Maddie's® Fund co-hosted this annual conference that offers highly relevant information to support shelter professionals in their life-saving work and to foster collaborations within the field. Presentations by nationally known speakers provide shelter-related continuing education for veterinarians, veterinary technicians, management, and shelter staff and volunteers.

Accessible Veterinary Care: Service Learning Programs to Help Animals & People

December 2018

This talk discusses the Tufts at Tech program and other aspects of Tufts Community Medicine that bring students from multiple training programs together to help community members access veterinary care and other services for pets.

An Evidence-Based Look at Compassion Fatigue: Diagnosing the Doctor and Healing the Healer, Part 1

December 2018

This presentation explores the various definitions of compassion fatigue, reviews the evidence of its impact on healthcare professions and the symptoms of compassion fatigue in ourselves and others.

An Evidence-Based Look at Compassion Fatigue: Diagnosing the Doctor and Healing the Healer, Part 2

December 2018

This presentation continues the deep dive into the research behind compassion fatigue among animal caregivers and offers methods for managing stress.

Cleaning and Disinfection in the Shelter

December 2018

This program takes participants through a review of the risk factors that contribute to infectious disease transmission and offers up-to-date information regarding the best practices in sanitation.

Creating a Culture of Philanthropy

December 2018

This presentation discusses the importance of creating an organization-wide culture of philanthropy that extends beyond the development team

Disease Prevention in the Shelter

December 2018

This lecture explores how shelter management, housing, enrichment, intake protocols and population flow can boost the health of shelter populations, decrease length of stay and improve adoptions.

Effective Communication for Staff and Volunteers, Part 1

December 2018

This workshop covers techniques to keep a conversation productive and respectful.

Effective Communication for Staff and Volunteers, Part 2

December 2018

This interactive workshop on honing communication skills in the shelter (or any) workplace continues from Part 1.

Engaging the Community: How to Make Your Organization a Vital Presence in Your Community

December 2018

In this presentation, learn how to get the word out about your organization, develop strong relationships, ways to create memorable communication and how people become engaged, the pitfalls to avoid, and things you can do right away.

Evolution of the Animal Welfare Movement

December 2018

In this presentation, you will hear thoughts on how animal welfare is changing, from a veteran in animal welfare.

Feline Coronavirus and FIP: What's New?

December 2018

This lecture focuses on updates and where we go from here in diagnosing and managing FIP.

General Canine Infectious Diseases

December 2018

This interactive session will provide an overview of the most common infectious diseases found in shelter dogs and how you can help prevent their spread.

General Feline Infectious Diseases

December 2018

This program provides an overview of common feline infectious diseases that remain persistent challenges for shelters.

Grantseeker Best Practices: Getting Your Organization's Ducks Cats & Dogs in a Row

December 2018

Discover how following best practices is key to helping your organization have the most impact on the lives of vulnerable animals.

Hiring the Right Person for the Job

December 2018

This presentation shares strategies to find and hire people who not only have the skill, ability and drive to do the job, but are going to be a good fit for your organization, as well as how to set them up to be successful in the role.

How to Make Your Board More Effective for Your Organization and More Rewarding for Board Members

December 2018

This presentation helps address many common challenges and concerns and how to transform the board into a more effective high-functioning group.

Influencing Local Policy

December 2018

This presentation offers a step-by-step process on forming strategic relationships with policy makers to help inform their decisions.

The Role of Public Health in Animal Sheltering

December 2018

This presentation discusses how sheltering practices in the U.S. are impacting public health internationally, in particular Ethiopia.

To Test or Not to Test: That is the Question

December 2018

This presentation discusses the indications for both individual animal and population level testing in the shelter environment.

Transports Make Me Nervous!

December 2018

This presentation discusses best practices of transport programs and other tips to help minimize risk, while maximizing lifesaving.

What's Next? Improving Welfare in Your Community with Limited Resources

December 2018

This workshop helps you to identify the needs of your community and discover how to maximize your resources and incorporate affordable and accessible preventive and basic veterinary care into your organization.

Zoonotic Diseases: It Goes Both Ways, Part 1

December 2018

This presentation discusses the prevention, recognition and management of a few zoonotic diseases that might walk into the shelter on four paws or two feet, including Rabies and Salmonella spp.

Zoonotic Diseases: It Goes Both Ways, Part 2

December 2018

This presentation builds on the first hour of discussion on the prevention, recognition and management on zoonotic diseases that come into the shelter via animals or people.