Animal Welfare Professionals

Updated 2/10/25 at 2:25 pm - Recording now available!

Please note: All views expressed on these calls are not necessarily endorsed by Maddie’s Fund.

We hope to see you on the next Community Conversation on Monday, 2/10/25 at 11am PT for "Patterns and Trends in Animal Control and Field Services Interactions: 2015-2022" with the University of Denver's Institute for Human-Animal Connection team. 

The Institute for Human-Animal Connection research team will present the finalized and updated results of a recent study on patterns and trends in animal control and field services interactions in the U.S. In a first-of-its-kind study, quantitative demographic disparities are established in the trends of animal control data from a unique dataset obtained directly from a nationally representative sample of U.S. animal control/field services agencies. Through rigorously analyzed data consisting of over 1 million cases, this session will highlight the inextricable intersection of animal control, Access to Care issues, systemic racial bias in differential enforcement, and the urgent need to address these disparities collectively as a field.

Maddie's Fund will also be announcing the January grant giveaway winners! 

Register for Community Conversations hosted via Zoom: https://maddies.fund/CommunityConvoRegistration2024

Make sure you are using the latest version of Zoom when you join us!

If you are unable to make it live on Monday, this thread will be updated with the recording and resources so you can watch and share whenever you'd like.  After you watch the recording on-demand or attend the call live, be sure to complete this new February 2025 entry form to enter to win up to a $5,000 grant: https://www.maddiesfund.org/weekly-community-conversations-feb25-giveaway.htm

#AccesstoCare
#Diversity,Equity,InclusionandJustice
#EducationandTraining

------------------------------
Maddie's Pet Forum Admin
Maddie's Fund
------------------------------

Hello all -

In anticipation of this important conversation, I wanted to share the following REDI Copper Certification Opportunity for Animal Care and Control Professionals.

REDI Copper is CARE's latest addition to our goal to foster Racial Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in the animal welfare space.  Now more than ever we need to foster trust, compassion, and care in our communities.  We're working together to understand our biases and move beyond them for the sake of all our neighbors; both humans and animals.

CARE's continuing dedication to Human and Animal Well-Being is at the heart of this latest addition to our REDI coursework.

REDI Copper is available for $35 and certification is valid for 3 years!

We also assist organizations with group quotes!

Organizations with 65% or more REDI Certified employees are honored as CARE REDI Certified Organizations.  Find out more by reaching out to us at redi@carewo.org!

[Proceeds support CARE's Direct CARE Program which assists families struggling with Access to Veterinary Care and REDI coursework.]

#AccesstoCare
#Diversity,Equity,InclusionandJustice
#EducationandTraining

#thankstomaddie

------------------------------
Dr. Alina Luna
Dean of The Circle Learning and Leadership
CARE-Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity
------------------------------

Thank you so much to IHAC for their work, to Maddie's for hosting the call and providing space, and to everyone who had the capacity to attend!

I wanted to take a moment to recognize Jacksonville Animal Care and Protective Services. Under Mike Bricker's leadership, ACPS is the first CARE REDI Copper Certified organization with his whole team having earned REDI badges. The timing could not have been better as we are witnessing Black and Brown communities of color, as well as low income communities, actively induced to be even more fearful and distrustful of law enforcement agencies.  This moment presents an opportunity for needed partnerships between animal care and control officers and professionals - and anyone who has contact with animal-related cases -  and the communities they serve.

My gratitude to Mike and his team for doing everything they can to keep families together.

For more details about REDI Copper: https://haw.academy/redi-copper/

If you have any questions about REDI Copper or any of CARE's REDI courses, please feel free to contact me at alina@careawo.org.

#beREDICopper #StayingREDI #CommunityWisdom #educationandtraining #animalcontrol

------------------------------
Dr. Alina Luna
Dean of The Circle Learning and Leadership
CARE-Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 02-07-2025 02:51 PM
From: Alina Luna
Subject: Community Conversations - 2/10/2025 - Patterns and Trends in Animal Control and Field Services Interactions: 2015-2022

Hello all -

In anticipation of this important conversation, I wanted to share the following REDI Copper Certification Opportunity for Animal Care and Control Professionals.

REDI Copper is CARE's latest addition to our goal to foster Racial Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in the animal welfare space.  Now more than ever we need to foster trust, compassion, and care in our communities.  We're working together to understand our biases and move beyond them for the sake of all our neighbors; both humans and animals.

CARE's continuing dedication to Human and Animal Well-Being is at the heart of this latest addition to our REDI coursework.

REDI Copper is available for $35 and certification is valid for 3 years!

We also assist organizations with group quotes!

Organizations with 65% or more REDI Certified employees are honored as CARE REDI Certified Organizations.  Find out more by reaching out to us at redi@carewo.org!

[Proceeds support CARE's Direct CARE Program which assists families struggling with Access to Veterinary Care and REDI coursework.]

#AccesstoCare
#Diversity,Equity,InclusionandJustice
#EducationandTraining

#thankstomaddie

------------------------------
Dr. Alina Luna
Dean of The Circle Learning and Leadership
CARE-Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity
------------------------------

Thank you for posting this, Dr. Luna! 

------------------------------
Kathy Johnson
Volunteer, Grant and Fundraising Coordinator
Bruno Project Rescue, Inc.
Columbia MD
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 02-10-2025 12:10 PM
From: Alina Luna
Subject: Community Conversations - 2/10/2025 - Patterns and Trends in Animal Control and Field Services Interactions: 2015-2022

Thank you so much to IHAC for their work, to Maddie's for hosting the call and providing space, and to everyone who had the capacity to attend!

I wanted to take a moment to recognize Jacksonville Animal Care and Protective Services. Under Mike Bricker's leadership, ACPS is the first CARE REDI Copper Certified organization with his whole team having earned REDI badges. The timing could not have been better as we are witnessing Black and Brown communities of color, as well as low income communities, actively induced to be even more fearful and distrustful of law enforcement agencies.  This moment presents an opportunity for needed partnerships between animal care and control officers and professionals - and anyone who has contact with animal-related cases -  and the communities they serve.

My gratitude to Mike and his team for doing everything they can to keep families together.

For more details about REDI Copper: https://haw.academy/redi-copper/

If you have any questions about REDI Copper or any of CARE's REDI courses, please feel free to contact me at alina@careawo.org.

#beREDICopper #StayingREDI #CommunityWisdom #educationandtraining #animalcontrol

------------------------------
Dr. Alina Luna
Dean of The Circle Learning and Leadership
CARE-Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 02-07-2025 02:51 PM
From: Alina Luna
Subject: Community Conversations - 2/10/2025 - Patterns and Trends in Animal Control and Field Services Interactions: 2015-2022

Hello all -

In anticipation of this important conversation, I wanted to share the following REDI Copper Certification Opportunity for Animal Care and Control Professionals.

REDI Copper is CARE's latest addition to our goal to foster Racial Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in the animal welfare space.  Now more than ever we need to foster trust, compassion, and care in our communities.  We're working together to understand our biases and move beyond them for the sake of all our neighbors; both humans and animals.

CARE's continuing dedication to Human and Animal Well-Being is at the heart of this latest addition to our REDI coursework.

REDI Copper is available for $35 and certification is valid for 3 years!

We also assist organizations with group quotes!

Organizations with 65% or more REDI Certified employees are honored as CARE REDI Certified Organizations.  Find out more by reaching out to us at redi@carewo.org!

[Proceeds support CARE's Direct CARE Program which assists families struggling with Access to Veterinary Care and REDI coursework.]

#AccesstoCare
#Diversity,Equity,InclusionandJustice
#EducationandTraining

#thankstomaddie

------------------------------
Dr. Alina Luna
Dean of The Circle Learning and Leadership
CARE-Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity

You're so welcome, Kathy! Please let me know if I can asist you with anything!

Have a great day,

Alina

------------------------------
Dr. Alina Luna
Dean of The Circle Learning and Leadership
CARE-Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 02-11-2025 10:12 AM
From: Kathy Johnson
Subject: Community Conversations - 2/10/2025 - Patterns and Trends in Animal Control and Field Services Interactions: 2015-2022

Thank you for posting this, Dr. Luna! 

------------------------------
Kathy Johnson
Volunteer, Grant and Fundraising Coordinator
Bruno Project Rescue, Inc.
Columbia MD
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 02-10-2025 12:10 PM
From: Alina Luna
Subject: Community Conversations - 2/10/2025 - Patterns and Trends in Animal Control and Field Services Interactions: 2015-2022

Thank you so much to IHAC for their work, to Maddie's for hosting the call and providing space, and to everyone who had the capacity to attend!

I wanted to take a moment to recognize Jacksonville Animal Care and Protective Services. Under Mike Bricker's leadership, ACPS is the first CARE REDI Copper Certified organization with his whole team having earned REDI badges. The timing could not have been better as we are witnessing Black and Brown communities of color, as well as low income communities, actively induced to be even more fearful and distrustful of law enforcement agencies.  This moment presents an opportunity for needed partnerships between animal care and control officers and professionals - and anyone who has contact with animal-related cases -  and the communities they serve.

My gratitude to Mike and his team for doing everything they can to keep families together.

For more details about REDI Copper: https://haw.academy/redi-copper/

If you have any questions about REDI Copper or any of CARE's REDI courses, please feel free to contact me at alina@careawo.org.

#beREDICopper #StayingREDI #CommunityWisdom #educationandtraining #animalcontrol

------------------------------
Dr. Alina Luna
Dean of The Circle Learning and Leadership
CARE-Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity


Original Message:
Sent: 02-07-2025 02:51 PM
From: Alina Luna
Subject: Community Conversations - 2/10/2025 - Patterns and Trends in Animal Control and Field Services Interactions: 2015-2022

Hello all -

In anticipation of this important conversation, I wanted to share the following REDI Copper Certification Opportunity for Animal Care and Control Professionals.

REDI Copper is CARE's latest addition to our goal to foster Racial Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in the animal welfare space.  Now more than ever we need to foster trust, compassion, and care in our communities.  We're working together to understand our biases and move beyond them for the sake of all our neighbors; both humans and animals.

CARE's continuing dedication to Human and Animal Well-Being is at the heart of this latest addition to our REDI coursework.

REDI Copper is available for $35 and certification is valid for 3 years!

We also assist organizations with group quotes!

Organizations with 65% or more REDI Certified employees are honored as CARE REDI Certified Organizations.  Find out more by reaching out to us at redi@carewo.org!

[Proceeds support CARE's Direct CARE Program which assists families struggling with Access to Veterinary Care and REDI coursework.]

#AccesstoCare
#Diversity,Equity,InclusionandJustice
#EducationandTraining

#thankstomaddie

------------------------------
Dr. Alina Luna
Dean of The Circle Learning and Leadership
CARE-Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity

Thanks to the 168+ people and paws who joined us on today's Community Conversations call! The recording is now available to watch on-demand. Below you'll find a recap of today's call and the resources shared. 

Call Recap

Welcome from hosts

• • @Lucy Fernandez, Senior Intake Diversion (PASS) Program Manager, Austin Pets Alive! 
  • @Mary Ippoliti-Smith, Executive Leadership Team, Maddie's Fund
    
    

• Question of the Day: What Valentine's Day promotions are your organizations doing?
  • "All adoptions $14 and name a cat/kitten after your sweetheart" -  Shelley Joaquin
  • ""Meet Your Match" fee waived adoptions Feb. 14-16" - Jess Cieplinski
  • "Good afternoon, from Mono County Animal Services! Our Valentine's plan is to set up a puppy kissing booth at an adoption event :)" - Brittany Pratt
  • "Promoting our Romeo Fund with a Spay it Forward Campaign to help families afford spay/neuter services" - Kelly Sheehan
  • "San Diego Last Chance Ranch from San Diego CA. We don't have any plans for Valentine's day so far. But finding your perfect match sounds cute!" - April Cannizzaro
  • "Benji's Animal Adoption Barn is doing a cutest pet contest to win a gift card for a Valentine's dinner." - Reagan Jernigan
  • "Love is a four-legged word" - Michael Bricker 
  • "We are having a free adoptions promotion if you purchase $14 from our supply store" - Julianne Carmona
  • "We are Finding our new loves Dogs 6month + reduced adoption fees $50" - Yvonne Haddox
  • "We are doing $10 find your love. We also had groups come in and make Valentine's cards for the animals" - Amber Francisco
  • "We are doing half off adoptions for Valentine's Day and a special Yelp Elite VDay event with influencers" - Alisha Vianello
    
    
• Maddie's Fund Grant Announcements - January 2025 Monthly Drawing Winners
  • Community Conversations Winner of $5,000
    • @Summer Larkihn , Nebraska Humane Society, Omaha, NE
  • Maddie's Pet Forum Winner of $3,000
    • Dr. @Tyrone Pierce, Maryland Hospital
  • Maddie's Fund 30th Anniversary Cuddly $1000 Prize Pack Giveaway 
    • @Wendy Montanez-Ortiz, Gatos Borincoon, Franklin, MA
      
      
• National Updates

• • Maddie's Fund webcast Tuesday, February11: How Much Do You Know About Bird  Flu?
    Drs. Cynda Crawford and Julie Levy talk about risk factors for H5N1 avian influenza infection of cats in outdoor and indoor settings; risk mitigation measures for shelters, TNR clinics, and community clinics; and what to do if you suspect a cat might be infected. Register here: https://maddies.fund/BirdFluWebcastRegistration021125
  • Maddie's Insights webcast on February 13, 2025: Can Trauma-Informed Care Support Behavior Modification Efforts for Dogs? This talk explores the aspects of Trauma-Informed Care for humans which might be applied in dogs, focusing on the assessment of shelter dogs or those presented for problematic behaviors, and the potential for protecting puppies from adverse early experiences. Find out more and register: https://maddies.fund/MIwebcast02132025
  • CARE REDI Copper Program: https://haw.academy/redi-copper/
  • HSUS Animal Care Expo will be happening from April 15-18! If you haven't already registered or booked a room, do so today and join us in Vegas! https://humanepro.org/expo
  • "From the Backyard to the Front Page: Building a TNR Movement" on Feb 15th at 2:00–4:00 PM ET.  Replay available if you can't make it in person. We'll go over training the public, providing support services, tracking success, gaining media attention and more.  You'll be able to mobilize the public to trap the cats in their own backyards and get hands-on involved, attract and train volunteers and gain community support. Plus, you'll get a certificate of completion after a shot quiz.
    Register at https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/7923043849557765726
  • Register for this week's HASS webinar "From Intake to Impact" on Thursday at 2 p.m. ET: 
    https://zoom.us/webinar/register/7017387899470/WN_0BSthbn0QoSYpM85mKSBFw?utm_campaign=Newsletter&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8JIuiTV1suXcKum1i4JbyLWlIcpMyqrDgnb-uFE5pJyD5xx02HpoAKxKr-icm446SWHGAtu0vbZwsxkedgxH3AhKRYPLdSgDdArhec1Lz7PGXpWEE&_hsmi=346126437&utm_content=346126437&utm_source=hs_emailCamp Maddie: Pet-Inclusive Housing Edition is coming on November 13! A free virtual half-day event on Wednesday, November 13th from 9AM-1PM PT / 12PM-4PM ET.
  • 2025 Online Instructor Led Course enrollment starts 2/28 - Spring 2025 Courses begin the week of March 31, 2025
    Looking to implement a new program, learn more about a specific subject and create positive change for pets and people in your community? Maddie's Fund® Online Instructor-Led Courses provide an interactive educational opportunity for those who are looking to benefit from the wisdom of established innovative programs. They're the catalyst you need to take your programs and learning to the next level! All courses are free #ThanksToMaddie!
    https://forum.maddiesfund.org/events/event-description?CalendarEventKey=4f801a35-458e-4071-9fd2-0194dcdb9b1f&CommunityKey=afce7f7a-fd5a-431e-9f2a-aaedc46a03d6&Home=%2fhigherlogic%2fccadmin%2fadmin%2fevents%2fmanagecalendarevents.aspx
  • If you're a United States organization that takes in animals for the purposes of finding them a new home, we're hoping you'll fill out our National Foster Survey so we can learn about what's happening with foster programs.  All orgs who complete the survey will be entered into a chance to win one of ten $500 grants.  Whether or not your organization has a foster program, we want to hear from you. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/F7NWWP5
  • Maddie's Fund Monthly Giveaways!  Enter here for a chance to win CA$H: 
    Open to all who are watching live or on-demand! Be sure to enter each week you attend!
     https://www.maddiesfund.org/weekly-community-conversations-feb25-giveaway.htm
  • Maddie's Pet Forum Monthly Giveaway: Maddie's Fund® is giving away a $3,000 grant each month to one lucky Maddie's® Pet Forum member. You'll automatically be entered to win each month when you start a new discussion, reply to a new post. More info:  https://maddies.fund/mpfmonthlygiveaway

  • In celebration of Maddie's Fund 30th anniversary, Maddie's Fund and Cuddly have partnered to provide $1,000 in prizes monthly, for engaging on a special anniversary-related post on Maddie's Pet Forum. This January, simply comment on this thread telling us about your goals for 2025 and you'll be entered to win a $1,000 Cuddly prize pack: https://forum.maddiesfund.org/30yearsgiveaway

• Presentation: Patterns and Trends in Animal Control and Field Services Interactions, 2015-2022
  • • Guest Speakers:
      • Kevin Morris, PhD, Executive Director, University of Denver Institute for Human-Animal Connection
      • Liana Moss, MSW, HAEI-SW, Research Asssociate II, University of Denver Institute for Human-Animal Connection
      • @Kaleigh O'Reilly, MSW, Research Fellow, University of Denver Institute for Human-Animal Connection
    • Related Links:
      • Project: https://socialwork.du.edu/humananimalconnection/research/project/trends-us-animal-control-and-field-services-2015-2022
      • Human Animal Support Services resource: https://www.humananimalsupportservices.org/webinars/beyond-enforcement-insights-into-community-centered-field-services/

• Highlights from the Chat
  • "Thank you everyone for your congratulations! We are so appreciative and excited here at the Nebraska Humane Society!" - Summer Larkihn
  • "Thank you so much for the space!!!" - Alina Luna
  • "Is there any research along these lines being done in Europe?  Especially along the lines of access to care/equity issues." - April King
  • "Eye-opening!" - Brittany Pratt
  • "Thank you so much for sharing this data and your explanations!" - Irene Chansawang
  • "I love the data but honestly this is no surprise and what I expected to see....so how can we build change.....build relationships and community animal welfare best practices" - Christina Veloz
  • "Is there bias in animal control?" - Christina Veloz
  • "Among the sections we have in REDI Copper is Implicit Bias" - Alina Luna
  • "What a clear and wonderful explanation of your work, thank you!" - April King
  • "They have controlled for case types, it seems. So that leaves other reasons for disparity in outcomes. I'm certain more analysis is warranted, but bias seems to play a part. This is saying that people who do X in a more racially diverse, lower socioeconomic resourced community are given a more punitive outcome than people who do X in a more white/non-Hispanic, higher resourced neighborhood. That really does speak directly to bias in outcomes.-" - Emily Wood
  • "Does anyone know of any scholarships available for EXPO?" - Michael Bricker
  • "The BIPOC Animal Welfare Collaborative has a waitlist for their scholarships, I believe." - Emily Wood
  • "Thanks IHAC! I am sorry that Rochester was not able to participate but I appreciate and applaud your work in getting this quantitative analysis out." - Chris Fitzgerald
  • "Vancouver Humane also has free cultural competence and trauma informed care online trainings that are very good." -  Emily Wood
  • "This is really interesting work and findings, IHAC I'm so glad you are pursuing this. Thank you for sharing these results here." - Joyce Briggs
  • "I'd be interested in the disparity between cases handled totally by one officer, vs. those that go through a court process. Does bias amplify?." - Emily Wood
  • "What great analysis of the data. Hope you get your PhDs for all this work! Sorry I have to leave early." - Stefanie Holzman
  • "I wonder if there were less strays too during the pandemic with more people being at home with their pets." - Geraldine D'Silva
  • "That is definitely the case here in SC. - Lisa Pearce
  • "In the future to better answer the question just answered will there be a qualitative/experience part to the quantitative portion?" - Christina Avila
  • "Yes! We are conducting a study with community members directly impacted by animal control." - Liana Moss
  • "I'd also be interested to see data analysis on reporting parties!" - Emily Wood
  • "Interestingly, we tried to analyze this, but most organizations are not tracking these data in detail." - Liana Moss
  • "Thank you, Kevin, for the big picture of the need for systemic change...love your research!!" - Christina Veloz
  • "Milwaukee is highly segregated both racially and economically. We do have an assistance program for specific zip codes via the Wisconsin Humane Society" - Amanda Press
  • "Thank for all that information!" - Kristen Petrie
  • "This is a great presentation! Thank you!" - Kathy Johnson
  • "Thanks for sharing this informative information! Your team is amazing!" - Kristen Des Marais
  • "Thank you for the information." - Michelle Russillo
  • "Great presentation!" - Shelley Joaquin
  • "Wonderful session, thank you so much for collecting and presenting this info." - Brittany Pratt
  • "Thank you. Great data!" - Julielani Chang
  • "Great info! Thank you to all those that put the data together." - Adrienne Henderson 
  • "This was amazing, thank you!!!" - Emily Wood
  • "Thank you- it was excellent" - Michelle Russillo
  • "Thanks yall!!! Great information <3" - Britt Stautmeister
  • FANTASTIC PRESENTATION!!!" - Mary Jane Eadson
  • "Great job everyone, thank you!" - Ken Hopkins
  • "Thanks for the great information!" - Cathy Myers
  • "That was incredible, thank you!!!" - Charlotte Otero
  • "THANK YOU SO MUCH!" - Yvonne Haddox

------------------------------
Sheila Kouhkan
Senior Education Specialist
Maddie's Fund
CA
------------------------------

Shout out to the IHAC team for taking on this colossal effort! Given these findings, I'd love to hear more about the current best practices or suggested programmatic/policy solutions to advance racial equity and economic justice in animal control/field services.

------------------------------
Sloane Hawes
Chief of Research and Development
Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity (CARE)
Milliken CO
------------------------------