Katelin Thomas, CPDT-KA, CDBC
K9 Turbo Training

Thursday, August 24
10:00 am to 11:15 am

Understanding Behavior in Shelter Dogs 

What causes behavior issues, such as fear, aggression, and reactivity to develop and which dogs are at risk? Why do some animals run away when faced with a threat while others display reactivity or aggression? What drives these animals to continue to behave the way they do? With a strong focus on ethology and learning theory, this lecture provides animal welfare professionals with the foundation they need to better understand some of the most common behavior issues seen in shelter dogs. In this lecture, we will cover why various behavior issues develop in the first place and what we, as animal welfare professionals, need to know in order to safely and effectively care for them. 

Thursday, August 24
4:30 pm to 5:30 pm

Preventing and Treating Behavior Issues Seen in Shelter 

Dogs that display behavior issues in shelters are significantly less likely to have positive outcomes when compared to their behaviorally healthy counterparts. While some animals may enter the shelter system with pre-existing behavior issues, others often develop problematic behaviors over time while in care. These behavior issues are not only difficult to manage in shelters but can easily result in them being overlooked by potential adopters, further increasing their length of stay and risk of decline. This lecture focuses on providing shelters with practical, resource-conscious interventions that are aimed at preventing, managing, and modifying behavior issues in shelters. Attendees will walk away with the foundation they need to begin helping these at-risk animals become their best, most adoptable selves. Behavior issues covered include fear, reactivity, jumping, mouthing, leash grabbing, hyperactivity, and aggression. 

Friday, August 25
2:45 pm to 4:00 pm

Behavior Issues: How to Assess for Risk, Prognosis, and Adoptability in Dogs 

We all want to save as many lives as possible, but things can get sticky when we’re dealing with dogs with behavior issues, such as fear, reactivity, or aggression. This lecture covers how to accurately and objectively assess for severity, risk, and prognosis in dogs with behavior issues or known bite histories, providing critical information that will allow your organization to save more lives while still making humane, responsible decisions for the animals and people in your care and community. 

April Huntsman
Adopt a Pet

Thursday, August 24
1:00 pm to 2:15 pm

Optimizing Your Website: Increasing Impact Through Your Online Presence 

Did you know that 97% of consumers use the Internet to find services and information?  If the internet is the first place that your community looks, having a strong online presence is critical in making sure that the services you offer are reaching those most in need. In this session, we will discuss powerful features from Google to bring more online visibility to your organization, the basic elements of a great website user experience and we will take a look at different online tools available for you to use right away!   We will also give strategies on how to recruit volunteers to assist with your technology needs.  

Ross Barker
Michelson Found Animals 

Friday, August 25
2:45 pm to 4:00 pm

Beyond the Pet-Inclusive Housing Report: Transforming Data Into Change

There is a vibrant effort afoot to make rental housing more pet-inclusive. This energy is warranted given that housing is the #1 reason for dogs being surrendered to shelters, and the #2 reason for dogs and cats combined. This session will shine a spotlight on that effort by detailing the ways in which a growing number of rental housing operators are doing away with outdated breed and size restrictions that both limit housing options for millions of pet owners and prevent apartment owner/operators from connecting with a rapidly growing pet owner market. Using analysis from the Pet-Inclusive Housing Report and other recent research findings as a starting point, the discussion will explore opportunities and challenges related to these efforts, using these insights to inform actions we can all take to accelerate the pet-inclusive housing movement. Attendees will leave this session with an understanding of how to advocate for pet-inclusive policies with rental housing providers in their communities to keep pets with their families and to increase the number of large dogs adopted to local homes. You will also walk away with a deeper understanding of market rate housing issues, how to advocate for pet-inclusive housing in private housing markets, and why advocating for affordable pet-inclusive housing is advocating for pets.

Gina Knepp
Michelson Found Animals 

Friday, August 25
10:30 am to 11:30 am

Getting Lost Pets Home is Easier Than You Think

This course is intended for the shelter or rescue organization that may not have an established return to home program. Although many shelters have implemented robust programs with incredible success, many have yet to do so. Lost pet reunification is the least expensive and most noble effort any shelter can implement to increase lifesaving. New programs can be overwhelming, but certainly not impossible. This session will guide the beginner through the appropriate actionable measures necessary to begin getting lost animals back home where they belong. Offering a toolkit of action steps that can be immediately taken, attendees will be inspired to go back to their organizations and get to work! Topics will include Lost and Found Website strategies, the use of technology, incorporating volunteers in the process and how to showcase the work to reinforce a culture that makes keeping people and their pets together a number one priority.

Ashlee Andrews, DVM
Los Sueños Veterinary Group

Thursday, August 24
2:45 pm to 4:00 pm

Becoming a Jetson in a Flintstone Profession - The Changing Face of Animal Care

This session will focus on modern ideas for recruitment of staff, strategies for employee retention and ways we can help colleagues avoid burnout. We will also explore innovative ways that we can help problem solve in veterinary clinics, shelters and animal care facilities.

Wailani Sung, MS, PhD, DVM, DACVB
San Francisco SPCA

Friday, August 25
9:00 am to 10:00 am

Fear Free in Shelters 101

This will be a basic introduction to the Fear Free concepts and review why we should embrace Fear Free in the shelter.

• Fear Free helps to improve overall welfare for both shelter staff and pets
• Discuss the emotional health of animals in the shelter
• Learn about the Fear Free impact on staff and volunteers
• Learn how to minimize fear, anxiety, stress (FAS) and Frustration:
  • At intake
  • During daily care and husbandry procedures
  • During medical procedures
  • During the adoption process

Friday, August 25
10:30 am to 11:30 am

Implementation of Fear Free Principles to Improve Welfare 

In this presentation, we will discuss how we can implement Fear Free without a complete overhaul of the shelter and systems already in place.

• How to get buy in from your team
• Managing transitions
• Learn to interpret canine and feline body language, behaviors, and motivations
• Understand and assess the impact of housing and environment (physical and emotional environment) on behavior and learning

Attendees will learn how to modify various components of shelter life to reduce FAS and frustration in the shelter population. These concepts will improve the overall welfare, mental health and emotional well-being of both shelter animals and staff.

Jessica Johnson Shelton

Animal Protection New Mexico

Friday, August 25
2:45 pm to 4:00 pm

Addressing Animal Cruelty Through the Legislative Process in New Mexico

Until recently, New Mexico was one of only two states in the nation where sexual abuse of animals was not a crime. This dangerous gap allowed for the proliferation of bestiality—which not only harms animals, but is also strongly linked to child sexual abuse, child pornography, and other violent and exploitative crimes. This is just one example of myriad issues that have faced or continue to face New Mexico’s animal welfare and sheltering community. How can we prevent animal cruelty from happening? How can we make our communities safer for everyone? New Mexico can do both by passing and enforcing strong state laws—and informed, engaged, effective advocates are needed for passing those laws. This talk will explain how the legislative process works at the state level in New Mexico and highlight recent victories and the need for future legislation to protect animals. 

Ledy VanKavage, Esq.
Best Friends Animal Society 

Friday, August 25
10:30 am to 11:30 am

Dogs and Donations!

Learn how to successfully navigate New Mexico’s anti-donation and dangerous dog law.  Find out what ordinances work to target reckless owners and keep your community safe and humane. This session will also help you get the resources you need from the public. 

Friday, August 25
1:00 pm to  2:15 pm

Purrs and Growls - Everything You Wanted to Know About Community Cats and Nuisance Ordinances but Were Afraid to Ask

This session will examine community cat ordinances and policies that work and ones that don’t and how to cope.  We’ll also discuss nuisance ordinances that help remove your field service officers from neighbor vs. neighbor disputes. 

Alan Edmonds
Animal Protection New Mexico

Friday, August 25
9:00 am to 10:00 am

A Deep Dive on Local Animal Ordinances 

Join Alan Edmonds, Animal Protection New Mexico’s Challenging Animal Cruelty Program Director, for a deep dive into local animal ordinances. Alan has been involved in successful ordinance projects in Sierra County, Valencia County, and the City of Santa Fe and has accumulated years of knowledge, training, and experience in this area. We will discuss the development, enactment, and revision of these important local laws and how to design the best tool to protect the animals and people of your community. Subtopics include ordinance purpose, strategy, and best practices; working with local legislative bodies; and how grassroots groups can be an effective voice for the animals.

Jessica Gutmann

Best Friends Animal Society

Thursday, August 24
2:45 pm to 4:00 pm

Data-Driven Lifesaving: Transforming Animal Shelters for Maximum Impact 

In this presentation, we will delve into the transformative power of a data-driven approach to optimize animal shelter operations. Join us as we explore how leveraging data can revolutionize the way shelters work, enabling them to be more effective and strategic in their lifesaving efforts. Discover the importance of data collection and management systems and how they provide shelters with valuable insights into their operations. Explore how data analytics can enhance decision-making and resource allocation, leading to more efficient and impactful outcomes.

Friday, August 25
1:00 pm to 2:15 pm

Animal Shelters' Role in Free Roaming Cat Management: From Control to Coexistence

This presentation will examine the critical role that animal shelters play in managing free-roaming cats. While animal shelters are typically seen as safe havens for all animals, the indiscriminate intake of cats can often lead to a waste of resources and a failure to address the underlying issue of cat overpopulation. We will explore the reasons why indiscriminate intake is ineffective and present alternative strategies that shelters can utilize to maximize resources and humanely manage free-roaming cat populations. We will explore the perspective that leaving free-roaming cats alone and implementing coexistence strategies, rather than indiscriminately intervening, can be a viable approach to cat management. 

Jerrica Owen
National Animal Care & Control Association 

Friday, August 25
1:00 pm to 2:15 pm

Emotional Intelligence for the Animal Care & Control Professional

This presentation will cover the history of Emotional Intelligence (EI), its elements, and how to effectively use EI in your roles as an animal care and control professional. 

Rory Adams
PetSmart Charities

Thursday, August 24
10:00 am to 11:15 am

Increasing Adoptions Through Training, Education, and Care

In the presentation we will first walk through national adoption trends. Next we look at the impact that burnout has on our staff and volunteers. Attendees will gain a fresh perspective on how engaging and educating staff can have a direct impact on how and when the pets in our care go home. Join me and learn about how we can increase adoptions and combat burnout!  

Sohaila Jafarian, DVM, MPH
Jafarian Relief Services 

Thursday, August 24
1:00 pm to 2:15 pm

Social Justice & Access to Care in Shelter Medicine 

Longstanding structural and systemic inequities, as well as the lack of diversity, in veterinary medicine have resulted in access to veterinary care disparities for animals and entire communities. These challenges are often amplified in shelter medicine due to the historical use of punitive policies and barriers against certain clients and communities. This panel presentation will examine how socioeconomic and racial justice impact access to care, animal welfare, and the human-animal bond. By confronting the multilayered impact of social determinants on animal and community health, veterinary and shelter medicine can mitigate healthcare disparities and move towards fully meeting the needs of all community members. This panel aims to create a Liberated Space, where all are welcome to come together in community to find solutions for our communities.

Friday, August 25
9:00 am to 10:00 am

HQHVSN Presentation for Shelter Support Staff

This presentation is aimed at providing shelter support staff an understanding of this foundational aspect of shelter medicine; high quality, high volume spay and neuter. This presentation will provide the history and importance of HQHVSN, how it differs from surgeries performed in private practice, outline The Association of Shelter Veterinarians’ Veterinary Medical Care Guidelines for Spay-Neuter Programs, and fundamentals of pre-op and post-op care. This session is intended to be educational and interactive for all shelter staff, not just those directly involved in HQHVSN.

Friday, August 25
2:45 pm to 4:00 pm

Open Q&A - Stump the Vet 

Please join us at this open session where audience members are welcome to bring questions to a group of shelter medicine veterinary speakers. This session will serve as an opportunity for conference attendees to share and ask questions about the work you’re currently engaged in and/or follow-up on discussions from other sessions. While the veterinary panel will be available for answering questions, we encourage audience members to jump in, connect with each other, and share knowledge, as well. There is a lot of amazing community wisdom to be shared at this conference, so please join in!

Lena DeTar, DVM, DACVPM, DABVP-SMP
Maddie's Shelter Medicine Program

Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine

Thursday, August 24
10:00 am to 11:15 am

ASV Guidelines: What’s New! 

The Association of Shelter Veterinarians' Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters, originally created in 2010, has been updated to incorporate advances in shelter medicine knowledge. This session will focus on the major updates in the guidelines that are critical to support the positive welfare of animals in shelters, as well as why these strategies are important. Updates discussed will include the framework shift from the “Five Freedoms” to the “Five Domains” of animal welfare; a broader, community-centered perspective to sheltering; advancements in the recommendation for shelter animal behavior assessments; and an emphasis on shelters as healthy and supportive places for animals AND people. This session, as the guidelines are, is intended to support all personnel caring for animals in a variety of settings, including foster-based organizations, nonprofit humane societies and SPCAs, municipal animal services facilities, and sanctuaries.  

Thursday, August 24
1:00 pm to 2:15 pm

Social Justice & Access to Care in Shelter Medicine 

Longstanding structural and systemic inequities, as well as the lack of diversity, in veterinary medicine have resulted in access to veterinary care disparities for animals and entire communities. These challenges are often amplified in shelter medicine due to the historical use of punitive policies and barriers against certain clients and communities. This panel presentation will examine how socioeconomic and racial justice impact access to care, animal welfare, and the human-animal bond. By confronting the multilayered impact of social determinants on animal and community health, veterinary and shelter medicine can mitigate healthcare disparities and move towards fully meeting the needs of all community members. This panel aims to create a Liberated Space, where all are welcome to come together in community to find solutions for our communities.

Thursday, August 24
4:30 pm to 5:30 pm

Shelter Flow & Capacity for Care

Every organization has limits. These include financial and physical resources, personnel hours and skills, housing and operations space, and the opportunity for live outcomes. These limitations define the number and type of animals for which an organization can provide humane care, also known as the organization’s capacity for care. The dynamics (or statics) of the animal population drives the capacity for care of animal shelters. How do intake, outcomes, medical and behavioral teams work together to keep animals in shelters the shortest amount of time possible, so we can help more animals and keep ourselves sane?

Friday, August 25
2:45 pm to 4:00 pm

Open Q&A - Stump the Vet 

Please join us at this open session where audience members are welcome to bring questions to a group of shelter medicine veterinary speakers. This session will serve as an opportunity for conference attendees to share and ask questions about the work you’re currently engaged in and/or follow-up on discussions from other sessions. While the veterinary panel will be available for answering questions, we encourage audience members to jump in, connect with each other, and share knowledge, as well. There is a lot of amazing community wisdom to be shared at this conference, so please join in!

Jennie Willis, PhD
Colorado State University PSM in Zoo, Aquarium and Animal Shelter Management 

Thursday, August 24
1:00 pm to 2:15 pm

Inter-cat Aggression and Elimination Issues - Keeping Cats in Homes 

Fighting between cats and the elimination issues that can follow are some of the most complex behavior issues that a pet-parent can face. Often, it leads to considering a new home of one of the cats involved if we cannot provide a scientific framework that leads to a solution soon. Please join me for this lecture and problem solving session to better understand how to help support our new adopters as well as divert shelter intakes of this type. 

Friday, August 25
1:00 pm to 2:15 pm

Creating a Positive Culture Within Your Team

Positive workplace culture can help your employees feel motivated and productive. The reputation of your team can help you recruit and retain employees. Are you looking for ways to engage your team members? Are you wondering how to help team members see their value? Join us for this mix of lecture and discussion as we work towards a toolkit of new ideas for creating a positive team in your workplace. 

Kasey Spain
Shelter Pet Data Alliance

Thursday, August 24
2:45 pm to 4:00 pm

Data-Driven Lifesaving: Transforming Animal Shelters for Maximum Impact 

In this presentation, we will delve into the transformative power of a data-driven approach to optimize animal shelter operations. Join us as we explore how leveraging data can revolutionize the way shelters work, enabling them to be more effective and strategic in their lifesaving efforts. Discover the importance of data collection and management systems and how they provide shelters with valuable insights into their operations. Explore how data analytics can enhance decision-making and resource allocation, leading to more efficient and impactful outcomes.

Nicole Vigil, DVM
Albuquerque Animal Welfare Department

Thursday, August 24
2:45 pm to 4:00 pm

Saving the Tiniest Fur Babies: Yes, you can open an Orphan Nursery at your Shelter!

Orphaned kittens and puppies are often one of the highest euthanasia groups in shelters.  Well-meaning community members bring neonates by the hundreds into shelters every day, where staff often finds themselves ill-equipped to care for this vulnerable population.  As a result, neonatal death is common and euthanasia statistics rise for shelters and rescues especially during the summer months.  Would you like an alternative to the loss of these tiny shelter residents?  Looking for a way to engage your community, drum up their support for the shelter, and raise your staff morale and your live release rate in the process?

This course will cover the process, planning and opening of a neonatal care unit in an animal shelter setting.  We will discuss topics such as ideas for funding, space needs, and supplies to set up a nursery.  This course will also equip you with ideas for volunteer and foster recruitment, volunteer scheduling and training, common problems in a nursery setting and small tips for success. 

Randall Van Vleck, Esq.
Van Vleck Law

Friday, August 25
10:30 am to 11:30 am

Dogs and Donations!

Learn how to successfully navigate New Mexico’s anti-donation and dangerous dog law.  Find out what ordinances work to target reckless owners and keep your community safe and humane. This session will also help you get the resources you need from the public. 

Friday, August 25
1:00 pm to  2:15 pm

Purrs and Growls - Everything You Wanted to Know About Community Cats and Nuisance Ordinances but Were Afraid to Ask

This session will examine community cat ordinances and policies that work and ones that don’t and how to cope.  We’ll also discuss nuisance ordinances that help remove your field service officers from neighbor vs. neighbor disputes. 

Judah Battista
Best Friends Animal Society 

Friday, August 25
1:00 pm to 2:15 pm

Animal Shelters' Role in Free Roaming Cat Management: From Control to Coexistence

This presentation will examine the critical role that animal shelters play in managing free-roaming cats. While animal shelters are typically seen as safe havens for all animals, the indiscriminate intake of cats can often lead to a waste of resources and a failure to address the underlying issue of cat overpopulation. We will explore the reasons why indiscriminate intake is ineffective and present alternative strategies that shelters can utilize to maximize resources and humanely manage free-roaming cat populations. We will explore the perspective that leaving free-roaming cats alone and implementing coexistence strategies, rather than indiscriminately intervening, can be a viable approach to cat management. 

Stacie Voss, CAWA
Farmington Regional Animal Shelter

Friday, August 25 
12:00 to 12:45 pm (Lunch Session)

All About New Mexico: Updates from the Animal Shelter Committee