Shelter Learniverse and Industry-Wide Calendar

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  • Online Event – 7/27/25 – Neighborhood Cats TNR Certification Workshop – Community Cats Podcast (small fee applies)

    Online Event – 7/27/25 – Neighborhood Cats TNR Certification Workshop – Community Cats Podcast (small fee applies)

    Are you ready to be part of the solution for feral and stray cats in your neighborhood? Our expert instructors will teach you best practices for Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) and colony management. Learn what TNR is and why it works. We’ll cover getting along with neighbors, preparations for trapping, trapping itself (including entire colonies at once), feeding, providing winter shelter, and more. Take advantage of the interactive format, extensive handouts, and video footage of actual projects. Attendees will receive a certificate after taking a short quiz and gain access to an ongoing Facebook group for networking with other TNR activists. Instructed by Neighborhood Cats.

    Session duration is 2.5 hours, followed by an optional 15-minute Q&A session.

    $10 Fee

    Registration Link

  • Online Event – 7/19/25 – 2025 Online Feline Leukemia Day – Community Cats Podcast (small fee applies)

    Online Event – 7/19/25 – 2025 Online Feline Leukemia Day – Community Cats Podcast (small fee applies)

    The Community Cats Podcast in partnership with the Tompkins Foundation for FeLV Advocacy will once again host the highly anticipated Online Feline Leukemia Day. This one-day event is dedicated exclusively to supporting cats affected by feline leukemia virus (FeLV), a retrovirus that impacts a cat’s immune system and makes them more vulnerable to illness. Although FeLV is often misunderstood, many cats with the virus can live fulfilling, happy lives with proper care and support.

    Designed for animal shelter staff, veterinarians, caregivers, and pet parents who care for these special kitties, the event will offer insights into the latest advancements in FeLV treatment and diagnosis, along with best practices for managing FeLV-positive cats in shelter settings.

    Sessions will cover critical topics, including approaches to reduce virus transmission, ways to create enriching environments that enhance the well-being of FeLV-positive cats, and effective strategies for educating the public on FeLV misconceptions and care. Expert speakers from across the animal welfare community will provide practical strategies and answer questions, equipping attendees with the knowledge needed to make a meaningful difference for cats with FeLV. This event is an invaluable opportunity to learn from experienced professionals and connect with others committed to improving the lives of FeLV-positive cats.

    WEBSITE LINK: https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/events/2025-online-feline-leukemia-day-conference/

  • Webinar – 7/22/25 – Culture = Success: The Secret to Building a Positive Workplace Culture in Animal Welfare – NACA/Justice Clearinghouse

    Webinar – 7/22/25 – Culture = Success: The Secret to Building a Positive Workplace Culture in Animal Welfare – NACA/Justice Clearinghouse

    The animal welfare industry is understaffed and facing worker turnover, like employers around the country. The effects are dire: animal shelter workers are burned out, and animals’ lives are at risk. But in the face of these challenges, Pasco County Animal Services (PCAS) in Florida has zero vacant positions and hasn’t had an opening in an entry-level position in over 14 months. PCAS Assistant Director Spencer Conover attributes this success to a positive workplace culture built through inspiration, leadership, recognition, equal pay, and training.

    In this webinar, Spencer will discuss how PCAS created and sustains its positive workplace culture and how you can easily adapt these methods to help better retain team members and build a positive workplace culture of your own.

    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.

    WEBSITE LINK: https://www.justiceclearinghouse.com/webinar/culture-success-the-secret-to-building-a-positive-workplace-culture-in-animal-welfare/

  • Webinar – 7/8/25 – Overwhelmed, Overcrowded and Overburdened: Finding New and Creative Ways to Serve More with Fewer Resources – NACA/Justice Clearinghouse

    Webinar – 7/8/25 – Overwhelmed, Overcrowded and Overburdened: Finding New and Creative Ways to Serve More with Fewer Resources – NACA/Justice Clearinghouse

    Join us for a panel discussion featuring Municipal Shelters that have made remarkable strides in lifesaving by thinking outside the box and maximizing their capabilities with limited resources. This webinar is designed to inspire and empower shelters, showing that you don’t need a massive budget to help families keep their pets.

    Together, we’ll explore how collaboration and creativity can elevate animal welfare—focusing on the well-being of both animals and the people who love them. Our expert panel will share practical tips and strategies you can implement, even on a tight budget. Let’s work together to make a difference!

    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.

    WEBSITE LINK: https://www.justiceclearinghouse.com/webinar/overwhelmed-overcrowded-and-overburdened-finding-new-and-creative-ways-to-serve-more-with-fewer-resources/

  • Webinar – 7/10/25 – Bust the Bottleneck: Unlocking Flow in the Animal Care Ecosystem  – Best Friends

    Webinar – 7/10/25 – Bust the Bottleneck: Unlocking Flow in the Animal Care Ecosystem – Best Friends

    Creating more efficient flows with noses in and noses out doesn’t have to be complicated or resource intensive. With a few focused practices, you can reduce length of stay, avoid bottlenecks, and get more pets home faster. Pathway planning is a practical, proactive approach to managing your population, and it can work no matter your organization’s size, staffing, or resource level.

    Attendees will learn how to define common outcome paths, identify critical flow-through points, and kickstart daily rounds without feeling overwhelmed. With practical, real-world tools and examples, you’ll walk away with the confidence to take your first (or next) step toward more efficient, targeted lifesaving.

    Learn from three experienced panelists: Brent Toellner, Senior Director Lifesaving Programs, Best Friends Animal Society; Dr. Colleen Guilfoyle, National Shelter Medicine Veterinarian, Best Friends Animal Society; and Faith Wright, Director of Operations at Brandywine Valley SPCA.

    No matter your resources and staff, you can use what you have to star t reducing length of stay, improving kennel stress, and achieving better outcomes for the pets in your care. Register now and join us live on Thursday, July 10 at 3pm ET.

    WEBSITE LINK: https://bestfriends-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/2717496577685/WN_FCrMZnfZQuiBE67df9ac2A#/registration

  • Webinar – 7/24/25 – Find your popsicle hotline: Creating the ultimate adopter experience – CalAnimals

    Webinar – 7/24/25 – Find your popsicle hotline: Creating the ultimate adopter experience – CalAnimals

    Shelters and rescues are overflowing while millions of new pet-loving households have emerged in the past year alone. So why aren’t they adopting? The truth is adoption is losing ground. While pet ownership is booming, shelters remain the third choice behind breeders and family rehoming. It’s time for a radical shift.

    Join Petco Love for an eye-opening session on how to transform all facets of your adoption program into an irresistible first choice. We’ll break down customer psychology, challenge outdated strategies and introduce fresh, experience-driven adoption models that make saying “yes” to a pet effortless and exciting. Using innovative examples from across industries, like the simple “popsicle hotline” that gave Hollywood’s Magic Castle hotel an unheard-of boost in guest satisfaction and occupancy rates, this session will prove that you don’t have to spend big in order achieve exemplary service and drive customer loyalty.

    If you’re ready to attract more adopters, boost live outcomes and turn your shelter into the go-to destination for pet lovers, this is your call to action. Increasing adoptions and creating new families starts with creating an experience they can’t resist.

    WEBSITE LINK: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_BXObpKnVQg-et-86J-bwKg#/registration

  • Webinar – 7/16/25 – Essential Rabbit Training for ACOs and Shelter Staff – CalAnimals

    Webinar – 7/16/25 – Essential Rabbit Training for ACOs and Shelter Staff – CalAnimals

    This webinar offers a detailed introduction to the philosophy, and best practices of the San Diego House Rabbit Society (SDHRS), with a focus on practical strategies for shelter staff, field ACOs, and adoption counselors who interact with rabbits in their roles.
    Led by SDHRS Executive Director Jennifer Lee, the session will walk through key components of our shelter model, the unique care needs of domestic rabbits, and the core educational framework we use to support adopters and animal welfare professionals.

    Key topics include:
    • Shelter layout and intake protocols at SDHRS
    • Rabbit behavior, communication, and humane handling
    • Standards for housing, daily care, and enrichment
    • Medical red flags, illness response protocols, and wellness indicators
    • Nutrition, litter box training, and sanitation practices
    • Public health and disease prevention, including RHDV2 protocols
    • Adoption readiness and what SDHRS requires from potential adopters

    Who should attend:
    Shelter employees, adoption counselors, animal control officers, and anyone involved in the intake, care, or placement of rabbits in shelter or rescue environments.
    This webinar is designed to give professionals in the field practical, replicable insights that elevate rabbit welfare and improve outcomes across the board.

    This webinar has been generously sponsored by We Mail For You for your printing, direct mail, and promotional item needs.

    WEBSITE LINK: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_BCB00FM6RLq5eX8JFfl1iQ#/registration

  • Online Event – 7/24/25 – Maddie’s Monthly Behavior Connection: Accomplishing the Goal of Successful Outcomes – Maddie’s Fund

    Online Event – 7/24/25 – Maddie’s Monthly Behavior Connection: Accomplishing the Goal of Successful Outcomes – Maddie’s Fund

    Accomplishing the Goal of Successful Outcomes: Animal Behavior, De-escalation Techniques, & What Happens when they Leave our Care

    In this talk, Dr. Carley Faughn will focus on behavioral outcomes for cats and dogs, with an emphasis on large dogs but relevant to all animals. How do you communicate behavior challenges to potential fosters and/or adopters? How does your team discuss these challenges among themselves? How does your team work to de-escalate conversations with potential fosters/adopters as well as the community? What happens once an animal leaves your shelter that has behavior challenges? Dr. Faughn will share tips for all of these questions, with real life examples from 20+ years of experience in animal welfare. Meaningful goals are to keep pets and families safe, together, and happy. In this talk, you will learn ways to accomplish increased lifesaving within your shelter and next foregoing into community homes. Attendees will learn about:
    • Tips for safely getting dogs with behavior challenges into foster and ready for adoption with efficient timelines.
    • What you can do in and out of the shelter to capture and highlight animals’ fundamental qualities
    • Proven strategies for supporting animals with behavior concerns after adoption with a focus on follow-ups, who should be involved in the follow-ups, and ways to keep track of significant behavior information after dogs leave the shelter.
    • De-escalation techniques when communicating with distraught fosters, adopters, and the community, as well as working with their own team members.
    • How to create a “Tip Sheet Template” to be individually designed for animals moving into foster care and/or adoptive homes

    Guest Speaker: Dr. Carley Faughn, Outcomes & Behavior Manager at the Humane Society of Vero Beach & Indian River County

    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

  • Online Event – 7/3/25 – Maddie’s Monthly Foster Connection: Behind the Bark: What Foster Feedback Can Teach Any Program – Maddie’s Fund

    Online Event – 7/3/25 – Maddie’s Monthly Foster Connection: Behind the Bark: What Foster Feedback Can Teach Any Program – Maddie’s Fund

    When fosters speak up, we sometimes default to extremes: either it’s just “one unhappy person,” or it’s a sign the whole program is broken beyond repair. But the truth about how fosters experience your program lives in the gaps between assumptions and reality. In this talk, we’ll explore how LifeLine Animal Project developed, launched, and analyzed a foster experience survey to uncover hidden trends, validate unspoken concerns, and turn raw feedback into rapid, strategic improvements. Whether you lead a large shelter or a volunteer-based rescue program, the lessons behind the data can help you strengthen your foundation, one honest answer at a time.

    Guest Speaker: Daisy Navin, Foster Programs Manager, LifeLine Animal Project

    Daisy Navin is the Foster Programs Manager at LifeLine Animal Project, where she oversees foster program development strategy across three Atlanta shelters, including two high-intake municipal facilities. She helped grow LifeLine’s foster program into one of the largest in the country, which placed over 13,000 animals into foster homes 2024. Daisy is passionate about low-barrier fostering, matchmaking, foster relations, and turning everyday insights into meaningful change. She’s presented with Maddie’s Fund on foster onboarding and loves collaborating with other shelters to troubleshoot, innovate, and share life-saving ideas. Her work focuses around one question: what do
    fosters need to keep saying yes?

    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 Meeting – Mondays – Weekly Community Conversations #ThanksToMaddie – Maddie’s Fund

    Online Meeting – Mondays – Weekly Community Conversations #ThanksToMaddie – Maddie’s Fund

    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