Note: These videos are recordings from Animal Care Expo Online 2021 and are no longer interactive.

Access to veterinary care: Community care models to prevent relinquishment

Many animals are surrendered to shelters due to medical issues that an owner cannot afford to treat, but many owners would keep their pets if they could. There is usually no option for low cost/free, full-service (incremental care) medicine, due to laws, vet associations and a lack of providers. The situation is also complicated by the lack of data to help target a solution to an affordable level. We'll discuss how to calculate a goal and fit a solution to your shelter's need.

 


After COVID-19: Programs and policies to keep people and pets housed

There is no state in the U.S. with sufficient affordable, pet-friendly housing. Our movement must consider programs and policies to keep people and pets together beyond the immediate crisis of COVID-19. Attendees will learn about the animal welfare movement’s role in work addressing the affordable housing crisis, programs to better serve those without housing, and how they can become stronger advocates for policies that protect the families most at risk of experiencing housing insecurity.

 


Bridging racial divides in TNR: How to deal with feral humans

Sterling “TrapKing” Davis will provide tips and tricks on trapping in communities where the people don’t look like you. He wants to change the stereotype of men in cat rescue and bridge the gap in communication between Black and Brown communities and predominantly white animal welfare organizations. He’ll share how to approach people of color about TNR and address cultural bias and how to be more in tune with your own. Discover the compassionate way to save cats and forge new relationships with your fellow feral humans.

 


Building local support for progressive community cat policy

Shelters and rescue groups often find that progressive strategies for humanely managing community cats are met with resistance, particularly from local officials. Policymakers may be skeptical, while residents may hold different expectations of the shelter’s role in helping outdoor cats. In this session, we will present strategies and ideas for building support for community cat programs among various stakeholders in order to both enact and maintain effective policy for cats.

 


Employee wellness plans on a budget

In this session, we will share our experience at Washington, D.C.’s Humane Rescue Alliance of creating and implementing a successful employee wellness program on a limited budget. We will describe the importance of creating baseline and ongoing employee-interest surveys, free resources from your benefit vendors, tapping into your existing volunteer pool and community partners, the value of creating an internal wellness committee and the importance of executive leadership buy-in.

 


Fix it or nix it: Toxicity in the workplace

Toxic people and organizations exist. We will share different perspectives on toxicity in the workplace. By incorporating transparency and communication, you can avert many potentially toxic relationships. Sometimes it's better to ”nix it,” and we will share how that can change an organization. Incorporating emotional intelligence into a culture takes determination, but we desperately need to hold on to our driven and intelligent people. Stop toxicity and grow as a person and organization.

 


From hiss to purr: Socializing feral kittens

While most people who foster kittens focus on keeping them medically healthy, socialization is also important. Being outgoing and friendly will help keep them in lifelong, loving homes. With the right strategies and techniques, kittens who exhibit signs of being fearful or feral can be happy, loving and well-adjusted pets. The speaker will detail techniques aimed at transitioning recently outdoor kittens into living comfortably in a home, and how these strategies can be used to work with other fearful felines.

 


HQHVSN: Techniques and options that impact patient care, efficiency and budget

HQHVSN (high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter) continues to transform communities and reduce euthanasia rates in shelters. As one of the best examples of an efficiency model in veterinary medicine that has increased access to quality veterinary care, regular review of HQHVSN techniques and models allows for continual improvement and innovation. This lecture will highlight options and recommendations for perioperative patient flow and care, anesthetic protocols and surgical techniques, including relevant studies and cost comparisons.

 


Integrating shelter animals into homes with pets

Participants will learn how to responsibly place shelter dogs and cats into homes with other pets. As shelter populations change and organizations increasingly become a safety net for animals who may have behavioral challenges, we see an increase in animals restricted from living with other pets, causing lengths of stay to rise to months or even years while we search for these elusive placements. Seventy-seven percent of families already have at least one pet at home, which means finding an adoptive or foster home without other animals is exceedingly rare. Preventing restrictions will result in more animals integrated successfully into homes.

 


Lessons from 2020 and the future of marketing animal services

Last year was unpredictable in many ways, but as we move forward we can reflect on how lessons and insights gleaned during a global crisis may help us shape a brighter future for animals. This presentation looks back at our field's response to critical moments in 2020 to shine a light on practical ideas to help us better connect with all facets of our communities; leverage the power of teamwork and information sharing; and craft a strategic approach that means we can handle whatever comes next!

 


No more cat wrangling: Feline friendly handling

Many cats feel fear, anxiety and stress when being handled and/or approached, which can reduce quality of life and lead to lower-quality medical care. The speaker will discuss tools and techniques to reduce fear, anxiety and stress, making cats more adoptable and likely to stay in long-term, loving homes. The session will cover understanding stress, the consequences of force-based handling and teach basic handling techniques to reduce fear, anxiety and stress for cats in veterinary clinics, shelters and homes.

 


Partnerships for the future

As cities reduce intake of animals, shelters can work more collaboratively. Due to a reduction in intake and euthanasia in Phoenix, the Arizona Animal Welfare League created a unique program with small, rural shelters throughout Arizona. As a shelter partner, what tangible and intangible help do your partners want and need? We'll discuss building partnerships to fill your shelter while creating a fundamental change in the work of animal control in small communities.

 


Teamwork makes the dream work: Saving kittens in partnership

In Arizona, kitten season is long and brutal. Many shelters lack the resources and capability to save sick, injured or underweight neonatal kittens. Gain an overview of how to identify rescue needs in the community and run a boutique foster-based program to target saving the lives of the most vulnerable animals surrendered to shelters. Learn how, by focusing on areas such as collaboration and communication, shelter/rescue partnerships can have a big impact.

 


The past, present and future of adoptions

The landscape of adoptions changed well before COVID-19. The work of many organizations led to transporting animals from areas of high pet supply to areas of high demand. But COVID-19 forced alternative adoption protocols; the demand for pets from quarantined families and individuals increased, and people grew more reliant on rescues. This session will offer a national perspective, insights and data-driven understandings of the changing landscape of pet acquisition.

 


For past Expo sessions and more, visit our video library.

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