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  • Webinar Series – 4/22/25 – Doors Wide Open: How to Multiply Existing Donor Dollars for Veterinary Care in Your Community – Open Door Veterinary Collective

    Webinar Series – 4/22/25 – Doors Wide Open: How to Multiply Existing Donor Dollars for Veterinary Care in Your Community – Open Door Veterinary Collective

    Topic: Engaging with Human and Social Service Providers to Increase Access to Care for Animals and People

    In this session we’ll share the statistics that describe the crisis in accessing veterinary care from a credit and cash-flow perspective and offer practical solutions to help pet families pay for veterinary care over time, at your clinic or with clinics in your community.

    We’ll share research that demonstrates that these expanded payment options offer the ability to multiply donor (or discount) dollars by 14.5, turning $100,000 into $1,450,000 of veterinary care in your community among clients unlikely to qualify for common payment tools such as CareCredit. This will enable you to best target limited dollars to the cases that most need them and to expand care overall, keeping clinics working to sustain accessible care.

    Guest Speaker: Heather Cammisa, Program Manager at pethelpfinder.org and Chief Enterprise Officer at Open Door Veterinary Collective

    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 – 3/27/25 – Maddie’s Monthly Behavior Connection – Behavior Plans to Reduce Hyperarousal in Shelter Dogs: The Impact of Setup and Choice – Maddie’s Fund

    Online Event – 3/27/25 – Maddie’s Monthly Behavior Connection – Behavior Plans to Reduce Hyperarousal in Shelter Dogs: The Impact of Setup and Choice – Maddie’s Fund

    Canine hyperarousal behaviors like rapid jumping and grabbing are common challenges in animal shelters, impacting dog welfare, adoption prospects, and the safety of both shelter personnel and animals. Without effective intervention, these behaviors can escalate, reducing a dog’s chances of finding and keeping a forever home. Learn how to identify triggers, create tailored behavior modification plans, and implement practical strategies that support the well-being of shelter dogs while enhancing safety and adoption success.

    Guest Speaker: Ferdie Yau

    Ferdie Yau (MA, CPDT-KA) is an animal trainer and ecologist who founded Sits & Wiggles Dog Training in New York City in 2009. He specializes in treating complex canine behavior problems and consults with animal shelters nationwide. He is the Staff Trainer at the Humane Society of Westchester and lead workshop instructor for CATCH Canine Trainers Academy. Before working with dogs, Ferdie trained cooperative care behaviors with dozens of species at the Wildlife Conservation Society in New York and developed the behavior and enrichment plan to treat stereotypies in the Central Park Zoo polar bears. He holds a BS in Ecology from the University of Michigan and an MA in Conservation Biology from Columbia University. His experience includes working in environmental education, wildlife rehabilitation, jaguar research and conservation, and restoring heavily disturbed forest and aquatic ecosystems. In his free time, Ferdie studies the lives of urban coyotes living in the New York City Metropolitan area.

    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 – 2/13/25 – Maddie’s Insights: Can Trauma-Informed Care Support Behavior Modification Efforts for Dogs? – Maddie’s Fund

    Webinar – 2/13/25 – Maddie’s Insights: Can Trauma-Informed Care Support Behavior Modification Efforts for Dogs? – Maddie’s Fund

    This talk will explore the aspects of Trauma-Informed Care for humans which might be applied in dogs, focusing on the assessment of shelter dogs or those presented for problematic behaviors, and the potential for protecting puppies from adverse early experiences.

    Have questions or comments about this topic? Engage with our guest speaker on this Maddie’s Pet Forum discussion thread: https://maddies.fund/MIwebcast02132025  

    Can’t attend live? Register anyway and you will get a link to the recording after the webcast.

    Register now: http://maddies.fund/MIwebcastsRegister 

    5 key learning outcomes: 

    1. Summarizing trauma informed care- what it is and where the concept came from
    2. Considering adverse early experience and the impact of this for dogs
    3. Assessment of animals impacted by adverse early experience
    4. Treatment and rehabilitation of animals impacted by adverse early experience
    5. The future of TIC in promoting positive welfare for dogs

    This webinar has been pre-approved for 1.0 Certified Animal Welfare Administrator continuing education credits by The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement and by the National Animal Care & Control Association. It has also been approved for 1 hour of continuing education credit in jurisdictions which recognize the Registry of Approved Continuing Education (RACE) approval.

    Guest Speaker:
    Dr. Claire Corridan, BVMSPhD, MRCVS, Great Expectations Veterinary Consultancy

    Dr. Corridan is a veterinary surgeon with a Doctorate in animal behavior and welfare. Claire has had a varied career combining first opinion and veterinary behavior referral practice with research and teaching in animal behavior, welfare and ethics, focusing on the human: dog bond, behavioral prophylaxis and promoting animal welfare for both companion and farmed animal species.

    WEBSITE LINK: http://maddies.fund/MIwebcastsRegister

  • Online Event – 3/6/25 – Maddie’s Monthly Foster Connection – Caring for Cats: A Shelter Vet’s Guide to Common Infectious Diseases in Cats – Maddie’s Fund

    Online Event – 3/6/25 – Maddie’s Monthly Foster Connection – Caring for Cats: A Shelter Vet’s Guide to Common Infectious Diseases in Cats – Maddie’s Fund

    This presentation provides foster caregivers and adopters with the tools to recognize, prevent, and manage common infectious diseases in cats. Topics include ringworm, panleukopenia, calicivirus, upper respiratory disease, toxoplasmosis, parasites, FeLV, FIV, and FIP. Attendees will gain a clear understanding of what these diseases are, how they spread, and any risks they may pose to humans. We’ll review symptoms, disease severity, prognosis, and prevention strategies, empowering participants to confidently care for their feline friends.

    Guest Speaker:  Dr. Rachael Wooten, Medical Director, One Tail at a Time

    Dr. Rachael Wooten, a passionate shelter medicine veterinarian with seven years of experience, proudly represents her Black and Puerto Rican heritage. She earned her DVM from Tuskegee University (2017) and after graduation she completed a shelter medicine specialty internship at the University of Illinois CVM. Currently serves as the Medical Director at One Tail at a Time Animal Rescue in Chicago, and has recently completed a Shelter Medicine Fellowship through UW-Madison and UC-Davis.

    Dr. Wooten actively advocates for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion within the veterinary community. Her commitment to fostering an inclusive environment is underscored by her completion of the CARE REDI certificate and serving on multiple DEI boards, further enriching her ability to make a meaningful impact in the field of animal welfare.

    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

  • Webinar Series – 3/18/25 – Doors Wide Open: Engaging with Human and Social Service Providers to Increase Access to Care for Animals and People – Open Door Veterinary Collective

    Webinar Series – 3/18/25 – Doors Wide Open: Engaging with Human and Social Service Providers to Increase Access to Care for Animals and People – Open Door Veterinary Collective

    Topic: Engaging with Human and Social Service Providers to Increase Access to Care for Animals and People

    Human social services and healthcare organizations can be critical partners with animal welfare in intake diversion/surrender prevention.

    This session focuses on:
    1. Understanding the types of human services typically encountered in animal welfare work
    2. Quickly raising awareness of common ground and shared goals for collaboration around human and animal welfare
    3. Offering simple strategies to engage in ongoing relationships with key human service providers.

    Ample time for questions and discussion will be included as part of this session.

    Guest Speaker: Janet Hoy-Gerlach, PhD, LCSW, LISW-S, Director of Veterinary Social Work at Open Door Veterinary Collective

    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

  • Webinar Series – 2/18/25 – Doors Wide Open: Pethelpfinder.org: Access to Financially Friendly Pet Services and What the Site Means for You – Open Door Veterinary Collective

    Webinar Series – 2/18/25 – Doors Wide Open: Pethelpfinder.org: Access to Financially Friendly Pet Services and What the Site Means for You – Open Door Veterinary Collective

    Topic: Pethelpfinder.org: Access to Financially Friendly Pet Services and What the Site Means for You

    Pethelpfinder.org was launched after targeted research to expand access to veterinary care and pet care resources. Hear about the research, why this database uses the term “financially friendly” care and how it is expanding the connection and conversation on accessible pet care among non-profit animal welfare agencies, social service agencies, private practice veterinarians and leaders in the field.

    We’ll share site features, benefits to pet families and benefits for listed service providers and social service agencies. We’re adding more benefits every day! We’ll also share some site statistics, insights on exciting plans for future development and cover how the site can help you during man-made or natural disasters.

    Guest Speaker: Heather Cammisa, Program Manager at pethelpfinder.org and Chief Enterprise Officer at Open Door Veterinary Collective

    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

  • Webinar Series – 1/21/25 – Doors Wide Open: Exploring Pet Inclusive Transportation Options to Increase Access to Veterinary Care – Open Door Veterinary Collective

    Webinar Series – 1/21/25 – Doors Wide Open: Exploring Pet Inclusive Transportation Options to Increase Access to Veterinary Care – Open Door Veterinary Collective

    Topic: Exploring Pet Inclusive Transportation Options to Increase Access to Veterinary Care

    Pet-friendly or pet-inclusive transportation is a recurring barrier identified by public-facing staff and volunteers across the human and animal welfare sectors. Families who struggle to find pet-friendly transportation are directly affected in their ability to access care for their animals. By highlighting these barriers and some solutions, we aim to expand the conversation to help increase access to veterinary care for bonded pet families in need.

    This session will touch on local transit options, including public transport and specialized pet shuttle services. We will also spotlight examples of organizations that have successfully leveraged their own resources to create effective transportation solutions.

    Guest Speakers:
    – Geraldine D’Silva, Maddie’s National Director of Programs & Partnerships at Open Door Veterinary Collective

    – Gayle Bair, Pet Retention Liaison at Animal Friends

    – Marty Sampson, Founder and CEO at Leash

    – Sarah McGoldrick, Vice President of Animal Operations at Dallas Pets Alive!

    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.

    This new monthly webcast series begins on Tuesday, January 21, 2025 from 12 pm – 12:30 pm Pacific Time.

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

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

    Topic: Transformative Strategies for Sustainable Change in Animal Well-Being

    Working in organizations in the animal well-being sector often means firefighting and responding reactively to urgent situations within communities. More and more in this ever-evolving landscape, animal well-being organizations are being called to balance their commitment to community care in this way with the need to address inequities and systemic barriers. Join Freedom Verses, a consulting firm rooted in equity and social justice, for an interactive session exploring our offerings to help build sustainable, inclusive practices within your organization and in the communities you serve. Discover how fostering collaboration, navigating conflict with a transformational justice lens, and rooting into your values can help align your work, not only with the needs of the communities most impacted, but also with the needs of your staff on the ground– particularly those whose identities mirror the communities you work within. Whether you’re rethinking decision-making models, deepening your commitment to equity, or addressing internal conflict, this session will showcase Freedom Verses’ tools and approaches to help your organization create lasting change while staying true to its values.

    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 $10,000 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

  • Webinar – 1/27/25 – Pregnant Queens and Bottle Baby Basics – National Kitten Coalition

    Webinar – 1/27/25 – Pregnant Queens and Bottle Baby Basics – National Kitten Coalition

    Join us for an exclusive double-feature webinar that covers the basics from two of our most popular sessions: “Caring for Pregnant Queens” and “Caring for Bottle Babies.” As kitten season approaches, you may already be encountering pregnant queens in your community and will soon be seeing bottle baby kittens. In this webinar, you’ll learn the essentials of caring for a pregnant queen and preparing for bottle babies—whether with or without their mom. Get equipped with the knowledge and skills you need to navigate the start of kitten season successfully.

    Presenters: Susan Spaulding & Rosemarie Crawford, LVT

    WEBSITE LINK: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/6017358387491/WN_0LQlsYcxQkmYxWs3PepSoQ

  • Online Course – Starts 3/3/25 – Shelter Care Specialist Certification Program – UC Davis KSMP Shelter Learniverse

    Online Course – Starts 3/3/25 – Shelter Care Specialist Certification Program – UC Davis KSMP Shelter Learniverse

    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 spring 2025 session starting 3/3/25! Start learning today and become part of the growing movement to transform animal sheltering. 

    APPLICATION DEADLINE: 2/3/25.

    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