Taking Action for Animals (TAFA) brings together volunteers, advocates and animal welfare organizations from across the U.S. for one shared goal: to better the lives of animals and people alike. TAFA will take place in New Orleans from August 1-3, 2025.
WEBSITE LINK: https://www.humaneworld.org/en/events/taking-action-for-animals
Learn how to promote community-based lost pet reunification, reduce the number of stray animals entering your shelter, and identify owners of lost pets even without identification!
DocuPet has designed and is now offering progressive tools to help pet owners find their lost pets prior to a finder having to bring them to the shelter or an ACO being called for a loose stray animal. Additionally, DocuPet has designed a Pet Record Search Tool that participating animal control agencies and shelters can access to help identify a pet owner, even if the pet does not have a tag number or microchip.
Both of these tools are available to all pet owners and agencies at no cost.
● For those agencies who use DocuPet as their licensing provider, this is an enhancement to your current services (at no charge) and will help to increase your license compliance rates.
● For those agencies who do not provide licensing services and/or do not use DocuPet as their licensing provider, these tools are available to you at no charge.
There is no catch! Come learn how to get these tools up and running at your organization immediately and be part of a state-wide initiative to decrease the number of lost/stray animals entering our shelters!
Presenter: Jackie Rose, JD, MS, CAWA–DocuPet Chief Strategy Officer
WEBSITE LINK: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/eTRfLc3oQ_qpluvCiCOlHA#/registration
It has been one year since the Veterinary Professional Associates (VPA) in Colorado was passed. The very controversial legislation has caused confusion, stress and uncertainty for many. This conversation will discuss where it stands today, what is happening and what is planned.
WEBSITE LINK: https://thebridgeclub.com/event/prop-129-one-year-later/
Making the First Move: Approaching Cats with Care
Building on Cracking the Cat Code, this session explores how to apply the Considerate Approach when working with cats in shelter environments. Through video examples, you’ll learn how to thoughtfully and confidently approach cats in different settings — from cages to carriers. Gain practical tools to reduce stress, improve adoption readiness, and advocate effectively for the cats in your care.
Guest Speaker: Tabitha Kucera, RVT, KPA-CTP, CCBC, VTS (Behavior)
Join us on the fourth Thursday of every month as we talk about dog and cat behavior – supporting pets in our community and animal shelters. Each month, we hear from speakers about topics of interest to our group, such as behavior medications, modifying animal behavior, assessing and improving animal welfare, and how organizations successfully provide behavior support to dogs and cats.
Who should join: Animal welfare staff and volunteers who are interested in dog and cat behavior, and everyone who works to keep pets out of shelters and in homes.
You only need to register once for all meetings: https://maddies.fund/MonthlyBehaviorRegistration
Can’t attend live? Register anyway and you will get a link to the recording within a day or two after each meeting.
All recordings and resources shared during the webcast will also be available in the Maddie’s Monthly Behavior Connection group on Maddie’s Pet Forum – https://maddies.fund/monthlybehaviorconnectionMPF
Maddie’s Fund does not share registration information.
The opinions expressed by webinar presenters are their own and do not necessarily represent those of Maddie’s Fund.
Reading dog body language and communicating effectively with our own behavior are practiced skills that we need to mindfully develop over time. Foster caregivers, adopters and staff need to understand what the dog is telling them and also communicate their intentions to the dog. The goal is always for the human and the dog to be in agreement that “I’m into you!” Through this webcast, you’ll recognize behaviors that suggest the dog is unsure, and consider how to de-escalate the conversation to “I’m into you!”
Guest Speaker: Devan Amundsen, CPDT-KA CBCC-KA, Principal, Animal Welfare United
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.
Looking to implement a new program, learn more about a specific subject and create positive change for pets and people in your community? Maddie’s Fund® Online Instructor-Led Courses provide an interactive educational opportunity for those who are looking to benefit from the wisdom of established innovative programs. They’re the catalyst you need to take your programs and learning to the next level! All courses are free #ThanksToMaddie!
These courses require completion of:
Class size is limited and the selection process is competitive.
To be eligible, your organization must be a U.S.-based 501c3 or government animal welfare organization. All Maddie’s University courses are pre-approved for NACA and CAWA CE (continuing education) credits.
Application period: August 8 – August 18, 2025. Fall 2025 Courses begin the week of September 8, 2025
Fall 2025 Course Offerings
Adoption Counseling
Developing Your Own Kitten College
Feline Lifesaving: Essential Cat Programs for Shelters
Fostering Dogs with Behavior Concerns: Supporting Dogs and People (2 SECTIONS)
Humane Education: Tools & Techniques to Expand Your Reach
Live Better: The Power of You (2 SECTIONS)
Maddie’s Million Pet Challenge Shelter Consultations
Marketing Communications 101: The Essentials of Community Connection (2 SECTIONS)
Pet Support Services: Culture, Collaboration, and Case Management
Shelter Clinic Management
Learn more about each course’s information including course descriptions, instructors, class dates and meeting times on Maddie’s University: https://university.maddiesfund.org/online-instructor-led-courses
Looking to implement a new program, learn more about a specific subject and create positive change for pets and people in your community? Maddie’s Fund® Online Instructor-Led Courses provide an interactive educational opportunity for those who are looking to benefit from the wisdom of established innovative programs. They’re the catalyst you need to take your programs and learning to the next level! All courses are free #ThanksToMaddie!
These courses require completion of:
Class size is limited and the selection process is competitive.
To be eligible, your organization must be a U.S.-based 501c3 or government animal welfare organization. All Maddie’s University courses are pre-approved for NACA and CAWA CE (continuing education) credits.
Application period: August 8 – August 18, 2025. Fall 2025 Courses begin the week of September 8, 2025
Fall 2025 Course Offerings
Adoption Counseling
Developing Your Own Kitten College
Feline Lifesaving: Essential Cat Programs for Shelters
Fostering Dogs with Behavior Concerns: Supporting Dogs and People (2 SECTIONS)
Humane Education: Tools & Techniques to Expand Your Reach
Live Better: The Power of You (2 SECTIONS)
Maddie’s Million Pet Challenge Shelter Consultations
Marketing Communications 101: The Essentials of Community Connection (2 SECTIONS)
Pet Support Services: Culture, Collaboration, and Case Management
Shelter Clinic Management
Learn more about each course’s information including course descriptions, instructors, class dates and meeting times on Maddie’s University: https://university.maddiesfund.org/online-instructor-led-courses
The rate of animals that are entering animal sheltering organizations spayed or neutered at intake are falling—and the impact of that is compounding. Join Shelter Animals Count as we unveil findings from our new Altered Status Report, a five-year national analysis of spay/neuter trends in shelter populations based on exclusive animal-level data from over 260 organizations.
This session will unpack key data points by species, intake type, and region—highlighting the sharpest declines in altered status, how those shifts are influencing length of stay, and what it means for shelter capacity and community-level care. We’ll also explore the urgent need for targeted interventions to prevent further erosion in preventive veterinary access.
Special guest Dr. Julie Levy will present insights from her latest study, The Post-Pandemic Pet Sterilization Gap, providing critical context on how the pandemic exacerbated surgical shortfalls—and what we can do now to catch up.
Whether you’re working in sheltering, rescue, policy, or industry, this webinar will equip you with the data and talking points needed to understand—and respond to—one of the most pressing issues in animal welfare today.
Panelists:
Stephanie Filer, Executive Director, Shelter Animals Count
Tori Fugate, Director of Communications, Shelter Animals Count
Dr. Julie Levy, DVM, University of Florida, Shelter Medicine Program
WEBSITE LINK: https://www.shelteranimalscount.org/event/webinar-unaltered-trends-a-national-look-at-sterilization-rates-and-shelter-impact/
Foster is arguably the single most important intervention to save dogs’ lives which is why this year’s Dogs & Data webinar series will focus on establishing and/or expanding foster programs.
PEDIGREE Foundation and Adopt a Pet will share expert insights on creating a foster-centric shelter model. Whether you’re launching a new program or enhancing an existing one, these data-driven sessions will provide practical strategies to improve volunteer recruitment, onboarding, and the overall fostering process. These webinars are designed specifically for animal welfare professionals of all levels who are looking to establish, enhance or expand foster programs. We hope you’re able to join us!
All sessions will be hosted by April Huntsman, Senior Director of Animal Welfare for Adopt a Pet and Kristen Hassen, Founder and CEO of Outcomes for Pets Consulting
Session details:
Thursday, July 24 @ 2 pm ET: The Foster Pulse, Understanding the Community’s Willingness to Foster
We’ll explore public perceptions of fostering and share key survey insights into what motivates—or holds people back—from becoming fosters. We’ll also highlight differences between potential cat and dog fosters, giving you valuable guidance to attract and support the right fosters for your organization.
WEBSITE LINK: https://kinship-co.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ymFnkj9rSa2iG3PInPiM_A#/registration
Join us for a transformative three-day virtual summit tailored specifically for animal control/service officers and dispatch in the Pacific Region. This summit aims to equip officers with advanced skills, innovative strategies, and a supportive network to enhance community engagement and animal welfare outcomes.
Summit Highlights:
– Advanced Field Techniques: Delve into topics like “Beyond the Scanner: Advanced Return to Home in the Field” and “Intake Diversion in the Field” to refine your on-the-ground approaches.
– Community Engagement: Explore “Community Oriented Approaches” while helping identify your biases, and “Community Cat Conflict Mitigation” to foster stronger community relations and proactive solutions.
– Operational Excellence: Sessions on “Strategic Field Operations”, “Understanding your Ordinances” and “Lifesaving Dispatch” will provide insights into effective and lawful practices.
– Wellness and Resilience: Address the importance of mental well-being in the field with a dedicated session on compassion fatigue and resilience-building.
– Interactive Learning: Participate in facilitated roundtables and case studies to share experiences, challenges, and solutions with peers.
WEBSITE LINK: https://bestfriends-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/1817504495481/WN_NVwdoTviQOC9mIUGxljwSA#/registration
