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  • Online Course – Starts 2/6/24 – Medical Aspects of Community Cat and Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Release Programs – VIN (fee applies)

    Online Course – Starts 2/6/24 – Medical Aspects of Community Cat and Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Release Programs – VIN (fee applies)

    Course Information:
    In shelters across the country, dramatic increases in feline lifesaving have been accomplished through the implementation of community cat programs. Community cat programming consists of a combination of proactive, targeted trap-neuter-vaccinate-release (TNVR) and shelter-neuter-return (SNR) programming as a live outcome pathway for cats that enter the shelter system.

    In this course, learn techniques to safely handle community cats in the high-quality, high-volume, spay/neuter clinic or private practice setting, preventive care protocols for TNVR/SNR cats, how to design a multi-modal anesthetic protocol appropriate for TNVR/SNR cats, surgical techniques for efficient sterilization, techniques for prevention and management of surgical complications, and management of common conditions found in free-roaming cats that enter the shelter or present for sterilization surgery (ectoparasites, traumatic injuries, upper respiratory tract disease).

    Presenter: Erin Katribe, DVM, MS, ABVP (Shelter Medicine)
    Course Open: February 6-23,2024
    Real Time Sessions (RTS): Tuesday, February 13, 2024; 8:00-9:30 pm ET (USA) World Clock Converter
    Total CE Credit: 1.5
    RACE Category: 1.5 hours Medical

    Learning Objectives:
    Upon completion of the course, the participant should be able to

    • describe programs that shelters may implement to increase live outcomes for cats.
    • describe the components of a comprehensive community cat program.
    • discuss the impact of targeted TNR programming on feline populations.
    • describe preventive care protocols for community cats.
    • describe principles of managing feral/unsocialized cats in an HQHVSN setting.
    • discuss options for anesthetic protocols in TNR/SNR cats for sterilization.
    • discuss techniques for efficient sterilization surgery.
    • discuss techniques for prevention of surgical complications in high-risk cases and management of these complications when they occur.
    • describe techniques to safely handle unsocialized cats in the HQHVSN setting.
    • discuss strategies to prevent transmission of infectious disease in the HQHVSN setting.
    • describe options for treatment/management of these infectious diseases in TNR/SNR cats and compare/contrast with management of privately-owned pet cats:
      • Feline upper respiratory tract disease
      • Notoedres cati
      • Otodectes
      • Injuries associated with trauma (fractures, wounds, spinal trauma)

    Level and Prerequisites: This basic VIN CE course is open for enrollment to veterinarians, and veterinary technicians/technologists actively interested in Community Cat and Trap-Nueter-Vaccinate-Release programs.

    WEBSITE LINK:  https://www.vin.com/ce/MULT315-0224.htm

  • Webinar – 3/14/24 – Surviving a High Profile Case: Living under Scrutiny and Not Jeopardizing the Case – NACA/Justice Clearinghouse

    Webinar – 3/14/24 – Surviving a High Profile Case: Living under Scrutiny and Not Jeopardizing the Case – NACA/Justice Clearinghouse

    This webinar will cover how to effectively do an animal case with public scrutiny and press interest.  Animal cases garner a lot of press and sometimes the press coverage has implications for your case.

    This webinar will offer tips on how to handle living under scrutiny and making sure your case is not jeopardized by it.  We will discuss jury voir dire, opening and closing statements, and witness preparation with these considerations in mind.

    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. Visit the NACA training page for a complete list of future trainings.

    Presenter:

    Michelle Welch is a Senior Assistant Attorney General in the Virginia Attorney General’s Office and the Director of the Animal Law Unit at the Attorney General’s Office.  She is charged with taking all animal law questions in Virginia.  She is called on by agencies all over the Commonwealth to act as a special prosecutor in animal cruelty and animal fighting cases.  She frequently gives advice to local law enforcement authorities and prosecutors all over Virginia, across the nation, and internationally.  She also trains prosecutors, animal control, and law enforcement officers on the state of Virginia animal law.  She is a board member of the Virginia Animal Fighting Taskforce.  Ms. Welch serves as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Virginia to aid in animal fighting and animal crime prosecutions.

    She is a senior faculty member for the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys (APA).  She is the Chair of the Animal Law Curriculum Advisory Committee for the APA.  She serves as adjunct faculty for Animal Law at the University of Richmond Law School and William & Mary Law School.  She has testified before a Congressional Caucus examining the enforcement of animal laws and the cooperation between state and federal partners. She has trained other countries on animal crime, including Greece, the United Kingdom, and Spain and she has advised on animal criminal cases in Columbia and Belgium.

    She has received many honors for her work on behalf of animals.  In 2022, she received the Ellen Glasgow Award for Humane Service from the Richmond SPCA for her work on behalf of abused animals.  In 2020, she received the Humane Law Enforcement Award from HSUS for the seizure of zoo animals from a neglectful zoo (one of the first times in twenty years that law enforcement has intervened on behalf of zoo animals).  In 2019, HSUS gave her and her Unit the Humane Law Enforcement Award for bringing to justice wildlife trafficker, resulting in the closing of 5 fox pens.  In 2018, the Norfolk SPCA honored her with The Thomas M. Ammons III Animal Welfare Award.  In 2014, she was named Prosecutor of the Year by the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys.   In 2013, she was named one of the Top 10 Animal Defenders in the Nation by Animal Legal Defense Fund.  She was presented with the Albert Schweitzer Medal for her work on behalf of the animals in 2012 by the Animal Welfare Institute.

    WEBSITE LINK:  https://www.justiceclearinghouse.com/webinar/surviving-a-high-profile-case-living-under-scrutiny-and-not-jeopardizing-the-case/

  • Hybrid Course – Sign-up deadline 2/1/24 – Behavior and Enrichment Academy & Resources (BEAR) – San Diego Humane Soicety

    Hybrid Course – Sign-up deadline 2/1/24 – Behavior and Enrichment Academy & Resources (BEAR) – San Diego Humane Soicety

    Registration is now open for Behavior and Enrichment Academy & Resources (BEAR), an innovative new educational program created by Shelter Playgroup Alliance and San Diego Humane Society. Sign up today for the Spring 2024 cohort beginning Feb. 1!

    At the end of this rigorous, multi-phase educational program, participants will be prepared to perform the key tasks of a shelter behavior professional. The BEAR program includes four distinct online phases and three corresponding in-person workshops at San Diego Humane Society in San Diego, California. Consisting of approximately 200 hours of learning, the entire curriculum can be completed in as little as two years!

    The BEAR program is designed to prepare current shelter staff and volunteers to transition to behavior-focused roles, and private trainers to transition to a shelter environment. It can also benefit animal welfare professionals who want to incorporate behavior-related tasks into their existing roles, including veterinary staff who want to bring low stress and/or fear free handling into their practice.

    Visit sdhumane.org/BEAR to learn more and register! The deadline to sign up for the Spring 2024 cohort is Feb. 1, 2024 at 5 p.m. PST.

    WEBSITE LINK:  https://www.sdhumane.org/behavior-and-training/resources/bear-program.html

  • Webinar – 2/14/24 – Living with Claws: Confidently Provide Guidance to Feline Owners – HSVMA

    Webinar – 2/14/24 – Living with Claws: Confidently Provide Guidance to Feline Owners – HSVMA

    This discussion will equip the veterinary team with information and tools to educate pet parents on alternatives to declawing. By ending the elective onychectomy procedure we are protecting the welfare of our feline patients, but we also must know how to help pet parents live in harmony with cats and their claws. With a plethora of information out there, this discussion will streamline what you need to know today to set your pet parents up for success tomorrow.

    Learning Objectives:

    • Discuss the reason cats have claws and why they have a need to scratch
    • Provide training on how to select appropriate scratchers and where to put them in the home
    • Troubleshooting difficult cases (like curtain climbers!)
    • Summarize the five pillars of environmental enrichment to help improve the welfare of cats and discuss why lacking these in the home can lead to destructive and unwanted behaviors.

    Presented by: Ashlie Saffire, DVM ABVP (feline)

    WEBSITE LINK:  https://hsvma.memberclicks.net/webinar-living-with-claws

  • Webinar – 2/8/24 – Access to Care Includes Access to Dignity – Life of Riley

    Webinar – 2/8/24 – Access to Care Includes Access to Dignity – Life of Riley

    Speakers from Companions and Animals for Reform & Equity (CARE) will present on the positive impact of Racial Equity Diversity and Inclusion (REDI) training on vets, shelters and people.

    • Dr. Azalia Boyd, Chief Veterinary Medical Officer, Urban CAC Program & Chairperson, CARE Veterinary Advisory Committee
    • Alina M. Luna, Ph.D., Dean, Circle of Learning & Leadership
    • Dr. Raye Taylor, Senior Veterinary Medical Officer, Rural Community Animal CARE
    • James Evans, Founder & CEO

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

  • Webinar – 3/6/24 – Return to Home: A Workshop on Keeping Cats with Their Families – Community Cats Podcast (small fee applies)

    Webinar – 3/6/24 – Return to Home: A Workshop on Keeping Cats with Their Families – Community Cats Podcast (small fee applies)

    Join us for an eye-opening workshop that will revolutionize the way we view “dumped, abandoned, or unwanted” stray cats. Titled “Leaving Preconceived Notions Behind,” this session is not just a workshop; it’s a call to action!

    Anyone is welcome to join on Wednesday, March 6, 2024 from  1:00 PM to 3:00 PM ET.

    Secure your spot for this transformative workshop by clicking here: https://register.gotowebinar.com/rt/4979716084764565599

    For any inquiries or additional information, feel free to reach out to Stacy at stacy@communitycatspodcast.com.

    Let’s create a community that sees the potential in every stray cat, working together to reunite them with their loving families! Share this opportunity with fellow cat advocates and make a paw-sitive impact.

    WEBSITE LINK:  https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/return-to-home-workshop/

  • 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 $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.

    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://forum.maddiesfund.org/communityconversations

  • Online Certificate Program – Starts 1/29/24 – Animal Shelter Management Certificate Program – Animal Health and Clinic Operations – Humane Network/UoP (fee applies)

    Online Certificate Program – Starts 1/29/24 – Animal Shelter Management Certificate Program – Animal Health and Clinic Operations – Humane Network/UoP (fee applies)

    Society’s relationship to pets continues to evolve. The majority of people consider their pets to be beloved family members and expect their local animal shelter to work diligently to save the lives of the dogs and cats that enter the facility. This program will provide the knowledge you need to assume a management or leadership role at an open-admission animal shelter. You’ll learn how to maximize a shelter’s lifesaving potential through program management, community engagement, and shelter operations while at the same time preparing yourself for an exciting career.

    The five courses are:

    • Leadership covering strategic planning, analyzing operations, decision-making, managing people and processes to achieve results, organizational responsibilities, and working with a board of directors.
    • Shelter Operations covering adoptions, animal care and sheltering fundamentals, animal behavior and enrichment, and customer service.
    • Community Program Development covering volunteers, foster care, spay/neuter, pet retention, events, and community relations.
    • Animal Health and Clinic Operations covering understanding shelter medicine, basic animal health considerations and care, euthanasia decisions, and clinic operations.
    • Marketing and Development covering development fundamentals, fundraising strategies, marketing fundamentals, adoption promotion, social media and websites, and media relations.

    Each of these courses include live video conference sessions with top experts in the field providing students valuable contacts within the field. Additionally, alumni have access to exclusive networking opportunities and receive notification of employment opportunities.

    You can sign up for individual courses or all five for a discount. All five must be completed to get a certificate.

    Who will benefit from the program?

    • Professionals seeking a career change to something more personally fulfilling.
    • New shelter directors.
    • Shelter directors or managers wishing to improve their organization’s live release rate and sustainability.
    • People working in the animal welfare field who wish to advance into management roles.
    • Board members of animal shelters.

    Credit for program/courses

    Upon completion of all five courses, you will receive a Certificate in Animal Shelter Management from the University of the Pacific.

    Each course earns:

    • Continuing Education Units (CEUs) from the University of the Pacific
    • Association of Animal Welfare Advancement CAWA Continuing Education (CE) credits

    Schedule and Registration

    Each of the five online courses are six weeks long and are offered sequentially. The entire program is about seven months long, and a new round starts again after a short break. More information on start dates of each course and the registration form can be found on the University of the Pacific website. 

    ​WEBSITE LINK:  https://uc.pacific.edu/search/publicCourseSearchDetails.do?method=load&courseId=21282#courseSectionDetails_2946837

  • Webinar – 2/17/24 – From the Backyard to the Front Page: Building a TNR Movement – Community Cats Podcast

    Webinar – 2/17/24 – From the Backyard to the Front Page: Building a TNR Movement – Community Cats Podcast

    Are you passionate about making a paws-itive impact on your community’s free-roaming cat population? If so, don’t miss our upcoming webinar: “So many cats, so few trappers… and veterinarians… and holding space… and transporters.”

    Hosted by the pioneers of the community Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program in New York City, this webinar is your gateway to learning how to mobilize your community effectively. Whether you live in a bustling urban area or a suburban paradise, we understand the challenges you face and have tailored this session to provide practical insights.

    Don’t miss out on this invaluable opportunity to make a difference! Whether you’re a seasoned trapper or a cat enthusiast looking to contribute, this webinar is for you.

    Anyone is welcome to join on Saturday, February 17, 2024 from  2:00 PM to 4:00 PM ET.

    📌 Registration is now open! Secure your spot: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/4813235730668081753

    Let’s come together and create a brighter, safer future for our feline friends. Share the news with your fellow cat lovers, and let’s make this webinar a success!

    WEBSITE LINK:  https://www.communitycatspodcast.com/events/from-the-backyard-to-the-front-page-building-a-tnr-movement-presented-by-neighborhood-cats-feb-2024/

  • Online Event – 1/18/24 – Open Arms 2024 Pre-Challenge Huddle – Maddie’s Fund

    Online Event – 1/18/24 – Open Arms 2024 Pre-Challenge Huddle – Maddie’s Fund

    Join Maddie’s Fund on Thursday, January 18, 2024 at 10am PST/1pm EST for our 30-minute Open Arms 2024 Pre-Challenge Huddle!

    We’ll be discussing the Grants Portal, Registration Process, Participation Reports and past grant winners as well as answering your Open Arms Challenge questions. Joining this huddle is not required to participate in the Challenge, but recommended if this is your first time joining one.

    We will share the recording after the Huddle and continue the discussion on Maddie’s Pet Forum.

    WEBSITE LINK: http://maddiesfund-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcpcuGhpzssEt0Z5sX0ovoFIZiV8PVk30MG#/registration