MSPCA launched a collaborative program in Massachusetts, called MASS, aimed at working together to increase adoptions, decrease euthanasia, and build a community of practice around developing behavior strategies to help the animals in shelters that struggle the most. This panel discussion will include key members of the coalition (Dakin Humane Society, MSPCA, and Berkshire Humane Society) who will talk about progress, what positive changes the groups have had that were unexpected, as well as ...

Stories and messages influence what people think is true. They trigger our brains to ask: What's the problem, who is responsible, and what's the solution? They power thinking about critical issues like overwhelmed shelters, access to care, cruelty, and pet ownership. The problem is that mainstream stories give us the wrong answers. We're stuck with stereotypes, shaming, villainizing, and burnout. We must messa...

We all want successful adoptions, and part of making that happen includes preparing not only the adopters but the animals, too. This important, but often overlooked, preparation helps reduce stress (and stress-related illnesses) when animals leave shelters or foster homes and move into new homes with new people. Happy, healthy, less-stressed, and better-prepared pets also mean happier adopters, fewer returns, and better chances for family bonding and positive life-long relationships. This ses...

This session will delve into essential topics such as governance, strategic planning, fundraising, and board member engagement. Participants will gain insights into navigating the unique challenges faced by animal welfare organizations, fostering collaboration, and building a cohesive, mission-focused board that stays engaged and effective. We will discuss successful recruitment strategies, the critical role of organizational by-laws, and provide Executive Director...

Wind down from the day and enjoy some tasty snacks and beverages while getting to know fellow attendees and partaking in some or all of the many activities including arts and crafts, board games, cards, cornhole, a photo booth and more. Great giveaways will be raffled off to attendees.

We use language as a mode of communication every day and can understandably overlook that the words we utilize are rooted in history. Being aware of history, as that which is impacted by cultural and political forces, can actually help us to build compassion, empathy, and inclusion – all of which not only lead to positive outcomes, but also to a deep personal joy in knowing that we have played a part in bringi...

We'll dive into a successful campaign that combines a modern approach with traditional best practices and show how it boosted revenue in a slow summer fundraising season. Attendees will leave empowered to create inclusive, compassionate campaigns without sacrificing revenue or lives saved.Topics include:Leading with empathy and inclusivityStrength-Based MessagingCompassionate StorytellingPositioning donors as partners, not saviors

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Shelters often run at full speed — juggling adoptions, events, appeals, and daily operations — leaving little time to think about major gifts. But transformational giving doesn’t have to wait for a big campaign or a full-time development staff. In this session, we’ll explore how simple, authentic conversations with your volunteers and donors can uncover leadership-level gift potential. You’ll leave with practical, low-lift strategies to connect your supporters’ passions with your shelter’s fu...

It's time to shift perspectives and realize that fundraising is not just the responsibility of a single department but a collaborative effort involving everyone in the shelter.In this inspiring session, I'll share my personal success story of how I significantly boosted monthly donations through innovative fundraising tactics.Through this session, participants will learn:How to integrate fundraising into different shelter departmentsHow to increase the acq...

Enjoy delicious appetizers and drinks while chatting with other conference attendees. There will also be a shelter spotlight on Lowell Humane Society so you can learn more about the amazing work they do. Great giveaways will be raffled off to attendees.This event is held off-site at Common Craft, 75 Middlesex Turnpike, Burlington. It's adjacent to the Burlington Mall, but entrance is from the parking lot; not from inside the mall. 

Join us for an engaging session featuring two New England animal shelters, the Potter League and the Animal Rescue League of Boston, as they share insights on the vital role of partnerships with non-animal welfare organizations. Hear how these organizations are using collaborations with non-animal organizations to enhance animal welfare, improve community outreach, and support efforts to keep pets and people together. Both organizations will share their strategies and success stories that hig...

When organizations launch access to care programs like Pets for Life, we often think of them as standalone programs. The MSPCA and Wisconsin Humane Society have access to care programs that have impacted nearly every aspect of our orgs. In this session, we'll share how our outreach teams got to know people in our communities, that perspective and information spread across the organization. Bringing the community's perspective into our organizations has helped us to rethink organizational appr...

Focusing on troubling times of increased population, this presentation aims to look at decreasing LOS with a focus on effectiveness and ease of using promotions and discounted adoption fee events to move your population. Hard and soft cost of these adoption promotions will be looked at and visitors should leave feeling like they have a roadmap to do an event at their facility.