Shelter Learniverse

Webinar - 2/26/26 - Expanding Access to Veterinary Care Through Innovative Financing: Evidence-Based Insights for One Health Systems Supporting Pet Families - PPHE
2026-02-26 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Virtual
Financial barriers are the leading reason pet families delay or forgo veterinary care—often resulting in preventable suffering and broader impacts on human and community health. This webinar will present findings from a recent peer-reviewed study published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science, examining how veterinary clinics and their clients utilized a no-credit-check, third-party managed installment financing option to increase access to veterinary care. The research offers real-world evidence on how flexible payment solutions can change care decisions and help families pursue lifesaving treatment they otherwise could not afford.
Read the Research (Pre-Reading Encouraged): https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2025.1675999
Featured Presenters:
Heather Cammisa, MA, CAWA, Open Door Veterinary Collective
Amber Gilmore, CEO, P.E.T.S.
REGISTER TODAY (Registration is free but required.): https://tiny.utk.edu/Feb26OneHealthCommunityWebinar

Webinar - 2/26/26 - HASS Connect: Let's Talk Volunteers - HASS
2026-02-26 11:00 - 13:00
You are invited every fourth Thursday of the month, to join fellow leaders from national, government, and non-profit animal welfare organizations for a strategic roundtable discussion focused on the most pressing challenges facing our field. From staffing shortages and volunteer engagement to community trust, and the evolving role of shelters, this session invites candid dialogue, shared learning, and collaborative problem-solving. Whether you’re leading a municipal agency, nonprofit organization, or national initiative, your insights and experiences are vital to finding solutions.
This month’s session will be discussing a topic we all can relate to – Volunteers! This will be an open discussion about recruitment, recognition, and retention. Hope to see you there!
*You only need to register for the series once.
Time: 1-2 p.m. CT
Register here: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/eYjSHEXEQ–_PxoL4pH2_g#/registration

Online Event - 2/26/26 - Maddie's Monthly Behavior Connection: Breaking Up a Dog Fight - Maddie's Fund
2026-02-26 12:00 - 12:50
One of the most important ways we can meet shelter dogs’ needs and reduce behavior problems is to allow our dogs contact and playtime with their own species. Many staff and volunteers are concerned about giving dogs this vital exercise, enrichment, and important natural behavior outlet because of a fear of dog fights. While dog fights can sound scary, most are just “spit and noise” and cause little to no damage, many of us have seen fights that caused more damage, or fights where a person was also injured. Most of the ways we naturally approach breaking up a dog fight can actually make things worse, so teaching people how to break dog fights up efficiently and safely is an important part of onboarding any employees who may supervise dog interactions.
Laurie Lawless (of Shelter Behavior Integrations) and Trish McMillan (of Shelter Behavior Hub) are shelter behavior experts with decades of experience monitoring and facilitating dog play in many different contexts, but especially with shelter dogs. This webinar will review the tools and techniques they believe shelters should have on hand and employees should be taught to use, so that dogs can be cared for more safely, and so that they can have their needs met and behavior improved through social contact with their own kind.
Guest Speaker: Trish McMillan (Shelter Behavior Hub) & Laurie Lawless (Shelter Behavior Integrations)

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

Webinar - 2/26/26 - Dental Health for Dogs and Cats: Signs, Treatment, and At-Home Care - Schwarzman Animal Medical Center
2026-02-26 15:00 - 16:00
February is National Pet Dental Health Month, highlighting the importance of dental care for your pet’s overall health. Dental disease is common in both dogs and cats and, if left untreated, can cause pain, tooth loss, and infection that can affect the entire body.
Join us on Thursday, February 26th at 6PM ET on Zoom as Dr. Brad Cingolani, Resident Veterinarian in Dentistry and Oral Surgery at AMC, discusses common dental conditions in dogs and cats. He will discuss signs that may indicate a problem, explain what to expect from a veterinary dental exam and treatment, and share practical steps pet owners can take at home to promote healthier teeth and gums.
This is a free, online-only event hosted via Zoom. The Zoom link will be emailed to all registered participants the day of the event. REGISTER TODAY. Please email UsdanInstitute@amcny.org with any questions.
Please note: This webinar is intended for pet owners and is not eligible for CE credit.
WEBSITE LINK: https://app.glueup.com/event/dental-health-for-dogs-and-cats-signs-treatment-and-at-home-care-166531/

Online Course – Application deadline 2/27/26 – Shelter Care Specialist Certification Program Spring 2026 Session – UC Davis KSMP Shelter Learniverse
2026-02-27 00:00 - 23:59
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. Courses focus on safe, low-stress handling, sound medical and behavioral care, and practical systems that keep animals moving through your shelter instead of getting stuck.
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.

The Shelter Care Specialist Certification is designed for you:

Built for real frontline work across the shelter: front desk, kennels, adoptions, foster, volunteers, clinic, and field services.
Short, on-the-job–friendly lessons with coach feedback and tools you can plug directly into existing routines.
Emphasizes realistic workflows—intake, daily care, behavior support, and outcome planning—so you can do more for animals with the resources you already have.
Certification is currently free, #ThanksToMaddie!

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.
Applications are being accepted for the Spring 2026 session starting 4/6/26.
Application deadline: 2/27/26.
Learn more about upcoming sessions and apply at https://tinyurl.com/SCS-General

Online Meeting - Mondays - Weekly Community Conversations #ThanksToMaddie - Maddie's Fund
2026-03-02 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-03-09 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-03-23 11:00 - 12:00
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 - 3/3/26 - From Enforcement to Engagement: Community Support Services in Animal Control - NACA/Justice Clearinghouse
2026-03-03 12:00 - 13:15
When it comes to animal welfare, the real game-changer isn’t more enforcement—it’s more engagement. While rules and regulations may compel compliance, they can also lead to resistance and disconnect. An engagement-based approach shifts the focus to building relationships, empowering individuals, and fostering community collaboration—leading to stronger, more sustainable outcomes.
Through real-world case studies and examples, you’ll gain a practical roadmap for applying this approach to improve stray management and public health. Expect a candid look at both the benefits and the challenges—and strategies to make it work in your community.
This webinar has been certified by the National Animal Care & Control Association and is approved for 1 Continuing Education Unit.
Presenter: Dr. Christina Avila
WEBSITE LINK: https://www.justiceclearinghouse.com/webinar/shifting-the-paradigm-from-enforcement-to-engagement-providing-community-support-services-as-an-animal-control-agency/

Online Event - 3/5/26 - Maddie's Monthly Foster Connection - Growing your Foster Program: Increasing Live Release Rate for At-Risk Animals - Maddie's Fund
2026-03-05 12:00 - 13:00
Fostering is a critical lifesaving pathway for most municipal shelters, but too often at-risk populations are overlooked in favor of highly adoptable animals. This presentation will focus on two of the highest risk animal groups in your shelter and how to make them a focus of your foster program: dogs with extended lengths of stay and neonatal kittens.
Short term fosters, or “Foster Field Trips” as they’re known, help dogs by giving them a psychological reset from the shelter with minimal effort from foster families. Foster Field Trips help you set up these high-risk dogs for success in two major ways – they help improve kennel presentation and overall behavior upon their return to the shelter as well as provide your team with valuable personality insights that matter to potential adopters.
Empowering your community to foster kittens before they even enter your shelter can not only increase your capacity for care, but also set these kittens up for the best shot at a healthy life. For the kittens already in your shelter, overcoming the barrier of “I’ve never fostered kittens before!” is often the first and only step you’ll need towards increasing your live release rate within this population.
Speaker: Ryan Miller, Grants Manager, The Animal Foundation
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 – 3/5/26 – Live from the Ranch: How Behavior Works – Karen Pryor Academy
2026-03-05 13:00 - 14:00
About How Behavior Works with Susan G. Friedman, Ph.D. & Ken Ramirez
How does behavior really work, and what makes lasting behavior change possible? Understanding the science of behavior change reveals how and why behaviors shift, allowing us to apply evidence-based principles that create lasting, meaningful, and effective change.
Can’t tune in live? No worries! You can access the recording immediately after the broadcast.
WEBSITE LINK: https://learn.clickertraining.com/live-from-the-ranch#next

Online Course – 3/7/26 – Neighborhood Cats TNR Certification Workshop – Community Cats Central (small fee applies)
2026-03-07 11:00 - 13:45
Ready to make a difference for feral and stray cats in your community? Join our expert instructors to learn the best practices for Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) and effective colony management. You’ll learn what TNR is, why it works, and how to address common challenges such as communicating with neighbors, preparing for trapping, conducting large-scale trapping operations, feeding, and providing winter shelter.
If you’re new to TNR, you’ll gain the essential skills needed to kickstart your TNR journey, while experienced trappers can refresh and sharpen their techniques.
Take advantage of the interactive format, extensive handouts, and real-life video footage from actual projects. Attendees will receive a certificate of attendance and access to a dedicated Facebook group for ongoing networking with fellow TNR advocates.
Led by experts from Neighborhood Cats, this 2.75-hour session includes an 15-minute Q&A. Registration is just $10.
This course/webinar/series/conference has been approved for Continuing Educational Units by the National Animal Care & Control Association (NACA). National certificate holders can submit for credit consistent with the NACA CEU policy located https://nacatraining.org/continuing-education-recertification/
WEBSITE LINK: https://communitycatscentral.com/events/live-tnr-certification-workshop-march-2026/

Webinar - 3/11/26 - Getting to Our Goals: Rethinking Community Engagement to Support Our Mission - Best Friends
2026-03-11 13:00 - 14:00
Success in animal welfare today is about more than outcomes—it’s about relationships, and to reach our long-term goals, we must authentically engage with our communities, without judgement. This webinar explores how equitable, community-centric practices can dramatically improve outcomes for animals and people alike. Participants will explore evolving best practices and walk away with tools to reshape policies, partnerships, and messaging that truly reflect their values and goals. We’ll discuss impactful questions: Can you tweak your adoption process to decrease judgement and help more pets? Is your public messaging building trust with your community? How can we engage everyone in our work, particularly those in which we may not agree? Leave this session energized after re-imagining what the future of animal welfare could look like if we engage the full spectrum of our communities.
Presented by: Dr. Abbie Atteberry DVM, MS, CAWA, Elite FFCP
National Shelter Medicine; Best Friends Animal Society
WEBSITE LINK: https://bestfriends-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/4717437859110/WN_iRsWQsmFS4aikwy3tfGwsg

Online Event - Monthly - Journey You Own Meditation Gathering - JYO
2026-03-11 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 - 3/12/26 - Human Commonalities - HASS
2026-03-12 11:00 - 12:00
This webinar explores how shared human experiences shape the way people seek help, connect with services, and make decisions about their pets. Participants will learn how these insights can strengthen community‑centered programming and improve outcomes for both pets and families. The session highlights new data, stories, and tools that help organizations design more empathetic, effective support systems. Attendees will leave with practical strategies to integrate these findings into daily operations and long‑term planning.
WEBSITE LINK: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_aVr-u-zVQAOlSO2SgyLrZw#/registration

Webinar - 3/12/26 - Maddie's Insights: Early Life Stressors and the Behavior and Physiology of Rescue Kittens - Maddie's Fund
2026-03-12 12:00 - 13:00
Maddie’s® Insights is our ongoing webcast series with practical tips based on current research to help pets and people. Join us in March for a webinar on how early-life stress affects rescue kittens’ behavior and health. Our speaker is Dr. Jennifer Vernick, a veterinary behavioral medicine resident at Atlantic Veterinary College, UPEI in Canada.
Across species, early-life stressors, such as inadequate nutrition, maternal separation, unreliable access to shelter, threats/abuse, and disease, profoundly affect brain development and behavior. Research has shown these stressors can impair cognitive, emotional, and social functions as well as alter the body’s stress response systems, particularly the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. In kittens specifically, early nutritional stress and maternal separation have been linked to learning deficits, abnormal fear responses, increased aggression, and altered play behavior.
At the end of this webinar, you will:

be able to identify several different examples of early life stressors
understand why hair cortisol concentration (HCC) may be useful to measure
be able to provide potential reasons for high and low HCC
understand why relative telomere length (RTL) is measured
be able to provide potential causes for shortened telomeres
be able to provide examples of how early life stressors were associated with the behaviours that rescue kittens displayed during testing

Earn continuing education credit from The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement towards 1.0 CAWA CEs. This webinar has also been pre-approved for 1.0 continuing education credits by the National Animal Care & Control Association (NACA). It has also been submitted for 1 hour of continuing education credit in jurisdictions which recognize RACE approval for on-demand viewers. We will post the recording on Maddie’s University a day or so after the live webcast.
Guest Speaker:
Jennifer Vernick, BA, DVM
Behavioural Medicine Resident
Atlantic Veterinary College, UPEI
REGISTER: https://maddies.fund/MIwebcastsRegister

Webinar - 3/12/26 - Friend or Foe, My Dog Doesn’t Know: Finding Relief when Dogs Fear Strangers - ACVB (fee applies)
2026-03-12 16:00 - 17:00
Dogs can develop a fear of strangers for many reasons. Often, the intensity of fear escalates over time, creating distress for dogs as well as for their caregivers. Early recognition and appropriate intervention may prevent both the development and progression of fear yet common canine communications are often overlooked or misinterpreted. For therapy to be effective and humane, it is important to determine the emotional components contributing to the behavior. This webinar will discuss a practical approach to recognizing, assessing and managing fear of strangers in canine patients.
Speaker: Ellen M. Lindell, VMD, DACVB
WEBSITE LINK: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/5112443649528767580

Online Training - 3/14/26 - Trappers’ Tips & Tricks Certification Workshop - Community Cats Central
2026-03-14 11:00 - 13:00
Led by the experienced team at Neighborhood Cats, this workshop dives into proven techniques for trapping even the most trap-savvy cats. Drawing on more than two decades of hands-on TNR work, the session focuses on practical adjustments and creative strategies that can dramatically improve trapping success in real-world situations.
Whether you’re dealing with cats that won’t step on a trip plate or colonies that seem one step ahead of every plan, this workshop offers field-tested solutions you can adapt to your own work.
What You’ll Learn
Advanced Trapping Techniques for Wary Cats
Explore creative methods for outsmarting trap-wise cats, including modifying traps, using alternative bait strategies, and adjusting setups to increase success. Learn when and how techniques like clear rear doors, garden netting, and training cats to enter traps can make the difference between frustration and progress.
Problem-Solving in Real-World TNR Scenarios
Gain insight into how experienced trappers assess situations, adapt on the fly, and select the right tools for challenging environments. Real-life video footage from actual projects illustrates how small changes can lead to big results.
Valuable Resources & Certification
Take advantage of the interactive format and live Q&A, extensive handouts, and real-life video footage from actual projects. Attendees will receive a digital certificate after passing a brief quiz and access to a dedicated Facebook group for ongoing networking with fellow TNR advocates. Plus the live course recording will be available for you to review for one year.
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://communitycatscentral.com/events/trappers-tips-tricks-certification-workshop-2026/

Online Meeting - 3/16/26 - Weekly Community Conversations #ThanksToMaddie: Supporting Pediatric Spay Neuter - Maddie's Fund
2026-03-16 11:00 - 12:00
Join us for this engaging and informative Community Conversation, “Supporting Pediatric Spay-Neuter,” where we’ll explore the current state of spay-neuter and its relationship with animal shelters and accessible veterinary care. This session will review what we know about the impact and safety of pediatric spay-neuter and highlight operational tips and tricks for success in the clinic.
Led by Dr. Brian DiGangi, a veterinarian board certified in Shelter Medicine Practice with over a decade of experience teaching and performing HQHVSN, this speaker brings both expertise and compassion to the discussion.
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 - 3/18/26 - Springtime Safety: Preventing Toxic Exposures in Kittens - National Kitten Coalition
2026-03-18 11:00 - 11:30
Join us for an essential 30-minute webinar, Springtime Safety: Preventing Toxic Exposures in Kittens, led by Rosemarie Crawford, LVT.
While our focus extends beyond lilies, it’s crucial to note that a staggering 53% of cat owners are unaware that lilies are toxic to their pets*. With Easter approaching, many households are likely to display lilies and other seasonal items that pose serious risks to kittens.
This webinar aims to equip fosters and caregivers with the knowledge needed to navigate these hazards and to emphasize the importance of educating new adopters about the safety of their adorable spring kittens.
We’ll cover the most prevalent holiday hazards, including toxic plants, festive foods, and household decorations, while providing effective prevention strategies and guidance on how to respond in case of exposure. Attendees will walk away with clear, actionable insights to ensure the safety of kittens during the holiday celebrations, along with the opportunity for a live Q&A. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance the well-being of our furry friends!
* Cats Protection, 2025 (https://www.cats.org.uk/media/onnnmi1h/cats-report-uk-2025_digital.pdf)
Presenter: Rosemarie Crawford, LVT
NKC Co-Founder and Director of Educational Programs
WEBSITE LINK: https://kittencoalition.org/event/springtime-safety-preventing-toxic-exposures-in-kittens/

Webinar - 3/18/26 - Challenging our assumption: The intersection of storytelling and data - Life of Riley
2026-03-18 11:00 - 12:00
This 60-minute workshop will explore the assumptions, limitations and opportunities of data as we lend a critical eye to the data landscape. Participants will explore case studies and scenarios about how data can be used in multiple stories; and where storytelling can be used to fill the gaps of what is known.
Presenter: Gretchen Mielke, Ed.D
WEBSITE LINK: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/2W7pfiiOQICGE7mgU3ImXg#/registration

Webinar - 3/19/26 - There's No Place Like Home: How to Advocate for Pet Inclusive Housing - Best Friends
2026-03-19 13:00 - 14:00
Families surrender beloved pets to shelters every day because people can’t find housing for the whole family. This is a major issue for pets, people, communities, shelters, and rescues — and it’s a problem we can solve together.
Register to join live on Thursday, March 19 at 4pm ET.
Learn about innovative pet-inclusive housing advocacy efforts around the country, and leave with new solutions for communities and organizations of any size. We’ll dive into ordinances, coalitions, relationships, data, and how to persuade elected officials that pet-inclusive housing isn’t an animal welfare issue — it’s a community welfare issue.
Our three panelists will share insights based on years of experience: Shannon Glenn, Executive Director of My Pit Bull is Family, on innovative approaches in Minneapolis; Jamie Blackburn, Housing Policy Specialist, Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA), on state-level work to break down housing stability barriers; and Kathleen Murphy, Policy Analyst, Best Friends Animal Society, to highlight national trends to inform and inspire your next steps — Kathleen is also a former Metro Nashville councilwoman. Arin Greenwood, Senior Strategist, Network and Advocacy Communications, Best Friends Animal Society, will moderate.
Whether you’re new to housing advocacy or already working with a coalition to pass pet-inclusive housing laws, this webinar will give you confidence, inspiration, strategies, and tools to help more pets and people in your community be together in homes. Bring your questions for the Q&A! Save your seat and join live.
WEBSITE LINK: https://bestfriends-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/4917520773897/WN_BwUVeYo4SwugXsHyWmmpKg#/registration

Online Course - Starts 3/23/26 - Tails of Understanding: The Art of Communication With Our Human Clients - IAABC (fee applies)
2026-03-23 00:00 - 23:59
Do you ever feel that working with dogs is the easy part, and that working with their humans is the real challenge? This comprehensive 4-module course is designed specifically for dog trainers, veterinarians, shelter workers, groomers, and behavior consultants who want to strengthen their communication skills and navigate difficult client interactions with confidence.
Taught by two experts in conflict resolution who are also seasoned dog professionals with a combined 50 years of experience working with people and their dogs, this course offers practical strategies drawn from real-world scenarios you’ll actually face in your practice.
Through this course, you’ll learn how to:

Engage clients with genuine curiosity to uncover what’s really driving their concerns
Avoid common communication mistakes that lead to frustration and breakdown
Stay emotionally grounded when clients are reactive, dismissive, or resistant
Have hard conversations without damaging the relationship
Work effectively with clients who challenge your expertise or resist your guidance

This course goes beyond technical training knowledge to address the human side of animal work. You’ll develop the resilience and communication skills needed to build trust, collaborate effectively, and create lasting positive change—even with your most challenging clients.
Whether you’re dealing with clients who won’t follow through, argue with every suggestion, or bring conflict into your training sessions, this course will give you the tools to handle these situations professionally while protecting your own wellbeing.
** IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT LIVE SESSIONS **
Sessions are not recorded
Sessions are 2 hours in duration
There are 4 live/online sessions for this course (March 25th, 27th, 30th and April 1st – 12:00PM EDT)
Duration: 2 weeks
Instructors: Carmaleta Aufderheide & Karis Nafte
WEBSITE LINK: https://iaabcfoundation.org/courses/tails-of-understanding-the-art-of-communication-with-our-human-clients/

Online Course - Starts 3/24/26 - Critical Applications: Ethical Approaches to Behavior Interventions - IAABC (fee applies)
2026-03-24 00:00 - 23:59
Are you interested in developing your skills and strengthening your knowledge on how to best handle and interact with animals while focusing on their welfare and well-being?
In this 8-week course, we will take a deep dive into the uses and applications of critical analysis when handling behavior cases. We will discuss the critical questions that allow us to evaluate our own choice of methods and inform us on how we can best approach each case from a competent, skilled and humane perspective. And, importantly, we will explore whether these methods are the most humane options available to help the individual animal learners live their best lives.
What to expect from this course:

Immersion into developing critical thinking skills and analysis when working maladaptive behavior cases.
Coverage of best practices to address individual cases using a systematic and informed approach.
Explanations of more than just how something works but why it works to best navigate the challenging space of current training methods.
Consideration of the ethical components behind working with nonhuman animal learners.

Is this course for you?
The course is not species-specific, so anyone working with any companion animal species can join.
A basic understanding of learning science is recommended but not required.
Though the focus is on behavior interventions, industry professionals of all experience levels will be able to gain a deeper understanding of humane practices by participating in the course.
** IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT ONLINE WEEKLY MEETINGS **
Meetings are a safe space to ask questions, share your experiences, and learn from peers. They are not recorded.
Meetings take place on Tuesdays at 5:00pm EDT, beginning March 31st.
Meetings are 1 hour in duration.
Meetings begin 1 week after course opens.
There are 8 meetings for this course.
Duration: 8 weeks
Instructor: Dr. Erin Jones MSc, PhD, PgDip, CPDT-KA, ADT, CDBC
WEBSITE LINK: https://iaabcfoundation.org/courses/critical-applications/

Online Conference - 3/24/26 to 3/26/26 - My Dog Is My Home Conference 2026 - My Dog Is My Home
2026-03-24 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-03-25 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-03-26 08:00 - 17:00
When a person loses their home, they experience trauma and grief. Their pet may be their sole source of love and support.
For a person experiencing homelessness, losing their pet can make one of the most difficult times in their life even more painful. Yet, with few emergency facilities offering pet-inclusive housing, it’s a decision so many people feel forced to make. We know pet-inclusive solutions to homelessness are not only possible, they already exist.
Since 2021, we have hosted the annual My Dog Is My Home Conference with the hope that someday, nobody will have to choose between a home and their best friend. By showcasing emerging practices in keeping people and pets together, we are building the housing solutions and communities we want.
The 3-day virtual My Dog Is My Home Conference (Mar 24-26, 2026) brings together:

Leaders in the field of pet-inclusive housing
Individuals with lived experience of homelessness
Hundreds of representatives from human services and animal welfare nonprofits

The My Dog Is My Home Conference aims to increase access to pet-inclusive emergency and long-term housing through workshops, webinars, stories of lived experience, art, community networking, and more.
All of this happens online, so there are no associated expenses beyond registration.
A win-win-win for people, animals, and service providers—pet-inclusive housing:

Supports humans’ mental, emotional and physical health
Saves hard-to-adopt animals from languishing or being euthanized in shelters
Frees space in animal shelters that are beyond their capacity

This year’s presenters include:

Aimee Gilbreath, President, PetSmart Charities
Nicholas Weinmeister, Project Administrator, USC Homelessness Policy Research Institute
Noah Patton, Director of Disaster Recovery Housing, National Low Income Housing Coalition

Need financial assistance? We believe cost should never be a barrier to participation. You can apply today for a scholarship. Made possible by a generous sponsorship from Maddie’s Fund®, #ThanksToMaddie.
REGISTER NOW: https://www.mydogismyhome.org/2026-conference

Online Training - 3/25/26 - Reducing Surrenders with Feline Behavior Support Certification Workshop - Community Cats Central (small fee applies)
2026-03-25 11:00 - 12:30
Led by feline behaviorist Dr. Rachel Geller, this workshop focuses on how a strong understanding of cat behavior can prevent unnecessary surrenders and keep cats in their homes. Designed for surrender prevention specialists, shelter staff, and volunteers, the session explores compassionate, practical approaches that address both human concerns and feline needs—helping families and cats stay together.
Through real-life case examples with proven outcomes, you’ll learn how behavior-informed conversations can shift perspectives, reduce stress, and create lasting solutions for some of the most common challenges facing cat guardians.
What You’ll Learn
Principles of Effective Surrender Prevention
Learn the core strategies behind successful surrender prevention and why they work. This section focuses on guiding conversations with empathy, understanding guardian limitations, and identifying realistic solutions that support both the cat and the caregiver.
Addressing Common Behavior Challenges
Explore practical approaches to the three most frequent reasons cats are surrendered: litter box issues, destructive scratching, and inter-cat aggression. Dr. Geller shares field-tested techniques and examples that help redirect problem behaviors while strengthening the human–animal bond.
Valuable Resources & Certification
Take advantage of the interactive format and live Q&A, extensive handouts, and real-life case studies. Attendees will receive a digital certificate after passing a brief quiz and access to a dedicated Facebook group for ongoing networking with fellow feline advocates. Plus the live course recording will be available for you to review for one year.
#ThanksToMaddie, we have several scholarships available for those helping cats in the United States. Scholarships are limited so don’t miss your chance to attend at no cost!
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://communitycatscentral.com/events/reducing-surrenders-with-feline-behavior-support-march-2026/

Webinar - 3/26/26 - Bridging the gap: Shelters and wildlife coexistence - Humane World for Animals
2026-03-26 10:00 - 11:00
Through Humane World’s Wild Neighbors program, we work with animal care and control partners to incorporate wildlife into their mission of animal protection. Animal control facilities are increasingly tasked with responding to wildlife issues in their community, but standard operating procedures often stand in the way of achieving humane outcomes for wildlife.
This discussion will combine what we already know with what we are learning from our partners to provide shelters with more resources for staff and the public on humanely solving conflicts with wildlife. The benefits include programs and frameworks for humane outcomes for wildlife in your community, a reduced workload for officers in the field, and a greater awareness in the community about how to solve problems with wildlife.
Presenter: Grace Kahler, Program Manager, Wildlife Protection, Humane World for Animals
Photo by Wendy J Keefover/Humane World for Animals
WEBSITE LINK: https://humanepro.org/trainings/bridging-gap-shelters-and-wildlife-coexistence

Webinar - Fourth Thursdays - HASS Connect - HASS
2026-03-26 11:00 - 13:00
You are invited every fourth Thursday of the month, to join fellow leaders from national, government, and non-profit animal welfare organizations for a strategic roundtable discussion focused on the most pressing challenges facing our field. From staffing shortages and volunteer engagement to community trust, and the evolving role of shelters, this session invites candid dialogue, shared learning, and collaborative problem-solving. Whether you’re leading a municipal agency, nonprofit organization, or national initiative, your insights and experiences are vital to finding solutions.
*You only need to register for the series once.
Time: 1-2 p.m. CT
Register here: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/eYjSHEXEQ–_PxoL4pH2_g#/registration
