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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Kitten care, DEI survey and more!

March 18, 2024

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Learn the latest in kitten care with this new self-paced course It's only a matter of time before kitten season starts (if it hasn't already). With that in mind, Maddie's® University has launched a new self-paced course, "Taking the Fear out…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Camp Maddie, kitten foster engagement and more!

March 11, 2024

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Camp Maddie: Behavior Edition featuring Dr. Chris Pachel Join us at Camp Maddie: Behavior Edition on March 20 and April 3, 2024 from 9AM-1PM PT (12PM-4PM ET) for two free, virtual, half-days that will include presentations, short videos and question &…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Kitten fostering engagement, Open Arms Challenge and more!

March 4, 2024

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. How you can take Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity's REDI course for just $25 In honor of the Open Arms Challenge and their belief in its mission, Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity (CARE) would like to offer…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Open Arms Challenge, learning opportunities and more!

February 26, 2024

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Camp Maddie: Behavior Edition featuring Michael Shikashio Has your animal organization ever dealt with difficult to place dogs? Do you want to learn key factors to ensure the behavioral well-being of them while searching for a suitable home? Camp Maddie: Behavior…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Becoming inclusive of your whole community, Camp Maddie and more!

February 20, 2024

Happy Tuesday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. How a 2023 Open Arms Challenge winner became more accessible and inclusive of its entire community During the 2023 Open Arms Challenge, Grand Prize winner Harris County Pets of Houston, TX, (HCP) did its very best to ensure the practices and…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: New Camp Maddie, Candid Conversations and more!

February 12, 2024

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Registration for Camp Maddie: Behavior Edition is now open! Camp Maddie is back! Join us on Wednesday, March 20, 2024 and Wednesday, April 3, 2024 from 9AM-1PM PT (12PM-4PM ET) for a focus on dog behavior. The free, virtual event will…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Black History Series from CARE, Online Instructor-Led Courses and more!

February 5, 2024

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Join CARE for its 4th Annual American Black History Series February is Black History Month and Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity (CARE) is back with its 4th Annual American Black History Series. CARE hosts this free series in order…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Free HASS Playbook, Holiday Hero Awards and more!

January 29, 2024

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. 5 exceptional animal well-being professionals honored with Holiday Hero Awards, thanks to Maddie  Join us for the 2024 Open Arms Challenge! This Challenge is all about opening our hearts and minds to more accessible and The remarkable efforts of five individuals…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Candid Conversations, Open Arms Challenge preparation, and more!

January 22, 2024

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. The 2024 Open Arms Challenge preparation begins in February Join us for the 2024 Open Arms Challenge! This Challenge is all about opening our hearts and minds to more accessible and inclusive practices. Maddie's Fund® is partnering with 24 national organizations…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Open Arms Challenge preparation, resource drive and more!

January 16, 2024

Happy Tuesday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. The staff training & leadership development resource drive has begun! We're kicking off 2024 with another member-suggested resource drive focused on staff training & leadership development. A Forum member suggested the topic saying: "Some animal shelter professionals have traveled an unconventional…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Maddie’s Insights, keeping tenants & pets together and more!

January 8, 2024

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. New Year, new Maddie's Insights! Foster care and the Human-Animal Bond The New Year is here and so are new Maddie's® Insights! Join us on Thursday, January 11th at 12:00PM PT/3:00PM ET for Foster Care and the Human Animal Bond with…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Austin Pets Alive! courses, housing rights webcast and more!

December 18, 2023

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Dr. Kwane Stewart is CNN's Hero of the Year! Dr. Kwane Stewart, veterinarian and co-founder of Project Street Vet and a Maddie's Fund® grantee, has been named at the 2023 CNN Hero of the Year for his incredible work with pets…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Open Arms Challenge, keeping tenants & pets together and more!

December 11, 2023

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Join us for the final webcast of 2023: Keeping Tenants & Their Pets Together Join us on Thursday, December 21 at 12:00 PM PT / 3:00PM ET for a question and answer session with housing rights expert Dianne Prado of HEART…

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Last chance to register for Camp Maddie: Foster Edition!

December 5, 2023

Camp Maddie: Foster Edition is this Thursday! Be sure to register as soon as possible. Camp Maddie is a free, new learning series beginning with a virtual half-day dog foster edition on Thursday, December 7, 9am-1 pm PT (12 pm-4 pm ET). At Camp Maddie, we will cover various topics in to-the-point presentations, panel discussions,…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Camp Maddie is almost here, Family Bondedness and more!

December 4, 2023

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. The next Maddie's Insights will cover the Family Bondedness Scale Join us on December 14th for the next webcast in the Maddie's® Insights series, "The Development of and Research on the Family Bondedness Scale."  This one hour event will be presented…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Inclusivity, Camp Maddie and more!

November 20, 2023

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Register now for Camp Maddie: Foster Edition! Have you registered for Camp Maddie yet? Registration is free! Camp Maddie is a new learning series beginning with a virtual half-day dog foster edition on Thursday, December 7, 9am-1 pm PT (12 pm-4 pm…

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Register now for Camp Maddie: Foster Edition!

November 16, 2023

Have you registered for Camp Maddie yet? Registration is free! Camp Maddie is a new learning series beginning with a virtual half-day dog foster edition on Thursday, December 7, 9am-1 pm PT (12 pm-4 pm ET). At Camp Maddie, we will cover various topics in to-the-point presentations, panel discussions, strategy-sharing seminars, videos and question and answer…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Register for Camp Maddie, CNN Hero voting and more!

November 13, 2023

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Vote for Dr. Kwane Stewart for CNN Hero of the year! We are thrilled to share that Dr. Kwane Stewart, veterinarian and co-founder of Project Street Vet and a Maddie's Fund® grantee, has been selected to be one of the top…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: #BeAHelper, support your community and more!

November 6, 2023

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. How your animal organization can better connect with the community it supports Connecting with your community is more important than ever.  Which is why we are republishing this blog from 2022 with the now former Executive Director of Plainfield Area Humane…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Register for Camp Maddie, A Deeper Dive series and more!

October 30, 2023

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Register now for Camp Maddie: Foster Edition Registration for Camp Maddie is now open and free! This is where expanding your dog foster program begins. Camp Maddie is a new learning series beginning with a virtual half-day dog foster edition on Thursday,…

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Register now for Camp Maddie: Foster Edition

October 26, 2023

Registration for Camp Maddie is now open and free! This is where expanding your dog foster program begins. Camp Maddie is a new learning series beginning with a virtual half-day dog foster edition on Thursday, December 7, 9am-1 pm PT (12 pm-4 pm ET). At Camp Maddie, we will cover various topics in to-the-point presentations, panel…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Emergency fostering, continuing education and more!

October 23, 2023

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Continuing education credit now available with these popular courses and webcasts We're excited to share that two popular self-paced courses on Maddie's® University now carry continuing education credits from the Registry of Approved Continuing Education (RACE) program of the American Association…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: National Access to Care Study survey, Camp Maddie and more!

October 16, 2023

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Save the date! Join us in December for Camp Maddie Camp Maddie is a new learning series beginning with a virtual half-day foster edition on Thursday, December 7, 9am-1 pm PT (12 pm-4 pm ET). This event is free. At Camp Maddie,…

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Save the Date: Join us in December for Camp Maddie!

October 12, 2023

Camp Maddie is a new learning series beginning with a virtual half-day foster edition on Thursday, December 7, 9am-1 pm PT (12 pm-4 pm ET). This event is free. At Camp Maddie, we will cover various topics in to-the-point presentations, panel discussions, strategy-sharing seminars, videos and question and answer sessions. Presenters will discuss breaking down barriers…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: TNR Resource Drive, examining the relationship between BIPOC communities and their pets and more!

October 10, 2023

Happy Tuesday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Maddie's Insights: Examining the relationship between BIPOC communities and their pets Join Catherine Kisavi-Atatah Ph.D. on October 12, 2023 at 12:00PM PT/3:00PM ET for Examining the Relationship between BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, And People of Color) Communities and Their Companion Animals. In the…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Volunteer recruitment, 2022 Avanzino Leadership Award and more!

October 2, 2023

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Attract more volunteers with help from Maddie’s® Pet Forum Caring for and improving the lives of our pets often goes hand in hand with the challenge of finding and retaining volunteers. From volunteer shortages post-COVID-19 to the struggle of standing out in…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: #BeAHelper, online learning opportunities and more!

September 25, 2023

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Donating pet food is just one way to #BeAHelper Last year, The Ad Council, Maddie's Fund® and the Humane Society of the United States launched the public service announcement (PSA) campaign, "Pets and People Together." There are many resources available to…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Low-barrier fostering, in-person learning opportunities and more!

September 18, 2023

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Take this short survey on finding homes for “behavior dogs” On Wednesday, March 20, 2024, Maddie's Fund® will be hosting a half-day online event that will focus on finding homes for behavior dogs (more information to come!) In the meantime, we…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Hard-to place cats, humane education and more!

September 11, 2023

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Maddie’s® Insights is back! Social Behavior and Implications for Bonded Pairs in Group-housed Shelter Cats Join us on Thursday, September 14 at 12pm PT/ 3pm ET to learn to identify positive social (prosocial, affiliative) behavior in cats, understand that being surrendered…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Online Instructor-Led Courses, practices for wellbeing & productivity and more!

September 5, 2023

Happy Tuesday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Join the first Deeper Dive session from Journey You Own on September 6th Are you ready to reignite your passion, reclaim your energy and revolutionize your approach to work? We shared the news of the self-paced course, The Journey You Own:…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: prison programs, Online Instructor-Led Courses and more!

August 28, 2023

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. How a dog training prison program can impact your community and beyond In last month's Community Conversation call, Zach Skow, the Executive Director of Marley's Mutts, spoke about his dog training prison program, Pawsitive Change. Having experienced the transformative powers of…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Dog training classes, humane education and more!

August 21, 2023

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. How Napa Humane is offering dog training classes to keep people and pets together Broadening community services through accessible preventative programs is what Napa Humane is all about. Although the organization has been around for about 50 years, they no longer…

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How Napa Humane is offering dog training classes to keep people and pets together 

August 17, 2023

Broadening community services through accessible preventative programs is what Napa Humane is all about. Although the organization has been around for about 50 years, they no longer have a physical shelter or animals. So, what do they have? A spay/neuter and vaccine clinic, a mobile clinic, humane education programs and most recently, accessible dog training classes. …

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Recruiting foster caregivers, Shelter Animals Count data and more!

August 14, 2023

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Does your animal organization need more foster caregivers? These 6 questions can help Having trouble finding foster caregivers? These six questions can help guide you toward a successful strategy.  1. Is it easy to become a foster caregiver at your rescue…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: The return of Maddie’s Insights, Open Arms Challenge 2024 and more!

August 7, 2023

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Maddie’s® Insights returns next month featuring the social behavior of cats in group housing at shelters The wait is almost over! Maddie's® Insights returns this September with the latest research in animal well-being (welfare) and how you can use the findings…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Marketing strategy plan, all things cat and more!

July 31, 2023

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Make kitten season a little easier with these courses from Maddie's® University As kitten season continues through summer, here are a few self-paced courses and webcasts, designed to make your life easier, all available on Maddie's® University. Self-paced courses Building Foster…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Foster recruitment, Community Animal CARE and more!

July 24, 2023

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Successfully reuniting lost cats with owners, paper collars, and more in this Community Cats podcast episode Want to learn about the program that has a feline reclaim rate eight times the national average? Listen to the Community Cats Podcast episode, "How to…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Symposia survey, foster care survey insights and more!

July 17, 2023

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. 5 important insights from our National Foster Survey The 2022 National Foster Survey conducted by Maddie's Fund®, provides valuable insights into the utilization and support of foster care programs for dogs and cats in the United States. The survey examined the…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Dr. Lila Miller Shelter Medicine Day, short survey and more!

July 10, 2023

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Today (July 10) is Dr. Lila Miller Shelter Medicine Day! July 10 is Dr. Lila Miller Shelter Medicine Day. Dr. Miller is known for her trailblazing leadership and purposeful dedication to the field of veterinary shelter medicine. If you are one…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Well-being practices, free photo library and more!

July 3, 2023

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. New free self-paced course available with practices for well-being and productivity Are you ready to reignite your passion, reclaim your energy and revolutionize your approach to work? The new self-paced course, The Journey You Own: Practices for Wellbeing and Productivity, on…

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6/28/2023

The 2022 survey conducted by Maddie's Fund® provides valuable insights into the utilization and support of foster care programs for dogs and cats in the United States, shedding light on the changing landscape of foster caregiver processes.

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PetsAndPeoplePhotos.org helps animal welfare organizations deepen community connections

June 27, 2023

HeARTs Speak and Maddie’s Fund® are excited to announce the launch of PetsandPeoplePhotos.org, a free stock image library created for animal well-being (welfare) organizations aimed at increasing inclusivity and providing a welcoming environment for all community members. The project’s launch earlier this month was made possible by a two-year $84,700 grant to HeARTs Speak from…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Free stock library, calming the canines and more!

June 26, 2023

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Community celebrates Independence Day by “Calming the Canines” at their local animal shelter We're republishing this blog from 2018 since Fourth of July is a stressful time for shelter pets. Here's how one shelter kept their dogs calm during fireworks.  It…

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Community celebrates Independence Day by ‘Calming the Canines’ at their local shelter

June 22, 2023

We’re republishing this blog from 2018 since Fourth of July is a stressful time for shelter pets. Here’s how one shelter kept their dogs calm during fireworks.  It was the Fourth of July, and both of the shelters run by Maricopa County Animal Care & Control were full. Fireworks displays, a notorious trigger for canine…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Free racial equity course, PetSmart spay/neuter policy and more!

June 19, 2023

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. CARE launches racial equity course scholarships in honor of Juneteenth Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity (CARE) is offering its Racial Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (REDI) virtual course free of charge during the month of June. This $800 scholarship honors…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Training shelter dogs in prison, free stock photos and more!

June 12, 2023

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. The May Weekly Community Conversations grant giveaway winners are… On Monday, Maddie's Fund® gave two organizations a $5,000 grant for attending the May Weekly Community Conversations! A total of $10,000 in grants was given to two people chosen at random. In…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Free stock photos, “Bad pet portraits,” grant opportunities and more!

June 5, 2023

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Introducing PetsandPeoplePhotos.org, a FREE image library This FREE stock image library was created for animal well-being organizations by HeARTs Speak with #ThanksToMaddie. The goal of this ongoing stock photo project is to increase inclusivity and provide a welcoming environment for all…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Project Street Vet, free online foster courses and more!

May 30, 2023

Happy Tuesday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Dr. Kwane Stewart: “Kindness is a super power” Dr. Kwane Stewart, veterinarian and co-founder of Project Street Vet recently spoke at the Weekly Community Conversations call. You'll be inspired as he talks about his journey from private practice veterinarian, to contemplating…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Winning Return to Home program, Solutions Summit and more!

May 22, 2023

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Peoria County Animal Protection Service shares its winning Return to Home program Looking to improve your return to home rates at your animal organization? Return to Home Challenge Overall Winner, Peoria County Animal Protection Services (PCAPS) in Peoria, IL, shares insights,…

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Research study: Foster care has an impact on dogs’ welfare and adoption

May 16, 2023

This post was originally published in 2019. We are republishing today as foster care is as important as ever.  Button had been at the Kansas City Pet Project for about a month, and he wasn't doing well. He was displaying alarming signs of kennel stress, including pacing, spinning, vocalizing and jumping up and down over…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Free community-centric courses, Maddie’s Insights and more!

May 15, 2023

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Learn how to become more community-centric with these free courses on Maddie’s University Is your animal organization working to become more community-centric and need a little help? Maddie's® University now offers Human Animal Support Services (HASS) curriculum, covering the most important…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Funding resources, Canine Science Symposium and more!

May 8, 2023

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Fundraising resources for your animal organization Fundraising is a crucial aspect for animal well-being (welfare) organizations to continue their mission of providing services for people and pets. Successful fundraisers bring in the necessary funds to cover the costs of medical care,…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: ASV Guidelines Re-Boot Camp, Domains Model and more!

May 1, 2023

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Register now for Maddie’s Insights: 5 Domains of Animal Care Join Dr. Kat Littlewood for the "Five Domains of Animal Care." The Five Domains Model is a holistic and structured framework for gathering together well-being indicators and assessing animal well-being. Maddie's…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Canine Science Symposium, Maddie’s Insights and more!

April 24, 2023

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Customer service course for animal services now available in Spanish Providing excellent customer service at your animal shelter or rescue organization is a vital component of keeping pets and people together. The impact that customer service has on our communities is…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: WisCARES grant, Maddie’s Insights and more!

April 17, 2023

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. WisCARES receives $200,000 grant to help keep pets and people together Maddie's Fund® has awarded a $200,000 grant to The Wisconsin Companion Animal Resources, Education and Social Support (WisCARES) program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-M). This grant will support the…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Return to Home results, Spanish language customer service course, and more!

April 3, 2023

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Please note: There will be no additional blog posts this week. Over 10,000 dogs and cats reunite with their families, thanks to the Return to Home Challenge In October of 2022, over 10,000 lost pets were reunited with their families thanks…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Science-backed human and animal bonding, grant opportunity and more!

March 27, 2023

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. How the Open Arms Challenge allowed this rescue organization to become more accessible The Open Arms Challenge starts next month, and we're highlighting Salem Friends of Felines (SFOF) in Oregon to provide a little inspiration! SFOF is a rescue organization that…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Kitten season, National Shelter Programs Survey and more!

March 20, 2023

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Kitten season is coming and we’ve got resources While we may not be able to provide you with an extra set of hands to bottle feed, we do have plenty resources to help with kitten season. From a kitten marketing toolkit…

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Kitten season is coming and we’ve got resources

March 16, 2023

While we may not be able to provide you with an extra set of hands to bottle feed, we do have plenty resources to help with kitten season. From a kitten marketing toolkit from HeARTs Speak to foster recruitment to kitten care and more, we hope these will help make kitten season a little easier…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Welcoming practices, Black animal activism and more!

March 13, 2023

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Resources to incorporate more welcoming practices at your animal organization With the Open Arms Challenge kicking off next month, the Maddie's® Pet Forum resource drive for March is focused on welcoming practices. We know that making changes to your organization's existing…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: 2023 Shelter Summit, shelter programs survey and more!

March 6, 2023

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Register now for the free Spring 2023 Shelter Summit! If you're looking to create change at your shelter, but unsure on where to begin, Maddie's® Million Pet Challenge Learniverse Spring 2023 Shelter Summit and Fast Tracks may be the opportunity you're…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: March Community Conversations, senior dog grants, and more!

February 27, 2023

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. March Community Conversations are all about being open and inclusive With the Open Arms Challenge a little over a month away, now is the time to prepare. In addition to the dozens of resources available on the website, we have FOUR…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Incentivizing foster caregivers, foster survey, and more!

February 21, 2023

Happy Tuesday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. How Dallas Animal Services placed 160 dogs in 3 days by incentivizing foster and rescue transfers Dallas Animal Services (DAS) was in a tight spot. Like many shelters in late 2022 and despite their best efforts, the number of pets they…

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How Dallas Animal Services placed 160 dogs in 3 days by incentivizing foster and rescue transfers

February 16, 2023

Dallas Animal Services (DAS) was in a tight spot. Like many shelters in late 2022 and despite their best efforts, the number of pets they were caring for had been high for months. They'd been asking their community for emergency adopters and fosters for some time. When dogs began showing symptoms of Upper Respiratory Infections,…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: National Foster Survey, on-demand webcast and more!

February 13, 2023

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. The January Weekly Community Conversations grant giveaway winners are On Monday, Maddie's Fund® gave four organizations a $2,500 grant for attending the January Weekly Community Conversations! A total of $10,000 in grants was given to four people chosen at random. These…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Animal Care Expo, free help and more!

February 6, 2023

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Animal Care Expo is coming in April! The Humane Society of the United States Animal Care Expo 2023 will be in New Orleans, Louisiana, April 3-6! The annual conference will have nearly 100 sessions, with a select number being live-streamed this…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Open Arms Challenge registration ends today, short-term fostering for cats and more!

January 30, 2023

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Today is the last day to register for the Open Arms Challenge! It’s your last chance to register for the Open Arms Challenge! Twenty-three national organizations have come together to host this Challenge that’s all about opening our hearts and minds…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Open Arms Challenge registration, short-term fostering for cats and more!

January 23, 2023

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Register now for the Open Arms Challenge! Starting today, your organization can apply for the Open Arms Challenge. Twenty-three national organizations have come together to host this Challenge that’s all about opening our hearts and minds to more accessible and inclusive…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Shelter cat foster program study webcast, resource drive and more!

January 16, 2023

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. How to be open to new ideas at your animal organization Want to be more open and inclusive at your animal well-being organization, but not sure where to begin? Looking at your current policies is a great starting point. This is…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Online Instructor-Led Courses, Open Arms Challenge and more!

January 9, 2023

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Last chance to apply: Maddie’s® Online Instructor-Led Courses Tuesday, January 10 is the last day to apply for Maddie's Fund® Online Instructor-Led Courses. The courses provide an interactive educational opportunity for those who are looking to benefit from the wisdom of…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Online Instructor-Led Courses, resources and more!

December 19, 2022

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Apply now: Maddie’s® Online Instructor-Led Courses Maddie's Fund® Online Instructor-Led Courses provide an interactive educational opportunity for those who are looking to benefit from the wisdom of established innovative programs. They're the catalyst you need to take your programs and learning…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Online Instructor-Led Courses, pet support services database and more!

December 12, 2022

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Apply soon: Maddie’s® Online Instructor-Led Courses Apply starting Tuesday, December 13! Maddie's Fund® Online Instructor-Led Courses provide an interactive educational opportunity for those who are looking to benefit from the wisdom of established innovative programs. They're the catalyst you need to…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Shelter cats webcast, Candid Conversations and more!

December 5, 2022

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Apply soon: Maddie’s® Online Instructor-Led Courses Apply starting Tuesday, December 13! Maddie's Fund® Online Instructor-Led Courses provide an interactive educational opportunity for those who are looking to benefit from the wisdom of established innovative programs. They're the catalyst you need to…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Trauma-informed online courses, new grant opportunity and more!

November 28, 2022

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. New monthly grant opportunity! Starting this month, Maddie's Fund® will be giving away a $3,000 grant each month to one lucky Maddie's® Pet Forum member! The first drawing will be in December 2022 for content contributed in November 2022! You'll automatically…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: New grant opportunity, translation services and more!

November 21, 2022

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. New monthly grant opportunity! Starting in December, you’ll be entered to win a $3,000 grant just for participating on Maddie’s® Pet Forum! The first drawing will be in December 2022 for content contributed in November 2022! Start community partnerships…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Holiday promotion ideas, service deserts and more!

November 14, 2022

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Holiday promotion ideas for your animal organization  With the fall season in full swing and winter right around the corner, it's time to start thinking about what promotions or marketing campaigns your organization will try out to engage your community, find…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: How to #BeAHelper, send pets home and more!

November 7, 2022

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Donating pet food is just one way to #BeAHelper We recently shared the new public service announcement (PSA) campaign, "Pets and People Together," that aims to inspire pet lovers everywhere to #BeAHelper. The message of the campaign comes from the understanding…

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Maddie’s Insights: Takeaways from pandemic-era emergency pet fostering

November 1, 2022

Join Dr. Lisa Gunter, PhD, CBCC-KA, Assistant Professor, Coastal Carolina University on Thursday, November 3rd at 12:00PM PT/3:00PM ET for a Maddie’s® Insights webcast on foster recruitment, trial adoption programs, caregiving practices, and behavioral support that can be utilized in our post-pandemic world. “Emergency fostering during the pandemic; Takeaways for a post-pandemic world,” will run…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: A new workforce development program, what people like about Maddie’s Pet Forum and more!

October 31, 2022

Happy Halloween! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. San Francisco SPCA announces new workforce development program, #ThanksToMaddie The San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SF SCPA) is offering a three-month paid Community Medicine Education Training (CoMET) program. In partnership with Young Community Developers (YCD), this…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Return to Home Challenge social media, Candid Conversation and more!

October 24, 2022

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Catch up with the Return to Home Challenge on social media There's just 11 more days left in Return to Home Challenge, and we are loving what we are seeing on social media! Don't forget to use the hashtag #ReturnToHomeChallenge when…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: #BeAHelper PSA, Candid Conversation and more!

October 17, 2022

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. #BeAHelper, a new PSA campaign focused on keeping pets and people together Maddie's Fund® together with The Ad Council and The Humane Society of the United States have launched a new campaign, "Pets and People Together," a fully integrated public service announcement…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Avanzino Award, Shelter data, shelter survey and more!

October 10, 2022

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Congratulations to James Evans, recipient of the 2022 Avanzino Leadership Award! Maddie's Fund® is honored to present the 2022 Avanzino Leadership Award to James Evans for his outstanding leadership and purposeful dedication to the human-animal bond. This award recognizes significant achievement…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Social pain in dogs, a new look on Maddie’s Pet Forum and more!

October 3, 2022

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Register now for Maddie's Insights: Social Pain in Dogs Join Dr. Franklin McMillan, DVM for a fascinating webcast, "Social Pain in Dogs". The second in the Maddie's® Insights webcast series, Dr. McMillan will explore the topic of emotions and the importance…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Fewer barriers to adoption, Candid Conversation, and more!

September 26, 2022

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Animal organizations experience more adopters and time, thanks to the Open Arms Challenge Adoption applications and requirements are often the first impression a potential adopter gets. During the 2021 Open Arms Challenge, several organizations made changes to its adoption processes and…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: National Shelter Survey, Return to Home ideas, and more!

September 19, 2022

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. 2 Return to Home ideas to start using now We're halfway through the Return To Home Challenge Huddles and are excited for all the different ideas and tips shared so far! Two ideas that you can start using right now were…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Grassroots marketing, Weekly Community Conversations, and more!

September 12, 2022

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. How your animal organization can increase adoption rates, fundraising efforts and more This is a follow up to the blog post shared a few weeks ago, How your animal organization can better connect with the community it supports. In a recent…

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Marketing and Adoption Counseling Survey Results

September 6, 2022

The Marketing and Adoption Counseling Survey was launched in January 2022 and distributed by Maddie's Fund®. It was created to learn more about the communications methods being used by animal shelters and rescue organizations to convey information about pets who are available for adoption to the public.

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Weekly Community Conversations, Online Instructor-Led Courses and more!

August 29, 2022

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. The Humane Education Online Instructor-Led Course is back! Apply today Are you an animal well-being professional looking to expand your shelter's reach and engage with new community members while generating additional revenue? A humane education programs allow you to do all…

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Join us for a new webcast series, Maddie’s Insights!

August 23, 2022

Introducing a brand new webcast series, Maddie’s® Insights. Starting on Thursday, September 8, at 12:00PM / 3:00PM ET, these monthly webcasts will provide practical tips based on current research to help pets and people. Maddie's Fund® Director of Outreach and Research, Sheila Segurson, DVM, DACVB will host this 60 minute webcast. “It's pretty common that…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Maddie’s Insights, Online Instructor-Led Courses and more!

August 22, 2022

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Candid Conversations are back! Join Elijah Brice-Middleton, Director at Plainfield Area Humane Society (PAHS) in New Jersey on Thursday, August 24 at 12:00PM PT/3:00PM ET, as he reveals the values and skills he uses to face challenges of being, in his…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Care pathways webcast, Candid Conversations and more!

August 15, 2022

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Weekly Community Conversations  Register now for the weekly Monday 11AM PT/2PM ET call for animal well-being professionals. These 50-minute calls are a collaborative space to share exciting new programs and research, discuss uncomfortable topics, connect with peers in the industry, and…

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Foster Plea Survey Results

August 12, 2022

The Foster Plea Survey was launched and distributed in November 2021 by Maddie's Fund. The Survey's objective was to establish baseline data on how and when internal foster pleas are being sent to foster volunteers. Internal foster pleas are non-public queries to an organization's existing foster base to acquire foster homes for specific pets or groups of pets.

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Weekly Community Conversations, BIPOC-led grants and more!

August 8, 2022

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Weekly Community Conversations  Register now for the weekly Monday 11AM PT/2PM ET call for animal well-being professionals. These 50-minute calls are a collaborative space to share exciting new programs and research, discuss uncomfortable topics, connect with peers in the industry, and…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Return to Home Challenge, Weekly Communication Conversations and more!

August 1, 2022

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Weekly Community Conversations begin TODAY, August 1! Register now for the weekly Monday 11AM PT/2PM ET call for animal well-being professionals. These 50-minute calls are a collaborative space to share exciting new programs and research, discuss uncomfortable topics, connect with peers…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Return to Home Challenge, free meditation course and more!

July 25, 2022

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Help more people and pets with these webcasts available on demand! Learning new ways to help people and pets just got even easier! You can now access all of Human Animal Support Services past webcasts in your Maddie's® University account. There…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Community Conversations, NACA course and more!

July 18, 2022

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. The first course in the NACA Field Services Series is now available For animal care and control officers, maintaining a safe environment while performing daily duties is key. The brand new, self-paced course, NACA Field Services Series: Using Tools and Equipment,…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Return to Home Challenge, youth vounteers and more!

July 11, 2022

Happy Monday! Yesterday (July 10) was Dr. Lila Miller Shelter Medicine Day! Learn more about this incredible human, and join us in celebrating by sharing a photo of your shelter pet or foster pet on social media using #ThanksToDrMiller. As always, below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Join us…

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Join us for weekly Community Conversations, now on Monday!

July 5, 2022

Last month, we asked for your input regarding the combining of two weekly Zoom calls: Shelter and Rescue Support and Animal Welfare Leadership Roundup. Our new day and time are here! Join us on Mondays starting on July 18 at 11AM PT/2PM ET for Community Conversations, an hour long call for animal well-being professionals. The…

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Two former animal shelter youth volunteers share the impact it had on them

June 30, 2022

This is the second in a post in a two-part series by Erin Ellis, Community Engagement Director of Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe (HSTT) about their youth volunteer program. This post highlights two former youth volunteers in a "Where are they now?" fashion. Read the first post.  At Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe (HSTT), we had no…

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Why one animal shelter lowered the volunteer age to 8-years-old

June 28, 2022

This guest post is the first in a two-part series by Erin Ellis, Community Engagement Director of Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe (HSTT) about their youth volunteer program and the impact it's had since its inception in 2008.  At the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe (HSTT), we have always strived to have a very inclusive volunteer program.…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Why you should meditate, stipends for foster homes and more!

June 27, 2022

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. How one rescue organization is using stipends to find foster homes for dogs who are harder to place Dogs and cats who need to be the only pet in the home can be difficult to find placement for in adoptive and…

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How one rescue organization is using stipends to find foster homes for dogs who are harder to place

June 23, 2022

Dogs and cats who need to be the only pet in the home can be difficult to find placement for in adoptive and foster homes. This can result in longer shelter stays while a home is sought that fits their needs. While finding home-based placement more quickly for these pets is a common conundrum among…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Length of stay webcast, free meditation and more!

June 20, 2022

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. The Best Friends 2021 national dataset has arrived This month, Best Friends Animal Society published its 2021 dataset. While there were some setbacks, there is plenty to be optimistic about. In 2021, the save rate increased from 79% to 83%. According…

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Community-Centric Animal Services Practices Survey Results

June 20, 2022

The Community-Centric Animal Services Practices (CCASP) survey was launched in March 2021 and distributed by Maddie's Fund® and several national partners.

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Pet support services, National Call update and more!

June 13, 2022

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Implement pet support services with this free course Looking to add more pet support services for your community? Maddie's® University's free, self-paced course, Pet Support Services, is for you! By offering pet support services, you will help keep pets with their…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Behavior resources, paid family leave, and more!

June 6, 2022

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. How to improve your animal welfare organization’s presence, and why it matters Does your organization show up in a Google search? To answer this question, it would depend on what the search was. With the majority of people using Google to…

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These free communications kits will help you get word out about fostering, space crises, and more

May 26, 2022

This is a guest post written by Human Animal Support Services and HeARTs Speak. When you share your organization’s support for keeping people and pets together, it helps spread awareness of new kinds of safety net support available to members of your community—while also helping to redefine the role of animal services and reduce judgment…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Shelter Animals Count automation, unhoused webcast, and more!

May 23, 2022

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. We’re halfway through the We Foster Challenge! We're halfway through the #WeFosterChallenge! We've loved following along on social media to see organizations from across the country growing their foster bases and getting more pets into homes. Even if you're not participating…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Summer apprenticeships, conferences, resources and more!

May 16, 2022

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. The online summer apprenticeships application window is now open!  Kick summer off right with one of these seven online apprenticeships. Learn all about ringworm, foster field trips or lost pet reunification. Each apprenticeship is four weeks long and is made up…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Busting barriers, We Foster Challenge Huddles and more!

May 9, 2022

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Watch any of the We Foster Huddles on-demand Whether you missed one or want to re-watch for some tangible ideas, you can watch any of the four We Foster Huddles on-demand at your convenience! Below is the lineup. If you have…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: The We Foster Challenge starts, CARE receives a grant and more!

May 2, 2022

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Happy birthday, Maddie! Tuesday we celebrated the little dog who started a revolution. She was bold, feisty and not afraid to take chances. Although she is no longer with us, we continue to give thanks to Maddie in the form of…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: National Calls, online apprenticeships and more!

April 25, 2022

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Are you registered for the National Calls? We are three months in to the grant giveaways during the National Calls, and we've only just begun! If you're not already familiar, these Monday and Friday calls started early in the pandemic, as…

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Are you registered for the National Calls?

April 19, 2022

We are three months in to the grant giveaways during the National Calls, and we’ve only just begun! If you’re not already familiar, these Monday and Friday calls started early in the pandemic, as a way to come together when we had to be apart. They have grown to be a lifeline for many, with…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Share foster resources, engaging online groups, and more!

April 18, 2022

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Share your best foster resources with your peers! Every month, Maddie's® Pet Forum conducts resource drives. This month the focus is on foster care! These resources can be an invaluable tool for your organization. No need to reinvent the wheel when…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Open Arms Challenge winners, barrier-free adoption webcast, and more!

April 11, 2022

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. The Open Arms Challenge winners are… The Open Arms Challenge winners are here! From November 22, 2021 to January 3, 2022, animal shelters and rescue organizations piloted new approaches that opened doors to adopters and volunteers, and welcomed their entire community.…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Free tools, shorter lengths of stay, and more!

April 4, 2022

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. 6 free tools for your animal welfare organization When you're trying to keep people and pets together, the power of free resources can be significant. From marketing to project management and media pitching, a quick Google search will help you find…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Going live on social, We Foster Huddles and more!

March 28, 2022

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. 7 tips for going live on social media during shelter and rescue emergencies Live streaming on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram can help you create connections with supporters and get the word out quickly during shelter and rescue emergencies,…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: 2022 conferences, Maddie’s Pet Forum and more!

March 21, 2022

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Weigh-in on the latest Maddie’s Pet Forum posts Have you been to Maddie's® Pet Forum lately? The online hub for animal welfare professionals is the place to go to ask questions, give advice, share a success story and network with others…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Big Dog Master Class, adoption resource drive and more!

March 14, 2022

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. The February National Call grant giveaway winners are… This past Monday and Friday, Maddie's Fund® gave four organizations/people a $2,500 grant just for attending the February National Calls! These grants were picked at random. The February winners from the Animal Welfare…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: We Foster Challenge, co-sheltering webcast and more!

March 7, 2022

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Last day to apply for the We Foster Challenge By fostering pets, we also foster community, foster inclusivity and foster love. Apply now through Monday, March 7, 2022 to be a part of the fun and exciting Challenge. Learn more New…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: We Foster Challenge, grant opportunity and more!

February 28, 2022

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. 17 national organizations come together for the We Foster Challenge (Apply now!) When 17 (yes, SEVENTEEN) national animal welfare organizations from around the country come together for one single challenge, you know it's an important one! That's the case with the…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: A new challenge is coming, kitten resources, grant winners and more!

February 14, 2022

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. The National Call grant giveaway winners are New Year, new grants. As promised, we had something special in store for our National Calls. This past Monday and Friday, Maddie's Fund® gave ten organizations/people each a $1,000 grant at random. The January…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: A new Challenge, marketing and adoption counseling survey and more!

February 7, 2022

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Please take this marketing and adoption counseling survey! We can't thank you enough for your support and participation in the handful of surveys we've sent out this winter to learn more about keeping people and pets together. We have just one…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Amended American history, pet bio writing and more!

January 31, 2022

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. 13 questions that will help you write great pet adoption bios Fido is an 8-year-old brown female dog who needs a home. But is that how you want to describe her in an adoption ad or social media post, when your…

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13 questions that will help you write great pet adoption bios

January 27, 2022

This is a guest post by Arin Greenwood. Arin writes for the Human Animal Support Services project. She was previously the animal welfare editor for The Huffington Post, and is author of the novel Your Robot Dog Will Die. Fido is an 8-year-old brown female dog who needs a home. But is that how you…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Online apprenticeships, identifying your brand and more!

January 24, 2022

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. How to identify your animal welfare organization's brand When you think of the term brand, big companies like Coca-Cola, Apple or Google might come to mind. But brands aren't just reserved for huge corporations. Many are surprised to hear that we…

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How to identify your animal welfare organization’s brand

January 20, 2022

When you think of the term brand, big companies like Coca-Cola, Apple or Google might come to mind. But brands aren't just reserved for huge corporations. Many are surprised to hear that we all have our own brands, as do the organizations we work for. Do you know what your organization's brand is? If you…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: New Candid Conversation, intake via appointments and more!

January 17, 2022

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Where the future of animal sheltering is headed according to veterinarians This blog was one of our top posts of 2021. The future of animal welfare is community-centric and this holds true more than ever.  The AVMA recently published an article, Animal…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Transport webcast series, National Calls and more!

January 10, 2022

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Webcast: Join us for a two-part transport program series Does your transport program need some rejiggering? Or perhaps a transport program is a New Year's resolution for your organization? Either way, the "Transport Program Recharge" webcast series is for you! This…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Behavior program survey, inclusive resources and more!

December 20, 2021

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Please note that this will be the last Chew on This blog post for the year. We will see you with fresh posts in January! Does your animal shelter have a behavior program? Tell us! You may remember us mentioning we…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Behavior survey, pet rental fees and more!

December 13, 2021

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. 10 questions to ask when developing a marketing strategy plan for your animal organization Does your organization have a marketing strategy plan? Marketing is an essential part of any organization, but coming up with a strategy can feel daunting for many.…

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Holiday fostering resources for your animal shelter or rescue organization

December 7, 2021

This post originally ran in December 2019 during the Foster Express Challenge period. These resources are a great jumping off point to start or expand your foster offerings.   Whether you are participating in our Foster Express Challenge or simply thinking about offering a holiday fostering program, we have everything you need to get you…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Foster plea survey, feline leukemia webcast and more!

December 6, 2021

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Register now for "Feline Leukemia Testing: One and Done for Everyone" webcast  Join Million Cat Challenge on December 15 at 12:00 PM PT/3:00PM ET for the webcast, Feline Leukemia Testing: One and Done for Everyone.  In 2020, the American Association of Feline…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: ‘Tis the season for research, free volunteer program assessments and more!

November 22, 2021

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. The Open Arms Challenge starts today!  Today kicks off our Open Arms Challenge, where hundreds of organizations across the country will create more accessible and inclusive practices at their organization. For the next six weeks, participants will pilot new approaches that…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Resource guarding survey, DEI in animal welfare and more!

November 15, 2021

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. View all the Open Arms Challenges Huddles in one place Today marks the last of the Open Arms Challenge Huddles! We hope you were able to join us! We are very excited to kick off the Challenge in just a couple…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Dr. Michael Blackwell, rehoming infographic and more!

November 8, 2021

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Join us for Maddie's® Candid Conversation with Dr. Michael Blackwell Join us on Wednesday, November 10 at 12pm PT / 3pm ET for a 60 minute conversation with the first veterinarian to be appointed chief of staff for the Office of…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Helping hospitalized pet owners, Dr. Michael Blackwell and more!

November 1, 2021

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. How one animal welfare organization is helping hospitalized pet owners Earlier this week, we shared a blog post about research from University of Michigan Health confirming that hospitalized patients need help with their pets. This post is a follow up with Matt…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Transparency webcast, access to care survey and more!

October 25, 2021

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Keep marketing and adoption counseling separate while ensuring transparency with this webcast In animal welfare, knowing the difference between marketing and adoption counseling can be vital, especially when trying to ensure transparency. Marketing is meant to open a door, and adoption counseling…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: The importance of language, positive marketing webinar and more!

October 18, 2021

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Now is the time to send an end-of-year mailer for your animal organization! This guest post is written by Caitlin Daly, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Lollypop Farm. In a recent interview, she stressed the importance of end-of-year mailer…

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Now is the time to send an end-of-year mailer for your animal organization!

October 14, 2021

This guest post is written by Caitlin Daly, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Lollypop Farm. In a recent interview, she stressed the importance of end-of-year mailer (appeals). We asked her if it was too late to send one, and while it’s cutting it close, it can be done! Below are her tips.  [Note: This originally…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Inclusive and equitable resources, harassment survey and more!

October 11, 2021

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Resources to make your organization more inclusive and equitable Before you know it, the Open Arms Challenge will be off and running. (The Huddles start today!) The Open Arms Challenge is all about opening our hearts and minds to more accessible…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Apply now for a fall online apprenticeships, disaster grants and more!

October 4, 2021

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. #HassInAction: LifeLine Animal Project thinks outside of the box to keep person and pup together With the animal welfare movement constantly evolving and transitioning to meet the needs of people and their pets, animal shelter and rescue organizations are realizing they…

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#HassInAction: LifeLine Animal Project thinks outside of the box to keep person and pup together

September 28, 2021

This post originally ran September 2020. With the animal welfare movement constantly evolving and transitioning to meet the needs of people and their pets, animal shelter and rescue organizations are realizing they may need to think outside of the box to find ways to best serve their communities. One organization in particular, LifeLine Animal Project in Atlanta, GA,…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Fall online apprenticeships, toolkits and more!

September 27, 2021

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Maddie's University is now offering 4 Human Animal Support Services courses Four Human Animal Support Services (HASS) modeled courses are now available on Maddie's® University. These courses are the results of a collaboration between between Human Animal Support Services, Michelson Found Animals, American Pets…

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This Human Animal Support Services toolkit will help with remote customer service

September 21, 2021

Getting to the animal shelter for help isn’t always easy. Time, transportation or proximity to the shelter can be huge barriers. Throw in COVID-19 restrictions to the mix, and it could be nearly impossible to seek assistance. Which is why using this Human Animal Support Services Remote Customer Service toolkit can work to your organization’s…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Recruit 75 fosters in a day, TikTok and more!

September 20, 2021

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Today is a fine time to enter your Shelter Animals Count data! Data plays a crucial part in decision making, which is why today is why we are reminding you to please input your Shelter Animals Count (SAC) data! Data has…

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Today is a fine time to enter your Shelter Animals Count data!

September 16, 2021

Data plays a crucial part in decision making, which is why today is why we are reminding you to please input your Shelter Animals Count (SAC) data! Data has enabled our industry to compile a complete picture of the animals entering and leaving shelters. You can see how your data compares to those in other…

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How one rescue organization recruited 75 foster caregivers in one day

September 14, 2021

One Tail at a Time, based in Chicago, IL, was in a tough spot. Their shelter partners were quickly filling to capacity and were asking for help. At the same time, they were experiencing a drop in new fosters and foster placements due to vacations, returning to work and other factors. "With scheduled transports and our commitment to our…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Data dashboard, access to care symposium and more!

September 13, 2021

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Register for the latest Maddie's® Candid Conversation with Akisha Townsend Eaton Join us Tuesday, September 14 for an open, informal 30-minute conversation and Q+A with Akisha Townsend Eaton, an attorney at the Animal Legal Defense Fund. The chat will begin at 12n Pacific…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Our latest Candid Conversation, eviction crisis and more

September 7, 2021

Happy Tuesday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Learn more about open adoptions with these Maddie's University courses With the Open Arms Challenge starting in November, we wanted to give you a little head start.  We've put together two brand new courses on Maddie's® University — Dog Adoptions: Eliminating Roadblocks…

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Dog & Cat Foster Care in the United States: 2020 Survey Report

September 7, 2021

In February 2021, an online survey collected detailed information about the foster care programs at animal welfare organizations. Maddie's Fund first conducted this survey in 2018 and this allows us to roughly compare the changes over the last two years.

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Learn more about open adoptions with these Maddie’s University courses

August 31, 2021

This blog post originally ran in early 2020. With the Open Arms Challenge starting in November, we wanted to give you a little head start.  We've put together two brand new courses on Maddie's University® — Dog Adoptions: Eliminating Roadblocks to Positive Outcomes and Open Cat Adoptions: Keep Them Moving, Get Them Home. We suggest taking them both, even…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Register now for the Open Arms Challenge, re-homing programs and more!

August 30, 2021

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. LAST CHANCE to register for the Open Arms Challenge! This Challenge is all about opening our hearts and minds to more accessible and inclusive practices. With $200,000 in grant prizes available and the support of 15 organizations, we’d say this Challenge…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Register now for the Open Arms Challenge, Dr. Lila Miller and more!

August 23, 2021

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Register NOW for the Open Arms Challenge! This Challenge is all about opening our hearts and minds to more accessible and inclusive practices. With $200,000 in grant prizes available and the support of 15 organizations, we’d say this Challenge may be…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: The Open Arms Challenge, cat language webcast and more!

August 16, 2021

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. New webcast: Language that harms cats – August 18 at 12:00 PM PT How we talk about cats can influence public attitudes and behavior, so it is important to consider the words, images and stories we use – particularly when we…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Keeping your foster base strong, getting media attention and more!

August 9, 2021

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. 5 strategies for keeping your foster base strong It happens everywhere: foster caregivers fall in love with a pet they're fostering, and some are unable to continue fostering after they adopt. In fact, research shows that nearly half of foster caregivers end up…

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Data tells a story: Enter your Shelter Animals Count data!

August 3, 2021

Data tells an invaluable story, which is why today is why we are reminding you to please input your Shelter Animals Count (SAC) data! Data has enabled our industry to compile a complete picture of the animals entering and leaving shelters. You can see how your data compares to those in other states or look…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Latest Candid Conversation, staffing survey and more!

August 2, 2021

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Tips for converting short-term foster participants into long-term fosters With social distancing guidelines relaxing, many organizations are beginning to relaunch short-term foster programs. In addition to being a gateway to engagement with the local community, most organizations who run short-term foster…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Shelter marketing, grant opportunities and more!

July 26, 2021

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. How lessons from 2020 can inform your marketing efforts now This is a guest post written by Caitlin Quinn, Director of Operations at HeARTs Speak. It is an understatement to say we've all heard enough about 2020. But it's also a year that…

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How lessons from 2020 can inform your marketing efforts now

July 20, 2021

This is a guest post written by Caitlin Quinn, Director of Operations at HeARTs Speak. Stay tuned for part two on Thursday! It is an understatement to say we've all heard enough about 2020. But it's also a year that revealed many important lessons that could help make a brighter future for the pets and people we…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: 2021 Avanzino Leadership Award winner, trial adoptions and more!

July 19, 2021

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Mother of Shelter Medicine receives 2021 Avanzino Leadership Award We're thrilled to announce that the 2021 Avanzino Leadership Award goes to Dr. Lila Miller for her trailblazing leadership and purposeful dedication to the field of veterinary shelter medicine.  Dr. Miller transformed the lives of countless pets,…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Online apprenticeships, Ann Dunn on the future and more!

July 12, 2021

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Ann Dunn shares why helping is much easier than re-homing Ann Dunn has been director of Oakland Animal Services (OAS) for about 17 months now. When the opportunity to join the Human Animal Support Services presented itself, it was a no-brainer. On a recent Shelter and Rescue Support…

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Take the time to enter your Shelter Animals Count data!

June 29, 2021

It’s a great day to enter your Shelter Animals Count (SAC) data! Data plays an important role in the animal welfare sector. It has enabled our industry to compile a complete picture of the animals entering and leaving shelters. You can see how your data compares to those in other states or look up the…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: No Place Like Home Challenge winners, free ShelterLuv and more!

June 28, 2021

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Announcing the No Place Like Home Challenge winners! The No Place Like Home Challenge is completed and to say we are thrilled with the results would be an understatement.   Return to Home programs are incredibly important. By focusing on reunions in the field,…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Foster recruitment success, cleaning and more!

June 21, 2021

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. How one of our nation’s most successful programs is recruiting their fosters Kansas City Pet Project has one of the largest foster programs in the nation with over 4,400 pets placed in foster homes in 2020 alone. In any given month,…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Human Animal Support Services toolkit, join the support calls and more!

June 14, 2021

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. This Human Animal Support Services toolkit will help you get more lost pets home Our No Place Like Home Challenge may be over, but our initiative to reunite pets with their families will forever continue. And with lost pets making up…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: An important candid conversation, financial aid for pet amputees and more!

June 7, 2021

Happy Monday! Below is a brief round-up of resources added over the past week. Invite a friend to the International Calls and win a $50 gift card! We would love for you to invite a friend, colleague, rescue partner, veterinarian or social worker to the collobrative and inspiring calls. Do you know someone who might benefit from the calls? Invite them! When we…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Behavioral need foster caregivers, candid conversations and more!

June 1, 2021

Happy Tuesday! Below is a brief round-up of new blog posts and resources added over the past week. 6 tips for recruiting fosters for pets with behavioral needs Finding foster caregivers for pets who have behavioral needs can feel daunting, but it doesn't have to be. Here are six strategies animal welfare organizations across the country are using…

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Join us for a special conversation with Justin Marceau and Gabrielle Chapman!

May 27, 2021

Justin Marceau, author of Beyond Cages: Animal Law and Criminal Punishment and Gabrielle Chapman, social justice analyst, will be speaking with each other in special 45-minute edition of Maddie’s® Candid Conversations on Thursday, June 3 at 12 PM PT/3 PM ET. The discussion will center around the role of fines and fees, civil penalties, conviction and punishment…

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6 tips for recruiting fosters for pets with behavioral needs 

May 25, 2021

Finding foster caregivers for pets who have behavioral needs can feel daunting, but it doesn't have to be. Here are six strategies animal welfare organizations across the country are using to do just this!    1. Prioritize “unicorn” fosters who have ideal home set-ups for some of your more challenging pets (people who don't have children or other pets). Be responsive and treat…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Peer-to-peer support, quick survey and more!

May 24, 2021

Happy Monday! Below is a brief round-up of new blog posts and resources we’ve added over the past week. Peer-to-peer support, fresh takes and inspiration – these calls have it all Did you know that just one hour a week spent with close to 200 of your animal welfare cohorts all across the globe has…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: A new Candid Conversation is on the way, lost pets and more!

May 17, 2021

Happy Monday! Below is a brief round-up of new blog posts and resources we’ve added over the past week. Register now for Maddie’s Candid Conversation with Dr. Jyothi V. Robertson Join us Tuesday, May 25 for an open, informal 30-minute conversation and Q+A with Dr. Jyothi V. Robertson, President and Founder of JVR Shelter Strategies.…

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What to do if you lose or find a pet

May 11, 2021

Did you know that what we don’t know about lost pets can hurt them? It’s true! We recently updated one of the most popular articles on our site about this very topic. Kat Albrecht-Thiessen, the article author is a former police officer, field training officer, police detective, and K9 (police bloodhounds and cadaver dogs) trainer turned…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: New marketing course, reputation management and more!

May 10, 2021

Happy Monday! Below is a brief round-up of new blog posts and resources we’ve added over the past week. Improve your marketing skills with this new self-paced course Want to learn more about how to market your animal welfare organization, or just sharpen your skills? Now available on Maddie's® University, The FUNdamentals of Marketing course…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Rebranding webcast, shelter data and more!

May 3, 2021

Happy Monday! Below is a brief round-up of new blog posts and resources we’ve added over the past week. Now’s the time to enter your Shelter Animals Count data! This is your friendly reminder to enter your Shelter Animals Count (SAC) data! Data plays an important role in the animal welfare sector. It has enabled…

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Now’s the time to enter your Shelter Animals Count data!

April 29, 2021

This is your friendly reminder to enter your Shelter Animals Count (SAC) data! Data plays an important role in the animal welfare sector. It has enabled our industry to compile a complete picture of the animals entering and leaving shelters. You can see how your data compares to those in other states or look up…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Maddie’s birthday, supporting survivors of domestic violence, new e-book and more!

April 26, 2021

Happy Monday! Today is extra special for us as it’s Maddie’s birthday! Although she is no longer with us, we continue to celebrate and give thanks to the little dog who started a revolution. If you haven’t read her story or watched her home video, it’s sure to bring a smile to your face. Please…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Creating a culture of safety, tool kits and more!

April 19, 2021

Below is a brief round-up of new blog posts and resources we’ve added over the past week. How animal shelters can create a culture of safety for employees, volunteers and community members This is a guest post written by Colleen Parker and Danielle Emery of Urban Resource Institute People and Animals Living Safely (URI PALS).…

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How animal shelters can create a culture of safety for employees, volunteers and community members

April 15, 2021

This is a guest post written by Colleen Parker and Danielle Emery of Urban Resource Institute People and Animals Living Safely (URI PALS). Read part two of this two-part series.  As with any change you're trying to implement at your animal welfare organization, culture starts with policy and is rooted in the people you surround yourself…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Maddie’s Candid Conversations, How to Speak Cat and more!

April 12, 2021

Below is a brief round-up of new blog posts and resources we’ve added over the past week. Learn to speak cat and get continuing education credits, too! What does it mean when a cat flicks her tail around? Or starts making biscuits on your leg? What about airplane ears?  You'll learn all this and more in How…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Kitten season, community cats and more!

April 5, 2021

Below is a brief round-up of new blog posts and resources we’ve added over the past week. Kitten season is here and we’ve got help While we may not be able to provide you with an extra set of hands to bottle feed, we do have plenty resources to help with kitten season. From a…

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Kitten season is here and we’ve got help

April 1, 2021

While we may not be able to provide you with an extra set of hands to bottle feed, we do have plenty resources to help with kitten season. From a brand new kitten marketing toolkit from HeARTs Speak to foster recruitment to kitten care and more, we hope these will help your organization manage the…

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One final push of inspiration as the No Place Like Home Challenge winds down

March 30, 2021

There’s just one more day left of the No Place Like Home Challenge, and we’ve been so impressed with what we have seen on Maddie’s® Pet Forum and social media alone! We’ve seen loads of microchips clinics, happy reunions and even a photoshoot for pets! We rounded up a few ideas to provide some inspiration…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Mailing list clean-up, virtual Animal Care Expo and more!

March 29, 2021

Below is a brief round-up of new blog posts and resources we’ve added over the past week. It’s time to update your Maddie’s Fund mailing list preferences! Are you currently subscribed to the Maddie's Fund mailing list? If so, we want to make sure our emails are still valuable to you.  In the spirit of spring cleaning, we've revamped our mailing list…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Return to Home success stories, free volunteer program assessment and more!

March 22, 2021

Below is a brief round-up of new blog posts and resources we’ve added over the past week. Pets across the US are returning home thanks to the No Place Like Home Challenge The No Place Like Home Challenge is halfway over and the success stories are already in.  Over on Maddie's® Pet Forum, several Challenge participants have been…

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Tune in for a Return to Home town hall TONIGHT!

March 18, 2021

We are halfway through the No Place Like Home Challenge and Best Friends Animal Society is going to check in with several participants of the Challenge tonight. Register now for the town hall this evening at 6:00pm EST. Even if you are not participating in the Challenge, anyone can benefit from attending. Let’s Get Them…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Maddie’s Candid Conversations, pet transport discussion and more!

March 15, 2021

Below is a brief round-up of new blog posts and resources we’ve added over the past week. Save the date: Maddie’s® Candid Conversation with Ed Jamison on March 23 at 12p PT Join us for a brand-new series of open, informal 30-minute conversations and Q+A with various DEI leaders, hosted by our own Mary Ippoliti-Smith.…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Apply for spring online apprenticeships and more!

March 8, 2021

Below is a brief round-up of new blog posts and resources we’ve added over the past week. Apply by Friday! Maddie’s® University Spring Catalog: Online Apprenticeships We have three brand new online apprenticeships for spring! Each apprenticeship is four weeks long and is made up of a combination of self-paced learning and four 90-minute weekly…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Lost and found webpage must-haves, online apprenticeships and more!

March 1, 2021

Below is a brief round-up of new blog posts and resources we’ve added over the past week. A special shout-out to all of the No Place Like Home Challenge participants as we officially kick off the Challenge today! Be sure to follow #NPLHC and #GetLostPetsHome all throughout the month of March. Coming Soon! Maddie’s® University…

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Recruit more fosters by reducing barriers

February 25, 2021

Whether you want to grow your animal organization’s foster program or just keep your already robust program humming along, you must make it easy for caregivers to start! That's the overwhelming theme from this American Pets Alive! Conference session recording from 2019.   In the conference session recording, High Volume Foster Programs for Cats and Dogs, you will learn…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Enter your shelter data, catch up on Huddles and more!

February 22, 2021

Below is a brief round-up of new blog posts and resources we’ve added over the past week. Today is a great day to enter your data on Shelter Animals Count With January behind us, what better time to enter your January 2021 Shelter Animals Count (SAC) data? If you haven't completed your 2020 data, it's…

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Catch-up with the No Place Like Home Challenge huddles on Maddie’s Pet Forum

February 16, 2021

We are halfway through the eight, great Return to Home (RTH) huddles! If you’ve been unable to attend all of them or simply want to connect with other Challenge participants, head on over to Maddie's® Pet Forum. Our kickoff huddle focused on organizations embracing the culture of Return to Home. There, one of our panelists, Ed…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Return to Home huddles, Petco Foundation grant opportunity and more!

February 8, 2021

Below is a brief round-up of new blog posts and resources we’ve added over the past week. Join us for 8 great huddles! Throughout the month we are hosting eight huddles that focus on Return to Home practices. While these huddles are meant to be used as part of the No Place Like Home Challenge…

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Starting today, join us for 8 great Return to Home huddles!

February 2, 2021

Starting today and through the end of the month, we are hosting eight huddles that focus on Return to Home practices. While these huddles are meant to be used as part of the No Place Like Home Challenge preparation, anyone can participate and learn more about Return to Home (traditionally known as Return to Owner).…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Safety net fostering, CARE webcast series and more!

February 1, 2021

Below is a brief round-up of new blog posts and resources we’ve added over the past week. 5 tips for recruiting safety net fosters As we move toward community-centric animal services practices, many shelters and rescue organizations are considering creating safety net fostering programs. These programs provide temporary care for pets whose owners are in…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Enter your SAC data, join us for a webcast and more!

January 25, 2021

Below is a brief round-up of new blog posts and resources we’ve added over the past week. Enter your Shelter Animals Count 2020 data now! We are more than halfway done with January, so you know what that means. It's time to enter your Shelter Animals Count (SAC) 2020 data! Enter your January – December…

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Enter your Shelter Animals Count 2020 data now!

January 19, 2021

We are more than halfway done with January, so you know what that means. It's time to enter your Shelter Animals Count (SAC) 2020 data! Enter your January – December 2020 data now and enter to win part of $20,000 in grants for your participation. The deadline to enter your data and qualify for a…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Last day to apply for the No Place Like Home Challenge, weekly calls and more!

January 18, 2021

Below is a brief round-up of new blog posts and resources we’ve added over the past week. TODAY: Last chance to register for the No Place Like Home Challenge Want to kick off the New Year with a chance at $150,000 in grant prizes? Mark your calendars for our latest grant opportunity, the No Place Like Home…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Register now for the No Place Like Home Challenge, lots of webinars and more!

January 11, 2021

Below is a brief round-up of new blog posts and resources we’ve added over the past week. Register NOW for the No Place Like Home Challenge! Want to kick off the New Year with a chance at $150,000 in grant prizes? Mark your calendars for our latest grant opportunity, the No Place Like Home Challenge. The first…

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Coming soon: The No Place Like Home Challenge!

January 6, 2021

Want to kick off the New Year with a chance at $150,000 in grant prizes? Mark your calendars for our latest grant opportunity, the No Place Like Home Challenge. The first of its kind and a collaboration amongst 10 national organizations, this challenge is all about reuniting pets with their families ASAP. The Challenge begins on March 1st…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Calling Return to Owner something else, new Challenge and more!

December 21, 2020

Below is a brief round-up of new blog posts and resources we’ve added over the past week. We will be taking a brief break for the rest of the year, but look for brand new blog posts (and a challenge!) in January. We hope you’re able to take some time and recharge after all of…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Foster to adopt programs, monthly data collection and more!

December 14, 2020

Below is a brief round-up of new blog posts and resources we’ve added over the past week. Why these Pet Foster Stimulus Grant recipients implemented a foster to adopt program When some of our Pet Foster Stimulus Grant recipients saw how many foster families ended up adopting their foster pets, it sparked them to revisit…

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Don’t forget to report your monthly data to Shelter Animals Count

December 8, 2020

Have you submitted your monthly shelter data to Shelter Animals Count (SAC) yet? This is your friendly reminder to do so!  Submitting your data on a monthly basis allows for the most relevant data collection that gives our field insight on where our movement is headed. If your animal shelter has been submitting your data…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: New Maddie’s Pet Forum video tutorial, Celebrate Shelter Pets Day and more!

December 7, 2020

Below is a brief round-up of new blog posts and resources we’ve added over the past week. Navigate Maddie’s® Pet Forum with this handy tutorial  Maddie's® Pet Forum looks a little different since we refreshed it a few months ago. While we hope it's been smooth sailing to you, we created a video to help answer any…

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Today is Celebrate Shelter Pets Day!

December 3, 2020

This year has been a year unlike any other with historic levels of foster and adoptions from shelters. Our animals, whether permanent residents or just passing through as foster pets, have served as plus ones to Zoom happy hours, provided much needed companionship and entertainment in this unusual year. Let’s honor our pets with Celebrate…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Free marketing help for your organization, a Pet Foster Stimulus Grant story and more!

November 23, 2020

Below is a brief round-up of new blog posts and resources we’ve added over the past week. No challenge was too big for this Pet Foster Stimulus Grant recipient in New Jersey When Covid-19 hit Plainfield Area Humane Society (PAHS) in Plainfield, NJ, their animal shelter population was higher than usual. They had 70 additional dogs and…

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No challenge was too big for this Pet Foster Stimulus Grant recipient in New Jersey

November 19, 2020

When Covid-19 hit Plainfield Area Humane Society (PAHS) in Plainfield, NJ, their animal shelter population was higher than usual. They had 70 additional dogs and cats on top of their normal population, due to a hoarding case.   Thankfully when they put out the call to their community, they experienced an increase in both foster caregivers and adoptions.…

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One easy way your animal shelter or rescue organization can get some marketing help

November 17, 2020

Could your organization use some extra marketing help, for free? If you haven't heard of HeARTs Speak, look no further. HeARTs Speak is a nonprofit organization whose work shines a light on animals in need and improves adoption rates by increasing the marketing capacity of time-stretched, under-resourced organizations. They offer free design tools, plug 'n play photo…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: How PAWS Atlanta’s community was their lifeline, ASPCA Cornell Maddie’s Shelter Medicine Conference available online and more!

November 16, 2020

Below is a brief round-up of new blog posts and resources we’ve added over the past week. How one Pet Foster Stimulus Grant recipient's community was their animal welfare organization's lifeline In need of a feel-good story? As foster care has become the saving grace for many animal welfare organizations in times of Covid and…

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The 2020 ASPCA Cornell Maddie’s Shelter Medicine Conference is now available online

November 10, 2020

In case you didn't get to (virtually) attend this year's ASPCA® Cornell Maddie's® Shelter Medicine Conference, you can now catch up on the courses for free!  It's simple. All you have to do is create a single account within ASPCA's learning platform to access all of the sessions. Featuring twelve free workshops in two tracks—medical and operations—the ASPCA…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Maddie’s University has been refreshed, a discussion on veterinary access to care with Dr. Blackwell and more!

November 9, 2020

Below is a brief round-up of new blog posts and resources we’ve added over the past week. We've refreshed Maddie's University and continuing education has never been so fun! While back to school season may look different this year, that doesn't mean learning needs to change! Because we believe in making changes to make your…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: We’ve refreshed Maddie’s Pet Forum, Burlington Animal Services grows foster base with local university students and more!

November 2, 2020

Below is a brief round-up of new blog posts and resources we’ve added over the past week. We've refreshed Maddie's Pet Forum – check it out! We've launched! Maddie's Fund has been tidying up to bring you a newly refreshed Maddie's Pet Forum (MPF), where connecting with others is now easier than ever before. Check out all…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Kristen Hassen receives the 2020 Maddie Hero Award, we’ve refreshed our website and tools and more!

October 26, 2020

Below is a brief round-up of new blog posts and resources we’ve added over the past week. Kristen Hassen receives the 2020 Maddie Hero Award We're thrilled to present the 2020 Maddie Hero Award to Kristen Hassen for her innovative ideas, progressive thinking and lifesaving actions. The Maddie Hero Award recognizes and honors the "top…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: We’ve refreshed our website and tools, webcast recording to increase pet adoptions and more!

October 19, 2020

Below is a brief round-up of new blog posts and resources we’ve added over the past week. Is your animal welfare organization looking to increase adoptions? This webcast recording may help! Want to increase adoptions? One way to do so may be thinking about what pets you aren't allowing to go home, and revisiting your…

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Is your animal welfare organization looking to increase adoptions? This webcast recording may help!

October 13, 2020

Want to increase adoptions? One way to do so may be thinking about what pets you aren't allowing to go home, and revisiting your policies. Is it time we start empowering adopters to take home pets with illnesses, injuries and behavioral problems to allow them to grow, heal and recover? Monica Frenden from Austin Pets…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Boost your animal welfare organization’s RTO rates with Animal Care Officers, supporting renters with pets through Covid-19 and more!

October 12, 2020

Below is a brief round-up of new blog posts and resources we’ve added over the past week. Boost your animal welfare organization's return-to-owner rates with Animal Care Officers When trying to boost your animal welfare organization's return-to-owner (RTO) rates, Animal Care Officers (ACO) can play big role. Adam Ricci, Vice President of the National Animal…

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Boost your animal welfare organization’s return-to-owner rates with Animal Care Officers

October 8, 2020

When trying to boost your animal welfare organization's return-to-owner (RTO) rates, Animal Care Officers (ACO) can play big role. Adam Ricci, Vice President of the National Animal Care and Control Association (NACA), and Director of Operations at Palm Valley Animal Society in Edinburg, TX, shares how animal welfare organization's field officers can help increase RTO…

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Supporting Renters With Pets During COVID-19

Abby Volin and Sarah RosenbergOctober 8, 2020

As more renters find themselves on the brink of eviction, the animal welfare field is girding for a deluge of surrenders. But there's still more that can be done to keep people with pets together safely in their homes.

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Join us for an important webcast on how to support renters with pets through Covid-19

October 6, 2020

The eviction crisis has been on the forefront of the animal welfare industry's focus over the past several months. While renters have already been facing challenges finding pet-friendly housing, many are now finding themselves on the brink of eviction. In response, animal welfare organizations are preparing for a surge of housing instability and as a…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: How Saving Sunny integrated animal services into their community, Free Shelterluv to elevate your field services data and more!

October 5, 2020

Below is a brief round-up of new blog posts and resources we’ve added over the past week. How Saving Sunny integrated animal services into their community Saving Sunny Inc., a dog-based animal welfare organization in Louisville, Kentucky, has been transforming the model of the animal sheltering system since 2010. Their efforts aim to make animal…

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How Saving Sunny integrated animal services into their community

October 1, 2020

Saving Sunny Inc., a dog-based animal welfare organization in Louisville, Kentucky, has been transforming the model of the animal sheltering system since 2010. Their efforts aim to make animal services part of their community's social service, much like the Human Animal Support Services (HASS) initiative strives to do. Co-Founders, Maureen Kennan and Kelsey Westbrook, shared their…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Pet Foster Stimulus Grant recipient story, access to veterinary care and more!

September 28, 2020

Below is a brief round-up of new blog posts and resources we’ve added over the past week. How one Pet Foster Stimulus Grant recipient took the opportunity to transform their animal welfare organization, #ThanksToMaddie Prior to COVID-19, Kent County Animal Shelter in Grand Rapids, MI, didn't have a foster program in place, so when they…

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Supporting Both Ends of the Leash

Geraldine D'Silva, Janet Hoy-Gerlach, Aimee St.Arnaud and Derrick PrioleauSeptember 23, 2020

Learn how a private veterinary practice is partnering with human health care and social workers in unique ways to support people and their pets.

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Learn about access to veterinary care from the expert himself, Dr. Blackwell

September 22, 2020

Now, more than ever, low income families are struggling to find access to veterinary care due to COVID-19. Learn more about this important topic from Access to Care expert and the 2020 Avanzino Leadership Award recipient, Dr. Michael J. Blackwell, in the recorded webcast, Access to Care: A National Family Crisis.   In the webcast, Dr.…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Dr. Michael Blackwell receives the 2020 Avanzino Leadership Award, using technology to reunite lost pets with their families and more!

September 21, 2020

Below is a brief round-up of new blog posts and resources we’ve added over the past week. Meet the 2020 Avanzino Leadership Award recipient! We're thrilled to announce that the 2020 Avanzino Leadership Award goes to Dr. Michael J. Blackwell for his outstanding leadership and purposeful dedication to honor the human-animal bond.  The award is…

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Meet the 2020 Avanzino Leadership Award recipient!

September 17, 2020

We're thrilled to announce that the 2020 Avanzino Leadership Award goes to Dr. Michael J. Blackwell for his outstanding leadership and purposeful dedication to honor the human-animal bond.  The award is named after Rich Avanzino, the father of the no-kill movement and Maddie's Fund President from 1999 – 2015. This award recognizes significant achievement and…

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How animal welfare organizations can use technology to reunite lost pets with their families

September 15, 2020

Animal welfare organizations have been transitioning to a more community-centric model of animal sheltering, including how animal shelters and rescue organizations can support their community reunite with their lost pets. Does your organization offer services to your community that increases return to owner rates AND decreases your intake?   Do you know the biggest obstacles someone…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: HASS empowering animal welfare organizations to think outside of the box to keep people and pets together, Best Friends Professional Development Symposium and more!

September 14, 2020

Below is a brief round-up of new blog posts and resources we’ve added over the past week. #HassInAction: LifeLine Animal Project thinks outside of the box to keep person and pup together With the animal welfare movement constantly evolving and transitioning to meet the needs of people and their pets, animal shelter and rescue organizations…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: How your animal welfare organization can aid in disaster response, providing additional community services and more!

September 8, 2020

Below is a brief round-up of new blog posts and resources we’ve added over the past week. As a reminder, we’ve created an emergency fostering and COVID-19 webpage that we are updating regularly as new resources become available. You’re also invited to join the Emergency fostering during the Covid-19/coronavirus pandemic group on Maddie’s® Pet Forum where…

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#HassInAction: Dallas Animal Services gets creative to provide additional services to their community

September 3, 2020

Dallas Animal Services (DAS), a Tier 1 pilot shelter in the Human Animal Support Services (HASS) coalition, has recently created a few exciting tools that shows HASS in action. In this guest post, Leah Backo, Public Information Coordinator, shares three HASS examples to spark some inspiration for other animal welfare organizations.  Created a COVID-19 pet…

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Million Cat Challenge: Going Home

Dr. Sara Pizano, DVMSeptember 3, 2020

Learn how to take your matchmaking game from the adoption floor to the worldwide web.

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How your animal welfare organization can aid in disaster response

September 1, 2020

As many communities across the nation face devastating impacts from wildfires, hurricanes and so much more, animal shelters and rescue organizations are working to help their communities and the displacement of pets.   If you haven't already done so, we recommend watching the webcast recording, A Shelter's Role in Disaster Response, from 2018 with Dr. Elise…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Mobile veterinary care, why it’s important to encourage dissent when making changes and more!

August 31, 2020

Below is a brief round-up of new blog posts and resources we’ve added over the past week. As a reminder, we’ve created an emergency fostering and COVID-19 webpage that we are updating regularly as new resources become available. You’re also invited to join the Emergency fostering during the Covid-19/coronavirus pandemic group on Maddie’s® Pet Forum where…

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#HassInAction: Bringing veterinary care to meet families where they are

August 27, 2020

One thing that has been reinforced during COVID-19, is how powerful the transformational love of a pet is, especially during tough times. Animal welfare organizations all across the nation are shifting to a more community-centric model of animal sheltering. LifeLine Animal Project in Atlanta, GA, has focused on providing solutions to the community to help…

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Million Cat Challenge: Kitten Care in the Shelter

August 27, 2020

In this webinar, we'll go inside the shelter to find out what's new in the world of kitten care, pathway planning, wellness, and pediatric spay/neuter.

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Maddie Talks: Aha Moments

December 2016

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Maddie Talks Outline Examples

January 2017

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Maddie Talks: Video Examples

January 2017

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Creative Adoption Ideas Survey

February 2016

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Shy Dogs Survey

February 2016

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: HASS in action supporting people and their pets, free mobile fundraising tool and more!

August 24, 2020

Below is a brief round-up of new blog posts and resources we’ve added over the past week. As a reminder, we’ve created an emergency fostering and COVID-19 webpage that we are updating regularly as new resources become available. You’re also invited to join the Emergency fostering during the Covid-19/coronavirus pandemic group on Maddie’s® Pet Forum where…

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Million Cat Challenge: Foster Greatness

Dr. Sara Pizano, DVMAugust 20, 2020

If you'd like to recruit, train and onboard volunteers quicker, better, faster, then grab your foster coordinators and a seat in this action-packed webinar now.

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: How your animal welfare organization can create generational impact, preventing surrenders by resolving behavioral problems and more!

August 17, 2020

Below is a brief round-up of new blog posts and resources we’ve added over the past week. As a reminder, we’ve created an emergency fostering and COVID-19 webpage that we are updating regularly as new resources become available. You’re also invited to join the Emergency fostering during the Covid-19/coronavirus pandemic group on Maddie’s® Pet Forum where…

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Million Cat Challenge: Support for Kittens in the Field

Julie Levy, Kristen Hassen-Auerbach, Heather Kennedy and Nick LippincottAugust 13, 2020

Find out what field officers, volunteers and fosters are doing to give kittens the best chance of survival while streamlining operations and expanding safety nets outside shelter walls.

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Million Cat Challenge: Navigating Anesthetic Drug Shortages in Shelters After COVID

Dr. Sheilah Robertson and Dr. Sarah KirkAugust 12, 2020

In this webcast, you'll learn what your organization needs to know to provide spay/neuter and veterinary care in a time of COVID.

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Million Cat Challenge kitten webcast series, how your pet foster program can provide support for foster caregivers and more!

August 10, 2020

Below is a brief round-up of new blog posts and resources we’ve added over the past week. As a reminder, we’ve created an emergency fostering and COVID-19 webpage that we are updating regularly as new resources become available. You’re also invited to join the Emergency fostering during the Covid-19/coronavirus pandemic group on Maddie’s® Pet Forum where…

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The Kitten Lady will help kick off this Million Cat Challenge kitten webcast series

August 6, 2020

If you have ever cared for kittens, you know that two (or more) are often easier than one, so it makes sense that Million Cat Challenge (MCC) is offering five kitten webcasts in their latest series.    MCC has put together a  series  of five kitten-focused webcasts, starting Thursday, August 6th and continuing each week through Thursday, September 3rd.   …

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Million Cat Challenge: Kitten Intake in Animal Shelters

Kate Hurley DVM and Hannah Shaw (the Kitten Lady)August 6, 2020

In this session, we discuss new intake philosophies and management models that prioritize kittens' safety, community engagement & keeping feline families together.

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: How animal welfare organizations are preparing for the housing crisis, 6 things you need to know about the foster-centric shelter and more!

August 3, 2020

Below is a brief round-up of new blog posts and resources we’ve added over the past week. As a reminder, we’ve created an emergency fostering and COVID-19 webpage that we are updating regularly as new resources become available. You’re also invited to join the Emergency fostering during the Covid-19/coronavirus pandemic group on Maddie’s® Pet Forum where…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: How a rehoming program can help reduce intake at your animal shelter, register for Million Cat Challenge webcast and more!

July 27, 2020

Below is a brief round-up of new blog posts and resources we’ve added over the past week. As a reminder, we’ve created an emergency fostering and COVID-19 webpage that we are updating regularly as new resources become available. You’re also invited to join the Emergency fostering during the Covid-19/coronavirus pandemic group on Maddie’s® Pet Forum where…

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How a rehoming program can help reduce intake at your animal shelter

July 21, 2020

Over the past several months, the animal welfare industry has joined together to collaborate about reimagining the future of sheltering. This new vision focuses on animal shelters and rescue organizations transforming into resource centers to support their communities. Organizations across the nation have been pivoting to find ways to keep more pets and people together…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: How Gateway Pet Guardians are keeping people and pets together, building community programming and more!

July 20, 2020

Below is a brief round-up of new blog posts and resources we’ve added over the past week. As a reminder, we’ve created an emergency fostering and COVID-19 webpage that we are updating regularly as new resources become available. You’re also invited to join the Emergency fostering during the Covid-19/coronavirus pandemic group on Maddie’s® Pet Forum where…

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7 ways your animal welfare organization can build community programming to keep people and pets together

July 15, 2020

Below is the second post in a series featuring Gateway Pet Guardians and their progressive approach to animal sheltering aimed at keeping people and pets together. In the first post in this series, we shared an overview of how they operate and how they've pivoted since COVID-19 hit. This post focuses on tactical ways your organization…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Attend Animal Care Expo from home, HASS empowering animal shelters and communities around the nation and more!

July 13, 2020

Below is a brief round-up of new blog posts and resources we’ve added over the past week. As a reminder, we’ve created an emergency fostering and COVID-19 webpage that we are updating regularly as new resources become available. You’re also invited to join the Emergency fostering during the Covid-19/coronavirus pandemic group on Maddie’s® Pet Forum where…

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New Maddie’s Tail Wag activity book is just in time for summer!

July 10, 2020

Maddie’s® Tail Wag is a collection of activities and coloring pages for animal lovers of all ages, now available for two different age groups! Children 6 & under and kids 7 – 10 can color and learn to their hearts content.  Maddie's® Tail Wag activity books are free and available for your organization to provide to your…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: How short-term fostering opens the door to recruitment, connect with other animal shelter professionals and volunteers and more!

July 6, 2020

Below is a brief round-up of new blog posts and resources that we’ve added over the past week. As a reminder, we’ve created an emergency fostering and COVID-19 webpage that we are updating regularly as new resources become available. You’re also invited to join the Emergency fostering during the Covid-19/coronavirus pandemic group on Maddie’s® Pet Forum…

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Short-term fostering opens the door to recruitment

June 30, 2020

Maddie's® Foster Express Challenge called on participating shelters to focus on short-term fostering to help get more dogs and cats out of the shelter during the hectic holiday season, get them more exposure and attract new foster caregivers. The following is the last in this series.  How do you recruit new fosters? By enticing them with…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Shelter cats getting kennel makeovers, empowering your community to help lost pets and more!

June 29, 2020

Below is a brief round-up of new blog posts and resources that we’ve added over the past week. As a reminder, we’ve created an emergency fostering and COVID-19 webpage that we are updating regularly as new resources become available. You’re also invited to join the Emergency fostering during the Covid-19/coronavirus pandemic group on Maddie’s® Pet Forum…

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Why it’s important to empower your community to help lost pets

June 25, 2020

What do people do when they find a lost dog or cat? In the city of Austin, many of them attempt to find the owner themselves. And, it's often done with zero or little intervention on their behalf.   Mark Sloat, Program Manager of Austin Animal Services shared the Found Animal data from October 2019 through March 2020 during a…

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Million Cat Challenge: COVID Control Strategies - Maintaining Safety During Re-Opening and Beyond

Linda Jacobson, DVM, Julie Levy, DVM, PhD, Jennifer Murphy and Phil Nichols, RVT, CAWAJune 24, 2020

Re-opening shelters and services brings the risk of COVID-19 resurgence. This webcast will provide a roadmap for reopening that can be customized for shelters and clinics everywhere.

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Over 2,600 shelter cats are getting kennel makeovers

June 23, 2020

Like many of us, shelter cats are taking this time to reevaluate their space, redecorate and purchase new furniture. Or in their case, portals.   Thanks to Million Cat Challenge's Portalmania 2020, 82 shelters are being awarded 2,685 portals.   Cramped housing has an adverse effect on cats. "Multiple studies have looked at the effect of poor housing on cats,…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: How to reduce intake at your animal shelter, Pet Foster Care Stimulus Grant recipients and more!

June 22, 2020

Below is a brief round-up of new blog posts and resources that we’ve added over the past week. As a reminder, we’ve created an emergency fostering and COVID-19 webpage that we are updating regularly as new resources become available. You’re also invited to join the Emergency fostering during the Covid-19/coronavirus pandemic group on Maddie’s® Pet Forum…

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Supporting and Engaging Foster Caregivers During COVID-19

Kelly Duer and Lea WilliamsJune 18, 2020

This 60-minute webcast will teach you how to support your fosters and keep them coming back for more!

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Kitten resources, keeping your foster caregivers engaged and more!

June 15, 2020

Below is a brief round-up of new blog posts and resources that we’ve added over the past week. As a reminder, we’ve created an emergency fostering and COVID-19 webpage that we are updating regularly as new resources become available. You’re also invited to join the Emergency fostering during the Covid-19/coronavirus pandemic group on Maddie’s® Pet Forum…

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10 ways to keep your new foster caregivers engaged

June 11, 2020

When the COVID-19 pandemic began, shelters and rescues across the country were flooded with more applications from more potential fosters than many believed were even possible. Pets were sent to foster homes and adoption floors were emptied.  Now that some of us are returning to our usual schedules, what can we do to keep these…

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Attack kitten season like kittens attack your hands with these resources

June 9, 2020

Kitten season is in full swing, so here are some of our best kitten resources all in one place. We know things are a little different this year, but that’s not stopping the kittens from coming! Feral felines & kittens found outdoors  This webinar from the Kitten Lady comes highly recommended from Gimme Shelter. Her…

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Making virtual adoptions work, getting more foster caregivers and more!

June 8, 2020

Below is a brief round-up of new blog posts and resources that we’ve added over the past week. As a reminder, we’ve created an emergency fostering and COVID-19 webpage that we are updating regularly as new resources become available. You’re also invited to join the Emergency fostering during the Covid-19/coronavirus pandemic group on Maddie’s® Pet Forum…

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How short-term fostering invigorated one foster program and prepared them for Covid-19

June 4, 2020

Maddie's® Foster Express Challenge called on participating shelters to focus on short-term fostering to help get more dogs and cats out of the shelter during the hectic holiday season, get them more exposure and attract new foster caregivers. We'll be sharing exclusive interviews on Maddie's Pet Forum as well as on the blog with several of…

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Caring from Across Town: Practical Telehealth for Shelters & Clinics

Dr. Michael (Mike) Greenberg, Brenton Minish, Julie Ryan-Johnson, DVM, Aimee St.Arnaud and Beth HarrisonJune 4, 2020

Come learn more about the telehealth landscape and how best to implement this tool in your shelter or clinic.

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Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Checking in with your foster caregivers, foster field trips, new marketing course and more!

June 1, 2020

Below is a brief round-up of new blog posts and resources that we’ve added over the past week. As a reminder, we’ve created an emergency fostering and COVID-19 webpage that we are updating regularly as new resources become available. You’re also invited to join the Emergency fostering during the Covid-19/coronavirus pandemic group on Maddie’s® Pet Forum…

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Ideas for Safely Offering Spay/Neuter and Wellness: Q&A session

Jennifer Bolser, DVM, Natalie Corwin, Melanie deHaan, DVM, Cynthia (Cindy) Karsten, DVM, Cate Lemmond and Aimee St.ArnaudMay 27, 2020

Join this discussion on how can we do spay/neuter in a manner that is safe for staff, clients and animals in this new "normal".

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Check-in with your foster caregivers (new and old!) with our free assessment tool

May 26, 2020

Now is the perfect time to reach out to your foster caregivers and see how you are doing as an organization. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, animal shelter and rescue organizations have seen an increase in foster caregiving. All of the additional focus on fostering presents a great opportunity to hone in on what your…

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It’s never been more important to build relationships with foster caregivers

May 20, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has empowered many animal welfare organizations to make operational changes such as the introductions of telemedicine, virtual adoptions and a huge uptick in fostering. Will we go back to the way things were? This interview with Greg Lucas, founder of Shelterluv the the second in a three-part series examining these very changes. You…

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This Foster Express Challenge winner says short-term fostering is a great way to “try-on” adoption

May 14, 2020

Maddie's® Foster Express Challenge called on participating shelters to focus on short-term fostering to help get more dogs and cats out of the shelter during the hectic holiday season, get them more exposure and attract new foster caregivers. We'll be sharing exclusive interviews on Maddie's Pet Forum as well as on the blog with several of…

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Animal lifesaving doesn’t begin and end at the shelter

May 5, 2020

As shelter and rescue organizations continue to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, we thought now would be a good time to revisit this important post from September 2018. Investing in preventive programming keeps animals in loving homes and also makes financial sense. If we want to save the lives of more pets, it’s important to understand…

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Boots on the Ground: Caring for COVID-19 Exposed Pets in Shelters

Sandra Newbury, DVM, Director of University of Wisconsin Shelter Medicine Program and Associate Professor at University of Wisconsin Shelter Medicine Program and School of Veterinary Medicine - Department of Medical SciencesApril 30, 2020

Join Dr. Sandra Newbury, Director of University of Wisconsin's Shelter Medicine Program, for practical guidance for essential shelter workers caring for pets who have been exposed to COVID-19.

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COVID-19 Spay/neuter and Vaccine Clinic Preparedness Guide

Aimee St.Arnaud, Elizabeth Berliner, Jennifer Bolser, Gina Clemmer, Natalie Corwin and Cynthia (Cindy) KarstenApril 29, 2020

Learn how to follow social distancing guidelines while safely performing spay/neuter surgeries.

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Empowering Fosters to Help Market Pets from Foster Care

Kelly Duer, Foster Care Specialist, Maddie's Fund® and Rachel Jones, Adult Dog Foster Coordinator, Pima Animal Care CenterApril 23, 2020

This webcast outlines strategies from several progressive organizations that are empowering foster caregivers to assist in efforts to market their foster pets online.

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Turn your foster caregivers into master marketers with this quick online course

April 15, 2020

With more people stepping up to provide foster homes for pets, marketing foster pets from their homes has never been so important. Some shelter and rescue organizations are still conducting adoptions virtually with a socially-distanced handoff, so being able to capture a pets’ personality through photos, video and words is key. Our new Maddie’s® University…

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Million Cat Challenge: Flattening the Kitten Curve While Spay/Neuter is on Hold

Dr. Julie Levy, Aimee St. Arnaud, Hannah Shaw (The Kitten Lady) and Marla BrowneApril 15, 2020

Join a panel discussion to hear ideas on what you can do now to flatten the kitty curve while spay/neuter is on hold due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

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Telehealth

Dr. Michael (Mike) Greenberg, DVM, Director of Outreach Programs, Maddie's FundApril 2020

What is the difference between telehealth, telemedicine, teletriage, etc.? Understanding the differences between these terms is key to understanding the field, particularly as it relates to the legal questions that a lot of us have.

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An Emergency Contraceptive Option for Cats During COVID-19 Delayed Surgery

Joyce Briggs, Michael (Mike) Greenberg, Julie K. Levy, Michelle Kutzler and Linda RhodesApril 10, 2020

Find out about new possibilities with non-surgical contraception solutions for cats during this time of Covid-19 delayed surgery.

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Megestrol Acetate FAQ

By Mike Greenberg, DVM, Director of Outreach Programs, Maddie's Fund®April 10, 2020

In 2014, I had the honor of helping start a high-quality-high-volume spay-neuter clinic in Nashville and serve as medical director. I don't know how many thousands of dogs and cats I spayed and neutered during my tenure there, but it was enough that my hands still remember how when I'm fortunate enough to go back for relief shifts. The last relief shift I worked was March 17th, 2020. My beloved clinic had to temporarily close on March 18th due to COVID-19. Like many similar clinics, the dedicated staff there has been asking, "What can we do?"

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Million Cat Challenge: Rehoming Programs - Safe options for your staff and community

Carina DeVera, Digital Marketing Specialist, Marin Humane, Mandy G. Evans, Executive Director, Panhandle Animal Shelter and the Home To Home Network and Sara Pizano, DVM, MAApril 9, 2020

Marin Humane and Home To Home show how their programs have impacted their communities and shelter by offering a proactive approach.

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More pets are in foster homes than ever before! Now what?

March 31, 2020

Emergency foster initiatives in response to the COVID-19 pandemic have resulted in more shelter pets placed in foster care than ever before. Shelters in cities like Detroit, Kansas City and Norfolk have cleared their kennels with help from foster caregivers in their communities. Now that the pets are in temporary homes, we need to take the next step: moving them from foster…

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Million Cat Challenge: Spay/Neuter in the COVID Era

Dr. Julie Levy and Aimee St. ArnaudMarch 31, 2020

In this Covid era, we're told to be #SaferAtHome to avoid overloading the human healthcare system. What does that mean for spay/neuter programs?

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NACA releases guidelines for spay/neuter and cat intake amid COVID-19 pandemic

March 27, 2020

The National Animal Care & Control Association (NACA) has released several statements and protocol recommendations for animal shelters amid the COVID-19 pandemic.   We’d like to bring attention to their recommendations for releasing unaltered pets from animal shelters and cat intake protocol, and we strongly encourage shelters to adhere to them.   The U.S. Surgeon General has…

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Use these graphics to recruit foster caregivers

March 26, 2020

Is your animal shelter trying to recruit foster caregivers among the COVID-19 chaos? The Shelter Pet Project has created some light-hearted graphics to help you do just that. Feel free to use the graphics below on your social platforms to spread the word about fostering. (Just right-click, save to your device and then upload to…

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Million Cat Challenge: Socking FIP!

Heather Kennedy, DVMPOSTPONED

Due to the immediate challenges shelter and rescue groups are facing amidst COVID-19, we are postponing this webcast until a future date. For those of you who have already registered, you will not have to re-register and will get an email when a new date is put on the calendar. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Thank you for understanding and above all, thank you for all you are doing for the animals in your care.

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Did you miss our huddles on emergency fostering? Watch them now!

March 24, 2020

Emergency foster care has definitely become a lifeline to many animal shelters as the COVID-19 virus changes how we live our lives. The situation changes on a daily basis (if not hourly), and we know it’s overwhelming to keep up. If there is a silver lining to all of this, it’s that more pets are…

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How to safely get shelter pets into homes right now

March 16, 2020

Emergency foster care is a critical tool for organizations in crisis.  It can increase an organization's capacity, reduce strain on staff and help them better care for animals. It can be implemented by organizations in crisis and by those helping these organizations. Whether you're a government shelter or a rescue organization, emergency foster care can…

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Million Cat Challenge: Create a Road Map for Your Cats

Kate Hurley, DVM, MPVM, Co-founder, Million Cat Challenge and Director, Koret Shelter Medicine Program at UC Davis School of Veterinary MedicineMarch 11, 2020

Life is a highway and the cats are taking over the fast lane. Isn't it time we created a road map?

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Why shelters and rescue groups need to unstop the customer service bottleneck to save more lives

March 5, 2020

Customer service is a crucial component of pet adoption. Which is why we are rerunning this story from June 2017 on the very topic. Treating potential adopters with warmth and positive attitude can go a long way and will help increase lifesaving.  As pet adoption increases in popularity and social cachet, and national campaigns like…

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Apply now for a fabulous animal welfare apprenticeship, #ThanksToMaddie!

March 3, 2020

You don't want to miss the opportunity to attend one of several lifesaving and lifechanging apprenticeships.   Maddie's® Apprenticeship Program is the perfect opportunity to further your lifesaving wisdom through hands-on experience. Shelters and rescue organizations will have the opportunity to not only learn from those teaching the apprenticeship, but from other attendees as well.   You have until Monday, March…

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No Kill. No Harm. An Ethic for the Future of Lifesaving

Kristen Hassen-AuerbachFebruary 2020

Join this presentation and learn how transforming our thinking about animal management and sheltering can lead to more live outcomes, cost-effective solutions for emerging animal management and welfare challenges and a more fully engaged public..

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The Most Important Lessons Learned after 12 Years in the Largest No Kill City in America

Dr. Ellen Jefferson, Executive Director of Austin Pets Alive! and American Pets Alive!February 2020

Join Dr. Ellen Jefferson as she guides you through metrics in outcomes, intakes and the 12 programmatic ingredients to propel lifesaving forward in your community.

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Defining No Kill

Kristen Hassen-Auerbach, Denise Deisler, Rebecca Guinn, Dr. Ellen Jefferson and Teresa JohnsonFebruary 2020

Want to know what the top-performing shelter directors in the country have to say about the term No Kill? Kristen Hassen-Auerbach moderates this panel with expert voices.

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Top 5 Reasons Animals are Dying in Shelters and How to Save Them

Dr. Ellen Jefferson, Kristen Hassen-Auerbach, Denise Deisler, Rebecca Guinn, Ed Jamison, Teresa Johnson, Paula Powell, Cheryl Schneider and Mike WheelerFebruary 2020

Dr. Ellen Jefferson and the Leadership Alive! group share solutions to start saving the lives of the most vulnerable pets in our care.

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Increase Return to Owner Rates in Your Organization

Gina Knepp, National Shelter Engagement Director, Michelson Found Animals FoundationFebruary 2020

Gina Knepp offers solutions and insight into how to start innovative, progressive and proactive programs to increase RTO rates, anywhere.

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Building a Foster-centric Organization

Kristen Hassen-Auerbach, Dr. Sheila Segurson, Kelly Duer and Teresa JohnsonFebruary 2020

What does it mean to be foster centric? Learn from the people who have elevated foster care from a sideline shelter program to a best practice.

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Imagining the Future of Animal Welfare

Kristen Hassen-Auerbach, Rebecca Guinn and Marc PeraltaFebruary 2020

Hear from some of the most influential voices in animal welfare as they imagine what the future holds for homeless pets.

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Model Government Reporting Requirements

Don Bland, Ryan Clinton and Dr. Ellen JeffersonFebruary 2020

In 2019, Austin passed the most comprehensive set of lifesaving laws in the country. A decade of work drove Austin to be the safest city in the country for homeless pets. Can Austin be a model for communities all over the country to implement reporting requirements?

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Marketing the Euthanasia List

Clare Callison, Canine Lifesaving Advisor, Maddie's Lifesaving AcademyFebruary 2020

This session explores why it is important to understand exactly which animals are dying in your municipal shelter and let people help you to get them out alive.

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A Radical Rethinking of the Role of Animal Welfare

February 2020

Inspiring thoughts on what animals deserve from animal welfare advocates, workers and volunteers.

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Pets are Family: Community Programs to Keep Pets Out of the Shelter

Rebecca GuinnMarch 2020

In this presentation, Rebecca Guinn shares innovative ideas for community programs in the country. Leave with ideas to take back to your own community.

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But We're Full: Smart Strategies to Increase Capacity for Dogs

Stephanie Bilbro, Director, Shelter Lifesaving Operations, Austin Pets Alive! and Kate Mellon, Dog Intake Coordinator, Austin Pets Alive!March 2020

Come to this action-driven session to learn how to outsmart and overcome the impulse to kill in a space crisis.

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Keeping Families Together: The Future of Animal Control

Marc Peralta (Moderator), Audra Michael, April Moore, Lee Ann Shenefiel and Christina SnowMarch 2020

Hear how animal protection units around the country are thinking about what's next for animal protection.

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Is Managed Intake Humane?

Sarah Aguilar, Deputy Director, Pima County Animal Care Center (Arizona) and Adam Ricci, Chief of Field Operations, City of Albuquerque Animal Welfare DepartmentMarch 2020

Two animal shelter leaders from sizeable cities present ideas to keep your intake practices focused on serving pets and people.

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When to Bring Them In: Pets That Truly Need Shelter

Mark Sloat, Christina Snow and Mike WheelerMarch 2020

Learn policies and procedures to implement in your organization and take the guesswork out of bringing animals in and streamline and prioritize the safety and wellness of pets and people.

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What If You Can't Return Them? When SNR is Not an Option

Ginny Sims, Executive Director, Southern Pines Animal Shelter (Mississippi)March 2020

Learn how you can safely save all the cats, even when SNR isn't an option.

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We're on the same team: ACOs and the Future of Animal Protection

Audra Michael, Director, Pinal County Animal Care and Control (Texas) and Christina Snow, Animal Protection Manager, Pima County Animal Care Center (Arizona)March 2020

This session focuses on how to manage change amongst Animal Control officers and learning how to build teamwork and camaraderie even when things are different and new.

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Your Notes are Everything: How Officer Notes Impact Animals and Communities

April Moore, Animal Control Manager, City of Baytown Animal Services (Texas) and Adam Ricci, Chief of Field Operations, City of Albuquerque Animal Welfare DepartmentMarch 2020

Learn how to ensure your staff is working to keep accurate & thorough notes to save more animal lives.

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Ensuring Accountability Around Life and Death Decisions

Sarah Aguilar, Emma Davenport, Tawny Hammond, Erin Olsen and Lee Ann ShenefielMarch 2020

Learn how to implement policies that will keep your organization accountable and increase lifesaving across your organization.

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You Just Arrived, Now Go Home! Make Pets Ready for Adoption, Immediately

Clare Callison, Canine Lifesaving Advisor, Maddie's® Lifesaving AcademyMarch 2020

Learn how to fast-track animals and make them available for adoption, foster and transfer, immediately.

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Don't Euthanize That! Building a No Kill Culture in Your Clinic

Dr. Alexis Bardzinski, Medical Director, Austin Pets Alive! and Dr. Jennifer Wilcox, Director of Veterinary Services, Pima Animal Care CenterMarch 2020

Learn how to instill a culture in your clinic that requires all staff to treat every animal with the care and treatment we would expect for our own animals.

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Innovation and Emerging Practices in Adoption Counseling

Clare Callison, Canine Lifesaving Advisor, Maddie's® Lifesaving Academy and Nikki Harris, Chief Operating Officer, Jacksonville Humane SocietyMarch 2020

Learn the most innovative and creative ways to counsel potential adopters and safely increase adoption in your organization.

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Every Cat! Live Outcome Options for All of Them

Monica Frenden, Maddie's® Director of Feline Lifesaving, American Pets Alive!March 2020

In this session, we'll take a look at innovative programs for cats that work, and outdated practices we still need to replace.

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Steal this! Five Free, Easy Foster Strategies to Start Now

Kelly Duer, Foster Care Specialist, Maddie's Fund® and Regan Goins, Dog Care Manager, Austin Pets Alive!March 2020

Everything you need to know to recruit more foster homes, start new programs and send more pets to foster.

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Using Technology to Increase Return to Owner

Gina Knepp, National Shelter Engagement Director, Michelson Found Animals Foundation and Bobby Mann, Communications Manager, City of Sacramento Front Street Animal ShelterMarch 2020

Learn how to increase your organization's RTO and attain a higher return to owner rate through innovative, progressive and proactive programs.

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Power Up Your Fundraising: Donor Management Systems

Maggie Lynch, Director of Development, Austin Pets Alive! and American Pets Alive!April 2020

This presentation covers why adopting a donor management system is important, when you should get one, how to choose a system that fits your organization's needs and what it can do to help your fundraising take off.

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Animal Shelter and Rescue Law and Liability

Ryan Clinton, Attorney, Founder of FixAustin.orgApril 2020

Ryan Clinton teaches the foundations of various animal welfare ordinances and what they mean for your organization.

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Data for Activists: Get the Information You Need

Rory Adams, Content Manager, American Pets Alive!April 2020

Leave this presentation knowing what data you need and how to get it, through the use of public information requests.

presentation

What Qualities Do Emerging Leaders Need to Succeed?

Tawny Hammond, National Director for Leadership Advancement, Best Friends Animal Society and Denise Deisler, Director, Jacksonville Humane SocietyApril 2020

This presentation outlines a foundation for understanding how to cultivate the leadership abilities that will enable your or your staff to reach their highest potential.

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How to Get Your Story Told: Effective Engagement with Local Media

Sarah Collica, Director of Marketing and Communications, Austin Pets Alive! and Nikki Reck, Communications Specialist, Pima Animal Care CenterApril 2020

Learn how to cultivate relationships with news sources and tips and tricks from a marketing director and an Emmy-Award winning newscaster.

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Adopters Are Out There! Market Your Way Out of Space Crises

Teresa Johnson, CEO/Executive Officer and Chief Lifesaving Officer, Kansas City Pet Project and Cheryl Schneider, Director of Animal Services, Williamson County Regional Animal ShelterApril 2020

Learn how adopters can be your biggest lifesavers when your shelter is experiencing space crises.

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Statewide Advocacy

Ryan Clinton, Laura Donahue and Katie JarlApril 2020

Learn from expert advocates as they share their success stories for state-wide efforts to transform to No Kill.

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Moving Through Adversity

Kristen Hassen-Auerbach and Paula PowellApril 2020

This session will shed light on the last 2 years as Paula Powell fights for animals and the people who love them.

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Empowering Volunteers to Help Solve Every Challenge

Monica Dangler, Maddie's Fund® Executive Leadership Fellow, Pima Animal Care CenterApril 2020

Learn how to create a volunteer program that works to the specific needs of your rescue, shelter or community.

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Fundraising for Survival: Lessons for Any Sized Organization, Part 1 of 2

Maggie Lynch, Director of Development, Austin Pets Alive! and American Pets Alive!April 2020

Join fundraising innovator Maggie Lynch and learn how to raise money and how to get scrappy when you need to! (Part 1 of 2)

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Fundraising for Survival: Lessons for Any Sized Organization, Part 2 of 2

Maggie Lynch, Director of Development, Austin Pets Alive! and American Pets Alive!April 2020

Join fundraising innovator Maggie Lynch and learn how to raise money and how to get scrappy when you need to! (Part 2 of 2)

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Public Safety and Lifesaving ARE Compatible

Marc Peralta, Senior Director, National Mission Advancement, Best Friends Animal Society and Ed Jamison, Director, Dallas Animal ServicesApril 2020

Join Marc Peralta and Edward Jamison to hear about the increases and impact they have seen in public safety, when lifesaving takes priority.

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Workshop: Marketing and Branding to Engage Your Community

Kasey Spain and Nikki ReckApril 2020

Learn from shelter branding experts how to identify steps to create and market your No Kill brand to your community.

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How to Use Research to Save Lives

Kevin Horecka, Lead Data Scientist, American Pets Alive! and Walmart TechnologyApril 2020

Learn which research is the most important to know about and what it tells us about animal sheltering.

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Build Resilience and Excitement Around Change

Shelly Thompson, Tawny Hammond, Cheryl Schneider, Teresa Johnson and Lee Ann ShenefielApril 2020

Shelly Thompson moderates this panel to help you get the insider tips on how to cultivate a team of resilience and build strong teams that will rally around you.

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No Kill Advocacy

Ryan Clinton, Attorney and Founder, FixAustin.orgApril 2020

Learn how animal advocates in Austin, Texas, put no-kill on the City's public-policy agenda, and how you can do the same for your community.

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Daily Decision Making and Accountability: Identifying Key Performance Indicators

Mark Sloat, Program Manager, Field Services, Austin Animal Center and Don Bland, Chief Animal Services Officer, Austin Animal CenterApril 2020

Learn what it means to set KPIs and goals to instill an organizational lifesaving philosophy.

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Leading Through Relationships: Friends Who Can Effect Change

Laura Donahue, Tawny Hammond and Katie JarlApril 2020

Learn how to put No Kill on your community's public policy agenda.

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Get Your Boss to Say Yes!: Piloting New Programs in Shelters

Kristen Hassen-Auerbach, Director, Pima Animal Care CenterApril 2020

Follow these steps and be ready to take a new idea to your boss and hear 'yes!'

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The Leader's Guide to Communicating with Stakeholders: How, When and What

Stephanie Bilbro, Director, Shelter Lifesaving Operations, Austin Pets Alive! and Sarah Collica, Director of Marketing and Communications, Austin Pets Alive!April 2020

Learn how to own your narrative and communicate your vision with major stakeholders.

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50 Ways to Keep Pets Out of the Shelter (or maybe 100)

Michael Greenberg, DVM, Director of Outreach Programs, Maddie's Fund® and Lisa Ward, Director of Education, Maddie's FundApril 2020

Learn some amazing ways shelters have come up with to serve the people and pets in their communities in ways other than simply taking them into the shelter

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Our Vet Just Quit

Alexis Bardzinski, DVM and Jennifer Wilcox, DVMApril 2020

Learn how to stretch the resources you do have to save the most lives possible, even in high-stress moments in your shelter or clinic.

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Shelter Medicine with a No-Kill Mindset

Alexis Bardzinski, DVM and Jennifer Wilcox, DVMApril 2020

Learn how to spend the least amount of money possible, to spread the meager wealth of medical resources and save more lives.

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New FeLV Guidelines: 5 Critical Takeaways for Your Shelter

Julie Levy, DVMApril 2020

Gain the knowledge and skills you need to tackle the next frontier in cat lifesaving!

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Managing Big Dogs: The New Horizon

Ellen Jefferson, DVM and Sheila Segurson, DVMApril 2020

In this session you will gain a deeper understanding of lifesaving best practices and innovations to increase lifesaving for big dogs.

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Our Most Vulnerable Creatures: Disease in Puppies and Kittens

Alexis Bardzinski, Casandra Mensing, Jordana Moerbe and Faith WrightApril 2020

Leave this session with the knowledge necessary to fight disease outbreak, without unnecessary deaths or culling of puppies and kittens.

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Neonatal Kittens Q & A

Rosemarie Crawford and Casandra MensingApril 2020

Listen in with expert kitten lifesavers as they answer questions about neonatal kitten care, including disease treatment and prevention.

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Contagious Disease is Not a Death Sentence: How Communities Overcame Outbreaks without Killing

Jennifer Wilcox, DVM and Nipuni Ratnayaka, DVMApril 2020

Leave this session with the knowledge necessary to fight disease outbreak, medically and operationally from veterinarians who have lived through it.

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FeLV: Current Research and Rehoming Practices

Julie Levy, Monica Frenden and Natascha HammanApril 2020

Learn from shelter medicine expert, Dr. Levy and leading cat advocates Monica Frenden and Natascha Hamman, about the most current research and best practices for rehoming FeLV cats.

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Behavior Dogs Alive! Solving Eight Common Behaviors that Happen in Shelters

Mike Kaviani and Regan GoinsApril 2020

Learn practical and manageable solutions for common canine behaviors and increase your lifesaving immediately.

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What Do We Do About Our Long Stays?

Sarah Aguilar, Deputy Director, Pima Animal CareApril 2020

Learn how to analyze length-of-stay data and know what to do with it.

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The First 72 Hours: A Model Intake & Animal Flow Process

Jordana Moerbe, Faith Wright and Dr. Nipuni RatnayakaApril 2020

Join American Pets Alive! as they discuss what should happen within the first 72 hours after an animal enters any sheltering system.

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Model Animal Shelter Hold Period and Rescue Access Laws

Ryan Clinton, Attorney and Founder of FixAustin.orgApril 2020

Learn how to advocate for implementing model laws to save more homeless pets in your community.

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The Future of Animal Shelter Data

Kristen Hassen- Auerbach, Sarah Aguilar and Elena BattlesApril 2020

As sheltering evolves, we face an evolving set of challenges. Learn what experts in the field of animal shelter data collection are suggesting.

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ACOs Gone Wild: Handling Fearful and Fractious Wildlife and Companion Animals

April Moore and Mike WheelerApril 2020

Learn animal control officers' tips and tricks for humanely handling even the stickiest situations with fearful and fractious animals.

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The Foster Express Challenge champions are here! 

February 27, 2020

The Foster Express Challenge has officially reached its destination, and we're thrilled with the outcome of the this journey! Before we get to the 19 grant recipients, it should go without saying that all 132 participating organizations are true champions, with over 8,000 animals going out on field trips across the United States. It may sound a little cheesy, but as Foster Express Challenge…

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#MaddieMonday: Apprenticeship application window coming soon, kitten season resources and more!

February 22, 2020

Happy #MaddieMonday! Below are some highlights you may have missed. Save the date! Maddie’s Apprenticeship Program Application Window is March 2 – 9, 2020 Maddie's® Apprenticeship Program is a new and exciting opportunity for shelters and rescue organizations to share ideas and strategies to improve lifesaving. Through a blended learning experience, both direct hands-on and…

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Million Cat Challenge: Don't steal the cats!

POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

Due to unforeseen circumstances, we have had to postpone this webcast until further notice. We will publish the new webcast date as quickly as possible. For those of you who have already registered, you will not need to re-register and will receive an email once a new date has been set. We apologize for this inconvenience and hope you will stay tuned for updates on this page.

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#FeelGoodFriday: Swipe right for adoptable pets at a mall near you

February 14, 2020

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, adoptable dogs and cats will try their luck at the mall. The Shelter Pet Project‘s #AdoptPureLove campaign is coming to a mall near you in the form of in-mall displays. Similar to dating apps that require you to “swipe-right” for a match, mall patrons will have the opportunity to…

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Have you updated your 2019 Shelter Animals Count data lately? You could win a $5,000 grant!

February 13, 2020

Data plays an important role in the lifesaving of animals. It has enabled our industry to compile a complete picture of the animals entering and leaving shelters.   And with that in mind, the Shelter Animals Count February Data Drive is in full swing! Update your January – December 2019 data now and enter to win part of $20,000…

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Million Cat Challenge webcast: No catnapping!

February 11, 2020

Updated 2/11/2020: This webcast has been postponed until further notice. We will update once a new date is selected.  It happens. Someone finds a litter of kittens, scoops them up and takes them to the animal shelter, not realizing that the mama cat may have just left them to get some food. Naturally, the shelter…

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#MaddieMonday: How data and transport is saving lives, American Pets Alive! Conference and more!

February 10, 2020

Happy #MaddieMonday! Below are some highlights you may have missed. How one shelter is using data and transport to save more lives In 2017 when the Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA (CASPCA) began to consider regularly transporting pets in from other areas, they started by looking at the data. "I knew I wanted to reach shelters where the…

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Headed to the American Pets Alive! Conference? Say hi to our Maddie’s Fund crew at these sessions

February 4, 2020

If you're headed to beautiful Austin, TX for the American Pets Alive! Conference, we have a strong Maddie's Fund® showing and we hope you will seek us out! Our busiest of the bunch, Foster Specialist Kelly Duer will be participating in four panels or roundtables. If you're looking to really up your foster game and make…

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How to keep cat medical costs down in a shelter

January 16, 2020

Saving your shelter money starts from the moment the cat steps inside the shelter, says Monica Frenden, Director of Feline Lifesaving at American Pets Alive! Spend a couple of extra minutes giving them a quality intake exam and then move them to adoptions immediately (or wherever they are going). A quality intake exam includes weight check, FVRCP, microchip and…

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New AAFP FeLV/FIV Guidelines: 5 critical takeaways for your shelter

Julie Levy, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, DABVPJanuary 16, 2020

Confused about navigating FeLV and FIV in shelter cats? This free, pop-up webinar is designed to bring you au courant in less than 30 minutes.

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Do you speak cat? Learn how with our free, online Feline Communications course!

January 14, 2020

This post was originally posted in April of 2017. Our Feline Communications Course was the TOP visited page on our website in 2019 and with kitten season quickly approaching, we wanted to share it again! Join the thousands of people who have learned to speak cat! Ever wanted to 'talk to the animals' like Dr.…

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Ergonomics for Shelter Veterinarians

Sara White, DVM, MSc, Founder, ErgovetDecember 11, 2019

Due to unforeseen circumstances, we're rescheduling this webcast for Wednesday, December 11 at 12pm PST / 3pm EST. We apologize for this inconvenience and invite you to register for the new date.

Working with animals can be intensely physical work. Many veterinarians experience musculoskeletal discomfort (MSD) related to their work, and good physical ergonomics can improve this situation. Ergonomics includes much more than the gadgets that many associate with the term or keeping a "good posture" while you work.

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Today is Celebrate Shelter Pets Day!

December 5, 2019

Pets are one of the best (if not the best) parts of the internet, so why not shout it from the rooftops how much you love them? Today’s the perfect day to do it – it’s Celebrate Shelter Pets Day! This year marks the 10th anniversary of Celebrate Shelter Pets Day. Started in 2009 by The…

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Spreading the #FalalaFoster cheer is a job for everyone

December 3, 2019

This blog post was originally published in November 2016. We are thrilled that more and more organizations have continued to try short-term fostering! Looking to give back in a meaningful way this holiday season, while bringing some magic into your heart and home? You're in luck, because ’tis the season to #FalalaFoster, even for first-timers!…

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Instead of Black Friday, make it Pet Friday

November 26, 2019

Instead of hitting the mall the Friday after Thanksgiving (also known as Black Friday), why don't you stay home or hit the park with your pet? We affectionately refer to this day as #PetFriday, which we declared back in 2015, after being inspired by REI's #OptOutside campaign.   So what will you do with your best pal? Eat…

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After huge success with Thanksgiving dog fostering, Ohio animal shelter is ready to do it again for Christmas and New Year!

November 19, 2019

This post originally ran on December 13, 2017. With Thanksgiving just around the corner and other holidays to follow, we thought this would be the perfect opportunity to reshare what Humane Society of Delaware County (HSDC) in Ohio learned about short-term fostering.  What do you do when your shelter offers short-term “holiday” dog-fostering over Thanksgiving, and nearly…

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Return to Field you say? Tell that to my community/commissioners!

Kate Hurley, DVM, MPVM Co-founder, Million Cat Challenge and Director, Koret Shelter Medicine Program @UC Davis School of Veterinary MedicineNovember 13, 2019

Does your county worry about the optics of having ACOs putting cats back where they came from? In this webinar, we invite you to partake in a little old-fashioned role reversal where YOU get to be on the other side of the counter.

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#MaddieMonday: Apply for a Maddie’s Apprenticeship Program, nationwide fostering study and more!

November 11, 2019

Apply today! Maddie's® Apprenticeship Program application deadline is November 22, 2019. Maddie's® Apprenticeship Program is an exciting opportunity for shelters and rescue organizations to share ideas and strategies to improve lifesaving. Through a blended learning experience, both direct hands-on and online, organizations looking to improve their practices will benefit from the wisdom shared by well…

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#MaddieMonday: All aboard The Foster Express Challenge, apprenticeship application updates and more!

November 4, 2019

All aboard The Foster Express Challenge!  Expedite your lifesaving this holiday season with short-term foster care. We will be awarding $55,000 in grants to shelters across the United States! Registration closes Friday, November 8th.  UPDATE: The application window for Maddie's® Apprenticeship Program opens on November 11th (not today)!  Maddie's® Apprenticeship Program is an…

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Playing with Your Dog- Part One

August 2019

Who doesn't like to play? Dogs play because it's fun, but it also helps them to develop coordination, strength, and confidence.

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Communicating urgency without negativity in emergency fostering

October 24, 2019

Emergency foster care initiatives can be a game-changer when an organization or one of its partners is in crisis. Quickly sending pets to foster homes at these crucial times can save lives, but the messaging can be tricky. Emergency foster pleas need to be urgent enough to motivate the community to act, but too much…

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Lifesaving Protocol for At Risk Dogs: Part 2

Kristen Hassen-Auerbach, Director of Animal Services Pima Animal Care Center, Tucson, Arizona & Sheila Segurson, DVM, DACVB, Director of Research, Maddie's FundOctober 24, 2019

Part 2: The Challenges of Saving Medium and Large Dogs in Shelters. This webcast is the second in a two-part series but can be viewed on its own and will be useful to shelter leadership at all levels, volunteers, advocates and anyone else who struggles to save big dogs' lives.

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What To Do If Your New Dog Is Aggressive

August 2019

Aggression is a form of communication. Keep pets and people safe by preventing aggression from occurring.

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What to Do if Your New Dog Won't Eat

August 2019

For the first day or two after arriving at a new home, a dog may not eat. Lack of appetite can have multiple causes, such as environmental change, stress, depression, illness, food allergy or a change in food.

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Why Train Your Dog?

August 2019

Training your dog to respond to cues establishes a common language that will help you communicate with your dog. Having a common language will make it easier for you both to bond.

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Lifesaving Protocol for At Risk Dogs: Part 1

Kristen Hassen-Auerbach, Director of Animal Services Pima Animal Care Center, Tucson, ArizonaOctober 23, 2019

Part 1: What is the Lifesaving Protocol for At Risk Dogs? This webcast is the first in a two-part series but can be viewed on its own and will be useful to shelter leadership at all levels, volunteers, advocates and anyone else who struggles to save big dogs' lives.

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Teaching Your Dog to Say Please

August 2019

A dog who sits every time they want something (e.g. attention from people) is much easier to live with than a dog that hasn't learned to say please and jumps up or barks when they want something.

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Teaching Your Dog to Settle

August 2019

Goal: Teach your dog to settle down and be quiet when you cue them to "settle". With this cue, your dog can readjust their body but must stay lying down in one place.

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Teaching Your Dog to Sit

August 2019

Goal: Teach your dog to put their rear end on the floor when asked to "sit".

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Teaching Your Dog to Touch

August 2019

Goal: The cue "touch" (hand targeting) directs your dog to target your palm with their nose.

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Teaching Your Dog to Walk on a Loose Leash

August 2019

Goal: Teach your dog how to change their stride to stay close to you on a loose leash without pulling. It will take time, patience, and consistency.

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Dog - The Right Rewards

August 2019

Reward-based training is humane, fun and helps you build a communication style with your dog. Reward based training also bonds your dog more closely to you and your family.

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Ways To Train Your Dog

August 2019

The best way to train your dog is by using humane methods that focus on rewarding dogs for good behavior. Here are few ways to train without pain or fear.

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How to Handle the Leash

August 2019

A leash is a great management and training aid for your dog. The leash keeps your dog safe, preventing your dog from running away from you and into traffic, chasing other dogs and small animals, and jumping on people.

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Reducing Stress During Handling

August 2019

Some dogs might like to be petted, but get stressed when you try to brush them, clean their ears, and/or hold their paws. Be patient with your new dog and teach them how to feel safe around you.

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Reducing Your Dog's Stress

August 2019

Review Assessing Your Dog's Stress for behavioral and body language indicators of stress. You can help your dog by modifying the environment slightly and the way you and others behave around them to help them cope with stress.

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Scent Games for Dogs

August 2019

Dogs rely on their sense of smell to identify the world. Imagine how much fun you and your dog will have if you encourage your dog to find stuff you need or a game to keep them occupied.

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Teaching Your Dog To Stay

August 2019

Goal: Teach your dog to remain in a sit, down or stand with the cue "stay." When and where to use "stay".

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Teaching Your Dog to Come When Called

August 2019

Goal: Teach your dog to come close to you when you give the cue "come."

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Teaching Your Dog to Down

August 2019

Goal: Teach your dog lie down on the ground when you give the cue "down."

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Teaching Your Dog To Drop It

August 2019

Goal: Teach your dog to drop or let go of objects in their mouth with the cue "drop it."

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Teaching Your Dog to Go to Bed or Mat

August 2019

Goal: Teach your dog how to go to their bed or mat and lie down.

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Teaching Your Dog to Leave It

August 2019

Goal: Teach your dog to ignore things you don't want them to have or pay attention to with the cue "leave it."

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Introducing Your New Dog to Your Dogs

August 2019

Dog relationships are like people relationships. Some dogs will become playmates, others will enjoy the companionship of another dog and others just aren't interested in other dogs.

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Playing with Your Dog- Part Two

August 2019

Playing is fun, but it can also relieve stress, provide exercise, teach self-control and instill confidence. Follow the tips below to encourage your dog to play.

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Preparing Your Home for a New Dog

August 2019

Before bringing a dog home, prepare carefully. There's much to consider, including what rules to set for your new dog, what equipment you'll need and what questions to ask the shelter/rescue group, foster coordinator or your veterinarian.

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Introducing Your Dog to New Dogs

August 2019

Introductions between your new dog and unfamiliar dogs can be easy, but other times it may be challenging. The best results come from being slow and careful.

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Introducing Your New Dog to Cats

August 2019

Introducing a new dog to a resident cat can be challenging and should be done slowly and carefully. With time, many dogs and cats can learn to coexist peacefully, become playmates and even friends!

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Introducing Your New Dog to People

August 2019

If your dog enjoys meeting new people, follow the tips below to help those greetings be successful.

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Improving How Your Dog Responds to Cues

August 2019

Incorporate the 3 D's (distractions, distance and duration) into training each cue into a well trained behavior. Here are ways you can help your dog learn how to respond to cues the way you want them to!

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Think outside the box to get a cat to urinate inside the litter box

October 10, 2019

This guest post is written by Stefanie Sacripante, Director of NoVa Cats Advocacy, Inc. Sacripante has been using social media to give voice to overlooked adult cats in shelters, rescues, and foster homes in the Northern Virginia region since 2014. When cats urinate in places other than the litterbox and once medical issues are ruled…

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Getting to Know Your New Dog - Part 1: Introductions to Your Home and Family

August 2019

Becoming a member of a new family, moving to a new home, and making new friends can be an exciting and memorable time for your dog, but it can also be stressful. Here are some tips to help ease the transition.

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Getting to Know Your New Dog - Part 2 Expanding Your New Dog's Horizons

August 2019

Once your new dog is comfortable with your home and family, you can begin to slowly introduce them to new people and environments. Always pay attention to your dog's body language, as new experiences can sometimes be stressful.

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Getting Your Dog's Attention

August 2019

Teaching your dog to make eye contact with you is a great foundation behavior. If your dog is making eye contact and paying attention to you they are less likely to pull on leash, bark at people or dogs, or sniff and eat things off the ground.

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Helping Your Dog Adjust to a New Home

August 2019

Your new dog might need a few weeks to months to completely adjust to their new home, depending on the new environment and the dog's personality. This is normal - it's important for you to respond appropriately and help your new dog adjust.

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Maddie’s Shelter Compass is like hiring an extra employee

October 8, 2019

Ever feel like you have too much to do and don't know where to start? Whether it's cleaning out your closet or saving the lives of more pets, we can relate. Often times we end up not starting a task because we simply don't have the time to figure out a plan.  While we can't organize your closet for you, we can help…

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Caring for Exotic Pets in the Shelter

Lena DeTar, DVM, DACVPM, DABVP Assistant Clinical Professor, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine October 3, 2019

In this free webcast, Assistant Clinical Professor at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine Dr. Lena DeTar will give practitioners of shelter medicine the tools they'll need to address the welfare of small mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians that may come into the shelter.

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The Million Cat Challenge: Interventions and observations associated with survival of orphaned shelter kittens undergoing treatment for diarrhea

Jody Gookin, DVM and Sandra Strong, DVMOctober 2, 2019

In this free 30-minute webcast, Drs. Jody Gookin and Sandra Strong provide information for veterinarians and medical support staff on survival statistics and novel treatments for orphan kitten diarrhea.

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Children and Dogs - How to Keep Interactions Safe

August 2019

Children and dogs can be great, lifelong friends, but it is up to us as their guardians to keep their interactions safe. Children may not be able to read a dog's stressed body language, and injuries can occur.

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Dogs Riding in Cars - Safe Transport

August 2019

Many dogs need time to get used to car rides; it should be done slowly and carefully. Here are some tips for traveling safely.

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Food-Dispensing Toys for Dogs

August 2019

By offering your dogs meals in a food-dispensing toy, your dog has something to play with, instead of your furniture or favorite shoes and they get exercise.

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Shelter dog behavior assessments not reliable, reports ASPCA

September 26, 2019

This post originally ran on June 28, 2018. We wanted to share again because we think this topic is very important.  An in-shelter behavior assessment is not a reliable way to determine whether dogs will or won’t be safe in adoptive homes, reports a new ASPCA position statement. Instead, such evaluations need to be based…

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Crate Training Your Dog or Puppy

August 2019

Crate training can help your dog in many ways, such as providing them with a safe place to rest when unsupervised, keeps them from chewing human belongings, and aids in potty training.

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Dog - Basic Training - Level 2

August 2019

Your dog knows several basic commands. You can start using these skills to teach more advanced concepts to your dog.

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Join us for an array of lifesaving webcasts this fall!

September 24, 2019

As you enjoy cooler temperatures, we hope you will join us for a wide variety of webcasts. From managing diarrhea in kittens, to making hard changes to lifesaving protocols for at-risk shelter dogs, we have something for everyone this fall. Each webcast will be available to view on-demand after the live webcast, so don't fret…

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Cat Pheromones

August 2019

Cats communicate through natural messages released in the air called pheromones. Pheromones for cats are commercially available and can have many positive behavioral and physiological effects.

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Reducing Outdoor Stressors for Indoor Cats

August 2019

Seeing the outdoors can be entertaining and engaging for an indoor cat, or it may cause stress. Because even the sight of another cat, when not properly addressed, can evolve into serious problems, it is important to assess and tackle any change in your cat's behavior right away.

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Cats and Kids

August 2019

Cats can greatly enrich your children's lives and teach them many valuable lessons about the human-animal bond. There are a few things to consider to make this endeavor a success for your family as well as for your cat, and to ensure happy and safe interactions for all.

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Assessing Your Dog's Stress

August 2019

It's important to recognize signs of stress in your new dog as you get to know them. Some dogs will adjust to stressful situations more easily than others.

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Dog - Basic Training - Level 1

August 2019

Basic Dog Training - Level 1

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Adopting a Fearful Cat

August 2019

Most cats are fearful at first in a new environment and will adjust in time. However, if fear isn't addressed, it can develop into serious behavioral and health problems.

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Cat - Hiding Behavior

August 2019

Hiding behavior can be a normal in cats and give them a sense of security. Cats can hide to rest, to enjoy their favorite spot, or if they are scared.

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Keeping Your Cat Happy Indoors

August 2019

It is important to provide enrichment for cats living indoors. Enrichment makes the indoors more exciting and provides an outlet for excessive energy.

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Should I Let my Cat Outside?

August 2019

Indoor cats and outdoor cats encounter different challenges and risks. Whatever your choice is, it's important to keep your cat healthy and safe.

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How Can I Keep Cats Out of My Yard?

August 2019

Seeing the outdoors can be entertaining and engaging for an indoor cat, or it may cause stress. If you only have one indoor cat, observe carefully to see if unfamiliar outdoor cats are visible and causing them stress.

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Cat Aggression Toward a Dog when Outdoors

August 2019

Aggression toward a dog when being outdoors can be a normal survival response. However, always take any aggressive episodes seriously.

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Cat - Afraid of Anything New

August 2019

Fear is common and a perfectly normal, innate, and adaptive behavior in all animals. However, if fear isn't addressed, it can develop into serious behavioral and health problems.

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Cat - Afraid of Noises

August 2019

Fear is common and a perfectly normal, innate, and adaptive behavior in all animals. However, if fear isn't addressed, it can develop into serious behavioral and health problems.

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Introducing Your Cat to New People

August 2019

Have a plan in place for when you have visitors and want them to meet your cat. Make sure to balance your guest's enthusiasm with your cat's needs.

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Introducing Cats and Dogs

August 2019

With time, many cats and dogs can live together in peace. The key is to have carefully managed introductions. Don't rush your pets into anything that they are not comfortable with.

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Introducing Cats to Other Cats

August 2019

Some cat-to-cat introductions go smoothly, while others may take weeks or months before the cats co-exist with each other. The best way to do this is to go as slowly as necessary, and make every interaction a positive one.

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Introducing Cats and Kids

August 2019

The first few days in a new home are often quite stressful for any cat and, on the other hand, very exciting for a child! Make sure to balance your child's enthusiasm for spending time with your kitty with their need for adjustment and alone time.

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Helping a Shy or Fearful Cat Adjust to Your Home

August 2019

Fear is common and a perfectly normal, innate, and adaptive behavior in all animals. Be proactive in managing your cat's fearfulness or shyness.

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Cat - Fear of New People

August 2019

Fear of unfamiliar people is common and can be seen in all cats. Cats may need some time to adjust to a new home and new people.

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Cat - Afraid of Children

August 2019

Children can be overwhelming to cats. Fear in the presence of children is common. However, if fear isn't addressed, it can develop into serious behavioral and health problems.

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Cat - Afraid of Familiar Dogs

August 2019

Fear of a dog in the same household can be a symptom of an underlying problem. Always take it seriously.

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Cat - Afraid of New Dogs

August 2019

Fear of an unfamiliar dog is common, but can be a symptom of an underlying problem. Always take it seriously.

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Cats - Afraid of Familiar Cats

August 2019

Fear of other cats in the household can be a normal and adaptive behavior, but can lead to more serious problems. Always take it seriously.

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Cats - Afraid of New Cats

August 2019

Fear of unfamiliar cats can be a normal and adaptive behavior, but can lead to more serious problems. Always take it seriously.

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Cat - Aggression when Disturbed by a Cat while Resting or Sleeping

August 2019

Aggression toward another cat when disturbed while sleeping can be a normal startle or even survival response. However, always take any aggressive episodes seriously.

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Why is My Cat Afraid of Me?

August 2019

A newly adopted or fostered cat, or even a cat that has been in the home for a while, can be scared of you for various reasons.

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Cats Who Are Afraid of People They Know

August 2019

Some cats behave fearfully even in the presence of familiar people. They may feel scared if they can't get away from the person when being approached.

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Cat - Aggression when Chased by a Cat

August 2019

Aggression toward another cat when being chased can be normal survival behavior or it can be a symptom of an underlying problem. However, always take aggressive episodes seriously.

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Cat - Aggression Toward Dogs During Play

August 2019

Play between cats and dogs can be fun for both species. However, cats that have not been socialized with dogs from an early age will almost always behave defensively.

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Cat - Aggression During Play with Other Cats

August 2019

When dealing with aggression between two cats that appear to be playing, it is important to understand that play behavior is natural, especially in kittens.

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Cat - Aggression when Disturbed by a Dog while Resting or Sleeping

August 2019

Aggression towards a dog when disturbed while sleeping can be a normal startle or even a survival response. However, always take any aggressive episodes seriously.

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Cat Aggression When Approached By People

August 2019

Cats don't speak our language, so often aggression is the only way they can communicate to us that they are uncomfortable. Fear is the most common reason for aggression./p>

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Managing Fear Aggression in Cats

August 2019

Fear is a debilitating feeling and can lead to very serious behavioral issues in cats. It is an underlying reason for aggression and always needs to be taken seriously.

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Cat Aggression when Approached by a Dog

August 2019

Aggression towards a dog when approached can be a normal survival response. However, always take it seriously as it can lead to serious fights and injuries.

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Cat - Aggression when Approached by a Cat

August 2019

Aggression towards another cat when being approached can be a symptom of an underlying problem. However, always take aggressive episodes seriously.

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Cat - Aggression when Reprimanded

August 2019

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Cat - Aggression when Chased by a Dog

August 2019

Aggression towards a dog when being chased can be a normal survival response. However, always take aggressive episodes seriously.

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Cat Aggression Toward New Cats

August 2019

Aggression between unfamiliar cats most frequently occurs when introducing new cats in a home, or if unfamiliar cats appear outside your home.

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Cat Aggression Towards Familiar Dogs

August 2019

Aggression towards a dog in the same household can be a symptom of an underlying problem. Always take it seriously.

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Cat Aggression Toward New Dogs

August 2019

Aggression toward a new dog can lead to serious injuries to the dog, but also to the cat and should always be taken seriously.

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Cat - Aggression when Touched or Petted

August 2019

When cats display aggression when touched or petted, it can stem from many different motivations. It always needs to be taken seriously.

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Cat - Aggression when Brushed or Groomed

August 2019

When cats display aggression when brushed or groomed, it can stem from many different motivations. It always needs to be taken seriously.

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Cats - Overstimulation

August 2019

Many cats exhibit overstimulation or petting-induced aggression. Cats vary enormously as to the extent and duration to which they like petting or handling.

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Grooming an Aggressive Cat

August 2019

It is very important to be cautious when grooming an aggressive cat. Injuries from scratching or biting can be severe and serious.

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Cat Bites to People

August 2019

Aggression is a serious behavioral issue in cats. It can result in severe injury to humans, so any cat bite to a person needs to be addressed.

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Dog or Cat Bitten by a Cat

August 2019

Aggression is a serious behavioral issue. Cat bites can lead to severe injuries, and hence any bite needs to be taken seriously.

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Cat Aggression Toward Caretaker

August 2019

It is important to understand why cats act aggressively toward us and address it so that the relationship between you and your cat can start to blossom.

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Cat Aggression Toward Familiar People

August 2019

It is important to address aggression towards family members early. Even mild forms of aggression, when not properly addressed, can evolve into serious aggression.

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Cat Aggression Toward New People

August 2019

Many cats are not comfortable around strangers, or certain strangers in the home. Aggression is a serious behavioral issue in cats and is a symptom of an underlying problem.

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Cat Aggression Toward Children

August 2019

It is very important to ensure happy and safe interactions between kids and cats. Cat aggression towards children is particularly dangerous.

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Cat Aggression Toward Familiar Cats

August 2019

Aggression between cats who live together is fairly common. Some fights are obvious, and some can lead to serious injury. Other fights are more subtle, and you may not immediately notice them happening.

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Excessive Meowing

August 2019

Cats can be very vocal, and certain cats are more vocal than others. Cats learn to use vocalization to communicate with humans.

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Why is My Cat Meowing?

August 2019

Cats can be very vocal, and certain cats are more vocal than others. Cats can learn to use vocalization to communicate with humans.

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Meowing When Left Alone

August 2019

It is a common belief that cats are not social. This is not true! Newer studies have shown that some cats crave human social contact just as much as dogs might.

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How Can I Stop My Cat From Meowing Too Much?

August 2019

Cats can learn to communicate with us, just as we learn to communicate with them. Cats meow or vocalize to get our attention, or express discomfort or pain.

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Continuous Meowing or Vocalization

August 2019

Each cat has their own personality. Some cats are more vocal than others, and most cats can learn to vocalize to communicate with humans.

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Cats - Destructive Scratching

August 2019

Cats are loved for their companionship, playfulness, and fun they provide to a home. However, when people and cats live together, some natural feline behaviors can lead to destruction of property and injury to guardians.

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Cat Aggression Toward People

August 2019

Aggression is a serious behavioral issue in cats, and unfortunately it is not uncommon. Aggression is a symptom of an underlying problem and always needs to be taken seriously.

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Finding Professional Behavioral Help for Cats

August 2019

These days behavioral advice can be only an internet search away, but how do you know you are getting the best advice for your specific situation by a qualified expert?

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Cat - Aggression During Play

August 2019

The term "play aggression" can be misleadingas it can lookslike intense playand occur in cats of any age. Cats with play aggression can target other cats, dogs,or even people in the household.

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Playing With Your Cat

August 2019

Play isn't just for kittens; adult cats enjoy play too! Play strengthens your bond with your cat and provides them with needed mental stimulation and physical exercise.

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Appetite Issues in Cats

August 2019

Reasons for a poor or no appetite in cats include stress, illness, and even just a preference for a tastier food. Changes in how your cat is fed, such as location or type of food or food bowl, can affect how much your cat will eat. Changes in environment or people/pets in the environment can also cause a cat to eat less or stop eating. Appetite issues can also be caused by a medical condition. A poor appetite for longer than a couple of days can lead to serious health issues, even if the initial cause was not due to a medical problem.

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Appetite Issues in Dogs

August 2019

Reasons for a poor or no appetite in dogs include stress, illness, and even just a preference for a tastier food. Changes in how your dog is fed, such as location or type of food or food bowl, can affect how much your dog will eat. Changes in environment or people/pets in the environment can also cause a dog to eat less or stop eating. Appetite issues can also be caused by a medical condition.

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Bringing Your New Cat Home

August 2019

Introducing a cat into a new home can be easy or extremely stressful. A cat's normal reaction to a new place can be to run and hide. Others are curious about the new home right away and want to explore as soon as they exit the carrier. If the cat is allowed to adapt to a new environment at her own speed, everything generally works out. Some cats take minutes or hours; other will take days, weeks, or even months to get comfortable. The length of time needed to adjust to a new territory will depend on the cat's temperament, past experiences, and whether there are other animals present. A normal adjustment period usually takes one to two weeks.

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Cat Not Defecating

August 2019

If you don't find feces in the litter box there can be a few reasons, and we will help you trouble shoot.

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Cat Not Urinating

August 2019

If you don't find urine in the litter box there can be a few reasons, and we will help you trouble shoot.

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Cat Toys and Cat Play

August 2019

There are a variety of cat toys on the market, including food and puzzle toys and toys that bounce, flutter, or move in a way that entices the cat to chase. The best toys for active play are string or wand toys that look like feathers or streamers or a toy dandling from a fishing pole. Even a peacock feather makes a great interactive toy due to its length. With timid cats it's best to stay away from large or noisy toys. Some cats are more attracted to things in the air while others prefer staying closer to the ground. Knowing whether your cat prefers air or ground play hunting will be an advantage, and you may have to try several different toys and rotate them frequently before you find the ones your cat likes best.

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Coughing in Cats

August 2019

An occasional cough can be normal for a cat, actually helping clear the airway. If your cat's coughing is mild and there are no other symptoms such as nasal discharge or lethargy, monitoring him/her for the next couple of days may be all that is needed.

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Coughing in Dogs

August 2019

An occasional cough can be normal for a dog, actually helping clear the airway. If your dog's coughing is infrequent and there are no other symptoms such as nasal discharge or lethargy, monitoring him/her for the next couple of days may be all that is needed. Keeping your dog separate from other dogs is recommended until a veterinarian gives the okay, since he/she may have a contagious upper respiratory infection.

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Diarrhea in Cats

August 2019

Some soft stool or diarrhea in cats is common with dietary changes or the stress of adapting to a new environment. If your cat has had a small amount of diarrhea once or twice, and if no other symptoms are present (e.g., vomiting, lethargy, not eating) it is acceptable to be patient and continue to monitor him/her. Continued, frequent or large amounts of diarrhea can be a sign of something more serious and could lead to dehydration and weight loss.

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Diarrhea in Dogs

August 2019

Some soft stool or diarrhea in dogs is common with dietary changes or the stress of adapting to a new environment. If your dog has had a small amount of diarrhea once or twice, and if no other symptoms are present (e.g., vomiting, lethargy, not eating) it is acceptable to be patient and continue to monitor him/her. Continued, frequent or large amounts of diarrhea can be a sign of something more serious and could lead to dehydration and weight loss.

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Difficult or Labored Breathing in Cats

August 2019

Difficult or labored breathing is a very serious and potentially life threatening emergency that requires immediate medical attention.

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Difficult or Labored Breathing in Dogs

August 2019

Difficult or labored breathing is a very serious and potentially life threatening emergency that requires immediate medical attention.

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Dogs with Difficulty Urinating

August 2019

Dogs that are having problems peeing often ask to go outside to use the bathroom more than normal. They are usually peeing small, frequent amounts, or they cannot pee at all. They might have pee accidents in the house. Straining to pee, no matter the amount of urine output, is never normal. Peeing should be a comfortable and effortless process, with a steady and adequate amount of urine.

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Ear Problems in Cats

August 2019

Ear infections aren't common in cats as they are in dogs, but can be very frustrating when they are present. Cats with ear problems usually have ear mites and might scratch their ears, have smelly ears, and/or shake their heads.

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Ear Problems in Dogs

August 2019

Ear problems are fairly common in dogs, especially dogs with floppy ears. Dogs with ear problems might scratch their ears, have smelly ears, and/or shake their heads.

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Eye Discharge in Cats

August 2019

Eye discharge in cats is a symptom rather than a disease itself, and has a variety of causes. Eye discharge may be clear and runny, or it may be green/yellow and thick. If your cat's symptoms are mild and he/she has a normal appetite and energy level, and does not have any other symptoms of illness, it is okay to monitor him/her for a few days.

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Eye Discharge in Dogs

August 2019

Eye discharge in dogs is a symptom rather than a disease itself, and has a variety of causes. Eye discharge may be clear and runny, or it may be green/yellow and thick. If your dog's symptoms are mild and he/she has a normal appetite and energy level, and does not have any other symptoms of illness, it is okay to monitor him/her for a few days.

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Fleas in Cats

August 2019

Fleas are tiny, wingless, blood-sucking insects that live off the blood of their hosts. The fleas biting the skin can cause cats to scratch, bite, lick, and chew at themselves. Fleas can also cause an allergic reaction in some cats. They can become extremely itchy and start losing their fur and getting secondary bacterial infections on the skin (scabs and sores). Heavy flea infestation in cats can lead to death from anemia (blood loss). If your cat's gums are very pale, or if he/she is lethargic/weak, he/she may need emergency veterinary care.

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Fleas in Dogs

August 2019

Fleas are tiny, wingless, blood-sucking insects that live off the blood of their hosts. The fleas biting the skin can cause dogs to scratch, bite, lick, and chew at themselves. Fleas can also cause an allergic reaction in some dogs. They can become extremely itchy and start losing their fur and are at risk for getting secondary bacterial infections on the skin (scabs and sores). Heavy flea infestation in dogs can lead to death from anemia (blood loss). If your dog's gums are very pale, or if he/she is lethargic/weak, he/she may need emergency veterinary care.

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Inappropriate Elimination in Cats

August 2019

If your cat is urinating or defecating outside the litter box, we certainly understand your frustration. Luckily, this is a treatable condition in most cases. A medical exam, as well as a few simple changes can help to re-establish proper litter box use.

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Intestinal Parasites in Cats

August 2019

Intestinal parasites can cause diarrhea, weight loss, rough hair coat, and/or a pot-bellied appearance. Vomiting can also be seen, sometimes with worms in the vomit. Sometimes cats with intestinal parasites show no signs at all.

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Intestinal Parasites in Dogs

August 2019

Intestinal parasites can cause diarrhea, weight loss, rough hair coat, and/or a pot-bellied appearance. Vomiting can also be seen, sometimes with worms in the vomit. Sometimes dogs with intestinal parasites show no signs at all.

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Lethargy in Cats

August 2019

Lethargy is a common term for weakness and lack of energy. This is a vague description of a symptom, but it occurs often with many illnesses in cats. Lethargy can range from slight (e.g., not as playful as usual), to moderate (e.g., not interested in play, sleeping more than usual), to extreme (e.g., barely moving, difficulty holding head up).

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Lethargy in Dogs

August 2019

Lethargy is a common term for lack of energy and weakness. This is a vague description of a symptom, but it occurs often with many illnesses in dogs. Lethargy can range from slight (e.g., not as playful as usual), to moderate (e.g., not interested in play, sleeping more than usual), to extreme (e.g., barely moving, difficulty holding head up).

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Limping in Cats

August 2019

Limping (lameness) in cats can be subtle or very obvious. You may see your cat holding up his/her paw or hopping on three legs from time to time, or you may see your cat consistently not putting any weight on his/her paw at all. Severe lameness needs prompt veterinary attention, as your cat is likely very uncomfortable and in need of medication to relieve pain. Do not give your cat any pain medication without consulting with a veterinarian, as some medications are toxic to cats.

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Limping in Dogs

August 2019

Limping (lameness) in dogs can be subtle or very obvious. You may see your dog holding up his/her paw or hopping on three legs from time to time, or you may see your dog consistently not putting any weight on his/her paw at all. Severe lameness needs prompt veterinary attention, as your dog is likely very uncomfortable and in need of medication to relieve pain. Do not give your dog any pain medication without consulting with a veterinarian.

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Litter Box Problems

August 2019

If your cat is urinating or defecating outside the litter box, we certainly understand your frustration. Luckily, this is a treatable condition in most cases. A medical exam, as well as a few simple changes can help to re-establish proper litter box use.

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Litter Box Tips

August 2019

If your cat is urinating or defecating outside the litter box, we certainly understand your frustration. Luckily, this is a treatable condition in most cases. A medical exam, as well as a few simple changes can help to re-establish proper litter box use.

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Recommended Reading for Cats

August 2019

There are a variety of cat related books on the market, and it can be overwhelming to choose. This list provides you with reading recommendations, but it is not by any means a complete list.

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Ringworm in Cats

August 2019

Ringworm (dermatophytosis) is a common skin disorder in cats that is highly contagious to other pets and to people. Children and immunocompromised individuals (e.g. HIV/AIDS patients, cancer patients, patients on immunosuppressive medications) are especially susceptible to ringworm. This website addresses ringworm from a public health standpoint: CDC: Healthy Pets Healthy People: Ringworm

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Scratching Posts

August 2019

Cats scratch on things for two reasons: to shed their claws and to mark their territory. To save your furniture from damage, you need to provide your cat with a scratching post or two and teach him how to use it.

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Seizures in Cats

August 2019

Most seizures last one to two minutes and resolve on their own. If your cat has a seizure for more than two minutes, and/or if there is more than one seizure observed, your cat needs emergency veterinary care.

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Seizures in Dogs

August 2019

Most seizures last one to two minutes and resolve on their own. If your dog has a seizure for more than two minutes, and/or if there is more than one seizure observed, your dog needs emergency veterinary care.

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Sneezing and Nasal Discharge in Cats

August 2019

If your cat's sneezing and/or nasal discharge is mild and he/she has a normal appetite and energy level, it is okay to monitor him/her for the first couple of days. Keeping your cat separate from other cats is recommended until a veterinarian gives the okay, since he/she may have a contagious upper respiratory infection.

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Sneezing and Nasal Discharge in Dogs

August 2019

If your dog's sneezing and/or nasal discharge is mild and he/she has a normal appetite and energy level, it is okay to monitor him/her for the first couple of days. Keeping your dog separate from other dogs is recommended until a veterinarian gives the okay, since he/she may have a contagious upper respiratory infection.

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Straining to Pee in Cats

August 2019

Cats that are having problems peeing are often seen going in and out of the litter box more than normal. They are usually peeing small, frequent amounts, or they cannot pee at all. They might pee outside of the litter box. Straining to pee, no matter the amount of urine output, is never normal. Peeing should be a comfortable and effortless process, with a steady and adequate amount of urine.

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Urine Marking in Cats

August 2019

If your cat is urinating outside the litter box, we certainly understand your frustration. Luckily, this is a treatable condition in most cases. A medical exam, as well as a few simple changes can help to re-establish proper litter box use.

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Vomiting in Cats

August 2019

For some cats, an occasional, isolated episode of vomiting can be nothing to worry about. If your cat does not have any other signs of illness (e.g., fever, lethargy, not eating), it is best to be patient and continue to monitor your cat.

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Vomiting in Dogs

August 2019

For some dogs, an occasional, isolated episode of vomiting can be nothing to worry about. If your dog does not have any other signs of illness (e,g, fever, lethargy, not eating), it is best to be patient and continue to monitor your dog.

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Straining to Pee in Dogs

August 2019

Dogs that are having problems peeing often ask to go outside to use the bathroom more than normal. They are usually peeing small frequent amounts, or they cannot pee at all. They might have pee accidents in the house. Straining to pee, no matter the amount of urine output, is never normal. Peeing should be a comfortable and effortless process, with a steady and adequate amount of urine.

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Calling all veterinary technicians: exciting spay/neuter opportunity in Puerto Rico!

August 20, 2019

Applications are now being accepted for a competitive and hands-on Maddie's® Apprenticeship Program in Puerto Rico. This opportunity is open to licensed veterinary technicians, veterinary/medical assistants and other paraprofessionals at animal welfare organizations who are interested in gaining training and experience with high–quality, high-volume spay/neuter (HQHVSN) in a field setting.  This apprenticeship will be held over nine days during Maddie’s® Spayathon4PR HQHVSN Apprenticeship with the Maddie’s®…

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Yes, you can ensure transparency while keeping marketing and adoption counseling separate

August 8, 2019

The following post is written by Kelly Duer, Maddie’s Fund® Foster Care Specialist, and Kristen Hassen-Auerbach, Director of Animal Services at Pima Animal Control Center in Tucson, AZ. In the 3 years since Kristen's original article describing the difference between marketing and adoption counseling, we've seen progress toward the goal, but some questions remain. This…

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The easiest way to see how your community is doing when comes to pet lifesaving

August 6, 2019

Do you know how your community is doing when it comes to lifesaving? How about your state or region? Best Friends Animal Society revealed its informative lifesaving dashboard at this year's national conference. Data was collected directly from shelters, state and local coalitions, government websites, and FOIA requests. It's their (and our) hope that this…

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Foster Friday everyday! Creating a community culture that values pet fostering

July 30, 2019

If you're interested in growing your animal shelter or rescue organization’s foster program, creating a community culture that values fostering is critical.  One of the easiest ways to begin doing this is to bring foster care into the conversation as much as possible in your organization's communications. Talking about foster care helps to normalize it…

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Registration for Maddie’s Shelter Compass is now open! 

July 23, 2019

The wait is over! Animal shelters can now build a custom lifesaving roadmap within minutes, thanks to Maddie's® Shelter Compass. Registration for this free web-based tool is now open and is easy to do. All you need to do is enter some basic shelter data and answer a few questions, and woof there it is! If you…

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Decreasing Intake with Targeted Community Engagement

July 19, 2019

Watch how the Austin Animal Center used their intake data to find ways to reduce ever-increasing incoming strays.

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6 tips for using foster care as a lifeline during animal shelter crises

July 16, 2019

Along with reduced-fee adoption events, emergency foster care is becoming the go-to answer for nearly every crisis an animal shelter can have, including natural disasters, outbreaks of contagious illness, population surges and building renovations. Emergency foster care enables shelters to greatly increase their capacity for care for a short period of time, taking strain off…

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Teaching Old Dogs New Tricks: The Changing Roles of Animal Welfare Organizations

Jim Tedford, President & CEO, The Association of Animal Welfare AdvancementJuly 2019

Hear from a 35-year veteran of the industry how animal welfare organizations can fulfill their missions outside the shelter. This presentation was recorded at the 2019 ASPCA Maddie's® Cornell Shelter Medicine Conference.

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Pain Management on a Budget - Part 1 of 2

Emily McCobb, DVM, MS, DACVAA, Clinical Associate Professor of Anesthesiology- Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts UniversityJuly 2019

Part 1 of 2. This two-part workshop will describe cost effective strategies for managing acute and chronic pain in a shelter or high quality/high volume environment. This presentation was recorded at the 2019 ASPCA Maddie's® Cornell Shelter Medicine Conference.

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Pain Management on a Budget - Part 2 of 2

Emily McCobb, DVM, MS, DACVAA, Clinical Associate Professor of Anesthesiology- Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts UniversityJuly 2019

Part 2 of 2. This two-part workshop will describe cost effective strategies for managing acute and chronic pain in a shelter or high quality/high volume environment. This presentation was recorded at the 2019 ASPCA Maddie's® Cornell Shelter Medicine Conference.

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Practical Aspects of Dentistry in Shelter Pets

Sandra Manfra-Marretta, DVM, DACVS, DAVDC, Professor Emerita, Small Animal Surgery and Dentistry, University of Illinois College of Veterinary MedicineJuly 2019

This workshop will focus on the practical aspects of dentistry in shelter pets. This presentation was recorded at the 2019 ASPCA Maddie's® Cornell Shelter Medicine Conference.

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The Basics on Basic Veterinary Care

Lori Bierbrier, DVMJuly 2019

This workshop uses the ASPCA Primary Pet Care program as a case study for how to incorporate affordable and accessible preventive and basic veterinary care into your organization. It was recorded at the 2019 ASPCA Maddie's® Cornell Shelter Medicine Conference.

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Soft Tissue Surgery Tips & Tricks for the Shelter Vet

Galina Hayes, DVM, PhD, DACVS, DACVECC, Assistant Professor, Section of Small Animal Surgery, Cornell University College of Veterinary MedicineJuly 2019

The goal of this lecture is to discuss and to provide some helpful pointers on performing various non-spay/neuter procedures. This presentation was recorded at the 2019 ASPCA Maddie's® Cornell Shelter Medicine Conference.

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Putting Down the Scalpel: Learning to Lead as a Doctor & Manager

Katie Broaddus, DVM, CAWA, Chief Operations Officer, Austin Humane SocietyJuly 2019

This session will help veterinarians understand how they can leverage their scientific training and problem-solving skills to make an even bigger impact. This presentation was recorded at the 2019 ASPCA Maddie's® Cornell Shelter Medicine Conference.

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Physiology of Fear, Anxiety, and Stress in Veterinary Patients

Michelle Albino, LVT, VTS (Anesthesia/Analgesia), Senior Manager of Training, ASPCA Animal HospitalJuly 2019

This workshop will describe the physiology of fear, anxiety, and stress in perioperative patients. This presentation was recorded at the 2019 ASPCA Maddie's® Cornell Shelter Medicine Conference.

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Sedative Pharmacology

Michelle Albino, LVT, VTS (Anesthesia/Analgesia), Senior Manager of Training, ASPCA Animal HospitalJuly 2019

This workshop will define the difference between sedatives, tranquilizers, and anxiolytics; describing in detail all medications available in veterinary medicine. This presentation was recorded at the 2019 ASPCA Maddie's® Cornell Shelter Medicine Conference.

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Leadership and Communication for Veterinary Nurses

Michelle Albino, LVT, VTS (Anesthesia/Analgesia), Senior Manager of Training, ASPCA Animal HospitalJuly 2019

This workshop describes leadership for nurses in the veterinary field. Explore ways to increase professional growth and get the most out of your veterinary career, including transitioning into management, how to successfully lead your team, and how to communicate effectively. This presentation was recorded at the 2019 ASPCA Maddie's® Cornell Shelter Medicine Conference.

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In-Shelter Diagnostics - Minimize Errors and Maximize Patient Care

Elise Gingrich, DVM, MPH, MS, ACVPM, DABVP (Shelter Medicine Practice), Senior Director of Shelter Medicine Services, ASPCAJuly 2019

This workshop reviews proper techniques and discusses common mistakes when performing in-shelter diagnostic tests. This presentation was recorded at the 2019 ASPCA Maddie's® Cornell Shelter Medicine Conference.

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Using Metrics to Care for Shelter Populations

Janet Scarlett, DVM, MPH, PhD, Professor Emerita of Epidemiology/ Founder of Shelter Medicine Program, Cornell UniversityJuly 2019

In this session, disease surveillance, and the assessment of the frequency of common diseases in shelters are discussed. This presentation was recorded at the 2019 ASPCA Maddie's® Cornell Shelter Medicine Conference.

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How to Get the Most Out of Your Radiographs

Erin Epperly, DVM, DACVR, Assistant Clinical Professor, Section of Diagnostic Imaging, Cornell University College of Veterinary MedicineJuly 2019

A case-based, interactive session full of practical pointers to make your time in radiography more effective and efficient. This presentation was recorded at the 2019 ASPCA Maddie's® Cornell Shelter Medicine Conference.

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Ringworm for LVTs: Fight the Fungus

Melanie Benetato, VMD, MS, Adoption Center, ASPCAJuly 2019

This workshop reviews current best practices in ringworm diagnosis, treatment and management in a shelter setting. This presentation was recorded at the 2019 ASPCA Maddie's® Cornell Shelter Medicine Conference.

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Veterinary Toxicology

Karyn Bischoff, DVM, MS, Assistant Professor, Animal Health Diagnostic Center, Cornell University College of Veterinary MedicineJuly 2019

This seminar gives a brief introduction to veterinary toxicology in small animals and includes case studies of interest to the Shelter Medicine Audience. This presentation was recorded at the 2019 ASPCA Maddie's® Cornell Shelter Medicine Conference.

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Developing A Shelter Emergency Operation Plan

Tim Perciful, Disaster Response Manager, Field Investigations & Response, ASPCAJuly 2019

This workshop discusses the importance of developing an Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) for your agency. This presentation was recorded at the 2019 ASPCA Maddie's® Cornell Shelter Medicine Conference.

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Toolkit for the Time-Starved Leader: A Practical Guide to Hiring and Retaining Engaged Employees

Jocelyn Kessler, MBA, Senior Director of Operations, Community Medicine, ASPCAJuly 2019

This workshop provides a clear and simple path hiring the right people, setting goals and expectations and spending worthwhile one-on-one time with your staff. This presentation was recorded at the 2019 ASPCA Maddie's® Cornell Shelter Medicine Conference.

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Change Can Be Fun! A Simple, Proven Framework Can Help Take the Pain Out of Change

Jocelyn Kessler, MBA, Senior Director of Operations, Community Medicine, ASPCAJuly 2019

This workshop walks viewers through a change management model based on research published in the Harvard Business Review. This presentation was recorded at the 2019 ASPCA Maddie's® Cornell Shelter Medicine Conference.

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How to Get Things Done with the NYS Legislature! The Good, the Bad & the Money!!

Libby Post, Executive Director, NYS Animal Protection FederationJuly 2019

Join the New York State Animal Protection Federation's Executive Director, Libby Post for the answers to these questions and more. This presentation was recorded at the 2019 ASPCA Maddie's® Cornell Shelter Medicine Conference.

presentation

Beyond Spay/Neuter: Models for Expanding Access to Veterinary Care

Jocelyn Kessler, MBA, Senior Director of Operations, Community Medicine, ASPCA and Lori Bierbrier, DVM, ASPCAJuly 2019

Join us to look inside organizations who have expanded their services to help remove barriers to care in their communities. This presentation was recorded at the 2019 ASPCA Maddie's® Cornell Shelter Medicine Conference.

presentation

Cash and Counting: The Importance of Data in Grantmaking

Jodi Buckman, ASPCA and Shelly Thompson, Maddie's FundJuly 2019

In this session you'll hear from two grant makers, Maddie's Fund® and the ASPCA, about the importance of data in grant evaluation and funding decisions. This presentation was recorded at the 2019 ASPCA Maddie's® Cornell Shelter Medicine Conference.

presentation

Win-Win: Building Shelter & Private Veterinarian Collaborations

Katie Broaddus, DVM, CAWA, Chief Operations Officer, Austin Humane SocietyJuly 2019

This workshop helps viewers better understand and address the perspectives of shelters and private practice veterinarians. This presentation was recorded at the 2019 ASPCA Maddie's® Cornell Shelter Medicine Conference.

presentation

Making Better Use of Shelter Data

Janet Scarlett, DVM, MPH, PhD, Professor Emerita of Epidemiology/ Founder of Shelter Medicine Program, Cornell UniversityJuly 2019

In this workshop, we look at examples of where data can be used to help control overcrowding, maximize the use of shelter housing, monitor the effectiveness of spay/neuter programs, detect shifts in the health of incoming community animals, improve the welfare of fostered animals and target efforts to improve outcomes. This presentation was recorded at the 2019 ASPCA Maddie's® Cornell Shelter Medicine Conference.

presentation

Keep Them Happy at Home

Rebecca Lohnes, MS, CDBC, ACCBC, Behavior and Training Manager, Lollypop FarmJuly 2019

In this workshop Rebecca Lohnes of Lollypop Farm discusses various strategies and programs aimed at helping to address behavioral issues in the animal's original home before they are relinquished to a shelter. This presentation was recorded at the 2019 ASPCA Maddie's® Cornell Shelter Medicine Conference.

presentation

Terrified Tigers and Other Ferocious Felines: Working with Different Cat Personalities

Rebecca Lohnes, MS, CDBC, ACCBC, Behavior and Training Manager, Lollypop FarmJuly 2019

In this presentation, learn about how to work with cats with different personalities and behavioral challenges. This presentation was recorded at the 2019 ASPCA Maddie's® Cornell Shelter Medicine Conference.

presentation

Basic Principles of Managing a Large-Scale Animal Emergency or Disaster

Dick Green, Senior Director of Field Investigations & Response, ASPCAJuly 2019

This workshop discusses the basic principles of incident management and why having everyone speak the same language and be under the same incident command structure saves lives. This presentation was recorded at the 2019 ASPCA Maddie's® Cornell Shelter Medicine Conference.

presentation

How Are They Doing? Assessing Pain and Quality of Life in Shelter Animals

Emily McCobb, DVM, MS, DACVAA, Clinical Associate Professor of Anesthesiology- Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts UniversityJuly 2019

This workshop reviews signs of pain and suffering in dogs, cats and rabbits and identifies simple techniques for assessing pain in animals. This presentation was recorded at the 2019 ASPCA Maddie's® Cornell Shelter Medicine Conference./

presentation

Personnel Satisfaction - Managing Compassion Stress (Part 1 of 2)

Karen Walsh, CAWA, LVMT, CFE, Director of Animal Relocation, ASPCAJuly 2019

Part 1 of 2. During this two-part workshop, viewers learn how to measure the negative and positive effects of working in a mission driven caring profession. This presentation was recorded at the 2019 ASPCA Maddie's® Cornell Shelter Medicine Conference.

presentation

Personnel Satisfaction - Managing Compassion Stress (Part 2 of 2)

Karen Walsh, CAWA, LVMT, CFE, Director of Animal Relocation, ASPCAJuly 2019

Part 2 of 2. During this two-part workshop, viewers learn how to measure the negative and positive effects of working in a mission driven caring profession. This presentation was recorded at the 2019 ASPCA Maddie's® Cornell Shelter Medicine Conference.

presentation

Managing Intake & Reuniting Pets with Families

Sonia Gonzalez, Intake Coordinator, SPCA of Tompkins CountyJuly 2019

In this workshop viewers learn about how the SPCA of Tompkins County manages its intake in order to create better outcomes, conduct smoother intakes and lower intake. This presentation was recorded at the 2019 ASPCA Maddie's® Cornell Shelter Medicine Conference.

presentation

Ringworm: the Role of Staff and Volunteers in Fighting the Fungus

Melanie Benetato, VMD, MS, Adoption Center, ASPCAJuly 2019

This workshop reviews current best practices in ringworm diagnosis, treatment and management in a shelter setting. This presentation was recorded at the 2019 ASPCA Maddie's® Cornell Shelter Medicine Conference.

presentation

They Can't be Available for Adoption Until When?! Neonatal Care in the Animal Shelter

Erin Henry, VMD, Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Cornell UniversityJuly 2019

This workshop discusses the developmental stages, care and pathway planning for neonatal kittens and puppies in the shelter. This presentation was recorded at the 2019 ASPCA Maddie's® Cornell Shelter Medicine Conference.

presentation

Beyond Just Kittens: Strategic & Creative Use of Foster Care

Erin Doyle, DVM, DABVP, Senior Director of Shelter Medicine, ASPCAJuly 2019

In this workshop, the presenter reviews the basics of maintaining an organized, proactive foster network and then delve into examples of how organizations are using foster care in thoughtful and creative ways. This presentation was recorded at the 2019 ASPCA Maddie's® Cornell Shelter Medicine Conference.

presentation

Gentle Handling: Techniques to Reduce Stress & Save Time

Erin Doyle, DVM, DABVP, Senior Director of Shelter Medicine, ASPCAJuly 2019

Learn techniques for handling the animals in our care in a low-stress, gentle manner. This presentation was recorded at the 2019 ASPCA Maddie's® Cornell Shelter Medicine Conference.

presentation

Capacity for Care & Population Management

Lena DeTar, DVM, DACVPM, DABVP (Shelter Medicine Practice), Clinical Assistant Professor of Shelter Medicine, Maddie's Shelter Medicine Program, Cornell University College of Veterinary MedicineJuly 2019

In this workshop you will learn how to maximize your potential as a life-saving organization by understanding your limits and expanding your expectations. This presentation was recorded at the 2019 ASPCA Maddie's® Cornell Shelter Medicine Conference.

presentation

Overview of ASPCA Field Investigations & Response and the Nuts and Bolts of Animals in Distress-Disasters

Dick Green, Senior Director of Field Investigations & Response, ASPCAJuly 2019

This workshop provides a brief history of the ASPCA Field Investigations & Response Team (FIR) and discusses the history of animal rescue and how an emergency becomes a disaster. This presentation was recorded at the 2019 ASPCA Maddie's® Cornell Shelter Medicine Conference.

presentation

Medical Issues in Emergency Sheltering

Elise Gingrich, DVM, MPH, MS, ACVPM, DABVP (Shelter Medicine Practice), Senior Director of Shelter Medicine Services, ASPCAJuly 2019

In this workshop, Dr. Gingrich covers some of the more challenging medical issues unique to animals impacted by disaster. This presentation was recorded at the 2019 ASPCA Maddie's® Cornell Shelter Medicine Conference.

presentation

Innovations in Emergency Animal Sheltering

Joe Hinkle, CAWA, Shelter Director, Field Investigations & Response, ASPCAJuly 2019

In this session, the presenter discusses lessons learned and best practices from recent ASPCA emergency shelters with an emphasis on what your agency should be doing now to prepare for setting up and staffing an emergency shelter. This presentation was recorded at the 2019 ASPCA Maddie's® Cornell Shelter Medicine Conference.

presentation

2018 Year of Disasters in Review

Dick Green, PhD, Senior Director of Field Investigations & Response, ASPCAJuly 2019

In this talk, Dr. Green provides key take-home lessons learned and best practices so that communities and animal welfare agencies will have more tools to enhance animal response capabilities and become more disaster resilient. This presentation was recorded at the 2019 ASPCA Maddie's® Cornell Shelter Medicine Conference.

presentation

Local, State and Federal Animal Response Capabilities in a Disaster

Tim Perciful, Disaster Response Manager, Field Investigations & Response, ASPCAJuly 2019

This talk discusses the major findings from three major surveys and how those results may guide local jurisdictions in determining and enhancing animal response capabilities. This presentation was recorded at the 2019 ASPCA Maddie's® Cornell Shelter Medicine Conference.

blog

Cat Town shares how to create a safe space for your foster cat

July 11, 2019

Did you know that when bringing your new foster cat home, you should generally avoid leaving them in laundry rooms or kitchens? That's one of the many tips shared by Cat Town in their new Flash Class, Bringing Your Foster Cat Home. "Cats are super sensitive to change, so you want to think about where…

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Animal shelters can build a custom lifesaving roadmap with Maddie’s Shelter Compass

July 9, 2019

Did your animal shelter come with an instruction manual? We didn't think so! Do you want to save more lives and increase efficiency but aren't exactly sure where to begin? Maddie's® Shelter Compass is here to help! This free web-based tool will provide your shelter with a custom roadmap to save more lives, all in…

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How shelters can overcome obstacles to dog field trips and save more lives

July 2, 2019

Chesapeake Animal Services is one of a string of organizations that have invited the public to take their dogs on field tripsand emptied their dog kennels in the process! It may look easy, but all of these organizations had obstacles to overcome before their programs could be this successful. Luckily, they're willing to share what…

flash

Bringing Your Foster Cat Home

June 2019

In this short class, you will learn how to set up your home in a way that creates a safe space for your foster cat and help your foster cat acclimate to their new environment.

flash

Diarrhea in Kittens and Puppies

June 2019

Persistent young kitten or puppy diarrhea is one of the most challenging problems that foster programs face.There can be multiple different causes and solutions to kitten or puppy diarrhea.During this class, foster caregivers will learn to understand how to recognize diarrhea, some common causes of diarrhea, when a kitten or puppy with diarrhea needs veterinary attention, and how to help prevent and address kittens or puppies with diarrhea.

flash

Diarrhea in Cats and Dogs

June 2019

There are many causes and solutions to diarrhea in cats and dogs.In this class, we will not into detail on causes or prevention of diarrhea in cats and dogs, but rather focus on the "how-to's" of dealing with pets who have diarrhea.You will learn what to look for when examining a cat or dog who has diarrhea, recognize when veterinary attention is needed, and understand how to care for a cat or dog who has diarrhea.

flash

Straining to Poop in Cats and Dogs

June 2019

There are many causes of straining to poop in cats and dogs. The most common causes are diarrhea, constipation, or overly full anal glands, which are usually an "easy fix". Other causes, like gastrointestinal blockage, are more complicated to treat. In this class you will learn how to identify the symptoms of a cat or dog who is straining to poop, recognize when emergency veterinary attention is needed, and learn what you can do at home to help your dog or cat.

flash

Straining to Pee in Cats and Dogs

June 2019

There are many causes of straining to pee in cats and dogs. The most common causes are bladder inflammation or urinary tract infection, which are usually an "easy fix". Other causes, like urinary blockage and bladder stones, are more complicated to treat. In this class you will learn how to monitor for straining to pee in your cat or dog, recognize when an emergency veterinary visit is necessary, and what you can do for your pet in the meantime at home.

blog

Join us in Dallas for the Best Friends National Conference!

June 20, 2019

Have you registered for this year's Best Friends National Conference in Dallas? The conference officially kicks off on July 24 and runs through July 27, with pre-conference workshops being held on July 24.    We will be hosting a half-day Pre-conference Workshop, "Foster is the Future: Building a Robust Foster Pet Program," on July 24 from 12 – 5pm. This 5-hour, $25 workshop is for both those with established…

blog

Expand or start a pet foster program with our new foster care resources page!

June 11, 2019

Have you been thinking of starting your own pet foster program and not sure where to begin? Or maybe you’re wondering how to expand the one you currently have? Either way, we've got you covered with our new Foster Care Resources page!   We recently gathered some of the best foster program resources to help your organization. Now you can save more…

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Just say no to the ‘conventional wisdom’: Sherri Franklin’s Aha! journey saving senior dogs

June 6, 2019

Mayor London Breed just proclaimed June 6th as Adopt a Senior Pet Day in San Francisco, CA. In honor of this special day, we’re sharing this interview by Muttville Senior Dog Rescue’s own Sherri Franklin. This post was originally shared on August 9, 2016. Of course, the wisdom still applies today. We hope that senior…

presentation

Fundraising for Animal Welfare Organizations - Part 7: Getting to the Close and Creating an Action Plan

Kim KleinMarch 2019

This presentation is appropriate for quick-learning beginners as well as seasoned fundraisers who are eager to learn how to engage others in fundraising. Part 7 of 7: Getting to the Close and Creating an Action Plan.

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Fundraising for Animal Welfare Organizations - Part 2: Build Relationships

Kim KleinMarch 2019

This presentation is appropriate for quick-learning beginners as well as seasoned fundraisers who are eager to learn how to engage others in fundraising. Part 2 of 7: Build Relationships.

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Fundraising for Animal Welfare Organizations - Part 3: Setting Goals and Building a Team

Kim KleinMarch 2019

This presentation is appropriate for quick-learning beginners as well as seasoned fundraisers who are eager to learn how to engage others in fundraising. Part 3 of 7: Setting Goals and Building a Team.

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Fundraising for Animal Welfare Organizations - Part 4: Understand Your Prospects

Kim KleinMarch 2019

This presentation is appropriate for quick-learning beginners as well as seasoned fundraisers who are eager to learn how to engage others in fundraising. Part 4 of 7: Understand Your Prospects.

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Fundraising for Animal Welfare Organizations - Part 5: Who is a Prospect?

Kim KleinMarch 2019

This presentation is appropriate for quick-learning beginners as well as seasoned fundraisers who are eager to learn how to engage others in fundraising. Part 5 of 7: Who is a Prospect?

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Fundraising for Animal Welfare Organizations - Part 6: How to Ask For Money in Person

Kim KleinMarch 2019

This presentation is appropriate for quick-learning beginners as well as seasoned fundraisers who are eager to learn how to engage others in fundraising. Part 6 of 7: How to Ask For Money in Person.

presentation

How to Start and Grow Major Gift Fundraising for Your Non-Profit - Part 1: How Big is Big? Getting Your Board on Board and Identifying Prospects

Amy EisensteinMarch 2019

In this seminar you will learn how to ask and receive more major gifts this year. Part 1 of 4: Getting Your Board on Board and Identifying Prospects.

presentation

How to Start and Grow Major Gift Fundraising for Your Non-Profit - Part 2: Cultivation: Relationship Building

Amy EisensteinMarch 2019

In this seminar you will learn how to ask and receive more major gifts this year. Part 2 of 4: Cultivation: Relationship Building.

presentation

How to Start and Grow Major Gift Fundraising for Your Non-Profit - Part 3: Solicitation: Asking for the Gift

Amy EisensteinMarch 2019

In this seminar you will learn how to ask and receive more major gifts this year. Talk 3 of 4: Solicitation: Asking for the Gift

presentation

How to Start and Grow Major Gift Fundraising for Your Non-Profit - Part 4: Setting a Goal and Staying on Track

Amy EisensteinMarch 2019

In this seminar you will learn how to ask and receive more major gifts this year. Part 4 of 4: Setting a Goal and Staying on Track.

presentation

Fundraising for Animal Welfare Organizations - Part 1: Introduction to Fundraising

Kim KleinMarch 2019

This presentation is appropriate for quick-learning beginners as well as seasoned fundraisers who are eager to learn how to engage others in fundraising. Part 1 of 7: Introduction to Fundraising.

presentation

An Introduction to Maddie's® Pet Project in Nevada Leadership Conference and Campaign Update

Diane Blankenburg, Co-Executive Director, Maddie's® Pet Project in Nevada CEO, Humane NetworkMay 2019

At Maddie's® Pet Project in Nevada, Diane Blankenburg, Co-executive Director, welcomes conference attendees and shows inspiring highlights.

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Keynote: Unstoppable! Leveraging Impact and Relationships to Transform the Plight of Animals

Joe Elmore, CEO, Charleston Animal SocietyMay 2019

Building a culture of champions from a culture of advocates is critical to establishing a foundation for these strategies.

presentation

Keynote: Rethinking the Shelter's Role in Community Cat Management

Kate Hurley, Director, UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program, Million Cat Challenge May 2019

This presentation will provide the "why" and "how" of successful strategies for community cat management.

presentation

Turbocharging Pet Adoptions

Sue Cosby, Senior Director, Best Friends Animal SocietyMay 2019

When it comes to our adoption process, we want to keep our animals safe and we want our adopters to tell their friends about the wonderful experience they had growing their family at our shelter. How do we know this is really working?

presentation

Cultivating a Fostering Community

Kelly Duer, Foster Care Specialist, Maddie's Fund®May 2019

In this presentation, you'll learn how to create a culture of fostering in your community and recruit the foster caregivers you need.

presentation

Compassionate Lifesaving: Taking Care of You and Your Team to Save More Animals, Part 1 of 2

Dr. Linda Harper and Faith MaloneyMay 2019

In this session (Part 1 of 2), you will discover proactive tools to help you and your team face the challenges and restore the joy in your animal-helping organization.

presentation

Compassionate Lifesaving: Taking Care of You and Your Team to Save More Animals, Part 2 of 2

Linda Harper and Faith MaloneyMay 2019

In this session (Par 2 of 2), you will discover proactive tools to help you and your team face the challenges and restore the joy in your animal-helping organization.

presentation

Creating Clark County Successes: How We Are Doing It - panel discussion

Carol Fox, Dr. David Henderson, Ann Inabnitt, Joe Macias, Chris Robinson and Carly ScholtenMay 2019

In this presentation, animal lifesaving experts in Clark County, Nevada answer questions about their success in saving animals and serving their communities.

webcast

A Playbook Approach to Saving Lives in Animal Shelters

Dr. Sara PizanoWednesday, May 15, 2019

In this webcast. Dr. Sara Pizano will walk you through the steps each shelter, whether public or private and regardless of resources, can take to help and save more cats and dogs.

presentation

The First 72 Hours: A Model Intake and Animal Flow Process for Disease Prevention

Faith Wright, Ellen Jefferson DVM, Jordana Moerbe, Paula Medrano and Amelia NusbaumMarch 2019

Join American Pets Alive! staff as they discuss an intake and animal flow process designed to help you prevent outbreaks and ensure live outcomes.

presentation

Valuable Volunteer Programs: Successful Programs Proven to Work

Monica Dangler, Volunteer Manager, Austin Pets Alive! and Gerri Kappler, Austin Pets Alive! Board MemberMarch 2019

Join volunteer leaders to learn how to rethink volunteers and reach your goals together and as a united front.

presentation

Animal Protection Officers: Using a Community-based Approach to Measurably Reduce Intake in the Field

Mark Sloat, Program Manager, Austin Animal Center and April Moore, Engagement Manager, Austin Animal CenterMarch 2019

This session will teach approaches that value the human-animal bond, redefine 'animals in need,' and engage community members, shelter staff, and volunteers to solve problems together.

presentation

Bottle Baby 101 (Part 1 of 2)

Casandra Mensing, Neonatal Ward Manager, Austin Pets Alive!March 2019

This presentation will teach you how to start a volunteer-run bottle baby nursery and how to build it to become to be one of the most engaging and lifesaving programs in your community.

presentation

Bottle Baby 102 (Part 2 of 2)

Jennifer Parks, Neonatal Kitten Foster Program Manager at Austin Pets Alive!March 2019

This presentation will teach you everything you need to know to create, train, and retain a foster network for neonates.

presentation

Cat Medical Care on a Shoestring Budget

Monica Frenden, Maddie's® Director of Feline Lifesaving, American Pets Alive! and Dr. Alexis Bardzinski, Medical Director, Austin Pets Alive!March 2019

In this session, you will have the chance to learn how to save cats with medical conditions on a tight budget from national leading cat experts.

presentation

Distemper is Not a Death Sentence

Dr. Nipuni Ratnayaka, Dr. Ellen Jefferson and Jordana MoerbeMarch 2019

Join this session to learn about the process that Austin Pets Alive! developed to combat distemper without hoarding or culling them.

presentation

FeLV: What You Need to Know for Shelter Decision Making

Julie Levy, DVM, Monica Frenden and Natascha HammanMarch 2019

Come learn from shelter medicine expert, Dr. Levy, and leading cat advocates Monica Frenden and Natascha Hamman about the most current research and best practices for rehoming this vulnerable FeLV cat population.

presentation

Saving All the Cats: Live Outcome Options for All Healthy, Outdoor Cats

Adrienne Clark, Monica Frenden, Christi Metropole and Wendy BeaupreMarch 2019

Learn how to start a barn program from scratch, including selecting cats, finding quality homes, relocation procedures, and safe handling and sheltering practices.

presentation

Solutions for the Top Five Reasons Dogs are Dying in Shelters

Mike Kaviani, Director, Orange County Animal Care and Aaron Caldwell, Dog Behavior Co-Manager, Austin Pets Alive!March 2019

The presentation will provide you with practical and manageable solutions for the top five reasons dogs are dying and being killed in shelters today.

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Creative and inexpensive fundraising ideas for your animal welfare organization

May 7, 2019

Have you struggled with coming up with new events to draw your community in and raise money? Julie Barger, Director of Development at Lynchburg Humane Society (LHS) has some ideas for you. We attended her session, Unique fundraising events to engage your community at Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) Animal Care Expo in…

presentation

Analyzing Length of Stay: Make Your Animals Ready and Move Them Fast

Teresa Johnson, CEO/Executive Officer and Chief Lifesaving Officer, Kansas City Pet Project and Michele Figueroa, Operations Manager, Pima Animal Care CenterMarch 2019

Time wasted means animal lives lost, leave this session with a plan to move animals through your shelter more quickly.

presentation

Why Are Big Dogs So Hard to Save? Identifying and Maintaining Adequate Capacity

Ellen Jefferson, DVM Executive Director, Austin Pets Alive!March 2019

Learn about the essential programs, best practices, and core philosophies needed to start saving big dogs in your communities.

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5 marketing strategies to take your shelter dog field trip program to the next level

April 30, 2019

Dozens of animal shelters and rescue organizations across the country are launching field trip programs as part of a groundbreaking nationwide study of foster care. By making it easy for their communities to participate and using innovative marketing strategies, multiple organizations have sent so many dogs on field trips that they've cleared their adoption floors…

presentation

Nuts and Bolts of Large-scale Cat and Dog Foster Programs

Kelly Duer, Monica Frenden, Regan Goins and Lorian EpsteinMarch 2019

Learn from experts the details of setting up and implementing a large-scale foster program.

presentation

Proactive Return to Owner Programs

Shyanne Schull, Director, Washoe County Regional Animal Services, and Paula Powell, Director, El Paso Animal ServicesMarch 2019

Learn about how two very large animal shelters reached higher live release rates by attaining Return to Owner rates over 25% - way above best practice!

presentation

Save Lives in Space Crises

Michele Figueroa, Christi Metropole and Faith WrightMarch 2019

Learn how to not end lives due to temporary space shortages by pulling other levers that will decrease the pressure that you feel.

presentation

Saving Dogs with Behavioral Challenges

Aaron Caldwell, Dog Behavior Co-Manager, Austin Pets Alive! and Mike Kaviani, Director, OC Animal CareMarch 2019

Viewers will learn about cutting edge ways to solve non-shelter created behavior problems in shelter dogs.

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Scrutinize and Market the Euthanasia List

Clare Callison, Canine Lifesaving Advisor, Maddie's® Lifesaving AcademyMarch 2019

This talk explores why it's important to understand exactly which animals are dying in your municipal shelter and how to let people help you get them out alive.

presentation

The Modern Municipal Animal Agency

Sarah Aguilar, April Moore, Lee Ann Shenefiel and Mark SloatMarch 2019

Learn how modern shelters develop targeted neighborhood programs that serve the larger community's desire to be no-kill while serving the public safety needs of specific areas.

presentation

The Pet Resource Center: A Better Alternative to the Intake Department

Mark Sloat, April Moore and Bennett SimonsenMarch 2019

How "The Pet Resource Center" is a modern model for a successful alternative to traditional intake centers.

presentation

Transport Programs: Get Pets to Safety

Clare Callison, Canine Lifesaving Advisor, Maddie's® Lifesaving AcademyMarch 2019

Hear how your average "Texas brown dogs" are making a big splash in places as far as Oregon, Connecticut, and even Italy!

presentation

Building No-kill Culture Throughout Your Organization - panel

Shelly Thompson, Rebecca Guinn, Tawny Hammond, Marc Peralta and Makena Yarbrough, March 2019

In this panel discussion, animal welfare leaders discuss how to instill a positive, no-kill culture in our shelters, rescues, and service centers.

presentation

Conquer Fear and Doubt: Managing Your Team Through Change and Controversy - panel

Tawny Hammond, Jose Ocano, Mike Kaviani and Paula PowellMarch 2019

Learn how to be a motivating people manager and help your team reach their goals - even through change and controversy.

presentation

Contagious Diseases: Euthanasia is Not the Answer

Alexis Bardzinski, DVM Medical Director, Austin Pets Alive! and Jennifer Wilcox, DVM Director of Vet Services, Pima Animal Care CenterMarch 2019

In this session, two veterinary experts will discuss how to handle disease outbreaks medically, handle the PR, and handle the operations that must continue.

presentation

Dog Medical Care on a Shoestring Budget

Alexis Bardzinski, Medical Director, Austin Pets Alive! and Jennifer Wilcox, DVM Director of Vet Services, Pima Animal Care CenterMarch 2019

How to spend the least amount of money as possible so that your medical resources can be spread among all those pets that need you.

presentation

High Volume Foster Programs for Cats and Dogs

Monica Frenden, Regan Goins and Lorian EpsteinMarch 2019

Learn how to rethink foster care in terms of capacity and expand the concept of what animals should be considered for foster.

presentation

How to Run A Sustainable, Low Budget, No Kill Municipal Shelter

Cheryl Schneider, Director of Animal Services, Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter and Lindsey Huffman, Director of Lifesaving Programs, Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCAMarch 2019

Successful shelter leaders share their knowledge on how to run a no-kill organization even when you have a very limited budget.

presentation

Momentum in Texas Sheltering Communities

Michael Bricker, Jay Garrett, Jr., Steven Greene, Paula Powell, Ed Jamison and Dr. Michael WhiteMarch 2019

Learn from animal welfare experts about how Texas is getting to no-kill status.

presentation

Shelter Data: How to Get It, Use It and Read It

Rory Adams, Executive Director, Tucson Pets Alive!March 2019

This is an in-depth presentation on shelter data: how to get it, read it, and use it to influence change.

presentation

Social Science: Informed Animal Welfare

Katy Loughney, Economic Impact Advisor, University of Denver's Institute for Human-Animal ConnectionMarch 2019

This talk covers research aimed at connecting animal welfare policies and programs to human and community health.

presentation

State Level No-kill Advocacy

Debra Griggs, Deborah Schutt and Davyd SmithMarch 2019

This discussion revolves around states in the U.S. that have had state-wide efforts to transform to no-kill.

presentation

Combatting Anti-No Kill Extremism

Debra Griggs, President, Virginia Federation of Humane Societies, and Davyd Smith, President, No Kill ColoradoMarch 2019

Watch this presentation to learn what anti no-kill extremism looks like and how to cope with it.

presentation

Demystifying No-kill Laws: The Nuts and Bolts of Ordinances

Ryan Clinton, Attorney and Founder, FixAustin.orgMarch 2019

Viewers will learn the nuts and bolts of various animal welfare ordinances, including stray holds, caretakers, and Austin's No Kill plan.

presentation

Effective Negotiation Skills and Techniques to Achieve Lifesaving

Saskia Boisot, MD, Founder of the No Kill Shelter Alliance and Co-Founder of Save More Kill Less, and Paula Powell, Director of Animal Services, El Paso Animal ServicesMarch 2019

Know when to stand your ground, when to compromise, and most importantly, how to communicate effectively so that people want to help you achieve your goals.

presentation

Know the Law: Liability in Shelters and Rescues

Ryan Clinton, Attorney and Founder, FixAustin.orgMarch 2019

Learn how shelters and rescue groups can implement strategies to limit their liability for saving lives.

presentation

Legislative Advocacy: Influence Laws and Ordinances

Laura Donahue, Katie Jarl and Lorri MichelMarch 2019

This session will teach you how to move legislation towards supporting lifesaving efforts.

presentation

Lifesaving in the Deep South

Karen Sheppard, DVM, Director, Huntsville Animal Services, and Ginny Sims, Executive Director, Southern Pines Animal ShelterMarch 2019

Hear the heartwarming and touching tales from two incredible leaders who have transformed seemingly impossible parts of the U.S. into true lifesaving communities.

presentation

No-kill Political Advocacy: How to Gain and Keep Political Support

Ryan Clinton, Attorney, Founder, FixAustin.orgMarch 2019

Learn how animal advocates in Austin, Texas put No Kill on the city's public policy agenda and how you can do the same in your community.

presentation

Save Rate: Upward Bound - Exceed the 50% Benchmark - panel

Marc Peralta, Sgt. Karl Bailey, Michele Figueroa, Teresa Johnson, Jose Ocano and Cheryl SchneiderMarch 1, 2019

This lively panel discussion will shed light on the experiences of the expert leaders who brought their communities past a 50% live release rate.

presentation

Save Rate: Exceed the 80% Benchmark - panel

Makena Yarbrough, Rebecca Guinn, Tawny Hammond, Ed Jamison and Paula PowellMarch 2019

Attendees will learn about the experiences of people who successfully broached 80% and beyond save rates.

presentation

Becoming No-kill

Ryan Clinton, Attorney and Founder, FixAustin.orgMarch 2019

Join attorney Ryan Clinton, founder of Fix Austin, as he kicks off the conference by sharing the obstacles, challenges, successes, and strategies that Austin faced on their journey to no-kill.

presentation

Blueprint to a Successful No-kill Journey

Ellen Jefferson, DVM, Executive Director of Austin Pets Alive! and American Pets Alive!March 2019

Join Dr. Ellen Jefferson as she guides you step-by-step through what are considered Best Practice metrics in outcomes, intakes, and the 12 programmatic ingredients of lifesaving.

presentation

Enlightened Leadership: Daily Decisions and Beyond

Kristen Auerbach, Rebecca Guinn, Tawny Hammond, Paula Powell and Cheryl SchneiderMarch 2019

Join us in this panel discussion as some of the most integral no-kill leaders share what it means to them to lead with a no-kill philosophy.

presentation

Keynote: The Transparent Shelter, Building Trust with Your Community

Kristen Auerbach, Director of Pima Animal Care CenterMarch 2019

In this session, no-kill leader, Kristen Auerbach, will tackle two separate but important topics in order for you to be one with your community.

presentation

Key Performance Indicators: Resources, Responsibility and Results

Ellen Jefferson, DVM and David MeyerMarch 2019

In this fundamental session, join Dr. Ellen Jefferson and David Meyer as they explain how to prioritize goals and benchmark against them all along the way so that you can achieve success.

presentation

Build Team Resilience - panel

Rebecca Guinn and Ed JamisonMarch 2019

Join this presentation and get the insider tips on how to cultivate a team of resilience and how to build strong teams that will rally around you.

presentation

Create Leaders from Within: Build a Succession Plan

Lisa Ward and Ed JamisonMarch 2019

So, you're a no-kill shelter leader, but what will happen in your community if the next shelter director who takes your place is not?

presentation

Every Life Matters: Using Past Data to Plan Better Outcomes

Monica Frenden, Maddie's Director of Feline Lifesaving, Austin Pets Alive!March 2019

Data is a key piece of the lifesaving puzzle, but how do we use it to save the lives of the animals in our care?

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Fundraising Fundamentals for Scrappy Organizations, Part 1

Ellen Jefferson, DVM, Executive Director, Austin Pets Alive! and Maggie Lynch, Development Director, Austin Pets Alive!March 2019

Join fundraising innovator, Maggie Lynch, and APA! Executive Director, Dr. Ellen Jefferson, to learn how to raise money and how to get scrappy when you need to!

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Fundraising Fundamentals for Scrappy Organizations, Part 2

Maggie Lynch, Development Director, Austin Pets Alive!March 2019

What do you need to raise funds effectively as you grow your organization?

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Get More Staff Without Spending More Money

Kristen Auerbach, Director of Pima Animal Care CenterMarch 2019

No-kill leader Kristen Auerbach will teach you how to increase staff productivity, without increasing your budget.

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Get Them on Your Team: Engaging and Leveraging Activists to Reach Your Goals

Ellen Jefferson, DVM, Executive Director, Austin Pets Alive! and Kristen Auerbach, Executive Director, Pima Animal Care CenterMarch 2019

This session will teach you skills to help you view activists as partners and to inspire them to work with you, not against you.

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How to Be the Boss of Your Organization's Save Rate

Paula Powell, Director, El Paso Animal Services and Lee Ann Shenefiel, South Central Regional Director, Best Friends SocietyMarch 2019

In this session, you will learn what the Shelter Director's role is in stopping unnecessary death in the shelter, how to do it, and how to be successful.

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Leading with Resilience in Extreme Crisis

Ellen Jefferson, DVM, Kristen Auerbach, Mike Kaviani and Lars RabbeMarch 2019

Join an impressive group of experts, who together will teach you the tools needed to save lives even when the deck is stacked against you.

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Maddie's® Lifesaving Academy: How Austin is Shaping Tomorrow's Leaders

Lisa Ward, Director of Education, Maddie's Fund and Jessica Powers, Maddie's Director of Education, American Pets Alive!March 2019

Success stories from students of Maddie's® Lifesaving Academy and how apprenticeships are helping shape tomorrow's animal welfare leaders.

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Managing Staff to Ensure Accountability - panel

Tawny Hammond, Ed Jamison, Marc Peralta, Makena Yarbrough and Rachel LunaMarch 2019

What does it mean to have an accountable staff and why is this important to no-kill shelter and rescue leaders?

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Municipal Shelter Leadership: Getting and Starting the Job - panel

Sarah Aguilar, Marian Cannell, Jordan Craig and Mike KavianiMarch 1, 2019

Join this session for expert tips and tricks and leave with a strong understanding of how to apply for, land and start a leadership position at a municipal shelter.

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Using Your Data for Strategic Planning

Ellen Jefferson, DVM, Lars Rabbe and Lee Ann ShenefielMarch 2019

By the end of the presentation, you will be ready to make and implement strategic goals based on your organization's data.

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#FeelGoodFriday: Rescue pug fosters another kitten

March 29, 2019

Hamilton Pug is back at it again. The rescue pug is sharing the story of his foster kitten, Oasis. Oasis was a scared and hissy kitten when Hamilton and Rufus (with the help of their humans) fostered her last summer. After a little bit of patience and supervised introductions, Oasis was smitten with Ham. (Rufus…

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The Get ’em Home Challenge winners are here!

March 28, 2019

Yesterday we announced the winners of the Get 'em Home Challenge. (If you missed the announcement, you can watch the recording.) Thanks to your unwavering support for the animals, over 16,000 dogs and cats found new homes! "We couldn't be happier with this outcome. The Challenge brought together 109 organizations from nearly every region of…

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The Surprising Science of Meetings: Key Learnings and Implications for Shelter Success and You as Someone Who May Lead Meetings

Steven G. Rogelberg, PhD, Chancellor's Professor, University of North Carolina at CharlotteThursday, March 28, 2019

This webcast delves into the research leading to an evidence-based path that will help you conduct a more productive meeting.

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Million Cat Challenge: Fighting Fungus with Facts

Laura Mullen, Shelter Medicine Outreach Manager, SFSPCA San Francisco, CaliforniaWednesday, March 27, 2019

This webinar outlines research-based protocols that are in use at the San Francisco SPCA and examine how those same concepts apply to a variety of different shelters and rescues.

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#FeelGoodFriday: Pop-up kitten café comes to D.C.

March 22, 2019

A temporary kitten café recently opened in Washington, D.C. with the goal of providing relief to animal shelters during kitten season. The Kitten Lounge was created by Kanchan Singh, who also owns Crumbs & Whiskers, a cat café in Los Angeles and D.C. "Once we opened our cat café, people were asking us for kittens…

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How to Check Foster Pets for Dehydration

March 2019

In this short class, you will learn how to assess for dehydration in foster pets

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Million Cat Challenge: Foster Care On-Deck: Strategies to get kittens into foster homes quickly

Erin Doyle, DVM, DABVP (Shelter Medicine Practice) Senior Director, Shelter Medicine - ASPCAWednesday, March 20, 2019

Learn how to get kittens and nursing queens out of the shelter and into foster homes as quickly as possible.

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Dr. Michael Blackwell is on a mission is to improve access to veterinary care

March 19, 2019

HSUS Animal Care Expo in New Orleans, LA, will soon be upon us! One important topic of conversation will be access to veterinary care, and there will be two sessions with Dr. Michael Blackwell that will tackle this important topic. His mission is to improve access to veterinary care, especially for families with limited means.…

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Start recruiting kitten fosters now with the help of these rescue pugs

March 7, 2019

Kitten season is just around the corner, and we know how overwhelming it can be. Which is why we created this kitten fostering PSA just for you! Hamilton Pug and his brother Rufus have been busy this past year running a #pugbnb for shelter kittens and cats. They wanted to show the world that fostering…

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Million Cat Challenge: Outsourcing Neonatal Kitten Rearing for Life-Saving Success

Katie Ingram, Animal Services Manager, Placer County Animal Services, Auburn, CaliforniaWednesday, March 6, 2019

Learn how shelters are increasingly able to care for and save neonatal kittens.

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Join us for a kitten webinar series, hosted by Million Cat Challenge

February 28, 2019

Kitten season will be here before you know it, and the Million Cat Challenge (MCC) wants you to have your most successful season yet. Which is why they are hosting three kitten-focused webinars in March to help you prepare. Kittens are a shelter’s most vulnerable population, and MCC wants to help you save as many as…

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#FeelGoodFriday: 96-old-man visits animal shelter everyday

February 22, 2019

A 96-year-old man brings a toolbox full of treats to an animal shelter in Pennsylvania. Full of home-baked chicken and sliced hot dogs, Frank Lanterman has made the drive to AWSOM Animal Shelter every day for the last five years. “If the dogs are outside in those cages over there, they know this car and…

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14 animal welfare apprenticeship opportunities now open

February 21, 2019

Maddie's ® Apprenticeship Program is now accepting applications for 14 opportunities, including the brand new Maddie's® Volunteer Dog Handling Program Apprenticeship at Austin Pets Alive!. Improve your skills and expertise in volunteer engagement, medium and large dog fostering, ringworm care and more. There is an apprenticeship for everyone, and it includes a stipend to cover…

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Access to Veterinary Care: A National Family Crisis

Dr. Michael Blackwell and Dr. Susan KrebsbachThursday, February 21, 2019

The lack of access to care is the most significant animal welfare crisis affecting owned pets in the United States. Learn more about this important issue in this webcast.

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#FeelGoodFriday: Veteran gets his beloved dog back

February 15, 2019

It's a reality that is far too common. An owner relinquishes a pet because they cannot afford the costs associated with caring for a pet. David Randall surrendered his comfort dog, Maddie, to the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region (HSPPR) because she needed costly surgery that he couldn't afford. Randall, who is also…

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Market your shelter pets like you would your dating profile

February 14, 2019

For animal welfare organizations, it’s often difficult to balance shelter pet marketing with adoption counseling. But with some forethought, these two vital parts of the adoption process can smoothly transition from one to the next. Think of marketing your shelter pets as your Tinder profile, says Monica Frenden, Maddie's® Director of Feline Lifesaving and Austin…

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Congratulations to over 100 Innovation Grant recipients!

February 12, 2019

It's safe to say there's no shortage of innovation in the animal welfare industry, as over 100 organizations across the country received an Innovation Grant during the October 2018 cycle. "People have really embraced this idea of thinking outside-the-box to save lives, and it's showing on their applications!" said Kelly Clardy, Senior Grants Specialist at…

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Animal shelter and rescue organizations, take this survey and you could win a $500 grant!

February 7, 2019

Learning about shelter and rescue organizations' programs can help us save more lives everywhere, so we're looking to collect information on programs across the United States in this short survey. By completing it, you could win one of ten $500 grants! The survey will ask you about your organization's policies and structure related to foster care, but…

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Join us for an important webcast about veterinary care access 

January 31, 2019

Did you know that the lack of access to care is the most significant animal welfare crisis affecting owned pets in the United States? Millions of pets do not receive adequate veterinary care because the costs are simply beyond a family's ability to pay.   Learn more about this important and complex issue in our upcoming webcast, Access…

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#FeelGoodFriday: 12-year-old girl fosters 39 kittens in just over 1 year

January 25, 2019

After learning that many kittens do not fare well in a shelter, Keely Thomas asked her mom if they could foster. Her mom said no. But Thomas was not deterred. She had a plan. Using stuffed cats, she filmed educational videos about caring for kittens. After seeing how dedicated her daughter was, her mom decided…

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Million Cat Challenge: Cats, Birds, and Animal Shelters: Seeking Common Ground

Kate Hurley, DVM, MPVM January 23, 2019

In this presentation, Dr. Kate Hurley, Director of the U.C. Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program, will explore the real-life implications of various policies proposed to balance the needs of cats and birds.

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#MaddieMonday: Furthering professional development, 2019 resolutions and more!

January 21, 2019

Happy #MaddieMonday! We’re less than two weeks away from the American Pets Alive! No Kill Conference in Austin and we can’t wait! Will we see you there? Further your professional development at the American Pets Alive! Conference! Can you believe it's almost here? The American Pets Alive! Conference 2019 takes place February 2 – 4 at the…

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Maddie Talk: Cat Town, Oakland CA

January 17, 2019

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Unleashing the People Potential: How to Develop an Extraordinary Volunteer Culture for Winning Organizations

Gina Knepp and Bobby MannOctober 2018

Learn how a small municipal shelter attracted over 2,000 volunteers who give over 100,000 hours of service annually.

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The Yellow Brick Road: A Map to Fundraising Oz

Don Jennings, Consultant, Humane NetworkOctober 2018

This talk will put your feet on the path to practical and sustainable strategies that even the busiest nonprofit group can use (wizard not included).

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Crazy Awesome Customer Service for Animal People

Sue Cosby, Director of Lifesaving Programs & Partnerships, Petco FoundationOctober 2018

Learn how to integrate great customer experiences into everyday interactions, developing not just a customer relationship but creating supporters, donors and even advocates.

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Hills, Hollers and Humane Officers

Chelsea Staley, Executive Director, Kanawha-Charleston Humane AssociationOctober 2018

How a shelter in poverty-stricken Appalachia inspired change in the unlikeliest of places, and how you can, too.

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How to Help People Resolve Some Common Behavior Problems and Keep Their Pets

Kelley Bollen, MS, CABC, Owner and Executive Director, Kelley Bollen ConsultingOctober 2018

This talk reviews the most common behavior problems in dogs and cats and provides practical advice that can be shared with the pet owner to help keep pets in their homes.

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Leadership Requires Attention

Gina Knepp, Animal Care Services Manager, Front Street Animal Shelter, City of SacramentoOctober 2018

Leadership takes a special skillset and mindset. How your staff and volunteers are managed is but one key to success. It takes courage, hard work and creativity but the pay-off is well worth every effort.

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Leadership - The Who, How, What and When

Susanne Kogut, President and Executive Director, PetCo FoundationOctober 2018

In order to create a lifesaving community, our leadership needs to create a workshop of possibilities...the who is you, the how is together, the what is a positive attitude and the when is now.

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Saving More Lives with Best Practices

Cynthia Delany, DVM, UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program; Supervising Shelter Veterinarian - Yolo County Animal Services; Executive Director - California Animal Shelter Friends, Inc.October 2018

This talk discuss how you can save more animals while emphasizing welfare (both for the animals, yourself and your staff) by following best practices.

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Maddie’s Summer Scholar researches why neonatal kittens suckle on littermates

January 10, 2019

If you’re familiar with neonatal kitten litters, you know that suckling is a common issue, and even leads to serious health problems. So why does it happen and how can we prevent it? With the help of Maddie's® Summer Scholar program, Isabelle Walcher, a student the University of California, Davis, conducted research to find out.…

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Find out if your community is no-kill with Best Friends interactive map

January 3, 2019

How many states are no-kill? One, and it’s Maine, according to data shared by Best Friends Animal Society.  With an interactive map created by Best Friends, you can see how close or how far a community and state is on its way to becoming no-kill. Data can be sorted by state and on a more local…

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#FalalaFoster: Help foster caregivers become more confident with ear cleanings and eye treatments

December 20, 2018

If your shelter or rescue organization is looking to make its #FaLaLaFoster season one for the record books, check out these quick and informative Flash Classes. These five-minute videos are a great tool for your foster caregivers to become more comfortable with ear cleaning, eye treatments and tooth brushing. You're sure to open more doors to…

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Why one veterinary student wants to figure out what a “normal” kitten heart looks like, #ThanksToMaddie

December 19, 2018

What does a “normal” kitten heart look like? In animal shelters, this is often hard to determine since there are no set guidelines or reference points. Therefore, if a kitten has a murmur or other abnormality, their lives are sometimes in jeopardy because of the lack of ability to perform advanced cardiac examinations. This is…

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Lifesaving Webcast Series: Let Them Go Home - Increasing Adoptions

Monica FrendenThursday. December 13, 2018

How many more lives could you save if instead of keeping animals in the shelter until they are 100% ready, they went home with adopters now - to grow up, heal from injury, or recover from illness?

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Innovative lifesaving ideas to be awarded up to $400,000

December 11, 2018

The countdown to Petco's Innovation Showdown has begun! If your organization has an innovative lifesaving idea, now is the time to share it. The 2019 Innovation Showdown will be awarding up to $400,000 for your incredible animal lifesaving ideas, thanks to Showdown partners Petco Foundation, AnneNberg Foundation, Maddie's Fund®, the ASPCA®, the Jackson Galaxy Project,…

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#FeelGoodFriday: Make way for the puppy cart!

December 7, 2018

What's cuter than five floppy-eared puppies? How about five floppy-eared puppies being wheeled around in a cart? Nebraska Humane Society found a way to keep their puppies safe, work more efficiently and provide joy with an impromptu puppy parade, just by creating the puppy cart. Now, the puppies can be brought to different areas in…

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Lifesaving Webcast Series: Accelerate your Lifesaving: How to go from 50 to 90 (Percent Live Release Rate) Really Fast

Dr. Kim SandersThursday, December 6, 2018

Learn how to implement lifesaving programs that will take your facility from a save rate of 50% to over 90% in a very short period of time.

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

Emily McCobb, DVM, MS DACVAA, Clinical Associate Professor, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University 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.

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An Evidence-Based Look at Compassion Fatigue: Diagnosing the Doctor and Healing the Healer, Part 1 of 2

Brian A. DiGangi, DVM, MS, DABVP, Senior Director, Shelter Medicine, ASPCA 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.

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An Evidence-Based Look at Compassion Fatigue: Diagnosing the Doctor and Healing the Healer, Part 1 of 2

Brian A. DiGangi, DVM, MS, DABVP, Senior Director, Shelter Medicine, ASPCADecember 2018

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

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Cleaning and Disinfection in the Shelter

Chumkee Aziz, DVM, Senior Director, ASPCA Northern Tier Shelter Initiative 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.

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Creating a Culture of Philanthropy

Jill Beckwith, Chief Philanthropy Officer, EmancipetDecember 2018

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

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Disease Prevention in the Shelter

Lena DeTar, MS, DVM, DACVPM, DABVP, SMP Clinical Assistant Professor, Shelter Medicine, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine 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.

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Evolution of the Animal Welfare Movement

Jim Tedford, President and CEO, The Association for Animal Welfare AdvancementDecember 2018

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

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Effective Communication for Staff and Volunteers, Part 1

Susan Britt, Senior Director of Shelter Training, Interim Director of Operations, ASPCA December 2018

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

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Effective Communication for Staff and Volunteers, Part 2

Susan Britt, Senior Director of Shelter Training, Interim Director of Operations, ASPCA December 2018

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

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

Bonney Brown, President and Founder, Humane NetworkDecember 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.

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Feline Coronavirus and FIP: What's New?

Dr. Elizabeth Berliner and Dr. Gary WhittakerDecember 2018

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

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General Canine Infectious Diseases

Erin Henry, VMD, Instructor of Shelter Medicine, Maddie's Shelter Medicine Program, Cornell University College of Veterinary MedicineDecember 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.

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General Feline Infectious Diseases

Chumkee Aziz, DVM, Senior Director, ASPCA Northern Tier Shelter Initiative December 2018

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

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

Michael Barrett and Adriana JiménezDecember 2018

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

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Hiring the Right Person for the Job

Bonney Brown, President and Founder, Humane NetworkDecember 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.

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

Bonney Brown, President and Founder, Humane NetworkDecember 2018

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

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Influencing Local Policy

Jill Beckwith, Chief Philanthropy Officer, EmancipetDecember 2018

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

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The Role of Public Health in Animal Sheltering

Jeanette O'Quin, DVM, MPH, Clinical Assistant Professor, Shelter Medicine and Veterinary Public Health, Ohio State University College of Veterinary MedicineDecember 2018

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

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To Test or Not to Test: That is the Question

Brian A. DiGangi, DVM, MS, DABVP, Senior Director, Shelter Medicine, ASPCADecember 2018

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

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Transports Make Me Nervous!

Holly Putnam, DVM, Director of Operations and Outreach, Shelter Outreach Services, Ithaca NYDecember 2018

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

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

Carolyn R. Brown and Jocelyn KesslerDecember 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.

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Zoonotic Diseases: It Goes Both Ways, Part 1

Jeanette O'Quin, DVM, MPH, Clinical Assistant Professor, Shelter Medicine and Veterinary Public Health, Ohio State University College of Veterinary MedicineDecember 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.

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Zoonotic Diseases: It Goes Both Ways, Part 2

Jeanette O'Quin, DVM, MPH, Clinical Assistant Professor, Shelter Medicine and Veterinary Public Health, Ohio State University College of Veterinary MedicineDecember 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.

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Maddie Monthly: Our top stories of November

December 3, 2018

Last month was a busy one (aren’t they all?), so we wanted to make sure you didn't miss some of the popular Chew on This blog posts from November. Here you go! Foster pet marketing guide Download, save, print or share our thorough foster marketing guide. This guide has everything a foster caregiver could possibly…

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#FeelGoodFriday: 3 homeless Saint Bernards get adopted together

November 30, 2018

Does anyone have any vacuum recommendations? That's what the family who adopted three Saint Bernards in Canada would like to know. It was love at first sight for the family when an adoption plea for Gunther, Gasket and Goliath went viral. Due to their tight bond, the Edmonton Humane Society thought it was best for…

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A fresh look at microchipping can improve lifesaving

November 29, 2018

A new study suggests an increased focus on microchipping by shelters and veterinarians may make a lifesaving difference for stray pets. In a study published in the current issue of the Journal of Veterinary Behavior, researchers found that in Israel, animal shelters have a return-to-owner (RTO) rate for dogs of 67%, while the U.S. shelters…

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A trading post for shelter pet-helping ideas

November 27, 2018

Ever wish there was a place you could go to share your dog or cat wisdom with others? Or maybe you have an issue at your shelter or rescue organization and you'd like advice from someone who has been there before? Maddie's® Pet Forum is an excellent resource for organizations looking for encouragement and guidance.…

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How to Weigh Your Foster Pet

November 2018

In this short class you will learn how often you should weigh your foster pets, different methods of weighing your foster pets depending on their size, and when you should contact your foster manager about weight changes in your foster pet.

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Solving Litter Box Problems

November 2018

In this class you will learn how to understand the various issues related to owner surrender of cats with a history of inappropriate litter box use, the various medical and behavioral causes of peeing and/or pooping outside the litter box, techniques to eliminate behavioral causes of not using the litter box, and how to facilitate a successful adoption of a cat with a history of inappropriate litter box use.

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Choosing the Appropriate Walking Gear

November 2018

In this class, you will learn the various different types of dog walking equipment, the pros and cons of each equipment, and what might be best for your foster dog.

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Fear Free Pet Brushing

November 2018

In this short video, learn the best way to brush your dog or cat that makes the process fun and easy for both you and your foster pet.

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Fear Free Ear Cleaning

November 2018

In this short video, learn techniques for helping your foster pet learn that ear treatments don't have to be a frightening and unpleasant experience.

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How to Handle Leash Walking

November 2018

In this short class, learn the best tips for training your foster dog to walk properly on leash as well as a few other training scenarios leashes come in handy for.

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Fear Free Eye Treatment

November 2018

In this video, learn how to make these treatments more of a positive experience for your foster dog or cat and make the entire process less of a struggle for both you and your foster pet.

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Fear Free Tooth Brushing

November 2018

In this video, learn how you can gain your foster pets approval of teeth brushing as well as turn a potential negative experience into a positive one.

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#FeelGoodFriday: There’s a new sheriff in town

November 16, 2018

We all know that police departments have K-9 officers, but why should dogs get all the glory? That’s no longer the case at one Chicago precinct. Gizmo the cat recently became part of the department’s community outreach program. The 8-year-old was living on easy street with his police family, but now he has a job…

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Lifesaving Webcast Series: Intake Mitigation and Managed Intake

Sarah Boyd and Joe HellebrandThursday, November 15, 2018

In this webcast, Brevard County Sheriff's Office Animal Shelter personnel Dr. Sarah Boyd and Joe Hellebrand let you in on the secret that Animal Control shelters can operate as no-kill.

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#FeelGoodFriday: Orphaned kitten can’t stop cuddling his foster siblings

November 9, 2018

Lionel was a very young kitten when he was found in a bush on a rainy day. Barb, a volunteer of Allen County SPCA, took Lionel in as a foster. At one point, he stopped eating and began to decline. Barb knew that Lionel would do much better if he had some siblings around. She asked…

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Register now for the American Pets Alive! Conference in February

November 6, 2018

It's now time to register for the American Pets Alive! Conference! We are happy to announce our continued partnership with the AmPA! Conference. This year's conference will be held February 2 – 4, 2019, at the AT&T Hotel & Conference Center in Austin, TX. Over the course of three days, attendees will gain access to…

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Maddie's Pet Assistant App Revolutionizing Support for Pet Foster and Adoptive Homes

Amber FreiwaldTuesday, November 6, 2018

Introducing Maddie's® Pet Assistant, a FREE app developed by Maddie's Fund® to follow up with adopters and foster caregivers once a pet is placed in their new permanent or temporary home.

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#FeelGoodFriday: Patches gets patched up with a 3D-printed skull

November 2, 2018

Patches the Dachshund had 70 percent of her skull removed, but you'd never know it by looking at her. Four years ago, Patches had a bump on top of her head. Her owner, Danielle Dymeck kept an eye on it as it continued to grow. Turns out it was a life-threatening tumor. It was pressing…

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Million Cat Challenge: 'Care To' Programs at the Winnipeg Humane Society

Val PoultonThursday, November 1, 2018

Learn how the Care to Adopt (for strays) and Care to Rehome (for owned cats) Programs help get cats into new homes without a shelter stay, and include low cost spay/neuter and vaccinations to those adopters.

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Lifesaving Webcast Series: Saving Lives Through Transport Programs

Colleen HarringtonThursday, November 1, 2018

Hear an overview of the key elements of a good transport program, transport best practices and how to get started on a lifesaving transport program that benefits not only the animals but the sending and receiving partners as well.

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Webcast: Enhance support for your foster caregivers with Maddie’s Pet Assistant

October 30, 2018

How would you like to provide amazing support to your foster caregivers and adopters from day one? Maddie's® Pet Assistant (MPA) does this for you and we have a webcast, How the Maddie’s® Pet Assistant App is Revolutionizing Support for Pet Foster and Adoptive Homes on November 6 at 6pm PT/9pm ET to tell you all about…

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You don’t have to reinvent the wheel to save more pets

October 25, 2018

It may feel a little like stealing. But when it comes to saving the lives of animals, borrowing ideas from other organizations is a great way to achieve your mission. "We are always stealing and polishing," says Sharon Harmon, CEO of the Oregon Humane Society (OHS) and Maddie Hero Award recipient. "We can all learn…

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Million Cat Challenge: Albuquerque Case Studies Going Big With Community Cat Programs

Desiree Triste-AragonThursday, October 25, 2018

Learn how the Albuquerque Animal Welfare Department partnered with Petsmart Charities and Best Friends Animal Society to drastically reduce euthanasia and intake of cats and kittens coming into the shelter. Learn more about how the program works and how you can replicate it in your community.

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Million Cat Challenge: Helping vs Enabling: Knowing the Difference Made All the Difference!

Shelly SimmonsThursday, October 18, 2018

Learn how the largest open-admission shelter in South Carolina decreased cat intake in their shelter by nearly 60% and increased the feline save rate from 30% to over 80% in less than three years!

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How foster field trips saved a dog named Kathy

October 16, 2018

Is there anything you haven’t tried to save your long-stay dogs who are getting kennel-stressed? Read Kathy’s story and see if what helped her will work for your dogs, too. As Kathy's stay at Louisville Metro Animal Services (LMAS) crept beyond 80 days, multiple signs of kennel stress began to appear: jumping, frantic barking at…

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#FeelGoodFriday: Nothin’ but purr love from kitty saved by shelter medicine

October 12, 2018

We have a saying: Pets are “rescued by love, and saved by shelter medicine.” No kitty illustrates that quite as well as Insta-famous cat Smush, who has been part of #FeelGoodFriday once before, when we shared her powerful (but tiny!) story. To recap: A tiny little kitten with a cleft palate came into a Florida…

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Million Cat Challenge: Believe in Saving Lives

Karen SheppardThursday, October 11, 2018

How changing communication approaches, implementing strong programs, and the power of belief all came together to save cats' lives in Huntsville's municipal shelter.

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Susan Houser explains just how far we’ve come in animal sheltering and lifesaving

October 9, 2018

Take what you think you know about the history of animal sheltering and throw it out the window. Susan Houser, the author of the popular blog, Out the Front Door, recently published her book, Prodigal Pets, which dives deep into the history of animal sheltering and the origin of the no-kill movement. For example, in…

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#FeelGoodFriday: When little girl meets shelter dog, it’s true love

October 5, 2018

One tiny dog all alone in the shelter… and then a little girl in a tutu wanders by. It’s love. We mean true love. Fireworks, roses, confetti, tiny angels flying around — the whole thing. The best thing. The thing we want to see come true for every single homeless dog or cat (and lonely…

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Million Cat Challenge: Keeping Cats out of Shelters

Monica FrendenThursday, October 4, 2018

Learn about how the PASS (Positive Alternatives to Shelter Surrender) diversion program keeps cats from ever entering shelters

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Lifesaving Webcast Series: Where are you with Lifesaving in your Shelter? Your Data is the Lifeline

Dr. Mike GreenbergThursday, October 4, 2018

Your data is a powerful tool for decision making. We partner with Shelter Animals Count and Humane Dash to bring you charts and graphs of your data, fast!

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Should animal organizations post the same content multiple times on Twitter?

October 2, 2018

No animal organization wants to come across as spammy. In fact, on some social networks such as Facebook, posting too frequently will work against you. But on Twitter, more is better, and so is repeating yourself. Two years ago, Twitter gave accounts the ability to re-post — known on the platform as a re-Tweet, or…

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#FeelGoodFriday: Veterinarian gives abandoned dog patience, trust and a home

September 28, 2018

Dr. Julie Reck  got a frantic call from her team at the vet hospital late one night. Someone had abandoned a dog in a crate in their alley — and the pup was terrified and wouldn’t come out of the crate. When Reck arrived at the clinic, she put patience and her Fear Free handling…

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Use these free or low-cost ways to thank your donors

September 27, 2018

We know how important it is to acknowledge people who choose to donate their hard-earned money to your shelter or rescue or organization. But how can you do it in a cost-effective manner? In a recent Wired Impact blog post, the nonprofit website design company laid out some incentives nonprofits can offer their donors. But…

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Million Cat Challenge: Managed Intake and Restructuring the Budget

Mandy EvansThursday, September 27, 2018

In this Webcast, Mandy Evans will cover two topics: A panleukopenia outbreak, and how managed intake, housing changes and partnering with the community made all the difference.

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So, You Want Some Money? How to Apply for Maddie's Fund® Innovation Grants

Kelly Clardy and Amber EbyThursday, September 20, 2018

Do you have questions about Maddie's Fund® Innovation Grants?

During this informative webcast, you will hear a brief overview of the Innovation Grants, Maddie's Fund Grant Portal, and the application process.

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Million Cat Challenge: Yes, and....

Seth Montgomery and Natalie CorwinThursday, September 20, 2018

Do you have 15 minutes to save more cats' lives?

In this webcast, you'll discover how an open-admission municipal shelter and a nonprofit veterinary clinic worked together to lower cat intake at the shelter.

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Introducing a New Dog to Pocket Pets and/or Birds

September 2018

Introducing a new dog to pocket pets and/or birds can be risky, and needs to be carefully planned and done slowly.

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Feeding Your New Dog

September 2018

Nutrition and the food you choose to feed your dog will have a big impact on their overall health and energy.

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What Do I Need? Training and Walking Supplies for Your New Dog

August 2019

Here are some basics that will help to be prepared for the best walks of your life with your new dog.

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Housetraining - Building Healthy Elimination Habits

August 1, 2019

With a good plan, your new dog can quickly learn to use the outdoor bathroom area you establish.

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Play and Toys - Your New Dog's First Few Days

September 2018

Play is a great way to release stress and tension, and a dog occupied with toys or games will also be a dog that isn't chewing on your personal belongings and furniture.

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Study: Nonprofit spay/neuter is good for people, pets and communities

September 18, 2018

No one wants to see pets born who will end up homeless or unwanted. But in areas where veterinary practices are already facing a tough economic landscape, the opening of nonprofit spay/neuter clinics can feel threatening. Are those fears realistic? A new study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association suggests the…

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#FeelGoodFriday: Soldier reunited with dog she rescued in Iraq

September 14, 2018

Who loves ya, baby? For this soldier, her husband and the dog she rescued in Iraq, the answer is clearly, “Everyone.” Not only did Sgt. Tracy McKithern greet her beloved dog, Erby, before greeting her husband, but her husband brought the dog to her and clearly had no other plan in mind. As for Erby,…

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Saving Cats: What Comes After a Million?

Dr. Kate Hurley and Dr. Julie LevyThursday, September 13, 2018

The intrepid co-founders of the Million Cat Challenge (MCC) dared to imagine reaching a tipping point for how cats are cared for in our shelters and communities, and reached their goal of saving 1 million cats a full year early.

The Million Cat Challenge isn't done yet!

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#FeelGoodFriday: Equal time for your brain on puppies

August 31, 2018

Yes, we heard you. Loud and clear! After we explained the whole “neuroscience and kittens” thing as a powerful motivator for kitten fostering and adoption, we got the message that you want to know the same thing about puppies. Of course, we’d never fill your #FeelGoodFriday with gratuitous cuteness, so please believe us when we…

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LifeLine Animal Project's Pets for Life Program

August 31, 2018

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How the Maddie’s Pet Assistant app helped this new adopter cope with a pooping puppy

August 30, 2018

Tatiana Ware adopted Nigel, a 3-month-old puppy, from Valley Humane in Pleasanton, CA, during an adoption event. While Ware had lived with a dog before, she never had her own dog, let alone a puppy, so the potty training process was new for her. It was smooth sailing until Nigel decided to poop behind the…

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#FeelGoodFriday: What fostering kittens does to your brain

August 24, 2018

Maybe you’re looking for an ally in your quest to get more people to foster kittens. Or maybe you want to foster or adopt a kitten of your own, but you need some reassurance that it’s a solid decision. Don’t worry; neuroscience has you covered! In this ultimate #FeelGoodFriday video, neuroscience Ph.D. candidate Shannon Odell…

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New crowdfunding platform helps pet owners and animal organizations raise money for vet care

August 23, 2018

Whether you are a shelter professional, rescue volunteer or pet owner, you’ve probably seen people crowdfunding for sick or injured pets. But how do you know it’s legitimate? Sometimes people post copies of their bills, but often you’re asked to simply take their word for it. That's where Waggle comes in. Waggle partners directly with…

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AVMA article lays out ways private practice veterinarians can help save homeless pets

August 21, 2018

A new article in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association says private practice veterinarians have the power to help end pet homelessness and euthanasia in their communities. Relations between private practice veterinarians and shelters/rescue organizations experience challenges in many communities. However, the influx of younger veterinarians combined with the explosive growth in the number…

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#FeelGoodFriday: Who knew taming a feral kitten could be this cute?

August 17, 2018

The question isn't, can feral kittens be tamed. The question is, how will you ever get anything done ever again instead of watching this video over and over and over? Meet Pistachio, a feral kitten with some seriously cute whiskers who came into his foster home dirty and, frankly, pretty annoyed. With some TLC, patience,…

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Join the #GetEmHomeChallenge!

Kelly DuerAugust 16, 2018

Is there a better feeling in the world than one of your shelter's long-stay animals finding a home? How about the feeling of receiving a grant? What if you could do both? You can, and in this free Maddie's Fund® webcast, you'll find out how!

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Clicker training can reduce stress for cats in animal shelters

August 14, 2018

When shelter staff and volunteers talk about clicker training for cats, it’s mostly as a way to get the kitties to put their best paw forward for adopters. But what if it can be something more — even a tool to fight suffering and disease? That was the theory of researchers at Colorado State and North…

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#FeelGoodFriday: Drive too fast, foster some kittens.

August 10, 2018

Which would make your Friday feel better: A speeding ticket, or a kitten? That’s the premise of this cute PSA from the Brevard County, FL, Sheriff’s Office, promoting their foster program for orphaned kittens. A woman was going a little over the speed limit, and an officer pulled her over. He made her an offer…

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Should you invite a string quartet to your spay/neuter clinic?

August 7, 2018

Cats, it turns out, really like classical music. And when veterinarians played Samuel Barber’s “Adagio for Strings (Opus 11)” while cats were being spayed, the feline patients were less stressed out than when listening to other types of music, or no music at all. In what might be unwelcome news for rock fans, the cats…

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How Maddie’s Pet Assistant can help with owner return prevention

August 2, 2018

What if you could support your pet adopters and help prevent returns without having to put in a lot of extra effort or spend any money? Maddie's Pet Assistant (MPA), a tool that helps you provide support to adopters and foster caregivers, might be exactly what you need. What's more, it comes at no cost…

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Can something in the air treat fights between cats in the same family?

July 31, 2018

What if you could sprinkle magic fairy dust to reduce fighting between cats in a family? That would certainly help keep cats in their homes, and encourage people to adopt multiple cats, so we wish we could tell you magic anti-cat fight fairy dust was a thing. What we can tell you is there’s something…

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An adoption fee tweak that lets animal shelters help more pets

July 24, 2018

What if you could reduce the time animals have to wait to find a forever home, while increasing adoptions and seeing your adoption revenue go up? This positive turn of events has been playing out this year at San Jose Animal Care Center (SJACC)– and the center says a newly-implemented strategy called "variable pricing" is largely…

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#FeelGoodFriday: The little animal shelter that could

July 20, 2018

When Sgt. Karl Bailey of the Seagoville, TX, police department was asked to take over the city’s animal shelter, he balked at first. He’d been a police officer for 22 years; what did he know about animal sheltering? Nothing, that’s what. But he finally agreed to do it under two conditions: It had to become…

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Tip: Create a ‘relaxation station’ for shelter dogs who need to chill

July 19, 2018

Do you have a dog in your shelter who could use some time away from the noise and activity levels of the adoption floor? How about a dog who just needs a staycation? With some creativity and a little bit of extra space, you can create your own “relaxation station” for a stressed-out dog! The…

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How to clean and disinfect pet foster homes

July 17, 2018

Your foster caregivers provide a warm and safe place for their foster pets, but do they know how to properly clean and disinfect their homes? This is especially important when there is a sick foster in the house. Everything from how to clean, why, when and supplies needed are discussed in this 17-minute Flash Class,…

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Innovative foster care for the win with Innovation Grants!

July 12, 2018

We can't get ready for the next round of Innovation Grants without giving big congratulations to the grantees from last round, can we? Of course not! So, please join us in congratulating the 116 Innovation Grant recipients from April 2018! "The category was Innovative Foster Care, and we were thrilled to see so many organizations…

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How one animal organization uses Trello for dog foster management

July 5, 2018

Austin Pets Alive! was putting in a lot of work each day to let its foster dog network know about its pups that need temporary homes. The rescue organization would send out daily foster pleas to roughly 2,000 recipients. With 300 to 400 dogs needing foster care at any given time, the group was sending 12…

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5 ways to start and grow your animal organization’s mailing list

July 3, 2018

As animal organizations struggle with Facebook’s increasingly restrictive algorithm, the need to make sure all your eggs aren’t in Facebook’s basket becomes more obvious. One of the often-neglected but best ways to accomplish that is by building and growing your own direct email capability — but how can you do that? While it’s been easy…

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#FeelGoodFriday: Harvey makes his own dog adoption PSA

June 29, 2018

Say you’re a dog named Harvey. Say you’re in the shelter. Say you want to grab the attention of adopters. Now, say you totally suspend all disbelief and imagine you’re a dog named Harvey who’s in a shelter and wants to grab the attention of adopters, and so you make your very own adoption promotional…

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#FeelGoodFriday: Dog with cancer learns he’s getting adopted

June 22, 2018

This spotted dog had a rough start on life, including an accident that left him injured on the streets. Fortunately, the Maple Woods Veterinary Technician program in Kansas City, MO, took him into their adoption program, where he got all the veterinary care and love he needed. Sadly, he turned out to have cancer with…

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The Shelter's Role in Disaster Response

Dr. Elise GingrichJune 21, 2018

Last year saw communities across the country devastated by hurricanes, wildfires, and mudslides. That leaves a simple question for every animal organization: Do you have a disaster plan?

If the answer is no, or if you do but you're not sure it's up to date, please join us and the Association of Shelter Veterinarians (ASV) for The Shelter's Role in Disaster Response with Dr. Elise Gingrich, Supervising Veterinarian at Larimer Humane Society in Fort Collins, CO.

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Foster care saves lives when strep zoo hits animal shelter

June 19, 2018

Streptococcus zooepidemicus, known more commonly as strep zoo, is one of the most fearful respiratory diseases that can strike a shelter dog. How did the dogs at the Pima Animal Care Center in Tucson, AZ, escape it? Thanks to the swift response of the shelter medicine team and loving foster homes! “This is a truly…

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#FeelGoodFriday: For a shelter dog, ‘life’s funny’

June 15, 2018

Few cartoonists are as beloved among animal lovers as Patrick McDonnell, the artist behind the comic strip, “MUTTS.” This heartwarming PSA for the Shelter Pet Project was animated from McDonnell’s work by award winning animator Paul Fierlinger. It’s narrated by a lovable pooch named Mike, who found himself in a couple of unexpected situations… including…

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Help kittens shine with Kitten Kindergarten

June 14, 2018

What's cuter than one kitten learning manners? Several kittens learning how to "touch," "sit" and wear a harness with pride! After all, puppies have access to all sorts of classes, so why not kittens? By exposing kittens who are 16 weeks and younger to new experiences, they’ll be on their way to becoming confident and…

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Easy tip to get young adults to volunteer at your animal organization

June 12, 2018

If you wish your shelter or rescue organization had more young people involved as volunteers, fosters, and supporters, then it’s time to let the dogs out… on a day trip, that is! Barbara Hutcherson recently told us about a happy and unexpected benefit of the day trip and short-term fostering program at the Lost Dog…

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#FeelGoodFriday: 10 signs you’re a crazy cat person

June 8, 2018

Do you have more photos of cats on your phone than people? Do you buy lint rollers in bulk? Do you have so many boxes lying around people might confuse your house for a recycling center? Congratulations! You’re probably a crazy cat person! That’s the scoop from Cat Man Chris, better known as the Dad…

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A free technology resource guide for your animal organization

June 5, 2018

Whether you made it to our technology session at Animal Care Expo last month or not, we have great resources to help you save more lives with the power of tech! The session pulled together a panel of experts in animal welfare technology: Dr. Sheila D'Arpino, Director of Research for Maddie’s Fund®; Lars Rabbe, Maddie's…

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2 simple ways to improve your kitten foster program

May 31, 2018

Cat Adoption Team has a pretty rocking foster program, with roughly 100 foster homes that care for nearly 1,000 kittens a year. So, when they dispense tips, we listen. During a webinar with ASPCApro, Kristi Brooks of Cat Adoption Team gave advice on how to strengthen your foster care program and make it more accessible…

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#FeelGoodFriday: Shelter dogs on big, comfy chairs

May 25, 2018

The only thing better than getting adopted is getting comfy in the meantime! That’s the likely opinion of these shelter dogs who are benefiting from the recent craze of putting armchairs into animal shelters so the pets can chill out in comfort. The chairs make the pets more appealing to adopters, too. It’s a classic…

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Heard it at Expo: Fun with foster care, Maddie’s Lifesaving Academy and more

May 17, 2018

If you ever wondered who put the “fun” in “Maddie’s Fund®,” the answer is simple: You! That was clear as you joined us at Animal Care Expo to play (Foster) Family Feud and learn about foster programs from the experts and each other. There were lots of laughs and lots of lessons, and it’s hard…

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#FeelGoodFriday: Parents fake kids out with stealth dog adoption

May 11, 2018

When it is okay to lie to your kids? When you tell them you’re going shopping but it’s really a stealth pet adoption! These parents told their three kids they were going Christmas shopping, but they actually had arranged to meet a foster dog who was out on a field trip with her foster mom.…

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How to increase cat adoptions, improve morale and save money

May 10, 2018

Looking for a way to increase lifesaving and reduce costs? You may want to consider permanently lowering adoption fees. That’s exactly what Maria M. Benham, the then-President and CEO of Dubuque Regional Humane Society in Iowa did. As you’ll learn in their Maddie Talk Reducing Cat Adoption Fees Can Save Lives AND Expenses, the results…

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Study: Most adopters are happy with their new dogs and cats

May 8, 2018

While the pet adoption world is becoming more and more adopter-friendly, concerns about making sure the adoptions are successful still crop up fairly often. A just-published study conducted in an Australian shelter found that most adoptions are successful and most adopters are satisfied with their pet’s behavior, even when the newly-acquired pet was reported to…

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#FeelGoodFriday: Cats. Bubbles. What more do we need to say?

May 4, 2018

Stuck for ways to brighten the lives of the cats in your shelter, rescue organization or foster home? Think bubbles! Not only will bubbles make the cats happy, watching the cats play with the bubbles will make you happy, too! Just see what happened when Best Friends Animal Society turned the bubbles loose in their…

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Louisville shelter teams up with local police to get dogs out into the field… and adopted!

May 3, 2018

Looking for ways to get your shelter’s dogs out into the community so they can get seen by more potential adopters? Consider partnering with your local police department! That’s what Louisville Metro Animal Services (LMAS) did after Stephanie Jackson got back from the Maddie’s® Medium and Large Adult Dog Foster Apprenticeship at Pima Animal Care…

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Study: Can foster field trips improve welfare in dogs?

May 1, 2018

Can just a few hours outside the shelter make a difference for a dog? Data from an ongoing study suggests foster field trips can help improve welfare in dogs, increase adoption chances and create other advantages for the organization caring for the dogs. Here’s the background: About a year ago, Austin Animal Center received a…

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Happy Birthday to the little dog who started it all!

April 26, 2018

Yes, there was a real Maddie. She was a little dog born on April 26 many years ago. Today we celebrate her birthday. Maddie was part of Dave and Cheryl Duffield’s family for 10 years, and they founded Maddie’s Fund® to honor their sweet yet feisty and spirited dog. It’s the fulfillment of a promise…

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#FeelGoodFriday: 50 boxes. 2 cats. A-MAZE-ing!

April 20, 2018

We could tell you the reason we’re posting this is to suggest an inexpensive, effective form of enrichment for cats in homes, foster care, or animal shelters. While that’s accurate, it’s also kind of untrue… because the real reason we’re posting this is because it makes us so darn happy just to watch it. And…

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Study: Save 5 times more dogs, cut costs and improve health in your animal shelter

April 17, 2018

Short of finding a magic wand, there’s really nothing better than foster care programs for boosting lifesaving, cutting costs and improving health in animal shelters. Unconvinced? Check out the results of a study just published in the peer-reviewed journal Animals, “Factors Associated with High Live Release for Dogs at a Large, Open-Admission, Municipal Shelter.” The…

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Getting to no-kill and staying there: One animal control agency’s story

April 10, 2018

Is achieving no-kill possible at an animal care and control facility? How about sustaining it? Brevard County Sheriff's office in Titusville, FL, proves both are possible, but it didn't happen overnight. In fact, it took about two years from when Sheriff Ivey and the Brevard County Sheriff's Office first took over animal services. Here’s what…

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#FeelGoodFriday: Blind kitties playing like bosses

April 6, 2018

Think life as a blind kitty would be hard or depressing? Nah! In fact, life for Petunia and Frito is all about the toys and games — ones that make noise, natch, so they can chase, catch, swat, run, and otherwise get the exercise and enrichment every kitty needs and deserves. Their swanky digs and…

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Softening line between fostering and adoption creates lifesaving opportunities for pets

April 3, 2018

A Virginia animal shelter is in the process of developing an official foster program. In the meantime, they’ve become creative in how they discuss options with potential adopters, staff and volunteers — and are getting more dogs into homes because of it! Dyanna Uchiek is Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator at Chesapeake Animal Services, in Chesapeake,…

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Cats are Not Small Dogs: Changing the Shelter System to Save More Cats

Monica FrendenMarch 2018

A shelter system that was built for dogs is still the model applied to cats. As a result, 70% of cats who enter our nation's shelters each year are killed. What changes do we need to make in our industry, in our programs, and in our communities to change this?

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Community First: Alan Graham on Impact and Homelessness

Alan GrahamMarch 2018

In this keynote address, Alan Graham, founder and CEO of Mobile Loaves & Fishes and the groundbreaking Community First! Village, discusses the issues surrounding human homelessness and how our human institutions are much like those for animals.

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Creating and Growing a Dog Foster Network

Ann Lindholm and Kelly DuerMarch 2018

With a viable foster program it's possible to begin saving lives and transforming your community to no-kill, even if you don't have a shelter. Learn how to build a successful foster program that can grow with your organization.

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Essentials of Saving Big Dogs

Kristen Auerbach, Mike Kaviani, Clare CallisonMarch 2018

Experts present the essential programs, best practices, and core philosophies needed to start saving the big dogs in your communities. Think of this presentation as the key ingredients needed to move towards and achieve 90% for your community's dogs.

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Every Day, Every Dog - Let Them Play! The Impact of Play Groups

Aimee SadlerMarch 2018

It's more than just fun and games; play groups save lives! Aimee Sadler, Founder and CEO shares case studies and evidence that playgroups improve the quality of life of dogs and their caretakers.

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Fighting Fungus: Treat, Foster And Adopt Cats And Kittens With Ringworm

Kristen HansenMarch 2018

Tens of thousands of cats are euthanized each year solely because they have been diagnosed with ringworm. This workshop provides you with information on how to identify, house, and treat cats infected with ringworm.

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Get Your Pit Bull-Type Dogs Adopted with the Canine Good Citizen Program

Carrie MorrisMarch 2018

Through a partnership with Best Friends Animal Society, Austin Pets Alive! embarked on a six-month pilot program to test the effectiveness of Canine Good Citizen Training on adoption rates. The results have been jaw-dropping!

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High Volume Cat Foster Program

Ashley MiddletonMarch 2018

Fosters often mean the difference between life and death for cats in the shelter. Austin Pets Alive's Cat Foster Manager discuss how to recruit foster homes, place cats in foster, and maintain a foster network.

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How Austin Did It - Roadmap to Saving More Lives

Ellen Jefferson, DVM, Ryan Clinton, Lee Ann ShenefielMarch 2018

This presentation is designed to give you context about the obstacles, the challenges, the successes and the strategies that made Austin, TX the largest No Kill (counting all animals entering the shelter) City in America.

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Hurricane Harvey- Dealing with Distemper in the Midst of a Crisis

Ellen Jefferson, DVM and Carley Faughn, PhDMarch 2018

Contagious disease is always a threat to a shelter or rescue group but in the midst of a crisis, when you have make-shift housing and many hands in the pot, it can spread like wildfire.

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Maddie's Idea Lab: Saving Lives and Spreading Good Ideas

Sheila Segurson D'Arpino, DVM, DACVBMarch 2018

Maddie's® Idea Lab supports the implementation and assessment of innovative ideas that have a high likelihood of advancing lifesaving of dogs and cats, the utilization of foster care for dogs and cats or animal welfare leadership. Come to this lecture to find out what we've learned and how these ideas are saving lives.

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Overcoming Obstacles: Wisdom of the Warrior with David Meyer

David MeyerMarch 2018

How can you better motivate the public to take the actions you need them to take? David Meyer shows you how to use the subtle principles of Jiu Jitsu to build support and overcome obstacles in all aspects of life in this presentation.

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Saving All The Bottle Baby Kittens: From Nursery To Foster Presentation

Casandra MensingMarch 2018

Austin Pets Alive! (APA) has saved over 7,500 neonatal kittens since 2009. In this two-part presentation, you'll learn how to start and build a bottle baby nursery, plus how to create a foster network for neonates. This is part one: How to start and build a bottle baby nursery

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Saving All The Bottle Baby Kittens: From Nursery To Foster Presentation - Part 2

Gloria HudsonMarch 2018

Austin Pets Alive! (APA) has saved over 7,500 neonatal kittens since 2009. In this is a two-part presentation, you'll learn how to start and build a bottle baby nursery, plus how to create a foster network for neonates. This is part two: How to create a foster network for neonates.

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Shelter Pet Marketing is Not Adoption Counseling

Kristen Auerbach, Monica Frenden, Mike RyanMarch 2018

Marketing is about putting your best foot forward. Since pets don't know how to market, they need you to be the savviest marketer around to save their lives and give people the opportunity to fall in love. Come learn what works!

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Strategic Planning To No Kill - No Duplication Of Effort In Your Community Is Key

Ellen Jefferson, DVM, Brent ToellnerMarch 2018

This session is a step-by-step tutorial on focusing your work so that it is additive, not duplicative, or worse yet, inconsequential. We show you exactly how!

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Venturing Past 90: Who are the Last 10% of Dogs and How Do You Save Them?

Mike Kaviani and Marian CannellMarch 2018

What should your shelter/community expect when you're ready to push past 90%? Come learn about "the last 10 percent", and the programs that are saving the dogs that have historically been deemed unsaveable.

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Study: How shelters can save more senior cats and dogs

March 27, 2018

Do you want to get more senior dogs and cats adopted? A new study reports that, to accomplish that goal, animal shelters and rescue organizations need to provide health care to pets already in the shelter, as well as veterinary support to help keep older pets in the homes they already have — whether it’s permanently,…

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#FeelGoodFriday: Adopted pit bull’s makeup tutorials take YouTube by storm

March 23, 2018

YouTube has become the land of the beauty guru, with channels boasting from hundreds to many millions of followers earnestly explaining how best to highlight and contour the face, conceal flaws, and create the perfect brow look. But they all may as well shut down and give up, because Malachi the rescue pit bull has…

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Social media getting tough for animal organizations? Search may be filling the gap

March 22, 2018

The term “SEO” — for "search engine optimization" — has an almost outdated sound to it in an era when many animal organizations have shifted much of their focus from the web to social media, particularly Facebook, to drive adoptions, donations and awareness. But as Facebook re-conceives how it delivers posts made by nonprofits to…

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Adult Cat and Kitten Fostering

Jodi Osborne and Christina EllwoodMarch 2018

Whether you're looking to start a foster program at your shelter, or give a boost to an already-existing foster program, Maddie's Fund® has a webcast series for you!

On Thursday, March 22, 2018, at 9 PM Eastern, Charleston Animal Society Foster and Rescue Coordinators Jodi Osborne and Christina Ellwood will present a free Maddie's Fund webcast, Adult Cat and Kitten Fostering.

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How to keep interactions between foster dogs and children safe

March 20, 2018

Have you considered fostering a dog, but have children and wonder if that’s a good fit? You can easily set your family up for success! Just follow a few simple guidelines and educate your children on how to properly interact with your new foster dog. These guidelines can found in our four-minute Flash Class, Keeping…

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Is it time to stop evaluating shelter dogs for food guarding?

March 15, 2018

Research published last month suggests evaluating shelter dogs for food guarding doesn’t increase safety or reduce bites, and may result in lower adoption rates and increased euthanasia of dogs who are defined as “food guarders.” The behavior a dog shows in an animal shelter may not match the behavior she’ll show once in a home.…

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Adult Dog Fostering

Kristen AuerbachMarch 2018

Whether you're looking to start a foster program at your shelter, or give a boost to an already-existing foster program, Maddie's Fund has a webcast series for you!

On Thursday, March 15, 2018, at 9 PM Eastern, Kristen Auerbach, Director of Animal Services at Pima Animal Care Center in Tucson, Arizona, will present a free Maddie's Fund webcast, Adult Dog Fostering.

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#FeelGoodFriday: 6-year-old boy is saving all the dogs

March 9, 2018

This little boy is definitely every homeless dog’s best friend! Roman loves dogs and wants them to find homes. He wants that so much he makes adoption videos for them, showcasing their amazing qualities and explaining why adopting one of them would make your life better. In fact, we’re pretty sure if you just do…

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This animal organization donor ‘thank you’ message is the cat’s meow!

March 8, 2018

Every animal shelter or rescue organization could use more money, right? One of the most important tools for the care and cultivation of donors is one that comes after they make their first gift: the thank you. Here’s how you can knock yours out of the park. Making sure a donor “thank you” email is…

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Foster Sleepovers: How Temporary Fostering Can Improve the Lives of Shelter Dogs

Lisa Gunter and Kelly DuerMarch 2018

Whether you're looking to start a foster program at your shelter, or give a boost to an already-existing foster program, Maddie's Fund® has a webcast series for you!

This free webcast on Thursday, March 8, 2018, at 9 PM Eastern will show you how temporary fostering can improve the lives of shelter dogs.

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Canine Parvovirus and Community Outreach

PASPCAMarch 2018

Canine parvovirus is life threatening, highly contagious and takes a lot of care. ICU-level treatment can be out of reach for financially-challenged dog owners. This video shows dog owners to show them how to medically care for their parvo-afflicted dogs at home, while providing support and office visits at their outpatient care center.

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DNA test for ringworm can clear cats for adoption more quickly

March 6, 2018

A rapid DNA test lets animal shelters know with certainty that a cat or kitten is negative for ringworm, allowing those kitties to head straight out to the adoption floor or into foster care without concern that they might be contagious. The test considered the “gold standard” for diagnosing ringworm (Microsporum canis dermatophytosis) in cats is…

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Tips for working with local lawmakers on animal issues

March 1, 2018

What is the single biggest mistake animal advocates can make when trying to work with lawmakers on animal issues in their communities? Ryan Clinton, who helped make Austin, Texas the largest no-kill city in the U.S., says this: “It’s for advocates to go to their city hall, make a presentation, be roundly ignored, and conclude…

webcast

Foster Field Trips: A Gateway to Community Engagement in Getting Pets Adopted

Kelly DuerFebruary 2018

Whether you're looking to start a foster program at your shelter, or give a boost to an already-existing foster program, Maddie's Fund® has a webcast series for you!

In a free webcast on Thursday, March 1, 2018, at 9 PM Eastern, Foster Field Trips: A Gateway to Community Engagement in Getting Pets Adopted, you will learn how getting pets out of the shelter for even a few hours can create benefits for the pet, the community, and the adoption organization.

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It’s time for animal organizations to give Google My Business a look

February 27, 2018

Is Google My Business a tool animal shelters and rescue organizations should explore? Absolutely, says Lindsay Layendecker, Senior Manager of Education and Outreach at the Jacksonville Humane Society. Google My Business is a free service that allows businesses, as well as nonprofits, to create customized information, posts, events, hours, and other features to accompany their…

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#FeelGoodFriday: Shelter cats meet Broadway CATS, and the result is adoption!

February 23, 2018

Is there anything you wouldn’t do to help a cat get a great home? How about singing and dancing? On Broadway? Fortunately, you don’t have to, because the cast of CATS, one of the longest-running shows in theater history and the only one about cats, did just that when they teamed up with the Shelter…

webcast

The Optimal Time for Spay/Neuter: An Analysis of Critical Spay/Neuter Literature

Philip Bushby, DVM, MS, DACVSFebruary 22, 2018

How can veterinarians and animal shelters understand the pros and cons of spay/neuter and determine the most appropriate age to perform these surgeries in male and female dogs and cats?

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This app can help take your pet foster program to the next level

February 21, 2018

Could your shelter or rescue group’s foster program use a hand? Maddie’s® Pet Assistant (MPA) is a free app for mobile phones and tablets developed by Maddie’s Fund® to help animal shelters and rescue organizations provide support to, and communicate with, their foster families about the pets in their care. If you have a foster…

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Go all-in for pet foster care with this free webcast series

February 20, 2018

What are you doing on Thursday evenings in March? Whether you’re looking to start a foster program at your shelter, or give a boost to an already-existing foster program, Maddie’s Fund® has a webcast series for you! That’s right: We’re going all-in on foster care, including foster programs that have worked to get more dogs…

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How a Heroes and Hounds program can help your long-stay dogs get adopted

February 8, 2018

Did you know that having veterans work with long-stay shelter dogs is a win-win for both veterans and the dogs? That's exactly what Humane Society of the Tennessee Valley (HSTV) discovered when they launched their Heroes and Hounds program, pairing veterans with at-risk dogs who need a little special attention to get ready for adoption.…

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Involved in animal transport? These 5 tips will keep pets happy and healthy while on the move

February 6, 2018

Whether your animal organization does large-scale transport in or out of your area, or moves one animal at a time for out-of-state adoptions, keeping those pets from getting sick, experiencing stress, or spreading disease into the receiving shelter or community is critical. Transport of animals from areas with limited adoption opportunities to those where there…

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What animal organizations can do as Facebook makes changes

February 1, 2018

Shelters, rescue organizations, and other nonprofits are asking about changes on Facebook. What can animal organizations do to keep getting their message out? Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg has expressed concern that people are made unhappy when they’re bombarded with endless news stories and announcements from brands, media outlets and businesses on their personal Facebook feeds.…

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Treatment Station: Training for Care

Fear FreeFebruary 2018

Watch this short video on conditioning your foster pet to a treatment station to find out how to best utilize it to help you care for your foster pet.

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Basket Muzzle Training

Fear FreeFebruary 2018

Conditioning a dog to be comfortable wearing a muzzle is an important life skill. In this short video by Fear Free you can learn how to do exactly that.

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Study: Foster caregiver turnover and how your animal welfare organization can combat it

January 30, 2018

Ever wonder why foster caregivers stop fostering? How can your organization increase retention? Maddie's Fund® set out to answer these questions by sponsoring a recent study at UNC Charlotte on foster care. The results, and what your organization can do about the problem, may surprise you. "The purpose of this study was to better understand…

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#FeelGoodFriday: Who will #ADOPTABACHELOR, and who will go home?

January 26, 2018

Are you looking for love? Obviously, the answer is to adopt a pet! Are you an animal shelter or rescue organization looking for homes for your pets? Obviously, the answer is to get more people to adopt a pet! It’s a total win-win! And that’s the secret to the guilty pleasure that is the dog…

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How frequently should animal organizations post to social media?

January 23, 2018

It’s one of the most commonly asked questions about social media: How frequently, and at what times, should our shelter or rescue organization post to social media to get the best results for our animals? There are two ways to get the answer to that question. One is to post and carefully monitor the reach…

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Cleaning and Disinfection in Foster Homes

January 2018

During this short class your will learn ways to prevent the spread of disease if a pet in your home is already sick.

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Preventing the Spread of Disease in Foster Homes

January 2018

In this short instructional class you will learn how you keep the foster pet from getting your own pets sick or vice versa, and more.

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How to Properly Navigate Adoption Events

Rebound HoundsJanuary 2018

In this short video you will learn some tips for going to adoption events with your foster dog to give your foster exposure to potential adopters.

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House Training Your Foster Dog

January 2018

Learn some easy methods to help in house training your foster dog in this short video.

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Cast of Broadways’ CATS sings out for shelter cats: ‘Let the memories begin today!’

January 16, 2018

It’s easy to believe the stars of Broadways’s fifth longest-running shows ever (and the only one about cats) love cats. After all, without that feline inspiration, the iconic musical and the book of poetry it’s based on wouldn’t exist at all. Now they’ve partnered with the Shelter Pet Project to sing out for shelter cats!…

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Foster Teams: Coming Together to Get Pets Adopted

Dr. Steven RogelbergJanuary 17, 2018

Have you ever considered empowering teams of volunteers to work with foster caregivers to help foster pets find homes? Dr. Steven Rogelberg and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte are working with Maddie's Fund to implement foster teams at animal shelters and rescue groups in the U.S.

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#FeelGoodFriday: Adopted dogs help their humans make a love connection

January 12, 2018

A person is the best thing that can happen to a shelter pet — especially when that person’s body language is an endless source of entertainment for the pets! In this classic from The Shelter Pet Project, two adopted dogs observe their humans’ flirtatious encounter in the “People Park,” including his sweet moves and her…

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Ever wondered about barn cats and other working programs? This webcast is for you!

January 9, 2018

Ever thought of starting a working cat program at your animal organization but are not sure where to start? You're not alone! If you didn’t make the live Working Cat Program webcast on December 14, it’s now available free on-demand. Watch at your convenience to learn the steps needed to implement a sustainable lifesaving program…

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#FeelGoodFriday: Saving a kitten named Smush

January 5, 2018

A tiny little kitten with a cleft palate came into a Florida animal control shelter last summer. She wasn’t eating on her own, and needed to be syringe-fed every four hours. She had an upper respiratory infection and a bad case of ringworm. But this is Feel Good Friday, so of course, her story has…

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Georgia animal shelter tries anything – and everything! – to get pets adopted

January 2, 2018

From expanding shelter hours to Sunday hikes with dogs, Animal Ark Rescue (AAR) in Columbus, GA, isn't afraid to try new things, and it's paying off big time for the animals and the community. The shelter has been open for a little less than six years and boasts a 99 percent save rate for its…

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Hello, 2018! Let’s make it a great one for the animals

December 29, 2017

While the year’s end can be a time for looking back, at Maddie’s Fund®, we’re looking ahead. Ahead to a time of continued positive change in our movement, as all of us build on the gains we’ve made and lessons we’ve learned about lifesaving — and making the lives of pets and their people better,…

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This New Year, resolve to start a ‘Dogs Day Out’ program at your animal shelter

December 28, 2017

A dog named Feathers at Southern Pines Animal Shelter (SPAS) in Mississippi kept getting overlooked by adopters. That is, until she went on a day outing with a volunteer. The organization thought she'd be the perfect dog to trial their new "Dogs Day Out" (DDO) program, and it turns out they were right. "Feathers is…

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Remembering Roo: Little dog leaves legacy of lifesaving

December 21, 2017

A little dog named Roo taught everyone at Maddie’s Fund a lot. She showed us what happens when courage meets compassion, demonstrated the power of taking chances, and wrote a new chapter in the story of saving lives. This valiant dog finished her work on earth this month, and the Maddie’s Fund family mourns her…

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People turn out in pajamas in the middle of the night after emergency dog foster plea

December 20, 2017

If you could use a great idea and some equally great news about just how much our communities want to help us save animals’ lives, here’s a #FalalaFoster story that will make your season bright! It comes from Morganne Struble of Lifeline Animal Project at Fulton County Animal Services in Georgia, which recently had a…

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Facebook announces it’s no longer taking a cut of donations made through the site

December 19, 2017

If you were hoping Facebook would put a nonprofit advertising program in your animal organization’s stocking this Christmas, you’ll be disappointed. But there’s a lot to love about what the social media behemoth just did to help charities, including animal nonprofits, raise money. Prior to last month, Facebook took a cut of 5 percent off…

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#FeelGoodFriday: Save your marriage. Adopt a cat today!

December 15, 2017

Every relationship has its ups and downs. Love grows cold. The toothpaste cap gets left off. It happens. What can you do? The Nevada Humane Society has the answer: CATalis, the cat adoption cure for romance that’s lost its spark. Side effects include euphoria… because cats are awesome. Once you know that adopting a cat…

webcast

Working Cat Programs

Monica FrendenDecember 14, 2017

Why start a Working Cat Program? Because these cats have no other live outcome, and socialization of adult ferals is extremely difficult and resource intensive. The good news is working cat programs are inexpensive and easy to start, so you can begin saving more lives immediately!

blog

Study: Can a human drug help community cats experience less stress during TNR?

December 12, 2017

Can you imagine how terrifying it must feel for cats who are trapped for sterilization and returned to their outdoor habitat, especially when the cat is not socialized to humans? And you probably don’t need to imagine how much stress pet cats can experience when taken to the veterinarian — if you’ve ever owned a…

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#FeelGoodFriday: A visit to the Austin Pets Alive! Kitten Nursery

December 1, 2017

Right next to the phrase “feel good” in the dictionary is a picture of a kitten. Knowing that, it wouldn’t be right not to share this video with you. It’s about the Kitten Lady’s visit to the Austin Pets Alive! Kitten Nursery, and it’s as sweet and inspiring as you’d expect any kitten video to…

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It’s a new era on Facebook; is your animal organization ready?

November 28, 2017

It’s not your imagination: Facebook is getting tougher for animal welfare organizations, nonprofits, and anyone else who operates a Facebook page. While over the last several years Facebook has emerged as a vibrant platform for promoting pet adoption and reuniting lost pets with their people, recent and long-term changes on the service are making it…

webcast

Behavioral Pharmacology in Shelter Settings

Dr. Sara L. BennettNovember 14, 2017

Learn about common behavioral concerns and diagnoses in sheltered pets and what medications might be most appropriate for their conditions.

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No matter the struggles your animal organization is facing, you’re not alone

November 2, 2017

If you are working in animal welfare, it’s easy to think that the challenges faced by your community or your organization are unique — that you have to contend with problems, stakeholders, and circumstances other communities don’t. Amelia Monroe from Loudoun County Animal Services (LCAS) thought so, too, until she attended Maddie’s® Volunteer Management and…

blog

New canine vaccination guidelines for pets, shelter dogs

October 31, 2017

When should you vaccinate your dog, and for what? How can shelters use vaccines to protect against outbreaks? And what about titer testing? The latest recommendations from a panel of veterinary experts, including a number of shelter medicine leaders, has the answers! The newest guidelines for canine vaccination have been published by the American Animal…

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How Numbers Can Tell Your Story - and Save Lives!

October 2017

Understanding the vital roles of data and transparency is fundamental to our efforts to save homeless pets. Here are three illustrative case studies of communities that have used data and transparency to increase lifesaving impact.

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How starting from scratch and thinking outside the shelter can get long-stay dogs adopted

October 26, 2017

In this guest post, Kelly Duer, Maddie's® Foster Expansion Coordinator at Austin Animal Center, shares how The Ventura County Animal Shelter is getting all of their long-stay dogs adopted. Read the post, and then try some of the creative ideas for yourself!  The Ventura County Animal Shelter was in a tight spot: The busiest time…

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How to ‘sell’ policymakers on innovative adoption fee promotions

October 24, 2017

Many people in animal welfare have seen other communities have success with innovative pet adoption promotions including fee-waived or reduced-fee adoptions, and would like to try implementing them in their city. Sometimes that’s as simple as announcing a promotion, but municipal shelters may find political and administrative policymakers aren’t easily brought on board. Jeannette Peters…

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Arizona shelter adopts foster-centric model, Thanks to Maddie

October 19, 2017

Who says fostering at a shelter is just for puppies and kittens? That’s definitely not the case at Pima Animal Care Center (PACC) in Tucson, AZ, thanks to a first-of-its-kind grant from Maddie's Fund® for "A Foster Home for Every Pet." The three-year grant, totaling $573,536, was recently awarded to create a large-scale, high volume…

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Memphis shelter finds a stray pet’s family might be right ‘Nextdoor’

October 17, 2017

Director Alexis Pugh of Memphis Animal Services made plenty of changes when she took over the shelter last year. One of the biggest was implementing a safety net program designed to keep pets with their families, and get lost pets back home. Maddie’s Fund® spoke with Pugh to find out more about the shelter’s innovative…

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#FeelGoodFriday: How a prison dog training program revolutionized lifesaving and changed lives

October 13, 2017

It’s hard to imagine that a story set in a prison is going to make you feel good, but this one will. In 2014, Karma Rescue in Southern California started Paws for Life, a training program at California State Prison – Los Angeles County. It was one of the first such programs for inmates serving…

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How an apprenticeship changed a shelter worker’s perspective on no-kill and large dog fostering

October 12, 2017

Can a few days at an apprenticeship change your perspective on no-kill sheltering and foster care for large dogs? After attending Maddie’s® Medium and Large Adult Dog Foster Program Apprenticeship at Austin Animal Center, Patricia Zimmerman from Prince George’s County Animal Services in Maryland says it sure can. And it did. "It was amazing,” she…

webcast

URI in Shelter Cats: It's Snot Inevitable!

Dr. Ann Enright and Dr. Cynthia KarstenOctober 2017

Recent research shows that upper respiratory infections in cats need not be as frequent as we once thought.

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How one municipal animal shelter is saving cats with ringworm, and you can, too!

October 5, 2017

How can a municipal shelter create a successful, lifesaving ringworm ward — run 100 percent by volunteers, no less? It’s easy, with a little innovation and a lot of determination. That's exactly what Front Street Animal Shelter (FSAS) in Sacramento, CA, had when they applied for an Innovation Grant with us last year. Their goal…

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Research: Why people adopt shelter pets, and recommend adoption to others

October 3, 2017

In 2014, the Shelter Pet Project, an Ad Council public service advertising campaign promoting pet adoption and funded by Maddie’s Fund® and the Humane Society of the United States, conducted a research survey of 1,402 people to understand how to increase the number of pets acquired from animal shelters and rescue organizations. What can we…

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Study: Do shelter dogs benefit from short-term foster sleepovers?

September 28, 2017

Can a dog in your shelter benefit from just one sleepover with a foster? You bet, and we've got the research to back it up! A little over a year ago, Maddie's Fund® gave a grant to Carroll College to answer that very question, funding the first sleepover pilot study at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary…

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Cat Town debuts expanded adoption center to help save Oakland’s most vulnerable cats, Thanks To Maddie!

September 27, 2017

October is a special month for America's first cat café, Cat Town in Oakland, CA. Not only is it the anniversary month of when they first opened their café space three years ago, but they'll also be celebrating the grand opening of their expanded adoption space! The Grand Opening will take place on Sunday, October…

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Study: What cats really don’t like in their litter box

September 26, 2017

When cats stop using their litter box, and they get a clean bill of physical health from their veterinarian, there’s one piece of advice that almost universally comes next: Keep your litter box clean. But what does that mean from the cat’s point of view? The smell of a cat box is probably the main…

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Introducing Your Foster Dog to Strangers Outside

Rebound HoundsSeptember 2017

When introducing a new person to your foster dog you always want to do your best to make it a safe and positive experience for everyone involved.

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4 fundraising tips your animal organization needs to know

September 19, 2017

Pretend you don’t work for your animal organization, but just heard about it on Facebook. Maybe you read that there was an urgent need for funds to repair damage from a fire, or to buy a new spay/neuter van, or pay the veterinary expenses of an injured pet. Whatever the reason, click over to your…

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Lessons from a Maddie’s Kitten Nursery apprentice

September 14, 2017

What can you learn from kittens? For Kat Hamlin, cat adoption specialist for PetsConnect! in northern Indiana and southern Michigan, the answer is hands-on experience, lifesaving techniques and a new perspective. Her only complaint after attending Maddie's® Kitten Lifesaving Apprenticeship Program at Humane Society Silicon Valley?  "I wish I could have stayed longer," she said. The…

webcast

A Foster Home for Every Pet

Kristen AuerbachSeptember 14, 2017

Learn how to send adult pets to foster care and reduce costs of care, increase capacity for housing and get pets adopted faster and with better matches between the pet and the adopter.

blog

More jam-related marketing ideas for getting pets adopted

September 12, 2017

In the literature of persuasion, the act of buying jam turns out to have a lot to tell us about getting more pets adopted. We’ve written before about the so-called “paradox of choice,” and how research on jam sales as well as cat adoptions suggested that having fewer, rather than more, pets on the adoption…

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Beauty in chaos: The inspirational on-the-ground support for Hurricane Harvey affected animals

September 7, 2017

If you've paid attention to the news or our social media since Hurricane Harvey hit, you're likely aware of some of the awe-inspiring actions from shelters, rescue organizations and volunteers in the affected areas. After assessing the needs and committing $1 million to support those helping the animals, we sent a few of our own…

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How to get your community emotionally attached to your animal organization’s mission

September 5, 2017

There is no animal shelter or rescue group that couldn’t use more fosters, volunteers, adopters, donors, board members and other supporters. Without them, the amount of lives these organizations can save is severely diminished. So, how do you break through the clamoring voices demanding people’s time and attention, and get them to choose you to…

presentation

Humane Society Silicon Valley - Training Cat Volunteers Apprenticeship

August 2017

HSSV trains volunteers to interact with cats and kittens of all ages.

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The truth about free pet adoptions

August 29, 2017

Once shunned, no-fee pet adoptions have really come into their own. It was once conventional wisdom in the animal shelter world that pets adopted for free would suffer at the hands of diabolical people lurking in the shadows just waiting to abuse them. Surely, we thought, people who get animals for free don’t value them,…

presentation

Maddie's® Matchmaker Apprenticeship at Austin Pets Alive!

August 2017

Though emphasis on dogs as individuals and a commitment to knowing each dog as thoroughly as they can, Austin Pets Alive! eases the process for potential adopters and is able to find homes for even the most difficult to place dogs.

presentation

Cat Town: Finding Great Homes for Hard to Place Cats

August 2017

Listen to Cat Town as they show you what has made them such a success and how you, too, can start a similar program in your community.

webcast

Updates on Heartworm Disease Management for Animal Shelters

Brian DiGangi, DVM, MS, DABVPAugust 24, 2017

In this presentation, Dr. Brian DiGangi will help attendees understand current practices and challenges to standard heartworm management guidelines in the shelter setting.

blog

Senior cats may soon outnumber kittens in animal shelters

August 22, 2017

“Ramp up your medical programs for seniors, folks – soon enough you’ll be seeing far more of those than adoption age kittens.” Those words were posted by Karina King, Director of Operations for the Dakin Humane Society, on a Million Cat Challenge discussion forum. For communities at the height of their kitten season, the thought…

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#FeelGoodFriday: Cat goes from the mean streets to ‘heaven in your lap’

August 18, 2017

Imagine being a cold, scared kitty on the streets of a big city… then trapped and taken somewhere you don’t understand. Wait, you say. Isn’t this supposed to be “Feel Good Friday”? Why are you trying to make us cry? Olive’s story is part of a series created by Patrick McDonnell based on his endearing…

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MaddieTalk: How a shelter partnered with local vets to save orphaned kittens

August 17, 2017

Can a partnership with local veterinarians save orphaned kittens’ lives? You bet, when they’re moved from foster care to local veterinary practices, where they’re provided with love, socialization and care. That's what the Humane Society of Southern Wisconsin (HSSW) did, and they share how you can, too, in our latest MaddieTalk: Vet Pets! "We were struggling…

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The great big, amazing, underage kitten-raising bible for shelters, rescue groups and foster homes

August 15, 2017

It’s no secret underage and orphaned kittens are at high risk even in the best of circumstances. Fortunately, there is a growing body of experience and resources aimed at helping animal shelters, rescue groups and foster homes give these little ones the best possible chance at a healthy life in a new adoptive home. At…

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#FeelGoodFriday: Shelter dogs listen intently as children read to them

August 11, 2017

Children and shelter dogs: It’s pretty much the definition of a feel-good story, right? Absolutely! That’s why we’re bringing you this heartwarming blast-from-the-past of one of the earliest news stories featuring young children reading to shelter dogs at the Humane Society of Missouri, featured on NBC Nightly News. Given recent research showing that both human…

video

Heroes and Hounds: Innovative Lifesaving on the Home Front

Amy ButtryAugust 2017

Learn about returning veterans who have volunteered for the Heroes and Hounds Program as they work with at-risk dogs who need a little more special attention to get ready for adoption.

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How to help treat and prevent unwanted fleas at your shelter

August 10, 2017

A young litter of puppies and their lactating leading lady arrive at your shelter with some uninvited guests: fleas! What do you do now? Don't fret; here are some useful tips from Chelsea Reinhard, DVM, MPH, Maddie's® Shelter Medicine Resident at Tufts University, to help protect your shelter's dogs and cats. Treat early and monthly…

webcast

Managing a Feline Panleukopenia Outbreak in a Shelter

Dr. Amanda DykstraAugust 10, 2017

Is your shelter's veterinary team ready to manage a feline panleukopenia outbreak? Learn how it's done in this presentation!

webcast

Return-to-Field from an Animal Control Officer's Perspective

Tim ReederAugust 2017

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Resources to save shelter cats’ lives

August 8, 2017

The Million Cat Challenge is a partnership of Maddie’s Fund®, the UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program, Maddie’s Shelter Medicine Program at the University of Florida, and the ASPCA®, formed to help shelters save the lives of 1 million more cats. It is based on five key initiatives which bring forward those approaches that have…

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Keeping Interactions between Foster Dogs and Children Safe

Rebound HoundsAugust 2017

By following a few simple guidelines and educating your children on how to properly interact with your new foster dog, you can keep your children and your foster dog safe, calm and happy.

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Introducing Your Shy Foster Dog to Strangers in Your Home

Dogs Out LoudAugust 2017

Learn some helpful tools and techniques to make your shy foster dogs interactions with new people a good experience instead of something to fear.

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Open Selection: Putting Dogs and Cats on the Fast Track to Adoption

Sarah ByerleyAugust 2017

How can you significantly reduce the length of stay for your dog and cat population and place them in quality homes faster? Find out here with an Open Selection program!

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FeLV/FIV Testing: Is it time for a policy shift?

Dr. Erica SchumacherAugust 2017

Is automatically testing cats for FeLV/FIV the best course of action or use of available resources? Not necessarily, find out why in this short video.

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What is the Role of a Veterinarian in Animal Shelters? Editorial

Richard Avanzino2017

Shelter veterinarians need to do far more than spay/neuter.

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Helping Your Foster Dog be Comfortable Home Alone

Rebound HoundsAugust 2017

Some dogs can become stressed when being left home alone even to point of becoming destructive. Learn some tips on how to best prevent your dog from feeling anxiety when left home alone.

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Introducing Your Foster Dog to Cats

Rebound HoundsAugust 2017

Follow these simple steps and you can have your foster dog and your feline co-exist safely and peacefully.

presentation

Humane Education - Shaping the Future for Animals

Pam StonebreakerJanuary 2018

This presentation covers the basics of humane education, including considerations when launching a program, developing programs for different age groups.

presentation

Fundamentals for the 21st Century Grant Seeker

Michael BarrettJanuary 2018

In this presentation, attendees learn about the distinguishing characteristics of the three types of grant makers - foundations, corporate funders and public charities -and why those differences matter.

presentation

Hiring for Culture

Myles ChadwickJanuary 2018

Peter Drucker first said "Culture eats strategy for lunch" and since then, organizational culture has become a buzzword and a way of life for organizational development consultants.

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Animal Shelter Volunteer Management

Laura FrankJanuary 2018

Want to learn some of the ASPCA's best practices around volunteer management?

presentation

Collaboration in the Animal Welfare Community

Tom GeroyJanuary 2018

Animal welfare organizations come in many shapes and sizes, each with its own mission, approach to addressing animal welfare issues, and varying resources.

presentation

Parasitology: Common Intestinal Parasites of Cats and Dogs in Shelters

Araceli Lucio-ForsterJanuary 2018

This presentation reviews common intestinal parasites of cats and dogs, their life cycles and transmission, diagnostic tests that can be done in a shelter setting and practical treatments for animals in shelters.

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Parasitology: Common Blood-borne Parasites of Cats and Dogs in Shelters

Araceli Lucio-ForsterJanuary 2018

This presentation reviews common blood-borne parasites of cats and dogs that may be of importance in a shelter setting.

presentation

Orthopedic Surgery and Care in the Shelter

Ursula Krotscheck, DVM, DACVSJanuary 2018

Shelters commonly encounter dogs and cats with orthopedic injuries. These cases may be challenging to manage, particularly when treatment options may be restricted by limited resources.

presentation

Behavioral Pharmacology: Common Behavior Problems in Sheltered Dogs and Cats, Part 1

Sara L. Bennett, DVM, MS, DACVBJanuary 2018

A variety of common behavior problems experienced by dogs and cats in sheltered situations. Part 1 shows examples of working with sheltered cats.

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Behavioral Pharmacology: Common Behavior Problems in Sheltered Dogs and Cats, Part 2

Sara L. Bennett, DVM, MS, DACVBJanuary 2018

A variety of common behavior problems experienced by dogs and cats in sheltered situations will be presented. Part 2 shows examples of working with dogs in the shelter.

presentation

Cardiology in the Shelter

Darcy Adin, DVM, DACVIMJanuary 2018

Learn about anesthetic considerations for dogs and cats with suspected cardiac issues.

presentation

Advanced Foster Program Management: Taking Your Foster Program to the Next Level

J. Scarlett KingsleyJanuary 2018

If you have an established shelter foster program, learn how to establish clear pathways and procedures for moving fosters in and out of the shelter; how to recruit fosters on the cheap, and much more!

presentation

Setting Yourself Up for Success: Using Capacity for Care to Transform Your Shelter, Part 1

Stephanie Janeczko, DVM, MS, DABVPJanuary 2018

Understanding and operating within our capacity for care is a key foundational step in starting a positive cycle where we can provide a greater level of care for a greater number of animals using the resources we already have.

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Setting Yourself Up for Success: Using Capacity for Care to Transform Your Shelter, Part 2

Stephanie Janeczko, DVM, MS, DABVPJanuary 2018

Learn more about Setting Yourself Up for Success: Using Capacity for Care to Transform Your Shelter in Part 2.

presentation

Dermatology in the Shelter: Recognition and Management of Common Conditions

Elizabeth Berliner, DVM, DABVP and Lena DeTar, DVM, DACVPMJanuary 2018

Learn about skin conditions that are some of the most common ailments of animals entering shelters in this quiz-show, case based presentation.

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Infectious Disease Outbreak Management

Lena DeTar, DVM, DACVPMJanuary 2018

Learn how to define an outbreak, what common types of diseases cause outbreaks in shelters, the shelter's ideal response to an outbreak, and more!

presentation

Veterinary Psychopharmaceuticals and their Use in Shelter Medicine

Sara L. Bennett, DVM, MS, DACVBJanuary 2018

Psychopharmaceuticals can be a helpful tool to manage and address behavior concerns in sheltered pets.

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Vet Pets!

Brett FrazierJuly 2017

Learn how your shelter or rescue can save more cat and kitten lives through this unique, easy to implement program.

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Increase pet foster placement by 50 percent in six months? Yes, you can!

July 27, 2017

Can you use technology and innovation to increase your foster placement and gain more fosters? Absolutely. Just ask the team at the Arizona Humane Society (AHS), who applied for an Innovation Grant late last year. Their idea? To create a new online foster portal to help streamline their foster engagement as well as encourage more…

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Cat lovers: How well do you understand your cat?

July 19, 2017

Did you know there are scent glands on cat paws? And, that when they scratch, they leave pheromones? If not, don't worry – you're not alone! Cat owner and lover Toni Alexander had no idea until she decided to learn how to speak cat with our free online Feline Communications course while passing the time…

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#FeelGoodFriday: Injured, elderly street cat becomes foster dad for rescue kittens

July 14, 2017

What happens when an ancient, battle-scarred community cat who can’t stand being handled but is injured and sick comes to live in a rescue group foster home? He starts fostering kittens! Here’s a very moving video of Mason meeting “his” first litter of kittens. He may not be too fond of the human race, but…

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#FeelGoodFriday: Cats get happy in the ball pit!

July 7, 2017

We’re all about enrichment for sheltered pets at Maddie’s Fund. In fact, we’re also all about enrichment for pets in homes. And now that we mention it, we’re pretty into enriching the lives of the people who care for pets, too. That’s what so great about this video. It’s featuring a fantastic idea for fun…

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Secrets to recruiting great pet foster homes from Charleston Animal Society and ASPCAPro

July 6, 2017

Imagine how many lives your shelter or rescue organization could save if you had more foster homes. Try some of these tips from the Charleston Animal Society, and you may not have to imagine at all. In a webinar with ASPCAPro, Christina Ellwood and Jodi Osborne of the Charleston Animal Society (CAS) gave an overview…

webcast

How Animal Shelters Can Save Lives and Lower Costs with Low and No-Fee Cat Adoptions

Maria Benham and Aimee HeinrichJuly 2017

Want to save more cats, and money? Hear how Iowa's Dubuque Regional Humane Society decreased cat euthanasia by 82% and increased the cat adoption rate by 40%. By shortening length of stay, cat care costs were cut by over $100,000!

presentation

Maddie's Clinic Apprenticeships at Austin Pets Alive!

July 2017

In this presentation, learn how Austin Pets Alive! operates their medical clinics, and how you can set up a similar clinic in your organization.

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New app helps foster families at Almost Home Humane Society

June 28, 2017

Since launching Maddie's® Pet Assistant early last month, hundreds of shelters and rescue organizations across the country have expressed interest in bringing the app to their own foster and/or adoption programs. As with any new technology system or app, feedback is key to making sure it's doing what it was set out to do — in…

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Today’s veterinary students say they want to be tomorrow’s shelter veterinarians

June 27, 2017

The next generation of veterinarians wants to care for shelter pets. In a recent market analysis published by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), private practice held onto its traditional top spot for career interest among current veterinary students. Shelter medicine, however, clocked in at number two. This represents a profound change from attitudes toward…

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#FeelGoodFriday: Little three-legged Esther goes from shelter dog to office dog

June 23, 2017

Yikes! This little dog found herself in a shelter with a broken leg that hadn’t set properly. Two days after they amputated her leg, Craig Coryell of Maddie’s Fund® agreed to foster her for “a couple of days.” Care to guess what happened next? Little miss Esther blossomed with Craig, and he realized she was…

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Follow the Fellows: The first Maddie’s Executive Leadership Fellows begin their year-long journey

June 20, 2017

The future of animal welfare leadership is looking bright with leaders like Sheila Kouhkan, Miranda Hitchcock, Matt Chan and Sarah Humlie at the forefront. All four individuals work in animal shelters across the U.S. and have been selected as fellows for Maddie’s® Executive Leadership Fellowship program, an intensive professional opportunity for individuals committed to developing and…

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#FeelGoodFriday: Builder creates indoor playland for his 15 rescue cats

June 16, 2017

Everyone knows cats like to climb, perch and explore. That’s why California builder Peter Cohen decided to turn his home into the ultimate feline playhouse for his 15 adopted cats. It all began when he moved into his home and found it came complete with two outdoor cats. When one was killed by a car…

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Reducing animal surrender due to medical costs, #ThanksToMaddie!

June 15, 2017

What if you could help keep pets out of the shelter and with their families by subsidizing veterinary care costs? That's exactly what Colorado’s Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region (HSPPR) had in mind when they applied for an Innovation Grant earlier this year. "Their Innovation Grant was to help people surrendering their animals…

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Emergencies in Cats and Dogs (5 weeks and older)

June 2017

Do you have questions about when to take your fostered dog or cat to the veterinarian, or is this an emergency? Find information in this presentation.

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How to Bottle Feed Kittens and Puppies

June 2017

Learn how the bottle feeding process is made much easier for foster caregivers with a good understanding of how to properly do each step.

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Kitten and Puppy Bottle Feeding Problems and Solutions

June 2017

Problems such as not taking the bottle, weight loss, restlessness or crying are covered in this Flash Class.

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Transitioning Kittens and Puppies to Solid Food

June 2017

This class will make the weaning process easier, especially for foster caregivers who are trying to wean kittens or puppies for the first time.

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How to Stimulate an Orphaned Kitten or Puppy to Pee and Poop

June 2017

How is this done? How often should a kitten or puppy be stimulated? Learn this and more during this short flash class.

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From anxious to adoptable: An expansion of foster care using a Maddie’s Idea Lab Grant

June 7, 2017

Do you have shy or anxious dogs in your shelter who you just know would benefit from being in a foster home and out of the shelter environment? That's exactly how the Anxious Dog Program (ADP) started at Longmont Humane Society in Longmont, Colo. The Anxious Dog Program expands the shelter’s foster program to include specially…

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Kitten season and canine flu: How to keep the summertime blues away from your animal shelter

June 6, 2017

Summertime, and the shelter is crowded. That means it’s the season to prevent disease by helping keep pets from entering the shelter at all! Right now, there’s a confirmed outbreak of the highly contagious H3N2 strain of canine influenza virus (CIV) in Florida, Georgia and six other states, which is combining with kitten season to…

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#FeelGoodFriday: World-weary cat shares his wisdom with the family’s newly-adopted kitten

June 2, 2017

You’ve adopted a new kitten. How will your adult cat accept the new family member? Maybe things will go well between the little fluffbutt and your adult cat. Maybe not. But the odds would dramatically improve if your older cat could tell the youngster how it is. Share some feline wisdom. Explain how the world…

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Host a feline communication popcorn party, and help cats!

June 1, 2017

If you’d like your shelter and rescue group staff, volunteers, fosters and adopters — as well as cat loving community-members — to speak cat, it may be time to host a party to watch our free online course, Feline Communication: How to Speak Cat!, together! When you know how to read it, a cat's body…

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How pets can get adopted without ever going into a shelter

May 31, 2017

What if there was a resource that would allow pets in need of a new home find adopters without ever going into a shelter? Increasingly, there is! When faced with life-altering circumstances,  families can find keeping their pets impossible. Although no one who loves their pet wants them to enter a shelter, alternatives can be…

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#FeelGoodFriday: Dog realizes people are the worst at hide and seek

May 26, 2017

This little dog is happy he got adopted. And he’s thrilled to have so many new toys to play with. But he does have one issue with his new mom. See, every day she picks up his toys. Every day she puts them in a basket. Every day, she’s overjoyed that he finds them. And…

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Want to keep your pet foster families happy – and get more of them? Here’s how!

May 25, 2017

How can you increase the number of foster families working with your shelter or rescue group without much work on the part of your organization? By implementing peer-to-peer support groups! In our latest Maddie Talk, Grow and Keep Your Fosters Happy with Peer Support Groups, Jenn Strickler of Pibbles and More Animal Rescue (PMAR) shows…

webcast

House Fewer Cats, Save More Lives, Make Everyone Happy!

May 2017

How to save more cats!

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How to wean an orphaned kitten onto solid food

May 23, 2017

Do you think your orphaned kittens are ready for solid foods, but aren’t sure how to make the switch? Orphaned kittens transition from formula to solid foods at about 3-4 weeks of age as their teeth start to come in. This change of diet can create a big mess for you, and tummy troubles for…

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Are your emails to supporters getting deleted or ignored? Here’s how to fix that

May 18, 2017

Animal shelters and rescue groups need to communicate with their supporters. That’s how you get more volunteers, foster homes and donations. While social media has taken a big slice out of the communications pie, direct email remains a powerful tool to reach people interested in your organization and its work for animals. But just as…

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Study: Video more effective than photos at getting dogs adopted

May 17, 2017

Is making a video of a dog in your shelter or rescue group worth the trouble? Absolutely, says a recent study published in the Journal of Applied Animal Welfare. In the study, which was conducted in the UK, 735 people viewed video and photos of four shelter dogs: Two were Staffordshire Terriers, representing dogs who…

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#FeelGoodFriday: Golf cart transports fearful dog to happiness!

May 12, 2017

Sometimes a golf cart is just a golf cart. And sometimes it’s a terrified dog’s ticket to ride. When Daphne came to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, she was scared of everything. She was frightened of people, and wanted to hide all the time. But one day, her caregiver, John Sibley, encouraged her to jump up…

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Up your animal organization’s social media game with free guides from Nonprofit Technology Network

May 4, 2017

The Nonprofit Technology Network (NTEN) has teamed up with nonprofit social media expert Debra Askanase to develop three free workbooks designed to help mission-driven organizations develop and implement a social media program for their organization. Askanase is the founder of digital consulting firm Community Organizer 2.0, specializing in online strategy and digital engagement for mission-driven…

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Using foster care to increase lifesaving in large dogs

May 2, 2017

Can you place medium and large dogs with behavioral problems in foster homes and see their behavior improve? Can those dogs eventually be adopted into permanent homes? And can all of that be done safely? Those were the objectives of a 22-month long study conducted by Fairfax County Animal Shelter in Virginia. The result? A…

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When a dog loves you, not even a traffic ticket can ruin your #FeelGoodFriday

April 28, 2017

Need a little self-esteem boost? Have doubts about your life choices, wardrobe or looks?  Wish you could see yourself through the eyes of love? Los Angeles Animal Services recommends adopting a dog. Traffic officers everywhere agree, in this purely genius pet adoption promotion from 2007. So get out there and adopt, and have a #FeelGoodFriday…

presentation

Shelter Medicine for Veterinary Support Staff at Charleston Animal Society

April 2017

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Upper Respiratory Infection in Kittens and Cats

April 2017

Are you a foster caregiver of cats or kittens? Then there is a high chance that you might encounter upper respiratory infection in one or more of your fostered felines. Learn how to recognize the illness, and what to do about it.

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Emergencies in Kittens and Puppies (0-4 weeks)

April 2017

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Kennel cough can kill pet store puppies

April 25, 2017

Add to the list of reasons to give to your family and friends on why they shouldn’t buy a pet store puppy: They can be particularly likely to develop severe or even fatal pneumonia if they contract kennel cough. Kennel cough is not a specific disease, but rather a complex of respiratory diseases affecting dogs,…

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Grow and Keep Your Fosters Happy with Peer Support Groups

Jenn StricklerApril 2017

See how a peer support program in your organization can promote community, build caregiver skills, and ultimately save more lives!

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Little dog helps big football star have a #FeelGoodFriday — and forever, too!

April 21, 2017

When the now-Los Angeles Rams were still the St. Louis Rams, star player Rodger Saffold let his soft side show in a heartwarming pet adoption PSA for the Animal Protective Association of Missouri. Co-starring with Saffold was Popeye, a little dog who gave the big guy some advice on acting — and a whole lot…

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What happens to pets after they go to their permanent or temporary homes? There’s an app for that!

April 19, 2017

Congratulations! You've finally found the perfect home for little Scruffy who's been in your program for ages. It was love at first sight and you can just feel it's going to be a success. But a few days after Scruffy gets home, his adopter is concerned about some odd behavior. Scruffy's adopter feels lost and…

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How a shelter medicine Masters program helped this non-veterinarian save lives!

April 18, 2017

Nina Stively wanted to increase welfare and lifesaving for shelter animals. She also believed it was crucial to the goal that the level of professionalism in the sheltering field rise. When she heard about the Maddie’s® Shelter Medicine Program online Masters in shelter medicine, she knew that was how she’d make both goals a reality…

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Reducing Cat Adoption Fees Can Save Lives AND Expenses

Maria M. BenhamApril 2017

Want to decrease euthanasia rates of cats, increase adoptions, AND save big money in yearly expenses?

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Study: Animal shelter managers may not understand what shelter veterinarians can do

April 11, 2017

When you think of a veterinarian working in an animal shelter, what do you imagine they do there? For many shelter managers who participated in a recent study, that answer is “perform spay/neuter surgery.” However, shelter veterinarians and shelter medicine can play a much larger role in an animal shelter, providing expertise on disease prevention…

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New partnership making 1 million a modest ambition for shelter cats

April 7, 2017

B.J. Rogers is vice-president of ProLearning for the ASPCA. Earlier this year he wrote a post about the power of working together—and about collaboration as a key to increased impact. In this guest post, he's sharing news of a brand-new partnership whose aim is just that. Nothing like getting to walk the walk! In an…

webcast

Feline Influenza Outbreak in New York City

Dr. Sandra NewburyMarch 2017

When Avian Influenza H7N2 infected cats in a New York City animal shelter, it was the first outbreak of its kind, and the first documented case of cat-to-cat transmission. Learn about the response and the outcome for the cats that were infected.

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Treating Upper Respiratory Disease in Shelter and Rescue Cats

Dr. Mary MarcotteApril 2017

Upper respiratory disease in shelters and rescues is a major medical problem seen in cats. Learn easy, simple ways to prevent and treat URI in cats.

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Embracing kennel enrichment at your shelter can save lives

April 4, 2017

Could something as simple as enrichment in a dog’s kennel or run play a key role in saving more lives? Absolutely, says Kristen Auerbach, Deputy Chief Animal Services Officer at Austin Animal Center. In her guest blog post, Auerbach shares the power of kennel enrichment in reducing kennel stress and improving quality of life for dogs, and how…

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Study: Pet store puppies have more aggression, anxiety, and house-soiling problems

March 30, 2017

There’s an important tool to help in the fight against puppy mill puppies sold through pet stores: They’re more likely to be aggressive with their owners, strangers and other dogs. They’re also more fearful and suffer more from separation anxiety. In a study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association and led…

webcast

Small Changes, Big Results for Cats

Mike Keiley and Bryn Conklin RogersMarch 2017

Learn how making a few small, easy-to-implement changes can spiral into more programs, lower intake and decrease euthanasia at an open admission adoption center.

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Setting a shy dog up for success

March 29, 2017

How do you approach your shy foster dog for the first time? And how can you prepare your family for when you bring the dog home? Knowing how to handle these situations can go a long way toward setting your foster dog up for success — and that’s exactly what you’ll learn in our new…

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How a dog named Patty sparked a lifesaving revolution for dogs with behavior challenges

March 28, 2017

Are there dogs in your shelter or rescue who you honestly think can’t be adopted because of behavior problems? There might be a simple solution — and if it works for them, they’ll have a dog named Patty to thank. Kristen Auerbach, Deputy Chief Animal Services Officer at the Austin Animal Center, told Patty’s story…

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Once a victim of horrific abuse, a dog named Caitlyn leads the way in saving other animals

March 22, 2017

No matter where you live, you probably remember hearing the heart-wrenching story (and photo) of the staffie-mix dog found with her muzzle taped shut. Her name is Caitlyn and her story of survival went viral, shining a light on animal cruelty. Nearly two years after she was found that day in Charleston, SC, Caitlyn has…

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Shelter medicine changes everything for influenza cats in New York City – and beyond

March 21, 2017

When hundreds of cats in the New York City Animal Care and Control shelters tested positive for avian influenza last year, everyone involved set their only goal — saving the cats’ lives. That was a goal they reached, thanks to shelter medicine and the power of collaboration. “The NYACC did not want to euthanize a…

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Will your great animal lifesaving idea succeed? Here’s how to know before you get in too deep

March 16, 2017

Have you ever had a great idea for a program at your shelter or rescue, spent valuable time and resources to implement it, only to find out a short time later that consumers didn't respond to it? What went wrong? And more importantly, how can you prevent it from happening next time? In this guest…

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Low Stress Cat Transport

March 2017

These low stress techniques can be useful for staff or volunteers transporting cats between shelters, as well as for fosters bringing their cats to and from adoption events, veterinary appointments or other locations.

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The kitties went down to Georgia – and their lives were saved!

March 14, 2017

Madi R. Hawkins, Director of Habersham County Animal Care & Control in Georgia, loves cats. She especially loves being in charge of a shelter that’s committed to saving them — even though it hasn’t always been that way. “The polices in place when I first started, especially in regards to feral cats, were heartbreaking,” she…

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Introducing Your Foster Dog to Strangers in Your House

Rebound HoundsMarch 2017

This short video, on introducing your foster dog to a stranger at your house, will demonstrate easy and ultimately rewarding steps to help your foster dog greet new people in a safe and relaxed manner.

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Bringing Your Shy Foster Dog Home

March 2017

To help start a foster family of a shy dog get off on the right foot, er paw, this short video will provide helpful tips for bringing your foster dog to your house for the very first time.

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Study: Audiobooks outperform music at reducing stress in shelter dogs

March 1, 2017

By now you’ve probably seen the research showing dogs in shelters are quieter when they’re listening to soft rock, reggae, and (at least for short periods) classical music. You may have seen programs where children come in and read to shelter dogs. So here’s the question: Do dogs like listening to audiobooks? The answer is…

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Use social media to get more foster homes for big dogs

February 15, 2017

Can you save 44 large dogs’ lives in 14 days through the power of social media? Austin Pets Alive! (APA!) did just that, and in this recording from the 2015 Best Friends National Conference, Faith Wright tells you how you can, too! In Foster Faster: Growing Your Dog Foster Program, Wright says the trick is…

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Adopted pets are rescued by love, saved by shelter medicine

February 9, 2017

If you’ve adopted a pet from an animal shelter or rescue group, you know how powerful the bond is that exists between the pet and their human family. You’re also probably aware of the efforts made by shelter and rescue staff and volunteers to make sure you and your pet found each other. What you…

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Advances in pet databases can help your shelter or rescue group get more pets adopted

February 8, 2017

The technological revolution of the last 25 years has had a profound impact on the animal welfare industry. Things we now take for granted, like websites that display our organizations' services and adoptable pets, pet-search databases such as Petfinder.com and Adopt-a-Pet.com, more robust and easy to use animal sheltering software solutions, and the rise of…

webcast

Best Practice Strategies for Redefining Animal Sheltering

Dr. Sara PizanoFebruary 2017

Hear a fresh perspective with regards to the way animals may enter the shelter and key practices that help the most leave alive, all by working smarter, not harder.

presentation

Positive Alternatives to Shelter Surrender (PASS)

January 2017

How wonderful would it be if you could prevent animals from ever coming into your shelter in the first place?

presentation

Starting a Parvo Program

February 2017

Learn about Austin Pets Alive! Parvo ICU Program and how they treat between 300-500 parvo positive dogs yearly with a survival rate of 85-90%.

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Shelter Hospital Program at PSPCA

February 2017

In this short presentation, learn how the PSCPA runs their Shelter Hospital Program and a little about what makes it a success.

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One easy way to reduce a pet’s length of stay at your shelter

February 2, 2017

What can reduce a pet's length of stay in your shelter or rescue from 43 days to 14 days? A great adoption photo. Maddie’s Fund® has just launched Maddie Talks, a series of short (less than 10 minutes) motivational "Ted Talk" like videos created by animal welfare professionals and meant to provide inspiration and equip…

presentation

Surefire Ways to Start and Grow a Volunteer Program

January 2017

Are you interested in learning how to grow, implement and inspire a volunteer program at your shelter or rescue?

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Pet Retention Program - St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center

February 2017

Learn how to assist your community members in finding alternative paths for their pets other than shelter surrender.

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Engaging teens to help expand your current foster program

February 1, 2017

Whether you have a well-established foster program or are just getting started, one question always remains: How can you get more fosters? Faith Wright tackles this question and provides innovative actionable ideas in her presentation of Foster Faster: Growing Your Dog Foster Program at the American Pets Alive! 2015 conference. One of her ideas? A…

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When a kitten dies of FIP, what should shelters do about the rest of the litter?

January 31, 2017

Animal shelters dread it: the death of a single kitten in a litter from feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). How much risk are the littermates at of becoming ill? Should they be kept in isolation from other cats, and if so, for how long? Should they be adopted out? If so, when? And what do you…

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How getting over your fear of ‘technology’ will save animals’ lives

January 26, 2017

When you hear the word “technology,” do you think it has nothing to do with your efforts to save animals? Does the word itself leave you cold? Next month, Maddie’s Fund® CIO Lars Rabbe will be launching a series of posts on how technology is the missing link in finding homes and habitats for the…

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Shelters and rescue groups: Do you know the ideal length for increasing reach of a Facebook post?

January 25, 2017

Animal adoption organizations can add this to the “conventional wisdom is often wrong” list: Shorter posts aren’t always better on Facebook — at  least, depending on your definition of “short.” Facebook is a powerful tool allowing shelters and rescue groups to get pets adopted, recruit foster homes and volunteers, reunite lost pets with their families…

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How Your Animal Shelter Can Save Cats by Helping People

Rachel D. K. FinneyJanuary 2017

innovative programs that allowed each cat in need of help to receive the exact services that individual cat -- and that cat's human caretakers!

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Photos of Shelter Pets are Their Voices - Make Them Sing!

Tim YeaglinJanuary 2017

Taking a great adoption photograph and giving your homeless pets a voice isn't difficult or time-consuming and doesn't need expensive gear.

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Need fresh ideas for your animal welfare communications? Go talk to a neighbor!

January 19, 2017

Ever wonder why your pet adoption listings fail to generate the interest you expect? Why your fundraising appeals fall flat? Why you aren’t getting much traction in social media for your shelter or rescue group? Maybe it’s time to get out of the animal welfare bubble and understand how your messages are coming across to…

webcast

Time to Stop Playing the Breed ID Game

Kristen Auerbach and Caitlin QuinnJanuary 2017

Ending the guessing game of assigning breed labels to shelter dogs will increase adoptions and make better matches between pets and people. Find out what the research says in this webcast!

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Taking the Temperature in Kittens and Puppies

January 2017

Taking a temperature in a kitten or puppy is a great way to help gauge the overall health of your young foster pet.

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Playing with your Foster Dog

January 2017

Playing is a great way to bond and get to know your foster dog.

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Fostering and Socializing Unsocial Kittens

January 2017

The good news is that many unsocialized kittens can learn to not only tolerate interaction with humans but even enjoy it.

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Feline Communication: How to Speak Cat & Understand Cat Behavior

Dr. Susan Krebsbach and Dr. Laurie PeekJanuary 2017

Knowing how to read a cat's body language can tell us volumes about what he or she is trying to say to us. This can aid in providing better care and deepening the bond of friendship with our feline companions.

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Harmful Non-Productive Suckling in Orphaned Neonatal Kittens

January 2017

Harmful non-productive suckling in your foster kitten can be a potentially life-threatening problem.

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Remembering Lynda Foro, hero of the early No Kill movement

January 17, 2017

Lynda Foro, who in 1995 created the original No Kill Conference, passed away on December 27, 2016. Foro was an animal lover and not part of the humane movement when she first heard of the concept of “No Kill” in 1992. After visiting an animal sanctuary and educating herself on what was then only a…

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Procrastinators wanted: How animals benefit when everyone gives from their strengths

January 12, 2017

It turns out procrastinating pays off for animal welfare workers — and so does getting everything done on time! In a blog post published last year by ASPCAPro, Julie Morris discussed her own “pre-crastination” — the fact that she gets everything done not just on time, but early. That’s usually what we think of when…

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One simple mistake to avoid when applying for a grant

January 11, 2017

Applying for a grant  can be overwhelming — so overwhelming some animal shelters or rescue organizations miss out on money for reasons that can easily be avoided. Like this one: During Maddie’s Fund’s last innovation grant application period, we had over 400 applicants, but awarded grants to only 67 recipients. The reason wasn’t lack of…

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Through a cat’s nose: How understanding smell can keep cats in homes and reduce stress in shelters

January 10, 2017

Most of us know dogs put a lot of store in how things smell, their noses are legendary for their sniffing ability. It’s not as widely known that the smells in a cat’s environment are a critical part of what makes a cat feel safe and free of stress, whether the cat is living in…

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Study: The effect of declawing on litter box use in multi-cat households

January 3, 2017

Problems related to urinating and defecating outside the litter box and living with more than one cat are among the top reasons people surrender cats to a shelter. Is that worse for cats who have been declawed? The average number of cats per cat-owning household is 2, indicating that multi-cat households are very common in…

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Treating feline herpes: Getting it right

December 27, 2016

Feline herpesvirus is probably one of the most common causes of feline respiratory disease. How can animal shelters and rescue groups best treat it? In a recent study published in the August 2016 issue of American Journal of Veterinary Research, authors looked at the anti-viral drug famciclovir. Because of unique characteristics of the drug itself,…

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3 apps to help your shelter or rescue create more sharable graphics

December 15, 2016

Working with a shelter or rescue group, you likely know the power of a good, sharable photo or graphic on social media. But most people in the animal welfare industry do not have a background in photography or graphic design. If you can find a volunteer or staff member with the skill, fantastic — but what…

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Senior and Hospice Foster Program

December 2016

Find out how you can help senior dogs find foster homes and new adoptive homes, as well as providing hospice care through fostering.

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Robust Dog and Cat Foster Program

December 2016

Learn about the Charleston Animal Society foster program

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Opitmizing Volunteer Engagement

December 2016

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Medium and Large Dog Fostering Program

December 2016

Do you have problems finding adopters or foster homes for medium or large adult dogs? Want to learn more about how to successfully use a foster care program?

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How one Aha! Moment while driving led to a lifesaving idea for community cats

December 14, 2016

It was an ordinary day as Stacy LeBaron was driving down the road, listening to one of her favorite podcasts about business and financials. Then it struck her – an Aha! Moment, out of nowhere. Her realization? There should be a podcast for community cats. LeBaron had been looking for a way to enhance the…

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The way shelters handle and care for cats can improve their adoption chances

December 13, 2016

Can something as simple as more frequent cleaning of food bowls and changing of water in a shelter cat’s housing get them adopted more quickly? A study soon to be published in the peer-reviewed journal Applied Animal Behaviour Science suggests that it is. The study was conducted in Austria, where it’s illegal for shelters to…

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Is your pet adoption group making this terrible website mistake?

December 8, 2016

Forget where’s Waldo; where’s your shelter or rescue group? If you’re like most people, you have Facebook and other social media connections all over — former colleagues, people you went to school with, connections you made online, friends who moved away, family in other states or even other countries. Now, consider these questions: Does your…

webcast

Helping Shelter Pets find Health, Happiness and Homes with Fear Free

Dr. Marty BeckerNovember 2016

Learn why fear is the worst thing a social species can experience, and how it causes permanent damage to the brain.

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Good intentions can go very wrong when you find a lost pet

December 6, 2016

Mary Kennedy Withrow, a staffer at the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society, arrived at the shelter recently and found a woman standing outside with a gorgeous German Shepherd. She said she had found the dog running down her street, and wanted to have her scanned. “I would have kept her, but my other dog didn’t seem…

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How joining in the Seventh Annual Celebrate Shelter Pets Day can help more pets find homes

November 29, 2016

People are seven times more likely to adopt a pet from a shelter or rescue group if they know someone who has. Here’s how you can be that someone! Thursday, December 1, 2016, is the Seventh Annual Celebrate Shelter Pets Day, an event started by our funded Shelter Pet Project to get the friends and…

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What Sherri Franklin’s CNN Hero of the Year nomination means for senior dogs and rescue animals everywhere

November 23, 2016

When Sherri Franklin started Muttville Senior Dog Rescue, she not only wanted to rescue senior dogs, but also change the way the world perceived and treated them. Just nine short years later, with over 4,200 senior dogs saved, and a nomination for CNN's Hero of the Year award, it's safe to say she's done just that.…

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Taking the fear, anxiety, and stress out of animal shelters: Is it possible?

November 22, 2016

In 2009, veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker attended a presentation where veterinary behaviorist Dr. Karen Overall said something that changed his life: “Fear is the worst thing a social species can experience, and it causes permanent damage to the brain.” “I’d always thought of myself as a particularly compassionate veterinarian,” he said. “I had been exposed…

blog

Pinterest analytics for animal shelters and rescue groups

November 17, 2016

Does your animal organization use Pinterest? If not, it might be time to try. And if you try, be sure to use Pinterest’s analytics to make sure you’re getting results that will make your time on the site worthwhile for your organization and for the animals. Most rescue groups and animal shelters use Facebook, and…

blog

Study: How much space do shelter cats need to be happier, more playful, and less stressed?

November 15, 2016

Shelter cats are happier, more playful, friendlier with each other, and less stressed when they have more room — 4 square meters, or 43 square feet, per cat, to be precise. In a study published in the June 2016 issue of Applied Animal Behaviour Science, Swedish researchers tested the play, mutual grooming, and inter-cat aggressiveness…

webcast

Two Webcasts: Creating Public Policy on Community Cats & Putting Theory into Action

Dr. Sara Pizano and Cameron MooreNovember 2016

Are you an elected official of a community struggling with too many cats in your animal control system? This webcast, designed for elected officials, will help you learn how other municipalities have managed these issues successfully on the public policy and public relations levels.

presentation

Finding Their Way Back Home: Increasing Return to Owner Rates

Bob Goddard and Kathy PobloskieFebruary 2017

Learn how these organizations are leading the way towards a centralized, national database where shelters, vet clinics, volunteers and the public can all share the same lost and found pet listings.

presentation

Saving Parvo Positive Puppies

Dr. Alexis Bardzinski and Jordana MoerbeFebruary 2017

Learn about APA!'s parvo treatment protocols, testing, decontamination, and volunteer participation.

presentation

Data: Why It Is Critical to Success and How to Keep Up with It - Part 1

Lindsay O'GanFebruary 2017

Learn how data can improve the care of your animals and provide you with vital reporting necessary to improve your organization.

presentation

Data: Why It Is Critical to Success and How to Keep Up with It - Part 2

Lindsay O'GanFebruary 2017

Learn how data can improve the care of your animals and provide you with vital reporting necessary to improve your organization.

presentation

Reducing Cat Intake

Jordan CraigFebruary 2017

Learn how the Austin Animal Center (AAC) saves more than 95% of cats.

presentation

Hospice for Cats and Dogs

Clara K. Showalter and Jessica MarshFebruary 2017

Learn how Austin works to save the last few hard to place seniors through the use of specialized hospice foster homes for dogs and cats.

presentation

Shelter Photography: Creating Pet Celebrities

Nicole Del CastilloFebruary 2017

Learn the importance of good quality images and how easy it is to create these images using these techniques.

presentation

No Cat Left Behind: How to Get Special Needs Cats Adopted

Monica FrendenFebruary 2017

Learn how to place special needs cats through innovative programs, marketing, and adopter support.

presentation

Fundraising: Startup and Beyond - Part 1

Maggie LynchJanuary 2017

Learn what you will need to raise funds effectively when you're a new or relatively small organization.

presentation

Lifesaving Programs for Shelters

Scott GiacoppoJanuary 2017

Is your shelter's policies saving lives or costing them? This session shows how one shelter underwent a complete transformation with one goal in mind, to save lives.

presentation

Fundraising: Startup and Beyond - Part 2

Maggie LynchJanuary 2017

Part two of this workshop covers issues faced by organizations as they grow larger, diving deeper into the details of creating an overall funding strategy.

presentation

Getting a Busy Journalist's Attention

Arin GreenwoodJanuary 2017

Hear tips on how you can get your shelter or rescue stories told.

presentation

Savings Lives with No Budget and Partnering to Spread No-Kill: The Kirby Animal Shelter Story

Christie BanduchJanuary 2017

Learn how a shelter in Kirby, Texas went from a 6% live release rate to over 90%.

presentation

Using Social Media to Maximize Your Lifesaving Potential

Kristen AuerbachJanuary 2017

In this session, you'll learn 15 must-know rules for maximizing your lifesaving potential with social media.

presentation

Innovative Fostering: Saving More Dogs with Behavioral Challenges - Presentation

Kristen AuerbachFebruary 2017

Learn proven methods that will help you save 90% or more of dogs with behavioral problems.

presentation

Lifesaving Animal Control Policies

Lee Ann Shenefiel, April Moore, Maria AlvaradoFebruary 2017

Learn how to leverage limited resources to engage the community in animal welfare and keep people and pets safe.

presentation

Matchmaking - Working with Adopters and Pets to Increase Adoptions

Ryan PlunkettFebruary 2017

Learn about how this program develops and maintains cutting-edge initiatives aimed at decreasing dog length of stay and improving the success rate of adoptions.

presentation

Making Technology Work for You: How Smart Decisions Can Save Lives And Money

Greg LucasFebruary 2017

How properly managing data will save you more money.

presentation

Best Friends Society's Legislative Work to Save Them All

Richard Angelo, Jr., Lee Greenwood and Elizabeth OreckFebruary 2017

How legal issues affect you and ways you can help change things for animals.

presentation

Getting to No Kill: How Austin Did It

Dr. Ellen Jefferson and Ryan ClintonJanuary 2017

Hear the presenters review the decisions that were made, the communication used, the committees that were formed, the work that was divided up and the strategy that brought the City of Austin to no-kill.

presentation

Advancing the No-Kill Movement through State and Local Politics

Brenda CollierJanuary 2017

Learn how you can make a difference by advancing the No-Kill movement in your area through local and state politics.

presentation

Lifesaving on a Dime with ACT! Ohio

Steffen BaldwinJanuary 2017

Hear how Act! Ohio is able to save neglect cases, advocate for "pitbulls" and educate both officers and children.

presentation

Breed Restrictions in Housing - Panel Discussion

Tawney Hamond, Scott Giacoppo, Lindsey OrtizJanuary 2017

The panel covers how breed restrictions impact "pitbull" terriers and what can be done to remove or bypass the restrictions.

presentation

Let's Keep Community Cats in the Community Where They Belong

Alice Burton and Scott GiacoppoJanuary 2017

This workshop will help you reduce your intake and euthanasia numbers while helping you focus on increasing your adoption and live release rate.

presentation

Removing Breed Labels: It's Easier Than You Think

Kristen Auerbach and Tawny HammondFebruary 2017

Most of the dogs entering the shelter should be identified as mixed breeds.

blog

Are we really supposed to stop assessing behavior in shelter dogs?

November 3, 2016

Did a recent study really suggest animal shelters stop evaluating dogs for temperament and adoption? Not exactly. The study, authored by Dr. Gary J. Patronek of the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts and Janis Bradley of the National Canine Research Council, was published in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior in August. Its central…

blog

How to put your skills to work for the animals

November 2, 2016

If you want to help animals but don't have the time to physically volunteer at your local shelter or rescue organization, what can you do? Look no further than your resume! There are plenty of ways you can help just by utilizing your natural talents. Whether you're a tech-savvy social media maven, an introverted writer,…

blog

It may be time to say goodbye to breed labels on all shelter dogs

November 1, 2016

There’s renewed interest in identifying shelter dogs not by breed but by their physical and personality traits. What’s prompted that, and is it an idea whose time has come? The idea itself isn’t new. Some adoption organizations did away with breed labels long ago, with some simply calling them “All American Shelter Dogs.” In fact,…

blog

It’s a Happy MaddieCam Birthday on National Cat Day!

October 27, 2016

One of our favorite days – National Cat Day – is just around the corner this Saturday, October 29! Along with bringing attention to cats who need homes, this holiday also marks the one-year anniversary of MaddieCam, where we decided to stream live from Cat Town, America's first cat café. Today, MaddieCam streams live from…

webcast

Integrating Volunteers into Your Animal Shelter Programs and Culture

Paula FasseasOctober 2016

Could your animal shelter use 5,000 volunteers?

blog

How not knowing what you don’t know hurts animals

October 25, 2016

Is not knowing what we don’t know hurting the animals in our care? Recently, APSCAPro published a blog post, “We Don’t Know What We Don’t Know.” It was about how shelter dogs pegged as having “behavior problems” often didn’t have those same behaviors in a foster home. They turned out to be shelter-specific behaviors, and…

blog

Got community cats? Best Friends has a book for you – free!

October 18, 2016

Community cats: If you’ve got them, Best Friends wants to help. They’ve written a book covering everything from the ABCs to the rocket science of community cat management, and they’re giving it away as a free download! Topics covered include: The history of the TNR movement The importance of leadership Who in your community is…

blog

Don’t think about the animals: How inspiration comes when you’re not paying attention

October 13, 2016

Why would we tell you not to think about the animals? Because as counter intuitive as it may seem, you’ll probably find that spending less time thinking how to do a better job helping animals and more time doing and thinking about nothing in particular can create space for the very insight you need to…

presentation

San Francisco SPCA Ringworm Program (SPORE)

October 2016

Managing ringworm in homeless pet populations is easier than you think, if you're equipped with a plan and the right tools.

blog

The winners of our #ShowUsYourFoster contest have been chosen!

October 11, 2016

We asked and you answered! Thanks to everyone who entered our #ShowUsYourFoster contest. Hundreds of entries poured in, making it that much more difficult for our celebrity judges to choose a winner. So much so that we had to extend the deadline for them, and chose 9 runners-up of both dogs and cats! Drumroll it’s…

presentation

Austin Pets Alive! Neonatal Kitten Nursery Program

October 2016

Learn how to start and build a neonatal kitten nursery, and how to care for these bottle babies in your home.

blog

Study: Do DNA breed tests help dogs get adopted?

October 6, 2016

People, even veterinarians and animal shelter workers, are notoriously poor at identifying dog breeds. What’s more, there’s a growing trend to stop identifying shelter dogs by their breed at all. A recent study at Berkeley Animal Care Services in California took a look at whether or not obtaining DNA tests on dogs in the shelter…

blog

Comic book-style app teaches kids reading, empathy for animals

September 28, 2016

Can your children see the world from the point of view of a dog, cat or other animal? Would they more easily experience empathy and compassion if they could? A new app designed to take young readers into an animals-eye view of the world while getting and keeping their attention is designed to help children…

blog

Getting more press coverage for your shelter or rescue organization

September 20, 2016

Does your shelter or rescue group struggle with getting press coverage? If so, you’re not alone. Competition for journalists’ time is fierce. Knowing a few tips on how to stand out can help you and your animals get time in the public spotlight. The first step is having a solid press list. This is a…

blog

Study: What’s on a shelter cat’s mind can can prevent disease

September 20, 2016

Why do shelter cats so frequently get sick or suffer behaviorally? Because they’re essentially being held in a form of captivity, usually one originally designed for an entirely different species, the dog. There are many medical and housing interventions that can reduce the stress of captivity for cats, and they are indeed associated with a…

presentation

Outpatient Parvo Program

October 2016

Private treatment is out of the financial reach of the very dog owners most likely to have parvo-stricken dogs, find out what you can do to address this issue in your community.

blog

What if there were no low-cost spay/neuter clinics?

September 6, 2016

What would happen if low-cost spay/neuter programs weren’t available? In a study published in the Sept. 1, 2016, issue of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, researchers sought to identify the characteristics of people who used a reduced-cost spay/neuter program. They conducted 1,188 anonymous surveys and 99 telephone interviews with cat owners who…

webcast

Innovative Fostering: Saving More Dogs with Behavioral Challenges

Kristen AuerbachAugust 2016

Has your shelter struggled to achieve live outcomes for dogs who display common behavioral challenges like kennel stress, barrier reactivity and fear-based aggression? Learn how you could turn that around and save more dogs lives.

presentation

The History of High Quality, High Volume Spay Neuter (HQHVSN)

Phil Busby, DVM, MS, ACVSSeptember 2016

Learn the history of HQHVSN, where it started, and how this area has grown over the years.

blog

Perfectly imperfect senior dog finally meets his match

August 24, 2016

What's the definition of the perfect dog? Depends on who you ask. But one thing was for sure – I knew I wasn't it. Unless the definition was "an anxious ten year old Jack Russell terrier mix who chases his tail and doesn't get along with other dogs" but I'm smarter than that. It only took…

blog

Learn ‘Compassion Fatigue Strategies’ in online course for shelter/rescue workers, veterinarians

August 23, 2016

What if someone had genuine useful resources that could help those working with animals in the shelter, rescue and veterinary fields cope with emotional numbness, stress, anxiety and burnout? Someone does: The Maddie’s® Shelter Medicine Program at the University of Florida is enrolling students in its online course in “Compassion Fatigue Strategies” with certified compassion fatigue…

blog

When it comes to saving animals’ lives, think collaboration not competition

August 17, 2016

Do you ever find yourself trying to come up with new ideas or wishing you had another "you" in your position at your shelter or rescue? Someone you can bounce ideas off of, share experiences with, and even learn from? Believe it or not, you can! How? By connecting with those in your same position…

blog

Back to school and football season adoption promotion ideas to use, adapt, and share

August 11, 2016

Looking for some Fall adoption promotion ideas? Back to school season can be hectic even if you don’t have kids — as anyone who’s ever tried to get their shopping cart down the school supplies aisle at the local supermarket in August can attest. And it can also leave the house just a little too…

blog

How to start a lifesaving organization for special needs cats

August 10, 2016

When Terri Duncan and her daughter wandered into a pet store 12 years ago, she had no idea how her life would change. "We struck up a conversation with a foster mom for a rescue group.  My daughter and I were both charmed with the idea of fostering ‘bottle babies,'” said Duncan. "We left the…

blog

Just say no to the ‘conventional wisdom’: Sherri Franklin’s Aha! journey saving senior dogs

August 9, 2016

How much of the “conventional wisdom” about adoption and foster programs makes sense, and how much of it just keeps your organization from saving as many animals as it could? That was the question on Sherri Franklin’s mind as she first created Muttville Senior Dog Rescue, a San Francisco organization that has saved thousands of…

research

Community Pet Adoption Survey Results - Pet Owner Rehoming

August 2016

Game-changing ‘pet retention’ and ‘safety net’ programs to keep pets in homes are gaining tremendous traction; however, pet relinquishment is still a very common occurrence in our nation’s shelters. In the instances where staying in a home is not possible, to what extent are pet guardians part of the rehoming process? What strategies are being employed to find a new home without having the pet step foot in the shelter? In this survey report, we examined beliefs around ‘pet owner rehoming,’ the extent to which guardians are empowered to find resolutions on their own, and the types of tools organizations provide to support the rehoming process.

blog

New spay-neuter guidelines: Grounded in science, practical in application

August 8, 2016

APEX, N.C. — Whether they are performing spay and neuter procedures in a private practice, spay-neuter clinic, mobile clinic or veterinary school, veterinarians can now reference newly updated and expanded professional guidelines that encompass all aspects of the spay-neuter process. The Association of Shelter Veterinarians' 2016 Veterinary Medical Care Guidelines for Spay-Neuter Programs were recently…

video

Building a Powerful No-Kill Team: How to Recognize and Cultivate Leaders

Marc PeraltaJuly 2016

Your team and and what positions you have - be they staff or volunteers - are all tactics to reaching your no-kill goals. Watch this presentation to find out how to build a success-driven team.

blog

Put long-stay pets in the witness protection program

August 4, 2016

You’ve tried sharing, you’ve tried begging, you’ve tried making them laugh — but that one long-stay pet is just not getting interest from adopters. What’s next? Putting them in the witness protection program, of course. What we mean is that you need to start from scratch by wiping them clean of their current identity and…

webcast

One Shelter's Journey to Save More Feline Lives

Dr. Cristie KamiyaAugust 2016

What real-world difference can the initiatives of the Million Cat Challenge make in an animal shelter? Hear an overview of how implementing those initiatives has impacted their life-saving capacity for cats.

presentation

Digital Tactics: Building Email Campaigns that Bring in the Money

Sue CitroJuly 2016

It's not email - it's experience. Learn how to create eye-catching, impact-boosting email campaigns that people love to follow.

video

Judgment-Free Zones: Building Relationships in Underserved Communities to Keep Dogs in Homes

Maureen Keenan and Kelsey WestbrookJuly 2016

Learn how to create a more compassionate community for all dogs and their owners - and boost lifesaving numbers. See how it was done, and how the model can be duplicated anywhere.

blog

Study: How important are gradual introductions between newly-adopted and existing cats?

August 2, 2016

Does your shelter or rescue group counsel adopters on how to carefully and gradually introduce a new cat into the family? If so, many of your adopters may well be ignoring your advice — and things work out anyway. A couple of weeks ago, Million Cat Challenge co-founder Dr. Kate Hurley of the UC Davis…

presentation

Infectious Disease Control in a High Quality High Volume Spay Neuter (HQHVSN) Setting

Holly Putnam, DVMSeptember 2016

Hear about the most common infectious disease agents encountered in High Quality High Volume S/N clinics.

presentation

Safe and Efficient Anesthesia for High Quality, High Volume Spay Neuter

Emily McCobb, DVM, MS, DACVAASeptember 2016

Learn about monitoring, trouble shooting and avoiding common anesthesia complications.

presentation

HQHVSN Anesthesia: Updates from the Revised ASV Guidelines, Protocols and Patient Monitoring

Emily McCobb, DVM, MS, DACVAASeptember 2016

Hear specifics about updates in the Anesthesia Section of the revised ASV guidelines.

presentation

Pediatric Care in the Animal Shelter

Dr. Elizabeth Berliner, DVM, MA, DABVPSeptember 2016

This presentation includes tips, tricks and tools for being prepared for these most adorable, but challenging patients.

presentation

Assessing Quality of Life and Making Medical Decisions in the Animal Shelter

Dr. Elizabeth Berliner, DVM, MA, DABVPSeptember 2016

Assessing quality of life for companion animals, especially in a shelter context, is complex.

presentation

Work Smarter Not Harder: Designing Shelter Intake Protocols to Optimize Animal Health

Kathy Makolinski, DVMSeptember 2016

Working smarter through the implementation of well-designed intake protocols will enable your shelter to provide optimal care for all animals.

presentation

Waste Anesthetic Gases (WAGs) That isn't Fido's Gas You Are Smelling

Karen Basher, LVT, VTS-AnesthesiaSeptember 2016

Waste anesthetic gases (WAGs) are anesthetic vapors that escape the patient and/or the anesthetic system, and can cause heath issues to personnel that are in constant contact.

presentation

Cleaning is FUN: Sanitation and Disinfection in the Animal Shelter

Lisa Rodriguez, DVM September 2016

Learn how to provide more comprehensive approaches to protecting your animals from disease agents while minimizing stress caused by cleaning procedures.

presentation

Getting the Most out of Your Clinical Pathology Samples

Ashleigh Newman, VMD, DACVPSeptember 2016

In order to get the most diagnostic value out of your clinical pathology samples, proper sample collection and preparation is crucial.

presentation

Ringworm in the Shelter: Problem Solving Management Challenges for Shelter Medical Staff

Allison Clarke, DVM September 2016

Learning to apply principles of ringworm management in your organizations and facilities can be a real challenge.

presentation

Overview of Spay/Neuter Literature

Margaret R. Slater, DVM, PhDSeptember 2016

Hear an overview of the evidence regarding both the risk and benefits of sterilization surgery and their implications for recommendations regarding the procedure.

presentation

What's Trending in High Quality High Volume Spay Neuter?

Michelle Amtower, DVMSeptember 2016

Join us as we take a tour of the current trends in high quality, high volume spay/neuter (HQHVSN) and share some tricks of the trade.

presentation

Emergency and Critical Care in the Shelter and Spay/Neuter Clinic

Gretchen Schoeffler, DVM, DACVECCSeptember 2016

This presentation covers the identification, treatment, management and common emergency scenarios in shelters and spay/neuter clinics.

presentation

Emergency Protocols and Triage in the Shelter - Veterinary Technician Track

Gretchen Schoeffler, DVM, DACVECCSeptember 2016

This session discusses the development of protocols for emergency care of shelter animals and focuses on the triage and initial stabilization of the more common types of cases likely to be seen in the shelter setting.

presentation

Expert Coalition Building: Collaboration for Top Results, Part 1

Arlyn BradshawJuly 6, 2016

Learn how three leading agencies are breaking live release rate records - and how you can, too.

presentation

Expert Coalition Building: Collaboration for Top Results, Part 2

Kathleen TothJuly 2016

Hear about a vision of a common purpose that is quickly strengthening collaboration among diverse groups - and saving more lives than ever.

presentation

Expert Coalition Building: Collaboration for Top Results, Part 3

Tracy RoddomJuly 2016

Forming coalitions is no easy task, learn how three leading agencies are breaking live release rate records - and how you can, too.

presentation

Canine Identity Crisis: How Breed Labeling Affects Adoption, Part 1

Lisa Gunter, MAJuly 2016

Should we continue to use visual identification if it could have adverse effects on length of stay and adoptions?

presentation

Canine Identity Crisis: How Breed Labeling Affects Adoption, Part 2

Liz FinchJuly 2016

Four groundbreaking case studies show that removing labels is a low-cost intervention that could improve outcomes for many, perhaps all, breeds - including pit bulls.

article

Orphaned Puppy Resources

July 2016

Have orphaned puppies? Here are the resources you will need to feed and care for the little guys!

presentation

Data Power: How to Get it, How to Use it to Save Lives

Aimee Gilbreath, April HarrisJuly 2016

Hear important information about data collection and why it is crucial to saving shelter pets' lives.

presentation

No-Kill Strategies: Community and Shelter Policies that Work

July 2016

Hear about successful community building policies that resulted in 90% save rates.

video

A Fresh Image: Increase Adoptions and Community Support by Revamping Your Shelter

Denise Deisler, Makena YarbroughJuly 2016

What people see in the first few seconds of entering an animal shelter makes a world of difference in their attitude toward adoption at your facility.

presentation

Increase Your Donor Base: New Ideas for Building Your Base of Support

Barbara Camick and Kelly PrestonJuly 2016

Knowing how to leverage traditional and new media methods to connect with your donor base can make your job much easier and more successful.

presentation

Moving Forward: Creating a Culture of Continuous Improvement

Vincent MedleyJuly 2016

Knowing the talents of individual team members is key to setting them up for success. When a staff member is successful, their programs are usually successful.

presentation

Successful Stewardship: Building Lasting Donor Relationships

Mark RovnerJuly 2016

Join this extremely engaging speaker as he helps you tap into your own wisdom, experience and passion to create lasting relationships with new and continuing donors.

blog

Facebook’s little-known weapon against spam and unwanted comments

July 27, 2016

Did you know Facebook has a tool to help stop spam and trolling comments from ever hitting your Facebook page at all? If not, you’re not alone — many organizations have no idea how to use Facebook’s moderation settings to keep inappropriate comments at bay. One reason you may never have heard of this tool…

blog

How long do dogs with canine influenza have to be isolated?

July 26, 2016

Animal shelters have been among the places hardest-hit with infections of the H3N2 canine influenza virus since it made its first U.S. appearance in dogs from a Chicago animal shelter. Understanding how to prevent the spread of this respiratory disease is critical to protecting dogs in shelters and the community. One key to preventing transmission…

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Aha! Moments in the Deep South: How the Charleston Animal Society turned scandal into lifesaving

July 21, 2016

When the Charleston Animal Society faced a massive scandal after years of high kill rates in the shelter, it might have been the end of the line. Thanks to the courage to recognize and act on its Aha! Moments, the organization and the community it serves have never been more in sync, and the animals…

webcast

Taking the Teeth Out of Canine Distemper Virus

Dr. Sandra NewburyJuly 2016

Learn how to prevent distemper outbreaks in an animal shelter, how to recognize the disease in its earliest stages, and what to do in response to an outbreak.

blog

From ‘terrible’ dog to therapy dog, Eddie proves he is the least boring dog in the world

July 20, 2016

He became famous as “the most terrible dog in the world.” Now he’s a therapy dog. How did that happen? When you're transformed by love, it seems anything is possible. Even for Eddie the Terrible. In celebration of National Anti-boredom Month, we're dubbing Eddie (now Teddy) the least boring dog in the world! Now happy…

blog

#HeardItAtBestFriends: An ‘in case you missed it’ report from the Best Friends National Conference!

July 18, 2016

Did you miss the Best Friends National Conference in Salt Lake City? Were you there, but couldn’t see everything, or just want to relive the top moments? From a dream for the future to just plain fun, check out these Maddie’s Fund® #HeardItAtBestFriends highlights! We asked people to tell us what the best idea they…

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New best practice guidelines for spay/neuter programs from the Association of Shelter Veterinarians

July 12, 2016

High-volume spay/neuter programs come in all shapes and sizes, from standalone clinics, to MASH-style operations, to mobile vans, to in-shelter surgical suites, and more. A task force of experts from the Association of Shelter Veterinarians (ASV) has just released their 2016 guidelines to best practices to ensure excellent animal care in high-volume spay/neuter programs —…

blog

How your animal organization can grow its email list

July 7, 2016

What’s wrong with how your animal organization is using email? Even in the age of social media, email is the most effective way to communicate with your supporters online. But  email marketing databases naturally degrade by about 22.5 percent every year, because people have unsubscribed or because they’ve changed email addresses. How can you fight…

blog

Putting on a successful 5K cat rescue fundraiser, record heat and all!

June 30, 2016

Why in the world would anyone run a 5k in record setting heat in Arizona? To help homeless cats, of course! The first annual Fearless Kitty 5K run/walk on June 5 of this year was a huge success, surpassing both the registrant goal of 300 and fundraising goal of $10,000. "This turned out to be…

blog

How to make sure adopters are welcome at your shelter or rescue group

June 28, 2016

Are ‘Adopters Welcome’ at your shelter or rescue group? If not, a new DIY action plan can help you get on board with this revolutionary adoption philosophy. Even if they already are, this resource can help you kick it up a notch! The Humane Society of the United States created Adopters Welcome not only to…

blog

A deeper look at Facebook groups for animal organizations

June 23, 2016

The last thing you may want is another social media account to manage, but Facebook groups can help shelters and rescue groups do things Facebook pages can’t — or at least, not as easily. Facebook groups are typically organized around an interest, theme, or project. In animal welfare, they can be used to work collaboratively…

webcast

Stress Reduction: Happy and Healthy Shelter Dogs

Dr. Sara L. BennettJune 2016

Everyone wants to make sheltered life better for dogs while they wait to get adopted. Learn what works and what doesn't in this webcast.

blog

Download the Alley Cat Allies guide to foster programs for cats and kittens!

June 21, 2016

What happens when you mix a giant name in cat welfare and two leaders in sheltering and adoption? You get incredible resources like Alley Cat Allies‘ guide to fostering cats and kittens, written with Bonney Brown and Diane Blankenburg of Humane Network, who while at the Nevada Humane Society led a successful program that provided…

blog

Lessons from a Brazilian community dog program

June 14, 2016

Most of us in animal welfare are on board with the concept of community cats — unowned cats who live in neighborhoods, some feral, some social. Can that concept work for dogs, too? It’s not an idea that sits easily with most people. Communities with large numbers of stray dogs in the U.S. are rare,…

blog

The social media hashtag: If all you do is build it, they won’t come

June 9, 2016

Probably the worst advice ever given in a major motion picture is this: “If you build it, they will come.” At least, it may work on ghosts of old-time baseball players, but it doesn’t work in social media. Just because you have a Facebook page or Twitter account doesn’t mean you’ll get results. You have…

blog

Don’t miss out on this great pet adoption idea!

June 7, 2016

You love pets or you wouldn’t be reading this. Ditto, supporting pet adoption. And you probably also love chocolate chip cookies. What do these things have to do with one another? In a classic marketing study conducted back in the 70s, researchers are Columbia University offered their test subjects jars of chocolate chip cookies, and…

blog

Re-thinking risk: Should we adopt cats to indoor/outdoor homes?

June 2, 2016

Should shelters and rescue groups refuse to adopt cats to homes that intend to let the cats go outdoors? Tanya Hilgendorf is president and CEO of the Humane Society of Huron Valley in Ann Arbor, Mich., where she believes the best adoptions happen when you match the right cat to the right home — even…

blog

What animal-loving kids do on their summer vacation

June 1, 2016

What’s better than summer vacation for kids? Summer vacation spending time with and helping animals! If your kids are crazy about animals, and you want to encourage the development of empathy and compassion, summer programs working with homeless pets should be at the top of your family to-do list. Consider these possibilities. Reading programs are…

video

When Community Cats Need a New Address: Secrets to a Successful Relocation Program

June 1, 2016

Learn how to start and run a community cat relocation program, how to use low stress humane trapping methods for community cats, and how to evaluate community cats to determine if they are best suited for a relocation program. This course will help you determine the best low stress housing options for community cats in your program, and how to successfully find and talk to relocation adopters.

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Rabies vaccination issues in TNR/RTF programs

May 31, 2016

A guest post from Maddie’s Shelter Medicine Program at the University of Florida professor and Million Cat Challenge co-founder Dr. Julie Levy on rabies vaccination issues in TNR and return-to-field programs. How does your shelter respond to the concern about rabies vaccination and duration of immunity/booster vaccine requirements in your TNR/RTF programs? Here is some…

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How shelters and rescue groups can use the Facebook Pages management app

May 26, 2016

Have you ever tried to manage your shelter or rescue group’s Facebook page via your smartphone and find yourself frustrated that you couldn’t do what you needed to do? With Facebook’s Pages management app, you can — or at least, mostly. The free app is available for both iPhone and Android, and gives you most…

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What’s up for animals in Dane County? A Maddie’s grant report

May 24, 2016

Dane County, WI, is a good place for homeless pets, thanks to Maddie and the hard work of local animal adoption organizations. The Maddie's® Pet Rescue Project in Dane County was a seven-year, collaborative effort to end the euthanasia of healthy and treatable shelter animals in the community. Four organizations came together during different periods…

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Stress Reduction: Happy and Healthy Shelter Cats on a Fast Track to Adoption

Dr. Brenda GriffinMay 2016

Stress can trigger physical, emotional and behavioral problems for cats in animal shelters. What can be done to help overcome stress and its negative outcomes?

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Maddie Talks: Aha Moments - Inspirational Speakers Getting it Done

May 2016

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The people have spoken: Shelter pets rule!

April 20, 2016

We all know shelter pets rule, and now we know thousands of people agree with us. They proved it when they voted for our funded Shelter Pet Project’s “Anthem” as Ad Council’s public service ad of the year! This victory serves to shine a powerful spotlight on pets in shelters and rescue groups. The response from…

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When it comes to adopting foster pets, who decides?

April 19, 2016

Who is in the best position to know what type of home would be best for a pet in a foster home: the adoption organization, or the foster caregiver? It’s a question that might not have a single answer. Some foster caregivers may prefer to be involved with pets but not be comfortable working directly…

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The Force will be with homeless pets on the MaddieCam April 16

April 14, 2016

Can Star Wars characters help get pets adopted? In a land far, far away they can – and do! On April 16, in Kansas City, MO, the newest MaddieCam Network member, KC Pet Project, will celebrate its Third Annual Star Wars Day. No, this isn’t just a really early “May the 4th Be With You”…

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What you may not know about heartworm in dogs and cats

April 13, 2016

It’s Heartworm Awareness Month. Do you know as much as you think you do about heartworm disease in dogs and cats? Feline Heartworm Infection: The big surprise! Yes, we said cats. While only 5 percent of cats are on heartworm preventive, the American Heartworm Society reports rates of diagnosed heartworm infections in cats are on the…

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Turning Your 'Surrender-ers' into Foster Homes

Sharon Harvy and Ayse DunlapApril 2016

The purpose Foster to Surrender is to enlist community support and keep high-risk animals out of the shelter. See how you can do this in your community!

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3 things pet lovers need to know about helping pets on Facebook

April 7, 2016

It happens all the time. You come across a photo of a pet on Facebook who's looking for a home, and you want to help. What can you do besides adopting him yourself? If you're thinking, "Share the post!", you’re right. But despite your best intentions, you might not know the most effective way to…

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Better photos and profiles for long-stay shelter dogs

April 6, 2016

Can one photo save the life of a long-standing pup? Absolutely, says Summer Huggins, volunteer photographer for Austin Pets Alive! But not just any photo will do. How about beginning a dog's profile with an abbreviation? Not likely, says Elizabeth Doyle, senior creative copywriter for Best Friends Animal Society. At the American Pets Alive! 2015…

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What animal shelters need to know about the new canine influenza

April 5, 2016

There’s a new cause of canine respiratory disease in town, and it’s something animal shelters need to sit up and take notice of. As if the original canine influenza, first identified in 2004 and dubbed H3N8, wasn’t bad enough, the new virus — N3N2 — presents special challenges both to owned pets and to dogs…

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Cats can get canine influenza – should cat owners be afraid?

April 1, 2016

Yesterday’s news out of the University of Wisconsin that cats can become ill with the canine influenza virus has some cat owners worried. While there’s still far more unknown than known about this risk, there’s no evidence that anyone needs to panic about their pet cats. UW experts report that the four cats known to…

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New canine influenza virus can infect, sicken cats

March 31, 2016

Disturbing news was just released by the Shelter Medicine Program at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine indicating cats as well as dogs can become ill from a new strain of canine influenza virus (CIV), H3N2: [Dr. Sandra] Newbury, in collaboration with Virology Section Head at the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Kathy Toohey-Kurth,…

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The magic ingredient for success in adopting a puppy mill survivor

March 24, 2016

It’s the most important step you can take to help a newly adopted puppy mill dog adjust, say experts: If you don’t already have one, get another dog. While patience is the quality most needed by puppy mill rescue adopters, research conducted by Dr. Frank McMillan and presented at the University of Florida Maddie’s® Shelter…

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Outpatient Parvo Treatment for Dogs

Dr. Jeffrey StupineMarch 2016

Learn about the feasibility of treating symptomatic parvovirus dogs in a twice-daily outpatient setting while minimizing the risk of infection to other dogs in a shelter environment.

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Puppy mill survivor takes fashion world by storm

March 23, 2016

She’s a dog who “looks like a cute hobo.” She’s the darling of the fashion world. She’s a spokesdog for shelter pet adoption. And she’s a puppy mill survivor. We’re talking about Toast Meets World, the adorable, tongue-lolling, sunglasses-wearning dog who has Instagram eating out of the palm of her paw. When she was suggested…

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Say ‘no’ to puppy mills for National Puppy Day!

March 22, 2016

Puppies are wonderful. Puppy mills are places no dog or puppy should ever experience — and where no dog lover should ever get a pup. As photos and video of cute puppies break the Internet in celebration of National Puppy Day tomorrow, March 23, let’s not forget the horrors being experienced by the parents of…

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Toys and TLC in animal shelters: Looking beyond adoption rates

March 15, 2016

What if playing and interacting with shelter pets didn’t help them get adopted more easily? Would that be a reason to stop? Absolutely not, and here’s why. A number of studies in recent years have looked at the impact of toys, play, grooming and human interaction on pets in shelters. Some have shown those interventions…

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Social media help for veterinary practices that are fostering orphaned kittens

March 10, 2016

Would you like local veterinarians to help foster orphaned kittens for your rescue group or shelter? Would the clinics be more willing to participate if they were offered some PR support? Or are you a veterinary practice that is already fostering kittens, or would like to, but could use some help getting them adopted, as…

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Kittens make even sleep deprivation fun!

March 3, 2016

Can you think of anything that would make you look forward to getting up every 2-3 hours in the middle of the night? Neither could Dr. Laurie Peek, until she experienced orphaned kitten fostering. "It's one of my favorite things in the whole wide world!" she said. A Maddie's Fund® Executive Leadership Team member, Dr.…

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Can good science debunk the hype about outdoor cats and toxoplasmosis?

March 1, 2016

A flurry of media articles broke out last year, associating cat ownership and exposure to human mental health problems including schizophrenia, and attributed it to cats as carriers of toxoplasma gondii, a parasitic protozoan. Was the hype justified? No, writes Best Friends Animal Society’s Peter Wolf on Vox Felina, citing an article about a paper…

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A dog’s-eye view of what ‘Leap Day’ is really all about

February 29, 2016

Want a dog’s-eye view of why they call it Leap Day and not extra day or something like that? I have a theory. As three-legged dog, I’m familiar with the physical act of leaping. But after the past six months, I also know a thing or two about metaphoric leaping. See, I think Leap Day…

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May the Force (and social media) be with your pet adoption promotions

February 25, 2016

Can Star Wars excitement get pets adopted? Yes; just ask Kylo Ren Cat. When the Monmouth County SPCA noticed one of its available cats resembled the actor who played villain Kylo Ren in the most recent Star Wars film, they quickly renamed him “Kylo Ren” and hit Instagram with his photo, asking, “Tell me this…

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Data Collection Survey Results

February 2016

At Maddie’s Fund, we believe that tracking numbers is the key to success and lifesaving. To that end, we collect data from many of our grantees. Read the results of the online survey, see what data is currently collected and the effort involved in that collection.

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What the MaddieCam Network can teach you about marketing your pets and your organization

February 24, 2016

Is reality TV entertaining? How about addicting? Most people would say yes to both. But while this might explain the popularity of ‘The Bachelor,’ we think something else entirely is going on when it comes to the MaddieCam Network! The MaddieCam Network is your go-to destination for watching cute pets and fun activities at shelters…

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You might know pit bulls… but you probably don’t. Here’s why

February 23, 2016

How well do you think shelter staffers and veterinarians do at identifying dogs who are — or aren’t — the type of dog known as a pit bull? If you said “not too well,” a recent study funded by Maddie’s Fund® and conducted by researchers from the Maddie’s® Shelter Medicine Program at the University of…

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Community Pet Adoption Survey Results - Foster Caregiver Involvement in Adoption

February 2016

Generally speaking, the model for foster programs has been a period of temporary pet fostering, followed by return of the animal to the shelter for adoption. Although foster caregivers are in a unique position to give insights into pet health and pet behavior in a home environment, foster caregiver involvement in the adoption process has been a fairly new and fairly controversial subject. In this survey report, we examined how often caregivers choose to be involved, to what extent organizations actually allow involvement and more.

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The Milk Man and Wait Until 8 Programs: Saving Cats and Kittens by Thinking Outside the Box

Dr. Maria Serrano and Kathleen LabradaFebruary 2016

An animal shelter isn't a good place for kittens too young to be adopted, whether they're orphaned or not. Learn how to get your community to help save these little lives in this free webcast.

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A stranger told her his dog had gone missing. What she told him made all the difference!

February 18, 2016

A stranger stops you in the street and tells you his dog is missing. Would you know what to tell him? Thanks to her time volunteering for Lost Dogs Minnesota, Linda Conrad did. Conrad was packing up her van for a trip one morning when a car stopped in her driveway. He’d noticed the dog…

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Managing fractures in shelter pets without shortchanging them – or your budget

February 16, 2016

Most private veterinary practices rely on surgery when it comes to certain kinds of broken bones. But when surgery isn't in the cards – or the budget – for your animal shelter, managing those fractures can often be done humanely and effectively without it. That was the message from board-certified veterinary surgeon Dr. Matthew D.…

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Hard-luck pup finds true love, #ThanksToMaddie

February 11, 2016

Ah, Valentine's Day. You either love it, or you loathe it — am I right? I'll be the first to admit I used loathe it (with a capital L!). But it turns out my true Valentine was named Suzanne. I probably don’t need to, but allow me to introduce myself. I’m Vinny. That’s right, the infamous…

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A day in the life of a kitten nursery

February 9, 2016

A growing number of animal shelters are adopting innovative programs like kitten foster networks and in-shelter kitten nurseries, allowing them to save lives they once had little hope for. If you think caring for these tiny, vulnerable lives is hard work, you’re right. But it may also be one of the most inspiring, rewarding tough…

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How Stress is Sabotaging Your Cat Adoption Efforts

Dr. Sheila D'ArpinoFebruary 2016

It's well known that cat health is quickly and negatively impacted by stress. But is it also making it harder for them to get adopted? Learn strategies to identify those effects not only in individual cats, but in the entire population of cats in a facility.

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Shelter medicine course opens its webinars to all, #ThanksToMaddie!

February 3, 2016

The University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine’s Maddie’s® Shelter Medicine Course invites all shelter veterinarians, shelter professionals, vet students, and community members to join them for their series of free webinars this semester: This lecture series not only discusses concepts key to sheltering but also helps veterinary students, shelter professionals and volunteers, and members…

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Australian study reveals challenges, pitfalls of evaluating dog behavior in shelters

February 2, 2016

Even the best canine behavior evaluation systems are not reliable when assessing shelter dogs, suggests a recent Australian study. Psychologist Dr. Zazie Todd’s influential blog Companion Animal Psychology took on the challenges of canine behavior evaluations in animal shelters last month. Todd examined at recent study by Monash University’s Kate Mornement, evaluating the Behavioural Assessment…

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Starting and Running a Shelter Intervention Program

Lori Weise and Amanda CaserezFebruary 2016

Each year, Downtown Dog Rescue keeps more than 2,000 pets out of the Los Angeles Animal Services South LA Shelter through a groundbreaking in-shelter intervention program. Find out what they do, how they do it, and how your shelter can, too!

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Pet adoption and the science of cat videos

January 21, 2016

Science has spoken: Watching cat videos is good for human health. It reduces stress, boosts energy, and makes us happier. So how can you turn all those positive benefits to getting cats adopted? In an Indiana University Media School press release for a recent study conducted by researcher Jessica Gall Myrick and published in Computers in…

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New veterinary vaccine guidelines encourage titer testing in animal shelters

January 19, 2016

Few areas of veterinary medicine have seen greater change than research and recommendations around immunity to disease and vaccination. New guidelines from the Vaccination Guidelines Group (VGG) of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) provide important context and recommendations for both veterinarians and animal shelters in how to put that new understanding to work…

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Playing with dogs is the best medicine

January 14, 2016

Looking for an easy way to enhance the well being of your dog and yourself this New Year? Simply resolve to play! Just as with children, play for dogs isn't only about having fun. In fact, play is as essential for dogs' health and well being as it is enjoyable. Now is the perfect time…

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How Stress is Sabotaging Your Dog Adoption Efforts

Dr. Sheila D'ArpinoJanuary 2016

Are dogs in shelters developing health and behavior problems because of stress? And does that make adoption more difficult and less likely for those pets? Learn to recognize the harmful effects of stress on sheltered dogs, and strategies to alleviate that stress in this free webcast.

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Is stress undermining your pet adoption efforts?

January 12, 2016

Are dogs and cats in shelters developing health and behavior problems because of stress? And does that make adoption more difficult and less likely for those pets? Yes, says board certified veterinary behaviorist Dr. Sheila D’Arpino. On January 14 and February 4, 2016, she’ll be presenting free webcasts on how stress is sabotaging your pet…

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How a Telephone Can Keep Cats in their Homes and Out of Your Shelter

Cynthia Kopec and Lisa BassiJanuary 2016

The San Francisco SPCA's award-winning call center has helped keep hundreds of pets out of the shelter. Learn how you can do this at your shelter.

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Shelters and rescue groups can get a head start on planning with this free tool

January 7, 2016

This tool can help you find great animal welfare events to attend, create interesting social media content, and get a jump on budgeting, kitten season, and preparing for fire, flood, mud and storm season. It’s the 2016 ASPCAPro Planning Calendar, and it’s free for you to download! How’s that for a Happy New Year tip?…

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How foster homes set shelter pets up for behavioral success

January 5, 2016

Foster homes can provide a valuable safe harbor for stressed, fearful, or anxious shelter pets, as well as a place where they can learn behaviors that will maximize their chances for successful adoption into a permanent home. For that to happen, however, the foster family must also provide appropriate support for the easing of fears…

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#FalalaFoster Flashbacks

December 30, 2015

What do Popeye, Cosmo Kramer, Rocky and Yoda all have in common? Yes, they’re all famous movie and TV characters, but that’s not all. They’re also pets who left a footprint on the hearts of their fosters. In the spirit of #FalalaFoster, we’re sharing some of our favorite foster flashbacks. Kramer. Sara Radak and her…

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This little dog never gave up, and found her home for the holidays!

December 23, 2015

A little dog who found her home at last shares the true meaning of Christmas Spirit! Is it tough to have the Christmas spirit? Do you sometimes feel a little blue this time of year? If you had asked me this last year, I could have said yes. No one would have blamed me. Waiting…

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Turning pet ‘foster failures’ into ‘foster wins’

December 17, 2015

Is it time to put the term ‘foster failure’ to rest forever, and call the adoption of pets by their foster homes what it really is, a ‘foster win’? You bet, say experts at two of the country’s most successful pet foster programs. The dog foster program at Austin Pets Alive! is the largest in…

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How long do FIV-infected cats live?

December 15, 2015

You may know Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) isn’t a death sentence for cats. But did you know exactly how it impacts the length of time they live? Would it surprise you to know it doesn’t? At the 2015 NAVC Veterinary Conference, Annette L. Litster, BVSc, PhD, FANZCVSc (Feline Medicine), MMedSci (Clinical Epidemiology), former Director of…

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What people love best about fostering homeless pets may surprise you!

December 10, 2015

Do you ever wonder why people foster pets? Sure, it's because they want to help save a life, but there's more.  A lot more, as anyone who’s actually done it can tell you. And you can sum it up with a three-letter word you’ll hear a lot this time of year: joy. Topping the list…

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Getting the Most Out of Shelter Medicine

Dr. Cristie Kamiya and Carol NovelloDecember 2015

Shelter veterinarians are a powerful source of experience, knowledge, training and insight that can guide animal shelters to improvements in every area of animal care. This webcast will take a comprehensive look at the benefits of giving a veterinarian a policy-making role in shelter operations.

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What shelters and rescue groups need to know before examining a neonatal puppy or kitten

December 8, 2015

When it comes to doing a physical exam on a newborn puppy or kitten, does your shelter or rescue group’s care team know what to look for? At the 2015 NAVC veterinary conference, Elizabeth Thomovsky, DVM, MS, DACVECC, of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Purdue University, spoke on “What to Expect in a Neonatal…

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‘Tis the season to #FalalaFoster!

December 2, 2015

Do you want to bring home some magic this holiday season? Want to experience the joy you remember from your childhood — and save a pet’s life at the same time? Here’s how: Foster a homeless pet! Fostering doesn’t just give pets a place to lay their heads. Spending time in a home, with a…

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How to tell if a shelter cat is stressed, fearful or feral

December 1, 2015

The best way to help any cat entering an animal shelter will depend on the cat. Unfortunately, it can be difficult for many shelter workers to tell the difference between a cat who is a social animal, used to humans, but severely stressed out or afraid, and a truly feral cat. Sara L. Bennett, DVM,…

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Celebrate Peanut Butter Lovers Month with these dog-approved recipes!

November 19, 2015

Want to share the peanut butter love with your favorite dog during Peanut Butter Lovers Month? The dog lovers at Maddie’s Fund® have you covered! The first two come from Kim, our Maddie’s® Adoption Program Manager. “Kongs stuffed with peanut butter and plain Cheerios are a delicious treat for dogs,” she said. “If they get…

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Think senior pets can’t adjust to a new home? Expert says to think again!

November 12, 2015

How likely is it that a senior pet can adapt to ending up in a shelter, being pulled by a rescue group, placed into one or more foster homes, and finally adopted — with a few stops at adoption events long the way? Almost guaranteed, says Sherri Franklin, who’s definitely in a position to know.…

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Does using the language of retail devalue shelter pets?

November 5, 2015

When animal shelters and rescue groups talk about “promoting” pets available for adoption, or adopting “two for the price of one,” does that choice of language reduce pets to the level of a commodity? At a daylong workshop presented by Maddie’s Fund® at Animal Care Expo several years ago, Bonney Brown, then Director of the…

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In shelters and at home, peanut butter makes dogs’ lives better

November 3, 2015

It’s a stickily delicious solution to a lot of common dog challenges, and it’s being celebrated during National Peanut Butter Lovers Month! Peanut butter can help relieve stress in shelter dogs, keep dogs in homes occupied and happy, and distract dogs from frightening or disruptive situations. And of course, it can be made into a…

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Getting It Done: How to Bust Myths about Community Cats with Science

Peter WolfOctober 2015

How can cat advocates cut through the misleading press releases and propaganda to combat proposed laws that seek to end lifesaving neuter-return programs and other cat-friendly efforts? With science, data and facts!

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Where would animal shelters be without veterinary technicians?

October 14, 2015

They’re the all-too-often unsung heroes of veterinary medicine, but we’re going to sing about them here. We’re talking about veterinary technicians, with a special chorus of gratitude for those who go into shelter medicine practice. Veterinary technicians assist in surgery, assess vitals, draw blood, comfort frightened patients, explain procedures to clients and do everything registered…

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Shelters and rescue groups: Is it time to take the fear out of FeLV?

October 6, 2015

Animal organizations have done a pretty good job of destigmatizing FIV-positive cats, and adopters have begun welcoming them into their families in larger numbers than could have been imagined 20 years ago. But cats who test positive for feline leukemia (FeLV) don’t fare as well in the hands of adoption groups. Is it time to…

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One fast, easy tip to get more comments and reach on pet adoption Facebook posts

October 1, 2015

You can give your shelter or rescue group’s Facebook posts a big jump-start on reach and engagement by posting the first comment yourself. And yes, you can even do that on scheduled posts! Facebook’s algorithm analyzes activity on every Facebook post, and uses that activity to increase or decrease the number of your followers they’ll…

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An expert tells you how to create and grow a highly successful cat foster care program

September 30, 2015

Does your animal organization want to save more cats? You don’t need a bigger shelter or more money, but you do need foster homes. How do you get them? How do you train them? How do you keep the ones you have, and get more? Austin Pets Alive! cat foster manager Ashley Ferry has answers…

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Dog rescued with embedded collar tries to save other dogs from her fate

September 29, 2015

Can a dog who’s had something terrible happen to her not only try to protect herself from that same thing happening in the future, but the other dogs she lives with, too? She can if she’s Casey the Wonderdog! Being in humane work for the past 36 years, I’ve had the pleasure of sharing my…

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TLC from humans staves off respiratory infections in shelter cats

September 23, 2015

Cats who receive positive attention from human caretakers while in animal shelters exhibit fewer signs of stress and a lower incidence of upper respiratory disease than cats who don’t. These results, reported in the October 2015 issue of the peer-reviewed journal Preventive Veterinary Medicine, are consistent with the authors’ earlier study on petting shelter cats,…

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Webinar: The science of social media for nonprofits

September 9, 2015

If your shelter or rescue group needs to improve its online fundraising and cause awareness — and who doesn’t? — then they can’t afford to turn their back on the science of social media. If your only exposure to social media is sharing pets who need help, family photos and rants about issues of the…

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Changing how you post ‘urgent’ pets to Facebook gets more lives saved

September 8, 2015

Is your shelter or rescue group’s “urgent pets” page on Facebook doing more harm than good? That’s what Don Jennings wondered when he took over as Executive Director of San Antonio Pets Alive! (SAPA!), and saw the chaotic, often disruptive nature of the comments on the organization’s “SAPA Urgents and Adoptables” page. “SAPA! was formed…

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Adopting a second cat can make your resident feline happier and healthier

September 1, 2015

September is Happy Healthy Cat Month, and the CATalyst Council wants you to consider heading to the shelter and adopting your solo feline a friend. From the campaign website: Think about getting another cat. Cats are social animals, so you might want to consider visiting the shelter and adopting a another cat. They love to…

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Anesthesia for the Senior Patient: Guess What? Age is a Disease

Emily McCobb, DVM, MS, DACVAA October 2015

Learn about the physiology of aging and how the pharmacology of anesthetic agents is changed in the aging patient.

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Parvovirus Updates: Recognition, Testing, and Management in the Shelter

Elizabeth Berliner, DVM, DABVPOctober 2015

Hear about newer diagnostic and management protocols, with an eye to practicality and life-saving in a shelter environment.

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When it's More Than URI: Pneumonia in the Shelter

Elizabeth Berliner, DVM, DABVPOctober 2015

Learn how to recognize and diagnose pneumonia, the underlying pathogenesis and pathology, and the treatment options.

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There is Way Too Much Toxocara in Dogs and Cats

Dwight D. Bowman, MS, PhD, DACVM October 2015

Review the life cycle, transmission, diagnosis and treatment of this common parasitic infection!

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The Importance of a Physical Examination for Incoming Shelter Animals

Kathleen Makolinski, DVM October 2015

See the fundamentals of a physical examination of cats and dogs, which allows staff members to determine how to best care for animals during their shelter stay.

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Sniffles and Snots: Prevention and Management of Feline Upper Respiratory Disease in the Animal Shelter

Jodi Boyd, DVM October 2015

Learn best practices in preventing upper respiratory disease, with new approaches for managing and monitoring cats in shelter environments which put the LVT at the center of animal health management.

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Avoiding Dog Fights in the Shelter

Ehren Melius October 2015

Dog-to-dog aggression can be challenging, but there are myriad ways to keep your canines happy and safe.

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Dermatology in the Shelter Setting: Diagnostic Evaluation

William Miller, VMD, DAVC October 2015

Want to find out about in-shelter diagnostic testing in dermatology?

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Dermatology in the Shelter Setting: Disease Management

William Miller, VMD, DAVCOctober 2015

Recognize and treat the problematic contagious disorders that can be in the shelter animal population.

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Diarrhea in a Shelter Setting: Do You Have a Firm Handle on it?

Holly Putnam, DVM October 2015

Learn about the latest updates on diarrhea in a shelter setting, from nutritional to viral causes, and diagnostics to treatment plans.

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Enrichment for Shelter Cats

Rebecca Lohnes, MS October 2015

Hear about enrichment options to increase quality of life for the cats in your facility, including low cost enrichment options, and positive training techniques.

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Enrichment for Shelter Dogs

Rebecca Lohnes, MSOctober 2015

Positive reinforcement training and enrichment exercises are some of the best ways to reduce kennel stress and increase adoptability for shelter dogs.

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Getting to No-Kill, Different Communities, Different Models NKLA: Los Angeles, California

Brenda Barnette, Francis Battista, Aimee Gilbreath, Marc PeraltaJuly 17, 2015

What is the "secret sauce” that created No-kill Los Angeles’ rapid success? Come learn how Best Friends’ NKLA initiative formed public/private partnerships, created a strong coalition, and broke through misconceptions to save many more lives in L.A.

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Getting to No-Kill, Different Communities, Different Models - Austin, Texas

Dr. Ellen Jefferson and Tawney HammondJuly 17, 2015

As the largest no-kill city in the country, Austin Texas, knows how to turn things around. Find out how they did it!

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Where to Begin: Fundraising Basics

Sandy ReesJuly 17, 2015

Fundraising: The right people, the right time, the right message, is it as simple as that?

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Smart Money: Wise Investments for a Secure Future

Craig DePoleJuly 17, 2015

Where can your fundraising efforts reap the biggest rewards? Find out in this presentation from Best Friends National Conference!

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Raising Funds Digitally: Navigating the Online and Email Worlds

Sue CitroJuly 17, 2015

Increase your reach through the power of online and email fundraising!

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Light Their Fires: Motivating Donors

Angie Moore and Jeff NickelJuly 17, 2015

Do you know what your donors want, why they are involved and what their expectations are of your organization? Find out!

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Fundraising's Hidden Power: Making Every Donor Count

Tim CrumJuly 17, 2015

Want to learn how to build lasting relationships with donors, ask for more money, get your donors to find other donors, and build a volunteer team devoted to asking for money?

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Granted: Identifying, Applying for and Managing Grant Funds

Amanda PearceJuly 17, 2015

Are you intimidated by the grant proposal process? Don't be!

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Ready, Steady, Go: Managing Change for Increased Success

Holly SizemoreJuly 17, 2015

Evolve and grow - that's the blueprint for a vibrant organization, but many of us resist change, especially when we can't see the need for it. How can we change and continue to move the ball forward?

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Learning to Lead: What Great Leaders Know and Do

Gregory CastleJuly 17, 2015

It takes leadership to save animals. There are many different ways to lead, and many different ways to make decisions. Find out how to maximize your leadership skills to affect the most change.

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How to Win Friends and Influence Lifesaving through Coalitions and Alliances

Barbara Brown, Francis Battista and Arlyn BradshawJuly 17, 2015

Learn how to leverage allied and rival organizations toward a common goal. You can accomplish great things with the strength of active, united coalitions, find out how in this presentation!

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Working for Peace: Effective Conflict Resolution

Karen GreenJuly 17, 2015

Conflict can actually strengthen relationships, increase creativity and lead to solutions. Learn how to turn disagreements into doorways for collaboration and teamwork.

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Create a Blazing Hot Brand: More Mission, Members, Media and Money

Julie CastleJuly 17, 2015

Brand your organization, stand out from the sea of nonprofits in your community, attract more donors, volunteers and community support.

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Strong on Top: Building and Engaging a Board of Directors

Sandy ReesJuly 17, 2015

You can unleash the best board of directors ever. Discover the traits of your ideal board members, learn to recruit the talented folks you most want, and plan ways to keep them meaningfully engaged.

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Community Pet Adoption Partnerships Survey Results: Stray Kitten Scenario

June 2015

During the Summer of 2014, Maddie’s Institute® conducted a survey to assess strategies that may prevent animals from entering shelter facilities. One such strategy involves asking community members who bring in kittens to care for them until organizational resources are available or they are old enough to be placed for adoption. This report addresses the extent to which organizations encourage community member care, the frequency of community members who elect to provide care, how organizational resources link to involvement and more.

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What to Do About Ear Problems in Shelter and Foster Home Dogs

Karen Moriello, DVM, DACVDJune 2015

Itching, pain and infection in the ears can be a major hindrance to finding a home for a shelter or fostered dog. That's because the suffering these symptoms cause can affect a dog's personality, as well as raise concern in potential adopters about the difficulty of treating ear problems. Resolving the condition, however, can be difficult for shelters and rescue groups, too. What can they do to help these dogs?

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Stopping the Scales, Greasiness and Odor of Seborrhea in Shelter and Foster Home Dogs

Karen Moriello, DVM, DACVDMay 2015

Seborrhea in dogs can be caused by underlying skin disease or by a primary skin defect. While not life-threatening, the odor and appearance can make it very difficult to find a home for even the friendliest, most appealing dog. What can shelters and foster homes do to resolve this condition in dogs they're caring for?

research

Maddie's Pet Adoption Days 2014 Adopter Survey Results

May 2015

In December 2014, Maddie’s Fund conducted an online survey that asked adopters who participated in the 2014 Maddie’s® Pet Adoption Days Event about the pet they adopted, the organization they adopted from and their event experience. Maddie’s® Pet Adoption Days has supported the adoptions of more than 31,000 homeless dogs and cats since the program’s inception in 2010.

webcast

What Animal Shelters Need to Know About the Canine Influenza Outbreak

Sandra Newbury, DVMMay 2015

No one in animal welfare or veterinary medicine can have missed the news about the outbreak of a new strain of canine influenza that hit Chicago and nearby communities in the last month. This is the first time this strain of the disease has been identified in the United States.

webcast

Removing Barriers to Adoption: How Evidence, Innovation and Compassion Grow Pet Adoptions

Cynthia D. Delany and Kelly LeeMay 2015

Because people in animal welfare often see terrible things befall pets, and because of genuine concern for the animals, we've sometimes gone overboard in terms of regulating, requiring, constraining, screening and even getting in the way of successful adoptions.

article

The Million Cat Challenge: The 5 Key Initiatives That Make it Work – and How They Can Work for Your Organization!

May 2015

The Million Cat Challenge is aiming to help shelters save the lives of 1 million more cats. In our recent webcast with Challenge founders Dr. Julie Levy and Dr. Kate Hurley, the feedback was loud and clear: You want more! Specifically, you want to know more about the approaches that have worked in shelters, and how you can implement them in yours.

webcast

Capacity for Care: When Less Adds Up to a Whole Lot More for Shelter Cats

Ollie Davidson and Kathleen OlsonApril 2015

How can your shelter save more cats? Take in fewer of them at a time, give each cat more room and care for them better.

webcast

Return to Field: Animal Shelters and a New Approach to Healthy Unowned Cats

Scott TrebatoskiApril 2015

What can animal shelters do about healthy unowned cats in their community? One new concept increasingly gaining ground is that, as long as the cats are thriving, the most compassionate, lifesaving approach is to sterilize them, vaccinate them, ear-tip them and return them where they were found.

webcast

Managed Admission: Giving Shelter Cats Their Best Chance at a Great Outcome

Barbara Carr and Kathie JohnsonApril 2015

Not every cat who is presented to a shelter for relinquishment is in need of immediate admission. In many cases, simply knowing that help is available and the shelter can take the cat in the near future is enough to allow the community member to opt for an appointment down the road, when his or her cat can be better cared-for by the shelter. In some cases, supportive management may buy the owner enough breathing room that the cat ends up being able to remain in the current home after all.

webcast

Alternatives to Intake: When the Shelter Isn't the Answer

Wiley Stem, IIIApril 2015

What if your city wanted to stop euthanizing community cats in the shelter, and decided to try something bold? And what if all the animal control officers, rescue groups and community members came together to make it work?

webcast

Assessing Your Community to Save More Animals' Lives

Bonney BrownMarch 2015

Do you know what's needed to save the lives of more animals in your community? The answer to that question begins with understanding what already exists in terms of resources, as well as the major issues facing homeless pets in your area and the people who work to help them.

webcast

How to Stop Itching in Shelters and Foster Homes Cats

Karen Moriello, DVM, DACVDFebruary 2015

Itching is a major reason cats get taken to the veterinarian. While there's no one underlying cause of itching in cats, getting to the bottom of the condition is particularly important due to the overlap in symptoms between contagious and non-contagious infections that may cause itching. How can shelters and rescue groups, with their limited resources, diagnose, treat and prevent this skin disease?

presentation

Revolution Relay: Passing the Baton to the Next Generation of Advocates

Becky RobinsonFebruary 2015

As Alley Cat Allies celebrates its 25th anniversary, Ms. Robinson reflects on the past quarter of a century. Where we were, what we have accomplished and what is yet to be achieved by the next generation! Come celebrate the rescued animals and advocacy accomplishments of the past while we also set our sights on the future.

presentation

No-Kill Political Advocacy

Ryan ClintonFebruary 2015

Learn how animal advocates in Austin, Texas, put no-kill on the City's public-policy agenda, and how you can do the same for your community. Topics include writing press releases, strategies for communicating with public officials, learning how to handle opposition and spreading your lifesaving message.

presentation

Achieving and Sustaining No-kill in a Medium-sized, Open Admission Shelter

Cheryl SchneiderFebruary 2015

Learn how Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter in Texas, an open admission shelter, started on their path to no-kill and how they continue to achieve a high save rate every month.

presentation

Companion Animal Legislation

Ryan ClintonFebruary 2015

Passing well-crafted legislation can be a key way to change the world for companion animals. This session covers municipal and state-focused legislative topics including rescue-access laws, city No Kill mandates, banning the gas chambers and regulating puppy mills.

presentation

Holding Out for a Hero

Becky Robinson and Kayla ChristianoFebruary 2015

The movement to save cats has been gaining steam for 25 years and while TNR and other no-kill initiatives are in the news every day, it can still feel like your community isn’t changing at all. You’re angry and frustrated that your local shelter or animal control impounds and kills healthy animals and you wish someone would step in and fix it. After all, you’re only one person, right?

presentation

The Little Shelter that Could...and DID!

Sgt. Karl BaileyFebruary 2015

Discover how Sgt. Karl Bailey, with a small staff and a group of committed volunteers, changed a high kill city shelter to no-kill in just 120 seconds - and with a budget of less than $30,000 per year!

presentation

Beyond Labels: Advocating for all Dogs, with the Love-A-Bull Team - Part 1

Leala Ward-VinsonFebruary 2015

Take a look into the ways that advocacy on individual and community levels can have a positive impact on treating all dogs equally, eliminating breed-related stigmas, abolishing outdated policies and improving the chances for targeted breeds to find homes and their families access to resources.

presentation

Beyond Labels: Advocating for all Dogs, with the Love-A-Bull Team - Part 2

Megan RansomFebruary 2015

Take a look into the ways that advocacy on individual and community levels can have a positive impact on treating all dogs equally, eliminating breed-related stigmas, abolishing outdated policies and improving the chances for targeted breeds to find homes and their families access to resources.

presentation

Beyond Labels: Advocating for all Dogs, with the Love-A-Bull Team - Part 3

Lindsey OrtizFebruary 2015

Take a look into the ways that advocacy on individual and community levels can have a positive impact on treating all dogs equally, eliminating breed-related stigmas, abolishing outdated policies and improving the chances for targeted breeds to find homes and their families access to resources.

presentation

Taking Different Paths to No-Kill

Michael and Pam KitkoskiFebruary 2015

Learn how Rockwall Pets has taken two municipal open-admission shelters to no-kill status in Rockwall County, TX. Each shelter required a different tactic. There's more than one way to get it done!

presentation

No-Kill Kansas City

Brent ToellnerFebruary 2015

In 2011, the city of Kansas City, MO put out an RFP for private organizations to run the city shelter; a shelter with a long history of being a high-kill shelter. When the deadline for bids passed, there were no bidders to take on the project. So a small group of advocates used the city's 3-week extension to build a business plan to successfully bid on, and take over, the city shelter contract.

presentation

The Bastrop Experience: The Road to Saving More Lives

Erica Thompson and Amanda SmithFebruary 2015

After a rough first year in 2012, the mostly rural Bastrop County Animal Services in Texas was well on the path to significantly increase their save-rate. Take a look at how they did it.

presentation

The Law & Liability for Shelters & Rescues

Ryan ClintonFebruary 2015

Learn how shelters and rescue groups can implement strategies to limit their liability for saving lives.

presentation

Creating and Sustaining a Dog Foster Network

Ann LindholmFebruary 2015

With a viable foster program it's possible to begin transforming your community to no-kill, even if you don't have a shelter. Learn how a one person position grew into a dog foster team of more than 35 volunteers. This team supports a network of over 1,000 approved foster parents.

presentation

Foster Faster: Growing Your Dog Foster Program

Faith WrightFebruary 2015

Learn how to expand your foster program to save the even harder to place big dogs, often considered "the last 10%".

presentation

Medical Treatment for Dogs on a Shoestring Budget

Alexis Bardzinski, DVM, and Jordana EstradaFebruary 2015

Since Austin Pets Alive! takes almost any animal from the open intake city shelter, regardless of medical issue, we see many diseases in dogs. We will talk through the worst one, Distemper, as well as others like broken bones, mange, upper respiratory infections, orthopedic issues and much more.

presentation

Rescuing Dogs from the Euthanasia List

Palmer NeuhausFebruary 2015

Fifty percent of the dogs in Austin, Texas were dying in 2008 when Austin Pets Alive! began saving lives. The rescue team had merely one- to two-hours to go through the euthanasia list, choose animals and save them before their time was up. Learn how the rescue team evaluated and chose dogs.

presentation

Getting Big Dogs Out of the Shelter via Canine Good Citizen Training

Marian Cannell and Amy LewisFebruary 2015

Through a partnership with Best Friends Animal Society, Austin Pets Alive! embarked on a six-month pilot program to test the effectiveness of Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Training on adoption rates. The results have been very good and show a clear adoption rate difference between dogs who undergo training and those who don’t.

presentation

Saving All the Little Dogs: Small Dog Behavior Issues

Faith Wright and Deaven WilsonFebruary 2015

Do you know how many small breed dogs are euthanized in your community shelter? In Austin, Texas in 2008, it was many more than would have been expected (roughly 500). Do you know that nearly ALL of them can be saved and although many are marked "aggressive", they rarely are?

presentation

Saving Parvo Positive Pups

Katie Kresek and Alexis Bardzinksi, DVMFebruary 2015

Parvovirus is a major killer of dogs and puppies in shelters. Austin Pets Alive! built the first parvo ward that actively takes parvo-positive dogs from the community and other shelters for treatment and then placement.

presentation

Effective Dog Marketing for Adoption

Elizabeth Doyle and Summer HugginsFebruary 2015

Marketing dogs, especially hard-to-place dogs, is an art form as well as a systematic process. Learn how to create a winning system utilizing a volunteer force, as well as how to write effectively about those dogs to get adoption applications coming in.

presentation

Medical Treatment for Cats on a Shoestring Budget

Ellen Jefferson, DVM, and Jordana MoerbeFebruary 2015

Austin Pets Alive! Medical Clinic treats thousands of cats a year, many who are straight off of the euthanasia list because of medical conditions such as feline leukemia, FIV, renal disease, hepatic lipidosis, skin problems, viral diseases, and trauma. They save them all and this session is about how they do it.

presentation

Creating and Growing a Successful Cat Foster Program

Ashley FerryFebruary 2015

Fosters often mean the difference between life and death for cats in the shelter. They are essential in addressing overcrowding issues, shelter behavior problems and providing personalized care for medical conditions.

presentation

Rescuing Cats from the Euthanasia List

Frances Flower, PhDFebruary 2015

Learn how to create a sustainable rescue program that relies solely on volunteers to assess cats on the euthanasia list and save the most lives it can that are out of other options for a live outcome.

presentation

How to Create a Successful Barn Cat Program

Monica FrendenFebruary 2015

Often overlooked for rescue, feral and fractious cats can be saved through a progressive Barn Placement Program and given a new lease on life as working cats. Learn how to start a barn program from scratch.

presentation

DIY: Building a Nice Cattery on a Shoestring

Bruce Walker, PhD and Bob BreezeFebruary 2015

Desperate for cat adoption facilities but not enough funds to get a building? Build out "habitats” in your local pet store or vet clinic!

presentation

How to Start and Grow a Large Bottle Baby Program in Your Community, Part 1

Casandra MensingFebruary 2015

In this is a two-part presentation, you’ll learn how to start and build a bottle baby nursery, plus how to create a foster network for neonates. In Part 1, Casandra Mensing will share her experience running APA!’s Nursery, from its meager beginnings to the groundbreaking phenomenon that it is today.

presentation

How to Start and Grow a Large Bottle Baby Program Part 2

Rachel Sherinian February 2015

In this is a two-part presentation, you’ll learn how to start and build a bottle baby nursery, plus how to create a foster network for neonates. In Part 2, Rachel Sherinian will focus In finding, training, and retaining specialized foster families for kittens, whether you have a nursery or not.

presentation

Taking Troubled Tabbies from Naughty to Nice

Sara Cookson and Kristin Hill February 2015

Every rescue encounters troubled cats with issues that go beyond tortitude. The Austin Pet's Alive! Cat Behavior Team will teach you how to prevent behavior problems before they start.

presentation

Cat Marketing

Ashley FerryFebruary 2015

There is no more powerful way to get cats adopted than through good marketing. Austin Pets Alive! Cat Marketing Team discusses how to save cats by increasing their chances of adoption.

presentation

Cat Adoptions 2.0 High Volume Cat Adoptions

Monica FrendenFebruary 2015

Too many cats, not enough adopters? Supersize your cat adoption program! In this Level 2 seminar, you'll learn how to manage a population of hundreds of cats in varying stages of your organization.

presentation

Volunteer 1.0: Volunteer Recruitment and Engagement

Gerri KapplerFebruary 2015

Austin Pets Alive! is well known for its huge volunteer force (over 2,000 hours per week). But in 2008 APA! started with no funds for staff and relied solely on volunteers to do everything related to saving lives and building a huge organization. How did they do it?

presentation

Marketing 2.0

Diane BlankenburgFebruary 2015

How do you get name recognition on a limited budget? What image do you want to create? What puts you on the map? What is the purpose of your marketing materials?

presentation

Fundraising 1.0: Grass Roots Fundraising

Lindy Hardin and Katy BryantFebruary 2015

San Antonio Pets Alive! started in 2012 with some financial help, but the organization had to quickly get on its feet to raise the rest of the funds needed to save 5,000 animals. The presenters share what they did to hit the ground running, what worked, what didn’t work as well as expected and how to divide and conquer.

presentation

Fundraising 2.0: From Grass Roots to a Multi-Million Dollar Organization

Diane BlankenburgFebruary 2015

Austin Pets Alive! (APA!) started off as a very grassroots organization, raising every dollar through word of mouth. Five years later, APA! has grown and the needs of fundraising have, too. This presentation addresses how to plan for bigger funds.

presentation

The Value of Teamwork: Shelter Managers, Staff and Volunteers

Michael and Pam Kitkoski February 2015

Volunteers are a necessity for rescue and shelter organizations working to achieve no-kill. Volunteers must be treated as partners, offering meaningful work and appropriate autonomy. But even in an atmosphere of mutual accountability, conflicts with both staff and volunteers can arise.

presentation

Why Creative Writing is Essential to Saving Lives

Elizabeth DoyleFebruary 2015

Learn how to get more pets adopted through better marketing and advertising using online venues and volunteer photographers.

presentation

Data: Why It Is Critical to Success and How To Keep Up with It

Lindsay O'GanFebruary 2015

Believe it or not, data is the cornerstone of a healthy organization. Learn how Austin Pets Alive! keeps so many moving pieces in communication through end-of -day reporting, overnight data entry and checks and balances.

presentation

Facebook for Beginners

Melissa MillerFebruary 2015

This session focuses on the basic concepts of Facebook and how you can best use the social media channel to save more animals in your shelter or rescue.

presentation

Twitter for Beginners

Melissa MillerFebruary 2015

This session focuses on the basic concepts of Twitter and how you can best use the social media channel to save more animals in your shelter or rescue.

presentation

Creating and Keeping a Stellar Lifesaving Team

Marc PeraltaFebruary 2015

Working together is the only way to achieve our lifesaving goals. This seminar concentrates on how to build and maintain a successful team focused on the techniques that result in successful high-volume adoptions.

presentation

How to Keep Your Newsletters Out of the Spam Folder

Amy StarnesFebruary 2015

Email management and marketing is much more than simply opening a free Gmail account. You need a strategy and an email marketing platform.

presentation

Exceeding Customer Service Expectations in Relation to Adoptions

Marc PeraltaFebruary 2015

Are doing all you can to help increase the number of animal lives saved? This seminar focuses on the impact of exceptional customer service.

presentation

The Adoptline Team: Virtual Frontline of Austin Pets Alive

Patty Lepley Alexander and Gerri KapplerFebruary 2015

Austin Pets Alive!’s (APA) Adoptline Response Team provides email and phone mail responses to inquiries 365 days a year, 14 hours a day and has been critical in increasing APA's adoptions.

webcast

How to Stop Itching in Shelter and Foster Home Dogs

Karen Moriello, DVM, DACVDFebruary 2015

Itching is one of the number one reasons dogs visit veterinarians, and it plagues dogs in animal shelters and foster homes just as much. What can be done to give an affected dog some relief and get to the bottom of the underlying cause?

presentation

Cytology in Clinical Practice

Tracy Stokol, BVSc, PhDJuly 2014

This presentation consists of a review of sample collection, smear preparation and staining of cytology samples. The lecture will conclude with instructions on general slide evaluation for common lesions diagnosed on cytology and clinical cases to practice your skills.

presentation

Recognizing and Treating Common Dental Conditions in Dogs and Cats

Santiago Peralta, DVM, DAVDCJuly 2014

Dr. Peralta reviews the pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of the most common dental diseases of dogs and cats and possible ways to implement adequate dental standards at shelters.

presentation

Update on Chronic Stomatitis

Santiago Peralta, DVM, DAVDCJuly 2014

This presentation will review the current knowledge regarding the pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of chronic stomatitis in cats. Possible recommendations on how to manage chronic stomatitis at a shelter will be discussed.

presentation

Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease (CIRD)

Stephanie Janeczko, DVM, MS, DABVP, CAWAJuly 2014

Infectious respiratory disease can be a significant challenge affecting the health of dogs in a shelter setting. This presentation provides an overview of the disease complex, discusses causative agents and diagnosis and treatment. Management and preventive strategies are emphasized.

presentation

Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)

Elizabeth Berliner, DVM, MA, DABVPJuly 2014

FIP is a progressive, fatal disease that may develop in cats following infection with a coronavirus. This session will provide an overview of FIP, covering disease transmission, clinical signs and diagnosis, as well as providing an update on new research that may lead to improved diagnostic testing and treatment. Management and prevention of infection in shelter environments is emphasized.

presentation

Hematology in the Emergency Setting: The Value of the Blood Smear Exam

Tracy Stokol, BVSc, PhDJuly 2014

This presentation focuses on the basics of the blood smear evaluation and will be followed by case examples. The main objective of the lecture is to demonstrate a systematic approach to examining a blood smear in order to gain valuable information for patient assessment and management in the emergency setting.

webcast

Introducing the Million Cat Challenge - Webcast

Julie Levy, DVM, PhD, DACVIM and Kate Hurley, DVM, MPVMJanuary 2015

Every cat counts. That's the premise of the Million Cat Challenge, a joint campaign of the UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program and the Maddie's® Shelter Medicine Program at the University of Florida.

presentation

Cats and Capacity for Care, Part 1

Kate Hurley, DVM, MPVMMay 2014

What if there was a magic wand we could wave over animal shelters to increase cat adoptions while cutting daily care costs, reducing stress for staff, creating a more welcoming environment for volunteers and visitors, and dramatically improving the health and welfare of shelter cats? It's not quite as easy as a magic wand, but Capacity for Care (C4C) can have these benefits and more.

presentation

Cats and Capacity for Care, Part 2

Kate Hurley, DVM, MPVMMay 2014

In part 2 of Cats and Capacity for Care (C4C), the good news is that it can apply to any shelter, small or large, rich or poor, open or limited intake. Attaining Capacity for Care in the shelter frees resources to invest in building C4C in the community as well.

presentation

B. gibsoni: What Does it Mean for Your Shelter?

Sarah Kirk, DVMMay 2014

Babesia gibsoni is an intracellular parasite of red blood cells. Watch a case study in the diagnosis and management of B. gibsoni in pit bulls rescued from large-scale fighting rings.

presentation

The Evolution of Adoption Programs: Taking Breed Out of the Equation, Part 1

Julie Levy, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, Caitlin QuinnMay 2014

Shelter medicine teams have the opportunity to take the lead in utilizing innovative adoption policies to save more lives. Cutting-edge research reveals that we should focus our efforts on breed-neutral best practices with proven effectiveness to make policy and adoption decisions, rather than relying on breed.

presentation

The Evolution of Adoption Programs: Marketing to Save Lives, Part 2

Julie Levy, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, Caitlin QuinnMay 2014

Innovations in the way we consider marketing adoptions in shelters mean that everyone has the opportunity to put on their PR hat - including medical team members! Once breed-neutral policies are in place, learn how to implement strategies that decrease barriers to adoption and increase live outcomes.

presentation

Infectious Diseases in Large-Scale Cat Hoarding Investigations

Katherine Polak, DVM, MPH, MS, DACVMPMay 2014

Animal hoarders often accumulate animals in over-crowded conditions without adequate nutrition, sanitation and veterinary care. As a result, animals seized from hoarding situations frequently suffer from a variety of medical conditions.

article

An Overview of Feline Heartworm Disease

Brian A. DiGangi, DVM, MS, DAVBP (Canine/Feline)December 2014

We all know that cats are unique. Different from our canine companions in many ways, their physiologic response to heartworm infection is one more thing to add to the list. They’re not just small dogs – and our disease management protocols must be altered to take their unique responses into account. Understanding the disease prevalence, life cycle, clinical signs and prognosis will guide us in the development of rational management protocols for shelter pets.

presentation

Saving Lives Through Integrated Medical and Behavioral Progams, Part 1

Cynda Crawford, DVM, PhD and Aimee SadlerMay 2014

The medical department's protocols to prevent transmissible disease and injuries may come into direct conflict with the behavior department's protocols to socialize, exercise and train dogs. How do you choose the best approaches to balance medical and behavioral needs? See case studies for merging critical medical and behavioral programs in shelters to increase their life-saving capacity.

presentation

Saving Lives Through Integrated Medical and Behavioral Programs, Part 2

Cynda Crawford, DVM, PhD and Aimee SadlerMay 2014

The medical department's protocols to prevent transmissible disease and injuries may come into direct conflict with the behavior department's protocols to socialize, exercise and train dogs. How do you choose the best approaches to balance medical and behavioral needs? See case studies for merging critical medical and behavioral programs in shelters to increase their life-saving capacity.

blog

FIV-positive and FIV-negative cats: A love story

November 18, 2014

Can FIV+ and FIV- kitties find true love together? You bet!

webcast

Secrets to Pet Foster Program Success

Sherri Franklin, Laurie Routhier, Marie Macaspac November 2014

What if your shelter or rescue group had a long list of people wanting to foster pets for you? What if you had a great system in place to recruit, train, reward and manage those foster homes? What if you had a whole army of people to help get those pets ready for adoption?

webcast

Behavior Modification for Cats in Shelters and Foster Homes

Sara L. Bennett, DVM, MS, DACVBOctober 2014

Getting a leopard to change his spots sometimes seems easier than getting a domestic cat to change her behavior. Fortunately, the science of feline behavior modification has come a long way in recent years, leaving animal shelters, rescue groups, fosters and adopters with plenty of new tools to help cats become happier and well-adjusted companions.

webcast

The Best Medicine: Playing With Shelter Dogs

Brenda Griffin, DVM, MS, DACVIMOctober 2014

Dogs and games go together - never more than when they're shelter dogs! Play, particularly play with humans, can reduce stress and improve behavioral and physical wellness for dogs in animal shelters.

video

Shelter Medicine Changes Everything

October 2014

In this short documentary film, Maddie's Fund takes a look at how shelter medicine arrived at this moment in time, the role Maddie's Fund played in that journey, and what the future holds for shelters, shelter veterinarians, and the animals whose lives are in their care.

webcast

Treating the Treatables: Saving Lives Through Medical Protocols, Foster Care and Proactive Thinking

Elizabeth Berliner, DVM, MA, DABVP (Canine/Feline Practice)September 2014

Does your shelter or rescue group have medical protocols in place to care for your pets and for your fostered dogs and cats? Foster programs are critical if we want to help more pets who are facing treatable medical conditions, and to expand the capacity of a community to care for its homeless pets.

webcast

How Animal Shelters Can Treat and Prevent Heartworm in Dogs

Brian DiGangi, DVM, MS, DAVBPAugust 2014

Heartworm disease is 100% preventable, yet experts estimate one million dogs in the U.S. are infected with the parasite. The challenge of prevention and treatment is particularly acute in animal shelters, which usually receive the dogs when they are already heartworm-positive and face challenges finding resources to treat them.

webcast

Everybody Wins: Learn How to Change the Way Animal Groups and Veterinarians Work Together

Christie KeithAugust 2014

Have the words "veterinarians are only in it for the money" crossed your mind or lips? If you volunteer or work for an animal rescue group, have you ever passed up pulling a treatable pet from a shelter because you weren't sure you could find affordable treatment? If you run a shelter, have you ever wondered why local veterinarians don't want to participate in your programs?

webcast

Fears, Facts and Forever Homes: What We Know About Free Pet Adoptions

Susan B. Krebsbach, DVMJuly 2014

Would you love to give your pet adoption program a boost, but fear that free adoptions send the wrong message, attract the wrong people and result in bad outcomes for pets?

webcast

Evolving Strategies for Treating and Preventing Parvo in Shelter Dogs

Sandra Newbury, DVMJuly 2014

Few diseases strike as much fear in the heart of animal shelter personnel as canine parvovirus (CPV). Outbreaks can cause widespread death and suffering, and erode community goodwill the shelter depends on when seeking volunteers, adopters and donors.

webcast

Social Media: 6 New Things Animal Organizations Need to Know

Christie Keith May 2014

Social media is an incredibly powerful tool for getting pets adopted, as well as for growing an adoption organization's pool of donors, volunteers and foster homes. But as social media has grown in power, it's also become more complex and specialized, with changes and new platforms emerging almost daily.

presentation

Treating Heartworm Disease in Shelter Dogs: 500+ Cases (and Counting!)

Natalie Isaza, DVMMay 2014

A diagnosis of heartworm infection in shelter dogs at municipal animal control facilities can be devastating, and most animals with this disease are euthanized. Not many animal shelters or rescue groups can afford the expense of heartworm treatment, and if they can, may be unable to hold an animal through the entire treatment protocol.

presentation

Vet to Vet: Efficacy of Synthetic Feline Interdigital Semiochemical (FIS)

Katherine Polak, DVM, MPH, MS, DACVPMMay 2014

Discussion of research on the efficacy of synthetic FIS, or feline interdigital semiochemicals, which may be useful as a preventative measure for inappropriate scratching behavior.

presentation

Vet to Vet: Ponazuril Protocols for Shelters

Staci Cannon, DVMMay 2014

Research on the use of ponazuril for the treatment of coccidiosis in cats and dogs.

presentation

Vet to Vet: Secnidazole Treatment for Giardiasis

Cynda Crawford, DVM, PhDMay 2014

The use of Secnidazole to treat cats and dogs with giardia infections.

presentation

Vet to Vet: Serial FIV Serological Results in Cohabiting FIV-Positive and FIV-Negative Cats

Annette Litster, BVSc, PhD, MMedSciMay 2014

Research, risk management and modes of transmission regarding cohabitating FIV-positive and FIV-negative cats.

blog

Are we over-reacting to the risk of FIV transmission?

April 22, 2014

Shelters and rescue groups frequently have special adoption requirements for cats who test positive for FIV. Some won’t adopt them out to homes with FIV-negative cats, or at all. But a recent study suggests the risks of transmission to other household cats are negligible. In a study published in The Veterinary Journal, researchers looked at…

article

A Protocoled Response to Dog and Cat Diarrhea in a Shelter Setting

Ellen Jefferson, DVM, Executive Director, Austin Pets Alive!April 2014

Every life is precious, but that doesn't mean the concept of "herd health" shouldn't be a guiding principle of the shelter veterinarian. Dr. Ellen Jefferson, whose data-driven approach has helped make Austin, TX, the largest no-kill community in the nation, shows how blanket protocols and procedures give most shelter dogs and cats the best chance to avoid, or recover quickly from diarrhea.

webcast

Critical Care of the Sick Neonatal Kitten

Elizabeth J. Thomovsky, MS, DVM, DACVECC March 2014

Neonatal kittens' lives are fragile under the best of circumstances, and that fragility increases when they are orphaned or sick. How can shelter veterinarians, and those working with kitten nursery programs or rescue groups, provide the best care for this population?

research

Maddie's Pet Adoption Days 2013 Adopter Survey Results

February 2014

Maddie's® Pet Adoption Days is the nation's biggest free pet adoption event. Its purpose is to increase awareness of shelter animals, shed light on the tireless efforts of shelters and rescue organizations and find new families for homeless dogs and cats. We surveyed adopters about the pet they adopted, the adoption agency and the 2013 MPAD event.

webcast

Everything Shelters Need to Know About Canine Distemper

Cynda Crawford, DVM, PhDJanuary 2014

Canine distemper outbreaks are a fact of life in animal shelters across the country, and a frequent cause of loss of life for infected and exposed dogs.

video

An Insider's View of Canine Parvovirus in Shelter Dogs

Ronald Schultz, MS, PhD, ACVMDecember 2013

Few people have as intimate a knowledge of canine parvovirus as Dr. Ronald D. Schultz, Chair of the Department of Pathobiological Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, head of the Maddie's Laboratory, and one of the country's leading veterinary vaccine researchers. In this series of videos, he takes viewers inside the fight to identify CPV in the 70s, the struggle to combat outbreaks of infectious disease in shelters, and the rise of new preventive and diagnostic tools for parvo.

presentation

Give Your Shelter a (Clean) Break from Parvo

Sandra Newbury, DVMDecember 2013

Protect the animals in your shelter from infectious diseases like canine parvovirus without closing your doors entirely. In this video snippet, Dr. Newbury explains the concept of a "clean break."

article

A Shelter-Based Approach to Canine Parvovirus Treatment

Brian A. DiGangi, DVM, MS, DABVP (Canine/Feline)December 2013

There have been many advances in treatment options since the emergence of canine parvovirus (CPV) in the 1970s, and many sheltering organizations have started to embrace various CPV treatment options in their efforts to save more lives. Brian A. DiGangi, DVM, MS, DABVP, guides you through treatment for shelter dogs with CPV, including how to make use of limited resources without compromising patient welfare and a simple algorithm to help shelters make the best treatment decisions.

article

An Historical Timeline of Canine Parvovirus

December 2013

Dr. Laurie J. Larson, a veterinarian and scientist working with Dr. Schultz at the Maddie's® Laboratory for Diagnosis and Prevention of Shelter Diseases, collaborated with Maddie's Fund® to create an infographic outlining the history of canine parvovirus, from its emergence in the 1970s to the present.

article

Canine Parvovirus Treatment Resource Assessment Algorithm

Brian A. DiGangi, DVM, DABVPDecember 2013

The first step in creating a CPV treatment protocol that is right for your organization is to figure out what resources are available for CPV patient care. The goal of this assessment is to determine which patients can be successfully treated without jeopardizing the health and welfare of those patients or that of the other animals in the shelter.

article

Physical and Behavioral Development of Kittens for the First Six Weeks of Life

Susan Krebsbach, DVMDecember 2013

Early behavioral development of kittens is governed by the extent to which other body systems and senses have developed. An understanding of both is vital if we are to comprehend the antics of the kittens in our charge.

webcast

Helping Cats Who Hiss and Hide: Assessments, Behavior Modification and Re-Homing Strategies for Shy and Fearful Cats

Sheila Segurson D'Arpino, DVM, DACVBNovember 2013

Can cats who are shy and fearful in the shelter still get adopted? Yes, says board certified veterinary behavior specialist Dr. Sheila D'Arpino. Feline behavior while in a shelter is not always a good representation of that same cat's behavior in less stressful surroundings. Proper housing, handling, and, if needed, behavior modification can turn that hissing and hiding cat into a beloved family pet.

research

Helping Cats Who Hiss and Hide: Pre-Webcast Survey Results

November 2013

On November 14, 2013, Maddie's Fund® presented the webcast Helping Cats Who Hiss and Hide: Assessment, Behavior Modification and Re-Homing Strategies for Shy and Fearful Cats, with Dr. Sheila D'Arpino, a board-certified veterinary behaviorist. Those who registered for the live webcast filled out a short questionnaire regarding their own experiences with shy and fearful cats.

presentation

Big Problem, Big Solutions: Mega Spay/Neuter Clinics

Kelly Farrell, DVMOctober 2013

This workshop is designed to familiarize attendees with the inner workings of a Mega Spay/Neuter Clinic that performs 25,000+ surgeries annually.

presentation

Community Solutions for Community Cats, Part 1

Julie Levy, DVM, PhD, DACVIM and Shaye Olmstead October 2013

Operation Catnip's proactive "litter prevention" program performs 3,000 trap-neuter-return (TNR) surgeries each year for community cats using monthly high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter clinics capable of sterilizing more than 200 cats in a single day. This program was instrumental in reducing cat euthanasia at the local shelter from 81% to 42% over 13 years. In 2012, the program was expanded to include a reactive "shelter-neuter-return" program targeting the cats most at risk of immediate euthanasia: adult impounded strays. By neutering and returning these shelter cats to their neighborhoods, cat euthanasia plummeted to 13% in 2012, making Alachua County the safest place to be a cat in Florida.

presentation

Community Solutions for Community Cats, Part 2

Julie Levy, DVM, PhD, DACVIM and Shaye Olmstead October 2013

Operation Catnip's proactive "litter prevention" program performs 3,000 trap-neuter-return (TNR) surgeries each year for community cats using monthly high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter clinics capable of sterilizing more than 200 cats in a single day. This program was instrumental in reducing cat euthanasia at the local shelter from 81% to 42% over 13 years. In 2012, the program was expanded to include a reactive "shelter-neuter-return" program targeting the cats most at risk of immediate euthanasia: adult impounded strays. By neutering and returning these shelter cats to their neighborhoods, cat euthanasia plummeted to 13% in 2012, making Alachua County the safest place to be a cat in Florida.

presentation

Face-to-Face with Feral Freedom: Saving Community Cats

Rick DuCharmeOctober 2013

Feral Freedom is an innovative program that has decreased feline shelter euthanasia between 25% and 50% in every shelter in which it has been fully implemented. This talk, given by Rick DuCharme, Founder and Executive Director of First Coast No More Homeless Pets, presents an overview of the Feral Freedom program.

presentation

Healing the Wounded Healer: Techniques to Reduce Stress in High-Intensity Practices

Michele Gaspar, DVM, DABVP (Feline), MAOctober 2013

If you're a shelter medicine professional, it's easy to begin neglecting your own well-being and balance. Because shelter medicine is one of the most emotionally demanding practices within veterinary medicine, clinicians face burnout, compassion fatigue and a wide range of mental health problems.

presentation

Outstanding Animal Control Programs: Moving Toward No-Kill

Scott Trebatoski, MBA, ACO, CET, QETIOctober 2013

Jacksonville Animal Care & Protective Services has made significant improvements towards no-kill animal control while suffering drastic budget cuts. In 2007 JACPS had an 81% euthanasia rate with a $5 million budget and 62 team members; by 2012 the euthanasia rate had been reduced to 31% while the budget was chopped to $3 million and staff to 44.

presentation

Respiratory Infections in Shelters: Beyond Kennel Cough

Cynda Crawford, DVM, PhDOctober 2013

Assuming a cough is kennel cough just might cause you to miss an important diagnosis.

presentation

Ringworm Roundup 1: Overview

Sandra Newbury, DVMOctober 2013

Managing ringworm in homeless pet populations can be easier than you think, when you have your eyes open, and equipped with a systematic approach and the right tools.

presentation

Ringworm Roundup 2: Outbreak Management

Sandra Newbury, DVMOctober 2013

In the second half of "Ringworm Roundup," Dr. Newbury discusses a step-by-step plan for managing any disease outbreak, but with a specific focus on ringworm.

presentation

Saving More Kittens with Kitten University

Jennifer Broadhurst, DVMOctober 2013

Dr. Jennifer Broadhurst, Director of Operations at the Jacksonville Humane Society, discusses protocols and procedures in place for their kitten nursery, known as Kitten University. This talk was part of the Maddie's Shelter Medicine Conference track of the 2013 No More Homeless Pets National Conference.

presentation

Shelter Based Feral Freedom

Joe ElmoreOctober 2013

Feral Freedom return-to-field programs are quickly becoming the gold standard for community cat management in progressive communities nationwide. In Charleston County, South Carolina, animal organizations have implemented the Feral Freedom strategy as a collaboration of local organizations and animal control agencies, affirmed by ordinances created to reinforce this strategy to save more lives and reduce intake.

presentation

Vet to Vet: Canine Circovirus

Cynda Crawford, DVM, PhDOctober 2013

Dr. Cynda Crawford, DVM, PhD and Clinical Assistant Professor for Maddie's Shelter Medicine Program at the University of Florida, discusses the emerging Canine Circovirus.

presentation

Vet to Vet: Evidence-Based Parvovirus Treatment

Staci Cannon, DVMOctober 2013

Recent findings from a study of outpatient protocols in the treatment of canine parvovirus gastroenteritis.

presentation

Vet to Vet: Recuvrya - A Novel Approach to Pain Management in the Shelter

Katherine Polak, DVM, MPH, MS, DACVPMOctober 2013

A new kind of medication for treating post-surgical pain in dogs.

presentation

Vet to Vet: Tail Vaccination in Cats - Balancing Disease Protection and Cancer Treatment

Julie Levy, DVM, PhD, DACVIMOctober 2013

Research on tail vaccinations in cats, which offer another option to help treat feline vaccine-related sarcomas. Surprisingly, the cats in this study tolerated the injection well.

presentation

Vet to Vet: Updates on Spay/Neuter Research

Amie Burling, DVMOctober 2013

Dr. Amie Burling, Maddie's Shelter Medicine Resident at the University of Florida, discusses updates on spay and neuter research.

presentation

How, When and Who to Test for Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex

Cynda Crawford, DVM, PhDOctober 2013

How, when and who to test for canine respiratory disease complex (CIRDC), also known as kennel cough.

research

Orphaned Kitten Survey Results

September 2013

Orphaned kittens are the most fragile of homeless animals, and many shelters consider it too resource-intensive to care for them. For that reason, they often make up the largest single group of animals euthanized at many shelters. We surveyed shelters and rescue organizations to gather data on: care and housing, prevalence of health issues, training given to individuals who provide care, and challenges organizations may face in providing care for kittens.

research

Staff and Volunteer Engagement Survey Results

September 2013

Research clearly links high staff and volunteer engagement to high performance and productivity. We surveyed shelters and rescue organizations to: assess overall levels of engagement, investigate potential drivers which may contribute to engagement or disengagement and provide resources to enable organizations to improve engagement.

webcast

The Dollars and Sense of Sheltering: A Tool for Financially Evaluating Your Shelter's Programs

Nicole Olynk Widmar, PhDAugust 2013

Sheltering isn't just about good intentions. It's about planning and developing programs that have a good chance of keeping animals healthy and happy, as well as maximizing adoptions and lifesaving.

webcast

Making the Case for a Paradigm Shift in Community Cat Management, Part Two

Kate Hurley, DVM, MPVM; Julie Levy, DVM, PhD, DACVIM; Richard Avanzino; Jon Cicirelli; Holly SizemoreJuly 2013

In Part Two of Making the Case for a Paradigm Shift in Community Cat Management, Maddie's Fund® will present some of the nation's leading experts on animal sheltering and community cats in a comprehensive Q&A panel discussion on the information in Dr. Hurley's webcast.

presentation

Beyond the Cutting Edge: Non-Surgical Tools for Contraception and Sterilization of Dogs and Cats

Joyce Briggs, MS July 2013

A discussion of the status of research on non-surgical sterilants for dogs and cats.

presentation

Coccidia in a Shelter Setting

Danielle Boes, DVMJuly 2013

Coccidia is a hearty organism that can cause unrelenting issues in the animal shelter. This talk will review best practices in managing, treating and preventing these organisms in your population.

presentation

Giardia: For Shelter Staff and Volunteers

Tiva Hoshizaki, DVMJuly 2013

Giardia is a hearty organism that can cause unrelenting issues in the animal shelter. This talk will review best practices in managing, treating and preventing these organisms in your population.

presentation

How to Start a Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) Program in Your Community

Jesse OldhamJuly 2013

The presentation covers a basic overview of Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs, and explores how TNR programs might differ depending on who is implementing them, the resources available in a community and the desired program outcomes.

presentation

Non-Surgical Neutering - Are You Ready?

Robert Weedon, DVM, MPHJuly 2013

This presentation examines the technology behind the only FDA-approved nonsurgical sterilant for use in male dogs, and outlines the importance of training and proper injection technique, tips for successful implementation and real-life examples of how animal welfare groups are currently using it.

presentation

Toxoplasmosis: Truth, Fiction, and Crazy Cat Ladies?

Elizabeth Berliner, DVM, MAJuly 2013

Toxoplasmosis has been in the popular news a lot lately, and cats often get blamed as the source of human infections. This review of current research will attempt to separate fact from fiction and provide staff and volunteers with information regarding the risks in working with the cats in their care.

presentation

Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to Target Spay/Neuter Efforts

Janet M. Scarlett, DVM, MPH, PhDJuly 2013

Large numbers of kittens entering shelters continue to be a major problem for many shelters. Geographic information systems (GIS) technology can be used to identify geographic areas that repeatedly are a source of kittens.

webcast

Making the Case for a Paradigm Shift in Community Cat Management, Part One

Kate Hurley, DVM, MPVMJune 2013

Are common cat sheltering and animal control policies helping cats? Are they humane? Effective? Not according to Dr. Kate Hurley, Director of the UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program.

article

How to Sell Policymakers on Fee-Waived Adoption

Jeannette PetersMay 2013

It’s been proven that free pet adoptions save lives, but some communities prohibit the practice. Animal advocates in Alachua County, Florida persuaded their County Commissioners to change their restrictive policy with patience, personal relationships, research and statistics.

webcast

Update on FIV: What Every Shelter Needs to Know

Annette Litster, BVSc, PhD, MMedSciApril 2013

There is new information about FIV that can help shelters diagnose, treat and care for cats who test positive for the virus. Dr. Annette Litster, Director of Maddie's Shelter Medicine Program at Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, discusses her 5-year study which follows 89 pairs of age and sex-matched cats; each pair is composed of one FIV-positive cat and one FIV-negative cat.

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Orphaned Kitten Care - How to Videos

Laurie Peek, DVM and Heidi Beyer, CVTApril 2013

These short videos will provide essential care instructions for orphaned kittens. Whether you are a seasoned foster parent or just getting started saving these orphaned baby lives, these videos will guide you through the basics.

article

Caring for Orphaned Kittens: A How-To Guide for Shelters

Laurie Peek, DVMApril 2013

Based on years of personal experience, Maddie's Fund Director of Veterinary Programs Laurie Peek, DVM, provides a step-by-step guide to caring for orphaned kittens, including how to recognize, avoid and respond to the most common threats they face.

article

From Helpless Newborn to Skilled Acrobat: Feline Development and the Orphaned Kitten

Susan Krebsbach, DVMApril 2013

Kittens may start out tiny and helpless, but they rapidly develop into some of nature's most agile and active creatures. Making sure they grow up with their social and behavioral needs met is as important as making sure their physical needs are fulfilled, says Susan Krebsbach, DVM.

webcast

Orphaned Kittens

Ellen Jefferson, DVM and Heidi Beyer, CVTMarch 2013

In this two-part webcast, Dr. Jefferson discusses her organization's kitten nursery and foster-based care program while Heidi Beyer, CVT, gives foster caregivers a leg up with practical tips for orphaned kitten care.

article

Cats by Appointment Only

Barbara CarrMarch 2013

The SPCA Serving Erie County has dramatically reduced cat admissions and eliminated overcrowding and severe disease outbreaks with its cats by appointment policy – worries about an angry public, bad press and an increase in cat abandonment haven't materialized.

article

Reducing Shelter Admissions with an Animal Help Desk

Bonney Brown, Executive Director, Nevada Humane SocietyMarch 2013

Sixty percent of the callers who wanted to surrender one or more pets were convinced to try alternatives as a result of Nevada Humane Society’s free Animal Help Desk.

webcast

Cracking the Infection Control Code: Using and Interpreting Diagnostic Tests to Control Infectious Diseases in Shelters

Ronald D. Schultz, MS, Ph.D., Diplomate, ACVMFebruary 2013

Many diagnostic tests can be of tremendous value in helping shelters prevent future outbreaks of infectious disease. Diagnostic testing can also save money and - most importantly - can save animal lives.

presentation

The ABCs of Treating Shelter Pet Diarrhea

Elizabeth Berliner, DVM, MAJanuary 2013

Dr. Elizabeth Berliner outlines the basics of treating shelter pet diarrhea.

article

Don't Run from Diarrhea: Easy Steps for the Prevention and Management of Diarrhea in Shelter Dogs and Cats

January 2013

Diarrhea is common in shelter cats and dogs, whether caused by stress, diet change, parasites or pathogens. While there are serious illnesses associated with diarrhea, in most cases, it's easily treatable and often at a very small cost. Dr. Barbara Hanek, Dr. Heather Budgin, and Dr. Elizabeth Berliner share their experience with beating diarrhea and their tips on how your organization can do the same.

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The Role of Nutrition and Diet in Shelter Dog and Cat Diarrhea

January 2013

The prevalence of nutritional-caused diarrhea in shelter dogs and cats.

webcast

Shelter Dog Mod Squad: Identifying and Modifying Canine Behavior Problems in Shelters

Shelia (Segurson) D'Arpino, DVM, DACVBDecember 2012

How can you get jumpy, mouthy or fearful shelter dogs adopted? By joining the "Shelter Dog Mod Squad" and learning how to identify and modify those behavior problems!

article

Free Pet Adoptions: Study Results

November 2012

The University of Florida surveyed 1,928 adopters from a fee-waived adoption event and concluded that successful adoptions do not require a fee; free adoption promotions can increase adoptions without compromising the quality of a pet's life.

research

Training and Development Survey Results

November 2012

Research shows that attention to your workers' training and development can also lead to increased confidence, a deeper connection to the mission, accountability and retention, while reducing monotony and disengagement. We surveyed shelters and rescue organizations to: understand current training and development practices, identify common needs and challenges, and offer tips and resources to improve programs.

webcast

Fixing the Feline Housing Crisis: How Shelter Housing Can Make Cats Sick - And What You Can Do About It

Sandra Newbury, DVMOctober 2012

Cats are extremely sensitive to noise, crowding, and stress - three things that are in abundant supply in many animal shelters. These adverse conditions often lead to illness in sheltered cats, particularly the most common of all feline shelter diseases, upper respiratory infection (URI).

webcast

Knocking the Snot Out of Feline URI: Saving Shelter Cats' Lives with Treatment and Prevention

Kate F. Hurley, DVM, MPVMSeptember 2012

Feline upper respiratory infections are killers. The Association of Shelter Veterinarians list it as the number one health issue in shelters, where stress and close quarters provide the perfect conditions for both exposure and illness. Can shelters really beat URI? Can outbreaks be prevented, or once started, stopped?

presentation

Canine Body Language in the Shelter

Dr. Sara Bennett, DVM, DACVBSeptember 2012

Have you ever wondered how dogs communicate? Are we even close to understanding them? Dr. Sara Bennett, graduate of the Purdue Shelter Veterinary Behavior Residency Program, goes through an overview of canine body language and interpretation. She discusses welfare implications of different behavior states, as well as how this can affect and be affected by length of stay in a shelter and the animal shelter environment.

presentation

Saving Neonatal Kittens

Ellen Jefferson, DVMAugust 2012

Austin Pets Alive's Bottle Baby Program saves over 1,000 kittens per year that would otherwise be euthanized due to the high needs of orphaned baby kittens.

presentation

Shelter Crowd Control: Keeping Community Cats Out of Shelters Presentation

Julie Levy, DVM, PhD, DACVIMAugust 2012

While innovative strategies are saving lives across the country, euthanasia rates for stray and feral cats remain stubbornly high in many communities. This presentation will explore the magnitude of the community cat population problem and redefine definitions for "home" and "rescue".

presentation

Treating Canine Distemper Virus

Dr. Ellen Jefferson, DVMAugust 2012

In an effort to save all the injured and sick animals at the city shelter, Austin Pets Alive (APA) developed a program for parvovirus treatment and a protocol for distemper treatment.

presentation

Treating Canine Parvovirus

Ellen Jefferson, DVMAugust 2012

As part of their overall effort to save all the injured and ill animals at the city shelter, Austin Pets Alive (APA) developed a program for parvovirus treatment and a protocol for distemper treatment.

article

Community Cat Advocacy through a Lawmaker's Eyes: Tips from Jennifer Fearing

Jennifer FearingAugust 2012

Maddie's Institute spoke with Jennifer Fearing, California Senior State Director for the Humane Society of the United States, about how learning to see the community cat issue through a lawmaker's eyes can lead to success.

article

High-Quality, High-Volume Spay/Neuter for Community Cats

Kathleen Makolinski, DVMAugust 2012

Free-roaming cats have a variety of temperaments, and those who are "feral" need special consideration when performing anesthesia and spay/neuter. It is important to minimize the cat's stress and maximize safety for the humans who are providing medical care.

article

How to Get the Media to Take Your Animal Welfare Story Seriously: Tips from Christie Keith

Christie KeithAugust 2012

As a pet columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle/SFGate.com and a blogger known to write about no-kill and shelter reform issues, Christie Keith says she received "what may amount at this point to two tons of communications from animal advocates wanting me to write about their cause." Find out why most of these messages are doomed to fail, and how yours can succeed.

article

The Truth About Free Cat Adoptions

August 2012

Research has proven that worries about free cat adoptions are unfounded. Now fee-waived adoptions are catching on in animal shelters nationwide.

article

Tips for Working with Local Lawmakers: An Interview with Ryan Clinton

August 2012

Ryan Clinton shares the strategy for working with local lawmakers that helped Austin, TX, set an aggressive no-kill goal for their city – which has been saving more than 90% of its animals for more than a year now.

webcast

How Animal Shelters Are Beating Ringworm (And Yours Can, Too!)

Karen Moriello, DVM, DACVDJuly 2012

Ringworm. An outbreak - even one suspected case - can cause a corresponding outbreak of despair in shelter staff. How will they handle it? Can they disinfect the shelter? Can the cats or kittens be treated, or is it too risky? What about the impact on adoptions and the foster care program?

presentation

Don’t Be a Fomite! Principles of Disease Transmission in Shelters

Erin Henry, VMDJuly 2012

Animal shelters can be a breeding ground for infectious diseases. Dr. Erin Henry shares common methods by which diseases are spread through a shelter.

presentation

Enrichment and Training for Dogs and Cats

Kelley Bollen, MS, CABCJuly 2012

Ms. Bollen talks about the benefits of enrichment and training for both dogs and cats, as well as the value of these programs in enhancing opportunities for adoption.

presentation

How Clean is

Natalie Lowry, DVMJuly 2012

Effective cleaning and disinfection practices that can result in an improvement in infectious disease control and an increase in lifesaving.

presentation

Lifesaving Intake Protocols and Preventive Health Care Strategies

Elizabeth Berliner, DVM, MAJuly 2012

Intake procedures and ongoing activities designed to protect shelter animal health and wellness.

presentation

Metrics as a Tool for Disease Management

Janet M. Scarlett, DVM, MPH, PhDJuly 2012

Metrics are essential to monitoring population health and evaluating the effectiveness of changes in protocols and management strategies.

presentation

Metrics as a Tool for Managing Infectious Disease in the Shelter

Janet M. Scarlett, DVM, MPH, PhDJuly 2012

Population management involves the integration of disease recording as it occurs, and the calculation and monitoring of key disease metrics over time.

presentation

Panleukopenia and Parvovirus: Updates, Diagnostic Testing and Management of Outbreaks

Elizabeth Berliner, DVM, MAJuly 2012

Dr. Berliner shares relevant updates on panleukopenia and parvovirus, a description of diagnostic tests that are available, and recommendations regarding management of such diseases in the shelter environment.

presentation

Stress Reduction for Shelter Cats

Kelley Bollen, MS, CABCJuly 2012

Various strategies for reducing the stress experienced by cats in a shelter environment.

presentation

Stress Reduction for Shelter Dogs

Kelley Bollen, MS, CABCJuly 2012

Various strategies for reducing the stress experienced by dogs in a shelter environment.

presentation

Zoonoses

Andrew Newmark, DVM July 2012

Dr. Newmark discusses zoonotic diseases that are commonly seen in animal shelters as well as strategies for their prevention and control.

webcast

Your Secret Feline Decoder Ring: Feline Behavior Assessments

Susan B. Krebsbach, DVMMay 2012

What if every cat who entered your shelter had a little decoder ring that would let you know what her personality is like, what stresses her out the most, what doesn't bother her, and what type of future living situation will be just right for her?

article

What You Don't Know About Lost Pets Can Hurt Them

Kat Albrecht-ThiessenMay 2021

Lost pets not found by their guardians are a major contributing factor to the homeless, feral, shelter, and stray pet populations. Knowing what to do in the first 24 hours is critical and can mean the difference between a successful reunion or a permanent separation.

video

Antibody Titer Tests

Annette Litster, BVSc, PhD, MMedSci, Fellow ACVSCApril 2012

Dr. Annette Litster, Director of Maddie's Shelter Medicine Program at Purdue University, talks about the use of antibody titer tests in animal shelters.

presentation

Insights on Treating URI in Animal Shelters

Annette Litster, BVSc, PhD, MMedSci, Fellow ACVSCApril 2012

Dr. Annette Litster, Director of Maddie's Shelter Medicine Program at Purdue University, talks about her latest research findings on treating upper respiratory infection in dogs and cats in animal shelters. Her research was conducted at PAWS Chicago.

webcast

In One Door and Out the Other: Practical Flow-Through Planning for Animal Shelters

Elizabeth Berliner, DVM, MAMarch 2012

Ever wish you had a road map to saving more lives in your shelter? Gathering and understanding data will provide you with exactly that. Please join Maddie's Fund®al-align: super;">SM and Drs. Jan Scarlett and Elizabeth Berliner for a special two-part webcast series on using data to save lives.

webcast

Magical Metrics and Dazzling Data: How Medical Fact-Finding Guides Shelters to Improved Animal Health

Janet M. Scarlett, DVM, MPH, PhDMarch 2012

Ever wish you had a road map to saving more lives in your shelter? Gathering and understanding data will provide you with exactly that. In part-one, Dr. Jan Scarlett, Director of Maddie's® Shelter Medicine Program at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, discusses the collection and use of medical data in animal shelters, and how this can significantly improve the health of individual animals and the shelter population.

video

Expanding Lifesaving in Spite of Slashed Budgets

Rich AvanzinoMarch 2012

The economic crisis in America has forced animal shelters to look at options they might not have considered in the past. In this provocative video, Maddie's Fund president Rich Avanzino asks "What if?" animal control agencies were to no longer take community cats or owner surrenders if they are at capacity - an idea that if carried out, could radically save lives.

presentation

Sanitation to Save Lives

Kate Hurley, DVM, MPVMMarch 2012

Dr. Hurley discusses sanitation in animal shelters at Tony La Russa's Animal Rescue Foundation's 8th annual The Business of Saving Lives conference.

article

Data-Smata, Who Cares About Data?

Barbara Carr, Executive Director, SPCA Serving Erie County, NYFebruary 2012

Are you on the fence about the importance of publishing shelter data? Barbara Carr of the SPCA Serving Erie County in Buffalo, NY explains why she became a firm believer in revealing the good, bad and the ugly, and describes how transparency has helped her organization save more lives.

webcast

Shelter Crowd Control: Keeping Community Cats Out of Shelters Webcast

Julie Levy, DVM, PhD, DACVIMJanuary 2012

Do you want to stop the tragic deaths of shelter cats, and cut your shelter's cat intake dramatically and almost overnight? Want to practice high-volume, high-quality spay/neuter and disease management on cats? How about learning how to get your community - including municipal government - on board with trap-neuter-return programs? Want evidence that such programs can actually work to reduce the population of community cats, prevent the spread of disease, and save resources and money for local shelters?

webcast

Do-It-Yourself Shelter Assessments: Learning to Use Maddie's Animal Shelter Infection Control Tool

Claudia J. Baldwin, DVM, MS, DACVIM, Kiley Maddux, LVTNovember 2011

Imagine a team of skilled shelter veterinarians from all over the country evaluating your shelter from top to bottom - for free. Picture them giving you a list of hands-on, practical steps customized for your facility - steps you can take to prevent disease outbreaks and behavior problems, conserve resources, streamline workload, and, most importantly, save animal lives.

presentation

Being an Antibiotic Watchdog

Cate McManus, VMD, MPH, Diplomate American College of Veterinary Preventative MedicineOctober 2011

Antibiotic use in the animal shelter is practically unavoidable, however the use of antibiotics must carefully be weighed. Listen to Dr. Cate McManus, VMD, MPH, DACVPM, and third year Maddie's Shelter Medicine Resident at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, share challenges, risks, and guidelines for antibiotic use in animal shelters.

webcast

The First 60 Minutes: Animal Sheltering's Critical Hour Webcast

Brian A. DiGangi, DVM, MS, DABVPOctober 2011

From the minute a dog or cat sets paw inside an animal control vehicle or shelter, the clock is ticking on decisions, procedures and practices that can spell health or illness - even life or death - for that animal. Find out how decisions made in that first critical hour impact the stress response and susceptibility to disease of sheltered dogs and cats.

presentation

Anesthetic Management in Animal Shelters – Keeping Them Alive

Sheilah Robertson, BVMS (Hons), PhD, MRCVS, Diplomate American College of Veterinary Anesthesiologists, Diplomate European College of Veterinary Anesthesia & AnalgesiaOctober 2011

Dr. Sheilah Robertson gives a fantastic presentation on Anesthetic Management in Animal Shelters at the 2011 University of Florida's Maddie's Shelter Medicine Conference. Dr. Robertson talks about historical and current data related to anesthetic mortality, which patients are more at risk, certain drugs or techniques implicated, and what we can do to decrease risks.

presentation

Curing the Litter Box Blues - Feline Elimination Disorders

Susan Krebsbach, DVMOctober 2011

Dr. Susan Krebsbach, veterinary behavior specialist, presents "Curing the Litter Box Blues: Feline Elimination Disorders" at the Purdue/Maddie's Shelter Medicine Symposium 2011.

presentation

Diagnosis and Treatment of Protozoal Infections in Shelters

Laura Andersen, DVMOctober 2011

Protozoal infections in shelters are not always easy to deal with. Learn from Dr. Laura Andersen, third year Maddie's Shelter Medicine Resident at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, as she shares her latest research findings and ways shelters can use this information to diagnose, treat and manage protozoal infections in animal shelters and rescues.

presentation

Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters - ASV 2010

Annette Litster, BVSc, PhD, MMedSci, Fellow ACVSCOctober 2011

Dr. Annette Litster, Director of Maddie's Shelter Medicine Program at the Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine, presents a review of the Association of Shelter Veterinarian's newly published Shelter Standards Document.

presentation

Managing Feline Panleukopenia in a Shelter

Annette Litster, BVSc, PhD, MMedSci, Fellow ACVSCOctober 2011

Dr. Annette Litster, Director of Maddie's Shelter Medicine Program at the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine presents a talk at the Purdue/Maddie's Shelter Medicine Symposium 2011 on Managing Feline Panleukopenia in a Shelter and shares some of her latest research findings.

presentation

More Than Medicine - The Veterinarian's Role in Daily Rounds (Parts 1 and 2)

Brian A. DiGangi, DVM, MS, Diplomate AVCIM and Stephanie Jacks, DVM, PhD, Diplomate AVCIMOctober 2011

Dr. DiGangi and Dr. Jacks will discuss how to create a Daily Veterinary Rounds Team and integrate its functions into shelter operations. They will also share practical tips and techniques for ensuring efficient and effective daily rounds.

presentation

Pain Management in Animal Shelters – How Do We Know They Hurt?

Sheilah Robertson, BVMS (Hons), PhD, MRCVS, Diplomate ACVAA, ECVAA DiplomateOctober 2011

Animals undergoing anesthesia and surgery do go through pain and there is a lot that can be done to help minimize their pain, stress and discomfort.

presentation

Seniors and Shelters: Looking After Geriatric Pets in Shelters and Getting Them Adopted

Susan Krebsbach, DVMOctober 2011

Dr. Susan Krebsbach, veterinary specialist in behavior with over 20 years' experience working with animal shelters, talks at the Purdue/Maddie's Shelter Medicine Symposium 2011 about senior pets in animal shelters and how to get them adopted.

presentation

Streptococcus zooepidemicus - An Emerging Pathogen in Shelters

Cynda Crawford, DVM, PhDOctober 2011

An emerging disease is causing deadly concern to homeless dogs in animal shelters. Listen to Dr. Cynda Crawford, Clinical Assistant Professor in Maddie's Shelter Medicine Program at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, present at the UF Maddie's Shelter Medicine Conference 2011 on Streptococcus zooepidemicus. Although this is an uncommon bacteria found in dogs, this is a real concern for dogs in shelters. You will learn what the organism is, the clinical presentation of infected dogs, how to diagnosis it and how to treat and manage this disease in an outbreak.

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Training Experts in Shelter Medicine

Julie Levy, DVM, PhD, DACVIMOctober 2011

Training experts in shelter medicine is a relatively new field in veterinary medicine. Listen to Dr. Julie Levy, Director of Maddie's Shelter Medicine Program at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, share what is involved with this specialized training and the exciting opportunities the field brings to animal sheltering.

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Vaccination Protocols for Shelter Dogs - What's the Latest Evidence?

Annette Litster, BVSc, PhD, MMedSci, Fellow ACVSCOctober 2011

Is your organization up to snuff with the latest regarding vaccination protocols for your dogs? If not, listen to Dr. Annette Litster, Director of Maddie's Shelter Medicine Program at the Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine, present the latest evidence at the University of Florida's Maddie's Shelter Medicine Conference 2011.

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Saving Lives with Antibody Titer Tests

Ronald Schultz, MS, PhD, DACVMSeptember 2011

Leading vaccine researcher Dr. Ronald Schultz doesn't want to see any more shelter pets die just because they've been exposed to a deadly infectious disease. That's why he offered a shelter a chance to make a different choice during their next outbreak, allowing them to save the lives of 17 dogs. How did they do it? With the use of a simple in-house antibody titer test that revealed which pets had an immunity to the disease.

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Using Shelter Metrics to Measure and Set Goals

Janet M. Scarlett, DVM, MPH, PhDAugust 2011

Dr. Jan Scarlett presents Using Shelter Metrics to Measure and Set Goals at the 2011 ASPCA/Maddie's Shelter Medicine Mini Conference. Learn about what data you can get interesting information from and why it is important to collect data.

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Maddie's Laboratory - How to Run In-Clinic Titer Tests

Ronald Schultz, MS, PhD, ACVMAugust 2011

Is your shelter experiencing an outbreak? Or would you like to fast track your transfers from other shelters? Learn about how to run and interpret two of the highly recommended in-clinic antibody titer tests being used by Dr. Ronald Schultz in his laboratory at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine.

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Web-Based Educational Resource Survey Results

January 2011

We asked our funded partners and newsletter subscribers to complete an online survey regarding educational resources available on the web.

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Busting the Warehousing Myth

Jan Scarlett, DVMMay 2010

Effective, ethical animal welfare organizations maximize the health and well-being of their shelter populations through good shelter medicine practices, robust foster and adoption programs, and creative marketing - all designed to get dogs and cats in and out of the shelter in a matter of days. Learn how it's done from some of the nation's most successful and resourceful leaders.

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Cleaning and Disinfection

Julie Levy, DVM, PhD, DACVIM and Jan Scarlett, DVM, MPH, PhDMay 2010

It's essential for shelter managers to develop good written cleaning and disinfection protocols and to train staff to adopt these procedures. Here are essential steps to take to ensure proper sanitation.

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Control of Infectious Disease

Julie Levy, DVM, PhD, DACVIM and Jan Scarlett, DVM, MPH, PhDMay 2010

One of the goals of a good shelter medicine program is to stay on top of new knowledge about animal health, and to share that knowledge with staff and volunteers. Learn what important steps you need to take to prevent disease transmission in shelters.

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Elements of a Model Shelter Medicine Program

Julie Levy, DVM, PhD, DACVIM and Jan Scarlett, DVM, MPH, PhDMay 2010

If your shelter isn't well-managed, there will be disease. Find out why good shelter medicine depends on understanding the role played by every single person who comes in contact with each shelter pet.

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How Shelter Medicine is Helping Create a No-Kill Nation

Julie Levy, DVM, PhD, DACVIMMay 2010

Veterinarians specializing in shelter medicine are solving puzzles as complicated as controlling fatal disease outbreaks to devising simple practices to control stress and promote welfare. Find out how shelter medicine programs can help you reach your life-saving goals.

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Know Your Capacity for Humane Care

Julie Levy, DVM, PhD, DACVIM and Jan Scarlett, DVM, MPH, PhDMay 2010

It's tempting to admit more animals than shelters can reasonably care for. After all, there are so many animals in the community that need help. Yet most shelters face limitations of space, staffing and financial resources. To help you face this challenge, our experts share methods for creating faster flow-through in the shelter - and ultimately save more lives.

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Providing for Community Cats

Julie Levy, DVM, PhD, DACVIM and Jan Scarlett, DVM, MPH, PhDMay 2010

It's been estimated there are as many as 40 million feral and free-roaming cats in the US. Find out how shelters can help protect those cats and reduce the strain on a shelter's housing and resources at the same time.

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Thoughts on Preventing Disease Outbreak

Julie Levy, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, Jan Scarlett, DVM, MPH, PhDMay 2010

Disease outbreaks can threaten the lives of every animal in a shelter. Is there a solution? Common mistakes can be avoided. This video discusses some of the proven procedures that help maintain a good wellness program.

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Vaccination at Admission

Julie Levy, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, Jan Scarlett, DVM, MPH, PhDMay 2010

One of the most valuable and cost-effective tools every shelter has to prevent outbreaks of disease in their facility is to vaccinate all animals immediately upon admission. Find out why.

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Foster Care Volunteers are Lifesavers

Brenda Barnette2009

The Seattle Humane Society wanted to remain an open door private shelter, but the number of pets coming in exceeded the space it had to properly care for them. The solution: ask the community to help foster. The result: 3,001 dogs and cats in foster care in FY2008-2009.

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The Rapid Rise of Shelter Medicine

Laurie Peek, DVM2009

The recent growth of shelter medicine programs in colleges of veterinary medicine is a boon to animal shelters in desperate need of trained medical staff.

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When the Adopters Show Up, Will Your Shelter Be Ready?

2009

The Shelter Pet Project advertising campaign may put shelter customer service to the test.

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Behavioral Assessment in Animal Shelters

Sheila Segurson D'Arpino, DVM, DACVB2007

One of the nation's premiere shelter behavior experts, Sheila Segurson D'Arpino, DVM, DACVB talks about the limits of temperament testing, methods to increase the usefulness of the test you are using, and the importance (and guidelines for) developing a shelter behavioral program.

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How to Start a Feral Cat Program

Leslie Wilson2001

Everything you need to know from using the right kitten formula to recruiting volunteers, written by an animal lover with years of feral cat experience.

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Fostering Kittens

Leslie Wilson2000

An old pro passes on invaluable information for feeding, cleaning and socializing baby felines.

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Fostering Shelter Dogs

2000

Fostering shelter dogs is a fun and rewarding experience for the whole family.

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Pets in Rental Housing

Leslie Wilson2000

A simple, field-proven seven-step guide that groups or individuals can use to create a program for increasing pet-friendly rental housing in their area.