Hurry—online registration ends Friday, May 9!

• Adoption and Rescue Track
• Animal Care Track
• Humane Society University Management Track
• Communicating Your Mission Track
• Big Picture Track
• Field Services Track
• Cats and Dogs Track
• Special Session

Adoption and Rescue Track

Breed Ambassadors Tool Kit: Improving Pit Bull Adoptions
Thursday, May 15, 3:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m.
Using video, handouts, and real life examples, representatives from Bay Area Doglovers Responsible about Pit Bulls (BAD RAP) will teach you the tools and evaluation techniques to facilitate successful pit bull adoptions. Attendees will receive a PR Pick Me Up DVD with tips on how to bring qualified adopters to the shelter. The workshop will also outline ways to create perfect matches so adopters will brag about their wonderful family pets for years to come.
Presenters: Tim Racer, Cofounder, BAD RAP, Oakland, California; Donna Reynolds, Cofounder and Executive Director, BAD RAP, Oakland, California

Helping Adopters Succeed: Creating a Sustainable Adopter Support Program
Friday, May 16, 8:30–10 a.m.
You’ve made the match, but what happens when they walk out the door? Will your adopters get the help they need and become your long-term supporters? Learn from staff members at the Michigan Humane Society how to start an adopter support program that will reach adopters when they most need to hear from you. Learn to gather crucial information about how adopted animals are adjusting and how you can get honest feedback about your customer service.
Presenters: Kristy Graszak, Animal Welfare Coordinator, Michigan Humane Society, Southfield, Michigan; Linda Reider, Animal Welfare Specialist, Michigan Humane Society, Southfield, Michigan

The Pros and Cons of Animal Transport Programs
Friday, May 16, 1–2:30 p.m.
Is animal transport a great way to save more lives, or are shelters using imports to satisfy public demand at the expense of less appealing animals? Do shelters need puppies and small dogs to get adopters through the door? Is it a better use of resources to save 100 easy-to-place pets rather than saving 10 hard-to-place ones? Should we save the lives of all the healthy and treatable animals in our own community before taking in animals from other areas? Join us for a lively philosophical debate on these issues.
Presenters: Rich Avanzino, President, Maddie’s Fund, Alameda, California; Jan Scarlett, DVM, Director, Maddie’s® Shelter Medicine Program, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York; M. Christie Smith, Executive Director, Potter League for Animals, Newport, Rhode Island

After the Raid
Friday, May 16, 3:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m.
You’ve just completed a large-scale rescue—now what are you going to do with the animals? This workshop will cover everything from animal assessments and immediate care needs to foster home placement, working with other shelters, final adoption, finding funding, and handling the media. Come learn from the experiences of the staff at the Nebraska Humane Society whose rescue experience includes large-scale seizures from pet store closings, hoarders, and puppy mills.
Presenters: Denise Gurss, Director of Animal Behavior, Nebraska Humane Society, Omaha, Nebraska; Nikki Harris, Director of Community Projects, Nebraska Humane Society, Omaha, Nebraska; Amber Horn, DVM, Staff Veterinarian, Nebraska Humane Society, Omaha, Nebraska; Pam Wiese, Vice President of Marketing/PR, Nebraska Humane Society, Omaha, Nebraska

Fostering for Success
Saturday, May 17, 9:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
Fostering a homeless dog, cat, or any other animal in need of shelter, love, and socialization is a time-consuming effort, but it’s also one of the most rewarding ways community members can get involved in helping homeless pets. A good foster care program saves lives, helps reduce overcrowding in animal shelters, helps set the stage for successful adoptions, and gets community members involved in your work. This workshop will help you start a fostering program or improve an existing one, understand the fostering process as well as which animals are most suitable for fostering, and identify fostering pitfalls and how to avoid them.
Presenters: Melissa Bahleda, Owner, PARTNERS! Canine Training, Behavior Counseling and Shelter Services, Shenandoah, Virginia

Comunicación with Hispanic Adopters
Saturday, May 17, 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Advance your organization’s communications skills, increase adoptions, and educate your community by reaching out to its Spanish-speaking members. Broaden your horizons and your constituent base by using media, networking, and other resources that are key to reaching the more than 28.1 million Spanish speakers in the United States today. Learn how your staff, volunteers, and board members can work together to open doors to an often untapped population in animal sheltering.
Presenter: Marissa Weeks, Public Relations Manager, SPCA Tampa Bay, Largo, Fla.

Animal Care Track

Animal Care Technician Fundamentals*
Thursday, May 15, 3:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m.
This is an abbreviated version of Animal Legal and Veterinary Medical Consulting Service’s (ALVMCS) full-day Humane Balance training course. It makes for an informative 101 or a great way to brush up on your animal handling skills. Study common animal body language; find out how to use and maintain common handling equipment; and learn proper rope techniques for safe and humane handling of dogs, cats, and other species. This workshop will include practical application of techniques, teaching attendees how to safely resolve difficult animal handling situations that occur daily in the shelter and the field.
Presenters: Belen Castro, Coach, Humane Balance, ALVMCS, San Diego, California; Janet Hudson, RVT, Coach, Humane Balance, ALVMCS, San Diego, California; Dena Mangiamele, DVM, MPVM, Founder, ALVMCS, San Diego, California

A Euthanasia Discussion*
Friday, May 16, 8:30 a.m.–10:00 a.m.
This interactive workshop will discuss the factors involved in providing a humane death for an animal. The presentation will focus on the euthanasia process and how euthanasia technicians can minimize stress and anxiety for both the animal and themselves. Discussion topics include dealing with compassion fatigue and controlling the entire process to make it easier for everyone. This workshop will help technicians better understand their role in providing an animal with a humane death, and shelter managers will learn to critique their euthanasia procedures and processes.
Presenter: Penny Cistaro, Executive Director, Whatcom Humane Society, Bellingham, Washington

Working with Your Community Veterinarians
Friday, May 16, 1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
While the Nebraska Humane Society doesn’t have a full-service public veterinary hospital, it does employ three full-time veterinarians to provide care for more than 25,000 animals in the shelter each year. Local veterinarians work with the shelter to perform low-cost sterilization surgeries, promote adoptions, participate in microchipping programs, help with pet licensing, and more. Learn how one community is working with community veterinarians to help animals. The workshop will include a frank discussion about the good, the bad, and the ugly of working with community veterinarians.
Presenters: Peter Bashara, DVM, Owner, Gentle Doctor Animal Hospitals, Omaha, Nebraska; Amber Horn, DVM, Shelter Veterinarian, Nebraska Humane Society, Omaha, Nebraska; Judy Varner, Executive Director, Nebraska Humane Society, Omaha, Nebraska

Equine Welfare 101
Friday, May 16, 3:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m.
This workshop will explore methods for promoting the view that horses are lifelong companions. We’ll discuss the roles of horse rescue groups and sanctuaries, humane societies, and animal control agencies in promoting a more humane ethic toward horses and in educating current and potential horse owners about appropriate care and responsibility. We’ll also examine current abuses in the Tennessee walking horse industry and discuss steps for reform.
Presenters: Keith Dane, Director of Equine Protection, The HSUS, Washington, D.C.; Stacy Segal, Equine Protection Specialist, The HSUS, Washington, D.C.

Maintaining Responsible Policies in the Face of Public Misperception and Scrutiny
Saturday, May 17, 9:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
Public education about the real source of the overpopulation crisis is crucial to helping sheltering agencies and the communities they serve combat this crisis together. When communicating with the public and local officials, shelters must strike a balance between painting a realistic picture of overpopulation and offering innovative, optimistic solutions. This workshop will examine national animal sheltering trends and what they truly mean, in practical terms, for the animals they affect.
Presenters: Daphna Nachminovitch, Director of Domestic Animal and Wildlife issues, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Norfolk, Virginia; Jennifer Orme, Jennifer Orme Consulting, Lakewood, Colorado

Feline Upper Respiratory Infection: What’s a Shelter to Do?*
Saturday, May 17, 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Join us for an overview of feline upper respiratory infection (URI) and recommendations on prevention and treatment of this widely misunderstood illness. Get practical advice on what treatments work, plus ways to effectively reduce the stress that contributes to disease in shelter cats that can be implemented within the budget, staffing, and space constraints of an average shelter.
Presenter: Tina Rees, PhD, Director of Companion Animal Health, Humane Society of Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana

Humane Society University Management Track

So What Do Boards (and Board Members) Do?
Thursday, May 15, 3:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m.
Board members are often uncertain about their role and how best to serve their agency. Learn traditional and innovative ways that highly effective boards carry out their work and guide their organizations toward amazing accomplishments.
Presenter: Michael Kumer, Executive Director, Nonprofit Leadership Institute and Associate Dean, School of Leadership and Professional Advancement, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Measure Your Impact Using Research
Friday, May 16, 8:30 a.m.–10:00 a.m.
Learn all of the basics of using research methods such as surveys and focus groups to evaluate and improve your programs. You’ll gain the information you need to measure your efforts, identify opportunities and problems, and maximize your impact. This workshop will help attendees master these research methods and empower them to help as many animals as possible.
Presenter: Che Green, Executive Director, Humane Research Council, Seattle, Washington

Campaigning for the Government Shelter
Friday, May 16, 1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
If you work in a city- or county-operated shelter, you need to be more than an animal welfare professional. The viability of your shelter also depends on your skills as a public administrator. This workshop identifies changing trends in government sheltering and animal welfare philosophies and shares specific examples that provide insight into the evolving relationship between local government leaders and animal welfare organizations. Discover the eight most important questions to share with your local government leaders and eight strategies for building a stronger relationship with them to increase awareness, support, funding, and respect. Learn how to clearly demonstrate to city or county councils the importance of quality animal care and control to residents, community groups, and businesses.
Presenter: Jennifer Phillips, Director, Orange County Animal Care Services, Orange, California

Evaluate to Retain and Motivate Staff
Friday, May 16, 3:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m.
Evaluating employees is not a once or twice a year burden; it’s a daily, weekly, and monthly management obligation to ensure individual employee and organizational success. Learn how to use your performance evaluation process as a motivational tool for retaining staff and how to put organizational goals into attainable benchmarks for employees---for the benefit of the animals, employees, and the organization.
Presenters: Keane Menefee, Animal Care and Control Manager, Fort Worth Animal Care and Control, Fort Worth, Texas; Jennifer Orme, Jennifer Orme Consulting, Lakewood, Colorado

Is Your Staff Healthy?
Saturday, May 17, 9:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
Effective and healthy organizations have long recognized the conventional wisdom that “the people make the place.” If organizations don’t take care of their staff, the employees can’t take care of the organizations or the animals. The Shelter Diagnostic System (SDS) is an assessment tool designed to help private and public animal shelters run better by surveying employees and translating the results into specific recommendations related to organizational trust, euthanasia practices, employee morale, job stress, training, and more. In this workshop, participants will learn how the SDS works, how the information it provides can help shelters, success factors, and the most appropriate time for using the SDS. Learn from the experiences of two shelters and benefit from their advice on ways to promote shelter health and effectiveness.
Presenters: Natalie DiGiacomo, Vice President, Development/Outreach Programs, Spartanburg Humane Society, Spartanburg, South Carolina; David Miller, Executive Director, Humane Society of Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina; Steven Rogelberg, PhD, Professor and Director Organizational Science, Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina

Getting Noticed by Funders: Business Planning 101
Saturday, May 17, 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Every organization needs a business plan to be successful when applying for funding or establishing new services, programs, and facilities. The business plan is your key tool for accomplishing the goals in your strategic plan. Learn how to develop an easy-to-understand business plan that speaks the language of business leaders. This workshop explains and provides examples of the essential parts of successful business planning that will benefit organizations of all sizes.
Presenters: Nancy McKenney, Executive Director, Petfinder.com Foundation, Renton, Washington; Steve Notaro, PhD, Lecturer, University of Illinois, Champaign, Illinois

Communicating Your Mission Track

School Realities: Standards for Success in Humane Education
Thursday, May 15, 3:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m.
Today’s educational climate might make even experienced humane educators think twice before heading into a classroom. This workshop will explore why school-based humane education is worth the effort, why character education is important, and how humane educators can use educational standards and testing requirements to their benefit. You’ll learn how to develop a standards-based humane education lesson and will leave with one that specifically meets your state standards. This workshop will also discuss the benefits of partnering with schools to capitalize on service-based programs.
Presenters: Stephanie Clark, Manager of Outreach and Training, Humane Society Youth, East Haddam, Connecticut; Natalie DiGiacomo, Vice President, Development/Outreach Programs, Spartanburg Humane Society, Spartanburg, South Carolina; Ingrid Norris, Humane Education Coordinator, Spartanburg Humane Society, Spartanburg, South Carolina; Heidi O’Brien, Director of Outreach, Humane Society Youth, East Haddam, Connecticut

Sit, Stay, Adopt: Customer Service Training
Friday, May 16, 8:30 a.m.–10:00 a.m.
This entertaining workshop uses animal handling and training techniques as the starting point for improving customer service within shelters. From basic positive reinforcement techniques used for training dogs to handling and approach techniques for livestock, “animal people” often already have the skills needed to provide excellent customer service and human client management. Applying these techniques to customer service allows staff to use their strengths in a way that is effective, comfortable, and familiar.
Presenters: Damon March, Operations Director, Humane Society of Berks County, Reading, Pennsylvania; Karel Minor, Executive Director, Humane Society of Berks County, Reading, Pennsylvania

Using Your Website to Achieve Your Goals
Friday, May 16, 1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Help your organization maximize the benefits of its website! Geared toward organizations that already have websites, this workshop will teach you how to design and provide content relevant to your visitors to keep them coming back for more. Nearly 1.7 million U.S. nonprofits compete for online donations. This workshop will help you compete for these dollars. Discover how easy it is to accept donations through your website, and help your visitors understand your mission and how their donations make an impact. Take home new ideas as well as worksheets to help you get started.
Presenter: Lisa Scarbrough, President/Founder, Coastal Pet Rescue, Savannah, Ga.

Technology by Design: Putting Technology to Work for You
Friday, May 16, 3:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m.
With new technologies constantly emerging, how do you know which options are right for your organization? How do you make the best use of opportunities with your limited resources? Join us for a dynamic discussion on the various types of technology available—from online social-networking websites to shelter software programs and phone systems—to help you reach and serve the broadest audience possible. Learn how MySpace, Facebook, and YouTube are quickly changing the way shelters and rescue groups reach out to their communities. Explore the benefits and shortcomings of in-shelter database and phone systems and learn the key tools necessary to successfully integrate technology into your organization.
Presenters: Pam Keeler, Zero Gravity Design, Reading, Pennsylvania; Carie Lewis, Internet Marketing Manager, The HSUS, Washington, D.C.; Karel Minor, Executive Director, Humane Society of Berks County, Reading, Pennsylvania

Ethics and Dilemmas in Animal Welfare
Saturday, May 17, 9:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
Animal welfare professionals must discuss difficult issues in a respectful, constructive manner in order to stand united and advance our field. On difficult issues regarding animal protection, dilemmas can result when there is more than one right way to look at a situation. This session will feature a review of ethical issues that impact our daily efforts, followed by an interactive discussion. This is a great opportunity to examine these crucial issues, assess your values, and leave you more prepared to handle difficult situations in your daily work saving the lives of animals.
Presenter: Stephen J. Notaro, PhD, Lecturer, University of Illinois, Champaign, Illinois

Guide to Surviving the Street
Saturday, May 17, 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
One of the biggest challenges in animal welfare is accepting that people from other cultures and demographic groups may value animals differently. This seminar presents innovative ideas to help you effectively work within various communities, identifying needs and defining success based on many factors rather than attempting a one-size-fits-all approach to reducing cases of neglect and abuse.
Presenter: Niki Dawson, President, Animal Welfare Federation of New Jersey, Bedminster, New Jersey

Big Picture Track

Facilitating Tools for Coalition Builders
Thursday, May 15, 3:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m.
Community coalitions are inspiring animal care organizations to look beyond differing philosophies and to work together for a common cause. Whether you’re just starting out or struggling with an existing coalition, this workshop will teach you to navigate the collaborative process with respect, positive communication, and effective facilitation skills. Learn how to structure and conduct meetings that work, to defuse conflict, and to seek common ground. With the right tools, you can build a strong coalition in your community.
Presenters: Lou Guyton, Director, The HSUS Southwest Regional Office, Dallas, Texas; Katherine McGowan, Animal Sheltering Issues Consultant, The HSUS, Asheville, North Carloina; Fred Sanderson, Animal Services Manager, City of Irving, Irving, Texas

A History of Animal Sheltering in the United States
Friday, May 16, 8:30 a.m.–10:00 a.m.
Animal sheltering in North America is nearly 150 years old, and the kindness-to-animals ethic is even older. How, where, and on what assumptions did modern animal care and control emerge? How has it changed during this time span, and how has it remained the same? What have been its signature concerns? What is the historical role of the animal shelter in the transmission of humane values? Are there lessons for its future in its past? We’ll explore these questions by examining such topics as the development of euthanasia methods, the rise of veterinary medicine, the emergence of spaying and neutering procedures, and the evolving functions of the animal shelter in American history.
Presenter: Bernard Unti, PhD, Special Assistant to the President, The HSUS, Washington, D.C.

State and Federal Legislation: How to Make a Difference
Friday, May 16, 1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
This workshop will focus on current and pending legislation and how animal care professionals can be effective advocates for animal protection laws. This workshop will also be useful to anyone attending the Lobby 101 workshop.
Presenters: Nancy Perry, Vice President of Government Affairs, The HSUS, Washington, D.C.; Susan Adams, State Legislative Specialist, The HSUS, Washington, D.C.; Tami Santelli, State Legislative Specialist, The HSUS, Washington, D.C.

Lobby 101: Effective Advocacy for Animal Legislation Goals
Friday, May 16, 3:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m.
In our role as animal advocates, we must seek to pass laws that protect animals. To be effective advocates for animals, we need to be persuasive lobbyists, media-savvy spokespeople, and educated actors. After this workshop, you’ll be armed with a variety of tools to help pass animal protection legislation. You’ll learn how to prepare to meet with local, state, and federal officials; how to work with local media and its importance; and the skills necessary to lobby for state-level legislation.
Presenters: Kelley Dupps, Grassroots Outreach Coordinator, The HSUS, Washington, D.C.; Jessica Feingold, Grassroots Outreach Coordinator, The HSUS, Washington, D.C.

Creating a Successful Volunteer Program
Saturday, May 17, 9:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
Every animal shelter is unique and needs a volunteer program tailored to its specific qualities. But there are several basic elements that need to be in place for any volunteer program to succeed. Learn how to create and implement these fundamental components, including screening/selecting, integrating, and recognizing/appreciating volunteers as well as evaluating/improving the program. The workshop will also include several guided exercises in which attendees will apply “lessons learned” to their own experience and create a concrete plan of action to improve their volunteer programs.
Presenters: Hilary Anne Hager, Shelter Activities Coordinator, Everett Animal Services, Everett, Washington; Megan Webb, Community Outreach Program Manager, Oakland Animal Services, Oakland, California

Lessons from the Gulf Coast: Marketing Spay/Neuter to Underserved Populations
Saturday, May 17, 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
What will it take to get more people to spay or neuter their pets? Despite years of hard work and investment, shelters continue to receive more dogs and cats than they can place in homes. The problem is especially acute in Mississippi and Louisiana, where rates of unaltered pets exceed national averages. New research gives insight into what messaging works and what doesn’t. Join us to learn the often surprising results and how to apply them in your community.
Presenters: Jennifer Fearing, Chief Economist, The HSUS, Washington, D.C.; Caryn Ginsberg, Cofounder, Priority Ventures Group, Arlington, Va.

Field Services Track

Counting Cruelty: Tracking Animal Abuse and Neglect
Thursday, May 15, 3:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m.
This workshop will explore the need for systematic record keeping in animal cruelty investigations and prosecutions. Learn about the history, successes, and failures of existing systems for tracking violent crime, domestic violence and child abuse, and animal-related issues such as shelter statistics and dog bites. Explore new approaches for establishing improved systems for tracking animal cruelty, and review the benefits and limitations of existing national and local efforts to track cruelty cases.
Presenters: Cynthia Bathurst, Executive Director, DAWG (Dog Advocacy Work Group), Chicago, Illinois; Allison Gianotto, Founder, Pet-Abuse.com, Southfields, New York; Randall Lockwood, PhD, ASPCA, Falls Church, Virginia

Helping Horses: From Cruelty Complaints to Equine Adoptions
Friday, May 16, 8:30 a.m.–10:00 a.m.
This dynamic workshop provides an overview of methods to address equine cruelty complaints. Topics will include how to work with law enforcement to execute successful seizures; how to manage triage, documentation, and assessments of abused or neglected horses; and strategies for finding temporary homes for equines. Explore options for the rehoming of seized or relinquished horses, and learn what to look for in a rescue partner.
Presenters: Keith Dane, Director of Equine Protection, The HSUS, Washington, D.C.; Stacy Segal, Equine Protection Specialist, The HSUS, Washington, D.C.

Standards for Proper Enforcement of Anticruelty Laws
Friday, May 16, 1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Designed for animal cruelty enforcement officers and any organization that conducts humane law enforcement, this workshop will focus on the more common scenarios in animal cruelty work. Find out how to implement standards of care policies to more clearly define the laws you enforce and empower your program to protect animals more effectively.
Presenter: Eric Blow, former Director, Louisville Metro Animal Services, Louisville, Kentucky"

Humane Wildlife Services
Friday, May 16, 3:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m.
Ten years after our first workshop on ways shelters can help resolve urban wildlife conflicts in their communities, The HSUS will present its long-envisioned program, Wild Neighbors® Humane Wildlife Services^sm (HWS). HWS is an innovative model for the sheltering community to use in creating economically viable, comprehensive, effective, and humane urban wildlife control programs. Learn about this new approach to addressing common problems people encounter with wildlife, including answering calls and public education, as well as groundbreaking information and hands-on solutions that can result in win-win situations for property owners and animals alike.
Presenters: John Griffin, Director, Humane Wildlife Services, The HSUS, Washington, D.C.; John Hadidian, PhD, Director, Urban Wildlife, The HSUS, Washington, D.C.

Cruelty Investigations Involving Rabbits and Pocket Pets
Saturday, May 17, 9:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
Investigating cruelty cases involving rabbits and pocket pets requires a unique approach. Find out more about body-scoring systems, common health issues, and the distinctive special needs of these animals. Learn how to handle large-scale cases, what equipment might be needed, and how to work in animal care teams to effectively keep these small animals safe. This workshop is designed for investigators and veterinarians but will include information valuable for all shelter staff.
Presenter: Joanne Cronan-Hamoy, Education Director/Rabbit Program Coordinator, Spring Farm CARES Animal Sanctuary, Clinton, New York

Farm Animal Cruelty
Saturday, May 17, 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Learn the major areas of concern in farm animal welfare and how everyone—from humane officers to consumers—can help. Special focus will be given to investigating and prosecuting farm animal cruelty cases.
Presenter: Paul Shapiro, Senior Director, Factory Farming Campaign, The HSUS, Washington, D.C.

Cats and Dogs Track

Maintaining Quality of Life for Shelter Dogs
Thursday, May 15, 3:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m.
How can we keep dogs happy and well-adjusted in a shelter environment? This workshop will cover minimum standards of care for dogs staying at the shelter for more than two weeks. You’ll learn simple training techniques that anyone can use—no training experience necessary—to maintain a dog’s mental and behavioral health. Exercises will show how to calm shelter dogs and teach them to behave indoors with a human—the key to a successful adoption. Learn to identify when a dog has become “kennel crazy” and lost his or her quality of life and to formulate guidelines for euthanasia when appropriate.
Presenter: Sue Sternberg, Dog Trainer and Owner/Founder, Rondout Valley Animals for Adoption, Accord, New York

How TNR Can Help Your Shelter
Friday, May 16, 8:30 a.m.–10:00 a.m.
Sponsored by Hill's Pet Nutrition
Did you know an estimated 80 percent of kittens are born to feral and stray cats? These kittens and many feral adults often wind up in shelters, raising intake rates, euthanasia numbers, and shelter costs. For shelters with animal control responsibilities, feral cats can also be a large source of complaint calls, further draining staff hours and resources. In this workshop, we’ll explore how a communitywide trap-neuter-return (TNR) program can help resolve these issues by reducing and managing the feral cat population in your area.
Presenter: Bryan Kortis, Executive Director, Neighborhood Cats, New York, New York

Rebranding Felix: Changing the Way Communities View and Value Cats
Friday, May 16, 1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
There are more cats than dogs in this country, yet more households have dogs, more money is spent on dogs, and more people regard dogs as family members. As animal sheltering professionals, how can we rebrand cats so that society places a higher value on them? In October 2007, leaders in the animal sheltering industry came together in Denver, Colo., to create the framework of a “cat campaign,” using research on benefits and drawbacks, demographics, and shelter programs. This workshop will explore the messaging and branding developed to identify target audiences and how implementing the right marketing tools can change misperceptions about cats, promote higher standards of care, and elevate the status of cats.
Presenters: Sarah Miller, Director of Account Planning, McClain Finlon, Denver, Colorado; Emily Stone, Public Affairs Manager, Dumb Friends League, Denver, Colorado

Enrichment and Training for Dogs in the Progressive Shelter
Friday, May 16, 3:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m.
Learn how to increase adoptability and well-being of dogs in short- and long-term shelter environments. Provide mental and physical stimulation regardless of facility budget or size by using the shelter’s existing resources. Learn how to read canine body language to match compatible cage-mates, create playgroups, and increase holding capacity while predicting true dog aggression. Other topics include modifying low-level resource guarding, crate training, and handling reactive dogs.
Presenters: Elizabeth Marsden, CPDT, Mission Dog, Chaplin, Connecticut; Leigh Siegfried, CPDT, Mission Dog, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Can We Do for Cats What We Do for Dogs?
Saturday, May 17, 9:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
Kennel enrichment and stress reduction techniques for dogs in shelters are becoming commonplace (hooray!), but implementation of these tools for cats is happening at a slower pace. This workshop will look at shelters from a cat’s perspective and will present ideas for helping cats cope in a shelter environment. We’ll also talk about overcoming obstacles to implementing these strategies and why it’s essential that shelters take the lead in showing—not just telling—the public what cats need.
Presenters: Sherri Leggett, Shelter Manager, Cat Care Society, Lakewood, Colorado; Donna Mlinek, Animal Projects Manager, Dumb Friends League, Denver, Colorado

Reuniting Lost Pets
Saturday, May 17, 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Searching for a lost pet can be a stressful, heartwrenching experience for pet owners. Recent studies provide a better understanding of different approaches for finding lost dogs and cats and what methods seem to work. The search for missing owners—those whose animals wind up in shelters—can be just as challenging. This workshop outlines the reunification process on both ends. Attendees will also learn the results of a statewide cat owner survey, revealing attitudes toward free-roaming cats.
Presenter: Linda Lord, DVM, PhD, Ohio State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Columbus, Ohio

Special Session

Special Session: U.S. Animal and Sheltering Statistics
Thursday, May 15, 7:30 a.m.–8:30 a.m.
Although animal protection groups have, over the past 15 years, paid more attention to the need for data to guide their programs and proposals, they're still lacking such basic information as the number of cats and dogs in homes in the United States. This special session will provide interim results of an effort to develop consensus on dog and cat populations and population trends, the number of shelters and their distribution by size, and other questions. Learn what still remains to be done and provide feedback on the direction this effort might take. (Please note that this session is not part of any workshop track and does not require registration.)
Presenter: Andrew Rowan, PhD, Executive Vice President of Operations, The HSUS, Washington, D.C.

* This program is pending approval by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) Registry of Approved Continuing Education (RACE) program for continuing education. Contact the AAVSB RACE program at race@aavsb.org if you have any comments or concerns regarding this program's validity or relevancy to the veterinary profession. RACE provider number 237.