In this interactive session we will review the basics behind an intake exam and explore some of the most common findings in each species.

This session will cover basic dog body language and fear-free handling and is intended for those new to animal welfare or anyone looking to brush up on their knowledge. Back to Basics: Dog Behavior, Body Language & Fear Free Handling is good for 1 CEU for CPDT-KA certificants. Attendees must bring their certificate number to the session and check in with the N...

Why do so many animal health care professionals dread working with cats?  Is the way we engage with cats and their owners creating a roadblock to care?  When we adjust how we handle and communicate with cats and their people, we will actually look forward to those interactions. This will open the door to developing a more successful relationship with this often misunderstood species and you will gain a reputation for being "c...

Providing excellent client services is essential to building trust and positive partnerships between your agency and the community. But what if we took it beyond the front desk, and implemented a culture of hospitality across the entire organization? Attendees will leave the session understandingDifference between client services and hospitality  

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, various board games, tarot card readings, cornhole, jumbo Jenga, a photo booth and more.

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Workplace culture and environment are critical components to animal lifesaving. It can be the difference between team members who are engaged or burned out, pet owners feeling welcomed or judged, volunteers working with or against us – all of these dynamics either positively or negatively impact animal outcomes. While Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) have become the mainstream ap...

AWOs and startups may sound very different from the outside, but on the inside, we look alike! We all have big goals and few resources to achieve them. We have impossibly long to-do lists. We operate in an environment where the only constant is change. From how we approach meetings, to prioritizing what work needs to be done now versus later, to staying focused on your goals in chaotic environments, this session will share practical st...

Have you ever been curious about what dogs do in the shelter when we’re not watching? How much are they sleeping, drinking, scratching, or even licking? We were too, so we put activity and health trackers (think Fit Bit for dogs) on thousands of shelter dogs to find out (and collected DNA samples too!). In this session, we’ll provide insights from thousands of data points collected. We’ll share how shelter dog behavior differs from in-...

The national dog crisis is impacting every community in our nation, and although it is overwhelming, a clear solution has emerged to help us combat this crisis - increasing adoptions.  Learn how the MSPCA has pivoted since early 2023 to reimagine adoption programming for dogs to increase adoptions. The solution may surprise you as we have recycled the playbook from 2012 to supercharge adoption programming. 

Enjoy delicious appetizers and drinks while chatting with other conference attendees. Tours will be offered for a behind-the-scenes look at the Rhode Island SPCA’s new facility which opened last fall.This event is being held at the Rhode Island SPCA which is located at 155 Plan Way, Warwick, RI. 

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Could we be causing roadblocks for one another? During this session, attendees will uncover ways to work to improve, repair, and create new meaningful relationships with key partners in the work to better serve their communities and uphold their missions. Attendees will do an in-depth dive into existing relationships with peers and receive practical solutions to ensure we are supporting one another to the fullest to improve the lives o...

No matter the size of your organization or budget - at the bare minimum we all have websites, email tools, and lots of data. No one told us that using technology was going to be so hard! Most of us struggle to ‘just make it work’ in one way or another. We feel unprepared, overwhelmed, and just plain annoyed. Let's take a fun and jargon-free look at simple ways that you can decrease your frustration and increase your confidence to use t...

Cap off the conference with an opportunity to sit with a small group of peers and a host, to share conference takeaways, take a deeper dive, and ask questions in casual discussion on topics from the field of animal sheltering and rescue. There will also be additional prizes raffled off!  Topics will include:ACCESS TO VETERINARY CAREHost: Abigail Smith, Executive Director, Animal Welfare SocietyLOW BARRIER PET PLACEMENTHost...

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...

Struggling to engage your employees and turn feedback into meaningful change? You're not alone. Many organizations face challenges in seeking, analyzing, and acting on feedback, yet engaged employees are more productive and committed. Join us as we explore the importance of empowering employee voices, featuring the Animal Rescue League of Boston's journey in making feedback central to their culture. Learn to develop a feedback-rich environment, analyze employee input, transform feedback into ...

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...