy Ruiz, miembros del equipo de California For All, y se complementa con facilitadores rotativos. Sólo es necesario inscribirse una vez. En ocasiones, las llamadas se graban; después de la llamada se envían correos electrónicos de resumida con recursos adicionales.
Regístrese: https://tinyurl.com/all-call

Webinar - 5/20/25 - Healthy Humans, Happy Pets Part 1 - Physical Wellbeing: The Foundation of Health - Fear Free Shelters
2025-05-20 12:00 - 13:00
Physical wellbeing is the foundation for showing up as our best selves—both for the animals in our care and for each other. Just as we prioritize comfort and health for pets, it’s vital to extend that same level of care to ourselves to maintain energy, focus, and emotional resilience in veterinary and pet care environments.
Join Fear Free Shelters for a webinar with Melyssa Allen, MA, NBC-HWC, DipACLM, as we explore the six pillars of lifestyle medicine and their role in supporting wellbeing. We’ll focus on the core behaviors of nutrition, physical activity, and sleep, and how they influence not only our physical health but the quality of care we provide to pets every day.
What You’ll Learn:
• An introduction to the six pillars of lifestyle medicine
• How core health behaviors impact physical wellbeing and mental health
• The importance of lifestyle habits in supporting both personal and professional quality of life
• How to create a personal wellbeing vision and identify goals aligned with that vision
Presentation by
Melyssa Allen, MA, NBC-HWC, DipACLM
Register now: https://fearfreellc.webinargeek.com/healthy-humans-happy-pets-part-1-physical-well-being-the-foundation-of-health

Webinar - 5/20/25 - Gatekeeping Care: The Intersection of Spay/Neuter and the Myth of "Responsible Pet Ownership" - MCVMA
2025-05-20 17:00 - 18:00
Join MCVMA and shelter medicine professionals for an open panel discussion on the recently released WSAVA guidelines on pet sterilization and the broader, ongoing debate around spay/neuter practices. We’ll explore the implications of these guidelines for access to care, equity in veterinary medicine, and how structural bias shapes the way we define and approach “responsible pet ownership.” This conversation aims to bring diverse perspectives to a complex issue impacting communities, veterinarians, and the animals we serve. We welcome questions and interaction from attendees and hope to foster an engaging, thoughtful dialogue. This session will include a Q&A. Please share any questions you’d like to ask our panelists in the registration form below.
Our Panelists:
– Dr. Sohaila Jafarian, DVM, MPH (MCVMA Board Member)
– Dr. Chumkee Aziz, DVM, DABVP (Shelter Medicine Practice)
– Dr. Julie Levy, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (Internal Medicine), DABVP (Shelter Medicine Practice)
WSAVA Guidelines for Control of Reproduction in Dogs and Cats: https://wsava.org/global-guidelines/reproduction-guidelines/
MCVMA’s Response to WSAVA Guidelines: https://mcvma.org/position-statements/
An ASV Critique: The 2024 WSAVA Guidelines for the Control Of Reproduction in Dogs and Cats: https://doi.org/10.56771/jsmcah.v4.120
WEBSITE LINK: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/Ycs0c-LOTyGev1F7BHuRcA#/registration

Webinar - 5/21/25 - Summa Fundraising Series Session 2: Special Events - CalAnimals
2025-05-21 10:00 - 11:00
Presented by: Summa sponsored fundraising professionals

To event or not to event—that is the question! Join us for an engaging workshop to explore whether special events should play a role in your fundraising strategy. Learn insider tips and proven techniques to plan unforgettable events that drive success and amplify your mission. Don’t miss this chance to take your fundraising to the next level!
WEBSITE LINK: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_OenLwg_DRGS0Oa46l1haTQ#/registration

Webinar - 5/21/25 - Panleukopenia 101: A Guide for Fosters and Caregivers - National Kitten Coalition
2025-05-21 16:30 - 17:30
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/4117434563319/WN_zwMw0g2xStK9RJ3xNbcMyQ#/registration

Online Event - 5/22/25 - Maddie's Monthly Behavior Connection: Socializing Puppies with Dr. Karen Overall - Maddie's Fund
2025-05-22 12:00 - 13:00
What do we mean when we recommend that puppies are ‘socialized’? Is there a role for mom in this? What about the home or environment into which the dog is born? Are the recommendations the same for puppies adopted young and older pups? When should puppies be adopted? What about pups that have some early trauma or neglect? What can we fix and what can we prevent? This webcast will review each of these issues, identify factors to which we should pay more attention, and discuss when interventions may help and what those could be.
Register here: https://maddies.fund/MonthlyBehaviorRegistration
Our speaker is Dr. Karen Overall, BA, MA, VMD, PhD, DACVB, Professor of Behavioural Medicine at Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island. Dr. Overall did her residency training in veterinary behavioural medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behaviourists (DACVB). She is a Professor of Behavioural Medicine at Atlantic Veterinary College, UPEI where she created the clinical, didactic and research program which trains veterinary students, residents, and graduate students.
Dr. Overall lectures at meetings and veterinary schools world-wide and consults internationally with governments, NGOs and working dog and welfare organizations. She is the author of hundreds of scholarly publications, textbook chapters, commentaries, et cetera and the texts Clinical Behavioural Medicine for Small Animals (1997; Elsevier) and Manual of Clinical Behavioural Medicine for Dogs and Cats (2013; Elsevier) and of the DVD, Humane Behavioural Care for Dogs: Problem Prevention and Treatment (2013; Elsevier). She is the editor-in-chief for Journal of Veterinary Behaviour: Clinical Applications and Research (Elsevier).
Dr. Overall has been named the North American Veterinary Conference (NAVC) Small Animal Speaker of the Year and was named one of the The Bark’s 100 Best and Brightest – Bark Magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people in the dog world over the past 25 years.
Her research interests include psychopharmacological treatments of anxiety and new drug development, behavioural genetics of anxiety disorders, and effects of early trauma on the behavioural development and later behavioural pathology of kittens and puppies.
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

Online Course - Starts 5/26/25 - Shelter Care Specialist Certification Program - UC Davis KSMP Shelter Learniverse
2025-05-26
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 next session starting 8/4/25! Start learning today and become part of the growing movement to transform animal sheltering.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 7/4/25.
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 at https://tinyurl.com/SCS-General

Webinar - 5/28/25 - Making Kittens Count: Kitten-Focused Data Insights and Opportunities - Shelter Animals Count
2025-05-28 11:00 - 12:00
Join us for this exciting conversation with Hannah Shaw, aka “The Kitten Lady”. This session explores how better data-keeping for pre-adoption age kittens can drive lifesaving outcomes for the tiniest felines. Hannah will share fascinating new national insights from SAC’s animal-level data, uncover the challenges and opportunities of tracking kittens, and offer practical strategies to improve how we record, understand, and act on kitten-focused data.
Plus, you’ll hear the latest initiatives from Hill’s Pet Nutrition, and the latest data from Shelter Animals Count.
Panelists:
Hannah Shaw – The Kitten Lady
Tori Fugate- Shelter Animals Count
Stephanie Filer – Shelter Animals Count
Courtney Suthoff – Hill’s Pet Nutrition
This webinar will be recorded and shared at http://shelteranimalscount.org/unlocking-animal-data-series/.
Making Kittens Count is part of the Unlocking Animal Data series, powered by Hill’s Pet Nutrition.
WEBSITE LINK: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_88p4zhlHSomTktSvHqwxGQ#/registration

Online Event - Fourth Thursdays - Maddie's Monthly Behavior Connection - Maddie's Fund
2025-05-28 12:00 - 13:00
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 - 5/29/25 - Identifying, Strengthening, & Expanding the Mental Health Component within the One Health Framework - UT OHI
2025-05-29 09:00 - 10:00
While the One Health Framework identifies “mental health” as an integral component within the intersections of human, animal, and ecosystem health, its place within the literature remains limited. In this presentation, Chris Weatherly examines reasons why “mental health” remains underexplored within One Health research and practice, while also identifying existing themes within the literature and potential future directions. He’ll also discuss his journey in becoming interested in the field of One Health and expanding its mental health component, including his work as a mental health practitioner, researching climate change and mental health, and his current attempt to synthesize the literature on “animal mental health.”
Dr. Chris Weatherly is an assistant professor in the University of Georgia School of Social Work. He is licensed clinical social worker whose research areas of interest include strengthening rural mental health systems and unpacking the intersections of climate change, environmental degradation, species loss, and mental well-being. He has over 10 years of experience as a mental health professional and has worked within acute psychiatric settings, post-disaster, and rural contexts with populations with severe mental illness, substance use concerns, and complex trauma histories.
WEBSITE LINK: https://tennessee.zoom.us/meeting/register/mmnkiAirTxu-_lEkvThBiw#/registration

Webinar - 6/2/25 - So You Want to Be The Boss? Challenges and Solutions for Today’s Progressive Leaders - NACA/Justice Clearinghouse
2025-06-02 10:00 - 11:15
Everyone wants to be the boss! Or so they think… In this presentation, Pasco County Assistant Director Spencer Conover will take you through the challenges of today’s leaders, discuss cultural differences in today’s workforce, and discuss solutions for today’s progressive leaders.
Although examples will be taken from the presenter’s experience in the Animal Welfare industry, Spencer Conover has also led the Pasco County Leadership Development Program and worked with leaders across 57 different departments within County Government. The lessons learned in this presentation will help shape any aspiring leader or help reinvigorate the most seasoned executive leader.
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/so-you-want-to-be-the-boss-challenges-and-solutions-for-todays-progressive-leaders/

Webinar - 6/3/25 - Summa Fundraising Series Session 3: Yes, you can fundraise for an animal control - CalAnimals
2025-06-03 10:00 - 11:00
Presented by: Summa sponsored fundraising professionals
Think animal control agencies can’t fundraise? Think again! Join this eye-opening workshop to discover how government entities can successfully raise funds to support their vital work. From innovative strategies to practical tips, you’ll walk away with the tools and inspiration to boost your department’s impact. Don’t miss out—let’s redefine what’s possible!
WEBSITE LINK: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_UmKUDiicSCCico34TWVLYQ#/registration

Online Event - 6/3/25 - All Call: Community-Centered Field Services and Animal Control in Action - California for All Animals
2025-06-03 12:00 - 13:00
Now, more than ever, it’s crucial to engage all members of our communities. Starting February 18, Partnering for Pets: A Multicultural Community of Practice, is coming to the All Call to strengthen our capacity to do just that.
Are you passionate about increasing adoptions, foster, return to home, and keeping more pets and people together? Do you want to learn and share practical strategies for building relationships with diverse communities? This community is for you!
June 3 Topic: Community-Centered Field Services and Animal Control in Action
At the next community of practice at the All Call, we’re welcoming Dr. Christina Avila (City of Perris), April Stevenson (City of Rancho Cordova), and Samantha McKain (City of Rancho Cordova) for a discussion focused on progressive and culturally responsive field services and animal control practices.
The All Call will provide a space for learning, sharing, and networking with colleagues dedicated to building stronger connections with all segments of their communities. You’ll hear how California shelters are advancing culturally-responsive programming and building bridges to decrease length of stay and increase positive outcomes for animals, as well as the shelter staff and community members who care for them.
About the All Call
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 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.
Register here: https://tinyurl.com/all-call
