Shelter Learniverse and Industry-Wide Calendar

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  • Online Event – Fourth Thursdays – Maddie’s Monthly Behavior Connection – The Human Side of Shelter Work: Navigating Tough Situations (Part 2) – Maddie’s Fund

    Online Event – Fourth Thursdays – Maddie’s Monthly Behavior Connection – The Human Side of Shelter Work: Navigating Tough Situations (Part 2) – Maddie’s Fund

    Veterinary Social Worker Most of us in the animal shelter world are there because we love animals. But what about all of the human emotions and situations that come with the job? In this session, Valerie Bogie, MSSW, Veterinary Social Worker, discusses some of the toughest emotional challenges shelter workers face- and how to navigate them with care and compassion.

    Attendees will learn:

    • How communicating with clients & co-workers impacts well-being
    • An overview of types of grief and current grief models to support emotional processing
    • The emotional toll of euthanasia and how to care through it
    • Tools to support yourself and your team through emotionally complex situations

    This webinar is for anyone working in or around animals in shelters. You are not alone – and you can work towards a more sustainable career.

    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 – Fourth Thursdays – Maddie’s Monthly Behavior Connection – Maddie’s Fund

    Online Event – Fourth Thursdays – Maddie’s Monthly Behavior Connection – Maddie’s Fund

    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 – 9/25/25 – Maddie’s Monthly Behavior Connection – The Human Side of Shelter Work: Building Compassion Satisfaction and Resilience (Part 1) – Maddie’s Fund

    Online Event – 9/25/25 – Maddie’s Monthly Behavior Connection – The Human Side of Shelter Work: Building Compassion Satisfaction and Resilience (Part 1) – Maddie’s Fund

    Working in animal shelters can be deeply meaningful—and emotionally draining. In this session, Valerie Bogie, MSSW, Veterinary Social Worker, defines key terms while sharing fresh strategies to help you to increase your well-being and continue the work you are so passionate about!

    Attendees will learn:

    • The signs and impact of secondary trauma, burnout, burden transfer and compassion fatigue
    • Navigating moral distress and tough ethical dilemmas
    • The importance of compassion satisfaction—and how to cultivate it
    • Tools to better understand yourself, build resilience, and practice sustainable self-care

    This webinar is for anyone working in or around animals in shelters—especially those feeling the weight of the work. Leave with renewed clarity, practical tools, and a reminder that you matter, too.

    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 – 8/12/25 – Unlocking Insights from USDA APHIS Inspection Reports: Navigating Data and AI Applications – Life of Riley at Spring Point

    Webinar – 8/12/25 – Unlocking Insights from USDA APHIS Inspection Reports: Navigating Data and AI Applications – Life of Riley at Spring Point

    Explore the USDA APHIS Inspection Report database on licensed dog breeder compliance—its scope, strengths, and limitations—and learn how to effectively navigate and analyze this valuable public data. We’ll share how we leverage this public data to uncover patterns and demonstrate an AI powered app to enhance understanding and promote animal welfare compliance.

    Speakers from Life of Riley partner JVR Shelter Strategies:
    Dr. Jyothi V. Robertson, Owner and Principal Consultant
    Ross Mauck, Consultant & Senior Data Analyst

    WEBSITE LINK: https://lor.dog/webinars/

  • Webinar – 8/7/25 – Helping Animals Faster: Using Innovation to Reduce Length of Stay and Save More Lives – NACA/Justice Clearinghouse

    Webinar – 8/7/25 – Helping Animals Faster: Using Innovation to Reduce Length of Stay and Save More Lives – NACA/Justice Clearinghouse

    In 2018, Pasco County Animal Services was saving over 85% of animals coming to the shelter but could not break through to saving more than 90%. This innovative leadership team took on the challenge and completely changed their live outcome model to include new, progressive ways for animals to enter and leave alive. As a result, the length of stay for animals in the shelter went from 28.5 days all the way to 3.1 days and the shelter has been above a 90% save rate since 2019.

    In this session, Assistant Director Spencer Conover will provide real-life challenges the organization was facing as well as tangible tools, tactics, and resources shelters can use to help lower length of stay, better optimize budgets, and increase the save rate in their organization without additional funding or staff. This interactive and engaging presentation will focus on streamlining intake procedures, recruiting and retaining rescue partnerships, fast-tracking animals through your shelter, prioritizing budget areas that will have the largest impact on your saving rate, and bringing the team together to focus on a common goal.

    WEBSITE LINK: https://www.justiceclearinghouse.com/webinar/helping-animal-faster-using-innovation-to-reduce-length-of-stay-and-save-more-lives/

  • Conference – 8/1/25 to 8/3/25 – Taking Action for Animals 2025 – Humane World for Animals (fee applies)

    Conference – 8/1/25 to 8/3/25 – Taking Action for Animals 2025 – Humane World for Animals (fee applies)

    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

  • Webinar – 7/29/25 – State of the Art Return-to-Home Tools  – CalAnimals

    Webinar – 7/29/25 – State of the Art Return-to-Home Tools – CalAnimals

    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

  • Webinar – 8/7/25 – Prop 129: One Year Later – The Bridge Club

    Webinar – 8/7/25 – Prop 129: One Year Later – The Bridge Club

    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/

  • Online Event – 8/21/25 – Maddie’s Monthly Behavior Connection – Making the First Move: Approaching Cats with Care – Maddie’s Fund

    Online Event – 8/21/25 – Maddie’s Monthly Behavior Connection – Making the First Move: Approaching Cats with Care – Maddie’s Fund

    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.

    WEBSITE LINK:  https://maddies.fund/MonthlyBehaviorRegistration

  • Online Event – 8/7/25 – Maddie’s Monthly Foster Connection: Foundations of Dog Communication – Maddie’s Fund

    Online Event – 8/7/25 – Maddie’s Monthly Foster Connection: Foundations of Dog Communication – 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.

    WEBSITE LINK:  https://maddies.fund/MonthlyFosterRegistration