We hope to see you on the next Maddie's Community Conversation on Monday, February 9, 2026 at 11am PT / 2pm ET for "Managing the Unknown: Uncertainty, Behavior, and Better Outcomes in Animal Welfare" a conversation with @Lawrence Minnis, Graduate Student at George Mason University.
Animal welfare organizations operate under constant uncertainty. Funding needs, staff and time limitations, adoption pressures, and the nonstop demands of animal care all shape how decisions get made. Uncertainty isn't just a challenge; it's the system that drives behavior across organizations, adopters, and communities.
This conversation looks at how uncertainty shows up in animal welfare and how it influences the choices organizations make. We'll explore the critical uncertainties AWOs face, how common responses are shaped by resource constraints and values-driven decision-making, and where those responses may unintentionally work against desired outcomes. We'll also examine uncertainty from the adopter's perspective, where decisions hinge on comfort level and predictability rather than simply having more information.
This session invites audience members to step back and have more deliberate conversations about the uncertainties they're managing, their tolerance for uncertainty and change, and where small, intentional shifts could lead to better outcomes for animals, organizations, and the communities they serve.
This session is especially relevant for adoptions and foster staff & volunteers, behavior staff & volunteers, marketing & communications staff, senior & executive leaders - but all are welcome!
🔑 Key Takeaways:
Don't forget! Maddie's Fund will be giving away up to $10,000 in grants each month! You can enter for a chance to win each time you attend a call or watch it on demand during the month by completing the monthly giveaway drawing entry form.
Register for Community Conversations hosted via Zoom.
🧠 Got Topic or Speaker Suggestions?
We want to hear your ideas! If there's a topic you're curious about or a speaker you'd love to hear from, please share your suggestions with us on our Community Conversations Suggestions thread.
Looking forward to being in community with you!
#Behavior,TrainingandEnrichment#EducationandTraining#OrganizationalManagement#PeopleManagement(includingVolunteerIntegration)------------------------------
Sheila Kouhkan
Senior Education Specialist
Maddie's Fund
CA
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