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Hi Sarah, that actually sounds like a really interesting idea. Anything that helps improve safety and comfort for our pets is always worth exploring. Technology that connects owners with their animals while keeping them secure could be really helpful for many people. I've always believed that understanding animals better is a big part of caring for them properly. Learning about different species and their behaviors can really change how we approach animal welfare. For example, I recently wrote a short article about the Leopard Cat and how wild cats survive in nature. It highlights how instinct, environment, and safety all play a role in animal wellbeing. If anyone enjoys learning about animals, you might find it interesting: https://chewypetpharmacy.blogspot.com/2026/03/leopard-cat-wild-facts-habitat-secrets.html Good luck with your project and campaign! ------------------------------ enzo Dirienzo csr Enzo Dirienzo ON ------------------------------ View Discussion

I volunteer for our county shelter and they also do dog friendliness. As they take the dogs out for a break, they will have two of the walkers start apart and see how the dogs react. Then they will get closer and closer, always listening for growling or any other signs of aggression towards the other dog. They also have outside fenced in areas where a couple of dogs can play together. When a potential adopter seea dog, they are always given information such as: -likes males, hates females; will kill a cat, likes women, not men, etc. ------------------------------ Bonnie Clark President TNR Mecosta MI ------------------------------ View Discussion

My concern with them being in heat when they're spayed is that males will still sense their pheromones and harass them after their surgery, since the pheromones take several days to disapate. I hate to release a female after a spay for her to have to fight off males while recovering. I've had a hard time finding information on how long it takes after surgery for the pheromones to disapate so I generally go with holding her 48 hours ------------------------------ Jennifer Fuhrman TNR coordinator Save our Cats and Kittens FL ------------------------------ View Discussion

Thank you so much for the reply. Does a mid-late term spay/abort qualify as extenuating circumstances for a longer hold in your policy? If so, do you hold those for 48 hours? ------------------------------ Jennifer Fuhrman TNR coordinator Save our Cats and Kittens FL ------------------------------ View Discussion

Our vets at the very start were pretty new to TNR so of the first few, we had 2 or 3 on longer holds as they thought best - then I did see the shutdowns happen, especially post 4 days. If they are not eating and this appears to be because of distress, they go back out and are monitored in the colony. I'm trialling a 3 day hold after difficult spays right now; the first couple were good so we feel confident to continue trying the shorter period. On heat - they aren't held longer. I didn't answer that above. I simply don't have space, and we've never seen any need or had any problems post return on them. ------------------------------ Bettina Vine Animal Health Director The Kitten Connection Peniche, Portugal ------------------------------ View Discussion

We have been doing TNVR only for over 13 years. We do approximately 200 cats per month with an all-volunteer team. Our protocol is to return the morning after surgery unless there was an extenuating circumstance (which should be rare). While they could be returned the same day in many cases, because of the concerns of roaming dogs and cars, we want the cats to be alert as possible. We make sure that they have eaten and they look alert. Keeping them an extra day may actually inhibit their ability to recover because of the stress of being in captivity. If there is reason to be concerned about a cat that had an unusually difficult surgery, then watch an additional day, but no longer if possible. As long as the cat is eating and drinking, you are good to go. However, there are also cats that are too stressed to eat and those you have to go with your gut, with of course the input from the vet regarding anything difficult about the particular cat or surgery. I will add that we learned this the hard way. We used to keep the cats a couple of days and so many of them broke with upper respiratory or just shut down. It is important to remember just how resilient these community cats are. So different, in fact, from our pampered kitties inside! :) ------------------------------ Samantha Polen Executive Director T-Town TNR, Inc. Tulsa OK https://www.ttowntnr.com/ ------------------------------ View Discussion

Our TNR cats get returned the morning after they had surgery so close to or slightly less than 24 hours. We have them recover from sedation inside their traps so you don't have to stress any of them out by transferring to a kennel and then back into a trap. Occasionally we may have some medical reasons for holding for a couple days for observation such as vomiting or if they had some dental work. ------------------------------ Laurel Wilton Feline Welfare Supervisor Nebraska Humane Society ------------------------------ View Discussion

Thanks to Maddie- We have a few scholarships left from our February TNR Certification event that are available. This is an "on demand" version of the video and it gets your registered in our online university. We also have a few scholarships left for our Reducing Surrenders with Feline Behavior online course on March 25 at 2pm. Check it out and feel free to share. Thank you for turning your passion for cats into action. https://communitycatscentral.com/scholarships/ Communitycatscentral Scholarships - communitycatscentral.com Turning passion into action-for every cat, everywhere. View this on Communitycatscentral > #CommunityCatManagement ------------------------------ Stacy LeBaron Head Cat The Community Cats Podcast Warren VT 978-239-2090 ------------------------------ View Discussion

Hi Jennifer This is what my vets and I have developed through testing since I started the TNR programme 5 years ago. Generally it is a same day evening return, or next morning. The surgery team has worked out a specific protocol for TNRs, using extra internal stitches and more glue, to enable this faster return to field and a very secure surgical wound. All our surgeries are done early in the day, so the cats are finished by 11.30, with the aim to release later in the day for as many cases as possible. If the surgeries are in the afternoon for any reason, they'd be released the next morning. Males are given the lightest sedation possible so they are basically fully alert by 12.30. Uncomplicated surgery - they are held in their traps until about 17.30 (5.30 pm) and released. Males with complications (c ryptorchidism, teeth needing removal or badly infected wounds) - 5-7 day hold in cages, not the trap, for antibiotic therapy and fuller recovery. Females with no complications - if they are fully alert and happy, they are released about the same time as the boys, but if they seem a little groggy, they are considered for release about 21.00 (9pm) and if not ready, have an overnight in the trap and go back early morning. Females with spay/abort or internal infection, retained foetuses, teeth removal etc, I hold in cages for 5-10 days. Aim is to return at 6 days in most cases. If the cat is very distressed and not adjusting to the cage, she would be released sooner, ... View Discussion

It was a very informative talk with a lot of interesting data and findings. I did have a follow up question on things. Since the data showed kittens that had more time with mom appeared to suffer less stress overall early in life, does that mean using more pheromone or supplements such as zylkene in these young ones who may come from tough situations or lost their mom at an early age would or could be beneficial to them behavior wise later in life? Also, would or could working to find other cat moms to take these little ones on, when possible, help reduce stress as well? Thanks again for the very informative talk. Bryan ------------------------------ Bryan Langlois Medical Director Spay/Neuter Save Network PA "Greatness is a title never to be self imposed" ------------------------------ View Discussion

Hi all! Faunalytics recently published 'Tactics in Practice: The Data Behind Humane Education,' which invites us to reflect on the goals of humane education and what's working. Join us on 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟮𝟱, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗮𝘁 𝟭𝟮 𝗽.𝗺. 𝗘𝗧 as the Institute for Humane Education hosts a community session to explore those questions together. We'll focus on the "Tips for Effective Humane Education" section, inviting reflections, examples, and insights from your experience in classrooms, programs, and advocacy spaces. This will be a conversational call-an opportunity to step back from the pace of our work and consider how the research resonates with your own practice. You're encouraged to read the full article beforehand, but we'll review the relevant section together on the call. Contributors to the article include leaders from HEART (Humane Education Advocates Reaching Teachers), LEAP (Leaders for Ethics, Animals, and the Planet), New Roots Institute , and the Institute for Humane Education-and we may be joined by some of these collaborators for the conversation. We look forward to learning together and exploring what effective humane education looks like in practice today. Join us! ➡️ RSVP HERE. Questions about attending or IHE? Reach out anytime! emily@humaneeducation.org Emily #EducationandTraining ------------------------------ Emily Tronetti, EdD Community Connection Specialist Institute for Humane Education ... View Discussion

Hello everyone, We are developing Standard Operating Procedures for a collaboration of various volunteers and groups to work together on a TNR program doing mass-trapping projects. One of our most argued over topics among the various participants is how long should we hold TNR cats for recovery after their surgeries. My standard practice has been to return males and females who weren't pregnant or in heat on the day after their surgeries. I would hold females who were pregnant or in heat for about 48-72 hours after surgery depending on how stressed they seemed. Other group participants want to hold for less time, others want to hold for more time, and it's been a source of friction. So I'm looking for any general guidance from experts (especially medical experts) on this topic. #CommunityCatManagement ------------------------------ Jennifer Fuhrman TNR coordinator Save our Cats and Kittens FL ------------------------------ View Discussion

I highly recommend checking out Malena's book: https://a.co/d/0gg0y7sm She's an expert in working dogs through true separation anxiety, and now teaches a course to certify dog trainers in doing the same. We were lucky enough to get consultations from her for a 100+ lb Neopolitan Mastiff mix who had eaten his way out of an "indestructible" crate. Funny enough he was fairly institutionalized in the shelter environment, staying in standard indoor/outdoor kennel without issue. He couldn't be left unattended in an office or a home without being destructive/escaping/self-harming at times though. ------------------------------ Melody Perry Shelter Programming Coordinator Dogs Playing for Life NM ------------------------------ View Discussion

My old rescue took in a high volume of medically and behaviorally challenging animals. We partnered with Joy Organics, for high quality CBD, and had generally good/notable results - obviously all pups are individuals. I've also used Charlotte's Web CBD for my personal dog. I know they began by making human-grade CBD oil, to help a little girl (Charlotte) manage a seizure disorder, then expanded from there. ------------------------------ Melody Perry Shelter Programming Coordinator Dogs Playing for Life NM ------------------------------ View Discussion

Well done Miranda, how exciting! Your organization is incredible, and benefited our pups from Austin Pets Alive so much. I'll always remember taking Eel, a very reactive and highly defensive to handling long-stay dog, to your confidence building class. She was able to work through the exercises in the class, amongst other dogs and strangers, and complete exercises I never thought she could do. Working on a cooperative care exercise, to prepare her for vet visits, was particularly mind blowing for her spicy personality. Bless you and all your hard work! 💖 ------------------------------ Melody Perry Shelter Programming Coordinator Dogs Playing for Life NM ------------------------------ ... View Discussion

I've used a variety of techniques, helping with vaccines. Sometimes a simple frisbee covered in peanut butter, hanging on something is enough of a motivator to distract food motivated dogs. Sometimes holding a dog steady by their collar, while patting their head (decent pressure like birping a baby) makes for a nice distraction. Less is more approaches can be super helpful at times to take their focus off the strange environment and invasive handling, whereas muzzling and vet holds might be necessary to mitigate risk and allow techs to very efficiently get in and knock out the pokes. I hope this is helpful! ------------------------------ Melody Perry Shelter Programming Coordinator Dogs Playing for Life NM ------------------------------ View Discussion

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/98-conferences-animal-welfare-veterinary-social-work-savannah-xraec?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios&utm_campaign=share_via ------------------------------ TyAnn Sumpter Manager of Shelter Support CAS SC ------------------------------ View Discussion

Maddie's® Insights is our ongoing webcast series with practical tips based on current research to help pets and people. Join us in April for a program that looks at common health and behavior concerns in dogs after their adoption in the UK. Our speakers are Drs. @Eleanor Jordan and Lauren Samet, both of Dogs Trust, a British animal welfare charity and humane society which specializes in the well-being of dogs. It is the largest dog welfare charity in the United Kingdom, caring for over 15,000 animals each year. Thursday, April 16 at 12n Pacific for one hour. This webcast will be recorded. SIGN UP HERE Each year, thousands of dogs are relinquished to rehoming organizations and adopted into new homes. Like many dog owners, adopters often encounter early health and behavior concerns-but for adopted dogs, these challenges can sometimes lead to returns. In 2018, Dogs Trust, the UK's largest dog welfare charity, launched a post-adoption support program. Adopters from any UK Dogs Trust Rehoming Centre receive follow-up calls about their dog's health and behavior at 2 days, 2 weeks, and 4 months after adoption. This presentation reviews the program's methodology and participant cohort, highlights the most common adopter-reported concerns, examines use of behavior support (and reasons it's declined), and explores return-to-kennel rates, including when and why dogs are returned. By the end of the webcast you will be able to: • Understand common health and behavior ... View Discussion

For our staff, we offer 50% off spays/neuters and any preventive medication they can buy at cost. If they need other medications and we have them in stock, they can also buy them at cost. We have teamed up with Shelters United, which has a pharmacy that offer 10% discount for staff/Volunteers and will donate 5% to our organization. ------------------------------ Jason Dougan Clinic Manager Humane Society of North Texas TX ------------------------------ View Discussion

We have iMarc, but ours broke almost right away. You get free repairs in the first year, I think it was, but you have to pay for shipping and the machine is a beast. They will try to talk you through repairs on the phone, but ours is still broken, and I cannot bear to lose more money, sending it off. I keep hoping that I can find someone tech savvy locally that can fix it. I do regret the purchase. ------------------------------ Laura McKelvey Shelter Manager PAWS Atlanta GA ------------------------------ View Discussion

https://www.aspca.org/about-us/aspca-policy-and-position-statements/position-statement-shelter-dog-behavior-assessments#:~:text=A%20mathematical%20analysis%20by%20Patronek,to%20strangers%20and%20heavy%20traffic. I always like to have resources I can provide, so this as well as the others advice will hopefully be helpful! ------------------------------ amelia nusbaum Shelter Manager TX ------------------------------ View Discussion

We take the barriers away and use the Dogs Playing for Life model to assist us with assessing. If a dog does not handle that well, we also will use leashed tests but find they are not as accurate. ------------------------------ Bobbie Comer York County Animal Control ------------------------------ View Discussion

Hi Jason, I am the ED at Al-Van Humane Society. We frequently host s/n clinics and we require a non-refundable deposit for the s/n spots. We explain to clients that our s/n clinics are high in demand and a no-show or late cancellation would prevent someone else from being able to participate in this opportunity. It has drastically cut down our no-show rate during the early morning surgery drop-off times. The only con I have seen so far is that it takes a little bit longer for our staff to schedule the appointments since they have to take card payments over the phone or via SMS link. Other than that, it is more beneficial for us. -Sarah ------------------------------ Sarah Vochaska Executive Director Al-Van Humane Society MI ------------------------------ View Discussion

Hello, I work for a non-profit that travels to shelters/rescues/sanctuaries to teach them how to perform assessments off leash, to gain a true read on the dog's behavior - as assessments on leash or through a barrier can give you an inaccurate/unclear read on dog-dog sociability for better or worse. We meet dogs on occasion who are completely non-reactive through a barrier or on-leash, who ended up being completely offensive, at times trying to do serious harm to non-threatening/ideal social helper dogs, once given access. A good predator doesn't warn its prey by yelling and screaming that they're coming for them. They're often calm and stoic, waiting for their opportunity to aggress. Overwhelmingly, we also come across many shelter dogs who display reactivity, primarily stemming from fear, frustration, and anxiety, which understandably causes people to hesitate to give them off-leash access to other dogs. We use muzzles commonly, and provide efficient techniques on muzzling, and other ways to reduce risk, when needed before allowing off-leash access. We're also not the only "game in town", although our team is well-established and have been doing this work for over a decade with shelter dogs. If our techniques are not preferred for your organization, there are a couple other orgs/trainers doing similar off-leash assessments, to help you get a true picture of a dog's sociability, by gaining access to other dogs where they can communicate naturally with their own species. Thinking ... View Discussion

Thanks to the 200+ folks who joined us today! If you missed the webcast, you can view the recording below. NOTE that to earn a certificate of attendance for continuing education, you must watch the recording on Maddie's University. ------------------------------ Alison Gibson Media Projects Manager Maddie's Fund ------------------------------ View Discussion

Aloha Melissa! Totally agree with you, we often find some great foster mom & dads for our sweet kitties on Social Media! I love what you are doing! Thank you for sharing 🌺 Mahalo, Kristine Volcano Cat Sanctuary Hawai'i (Big Island) 🌋 ------------------------------ Kristine Wallace Grant-writing and Development Manager Volcano Cat Sanctuary HI ------------------------------ ... View Discussion

On Thursday, April 2, 2026, join Maddie's® Monthly Foster Connection at 12pm PT/3pm ET. Jordana Moerbe, Director of Lifesaving Partnerships and Medical Care at Austin Pets Alive!, will be discussing how animal shelters can shift from a kennel-centric medical model to a foster-centric clinic that effectively supports animals living in foster homes. Register for the session so that you can receive notifications about upcoming webcasts and participate in discussions after the webcast. Webcast Description: In this discussion, we will review how animal shelters can shift from a kennel-centric medical model to a foster-centric clinic that effectively supports animals living in foster homes. As more shelters place 50% or more of animals in foster care, clinics must adapt their infrastructure, staffing, communication, and workflows to serve both people and pets. The discussion emphasizes guiding principles such as prioritizing quality of life, valuing foster caregivers as essential partners, transparency in decision-making, and treating foster care as a core organizational function. About @Jordana Moerbe : Jordana is a founding member of Austin Pets Alive! with nearly 20 years of experience in animal welfare innovation. She established the nation's largest foster-centric medical clinic-treating 7,500+ cases annually-and now serves as the Director of Lifesaving ... View Discussion

Attached are a copy of Dr. Vernick's impressive slides and her list of references for her study. Here's a link to her published research study: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/3/446 ------------------------------ Alison Gibson Media Projects Manager Maddie's Fund ------------------------------ View Discussion

We purchased ours through https://www.visionengravers.com/ and they will engrave the logo for you. I opted to have them load the software on my machine so I can engrave logos myself. The iMarc machine is a dinosaur - these are not cutting edge technology machines or software, but it gets the job one. It almost feels like one of those portable compaq 386 machines from the 90's (said the old time software engineer). ------------------------------ Meg McAdam President Human and Pet Initiative CA ------------------------------ View Discussion

Hello all, I am inquiring about employee discount programs that you may be privy to or offer your shelter staff. This would include partnerships with prescription companies or food manufacturers. Let's face it, most shelter employees are not making bank doing important work so what do you offer to staff or what programs have you found to help offset costs to care for their pets? Thank you for any information you are willing to share. Johanna Animal Welfare Manager NiSHA #AccesstoCare ------------------------------ Johanna Black Animal Welfare Manager Nantucket Island Safe Harbor for Animals MA ------------------------------ View Discussion

Hi Jason, We here at Spay Neuter Network do ask for deposits. Our deposit is $40 and we have come to find that if clients pay deposits, they are more likely to show up or reschedule/cancel beforehand and our no-show rate decreases. Our clients have the option of all three, if they have cash they can pay in person, we also can take a deposit over the phone or online. Deposits are due to secure the appointment. I hope this helps! ------------------------------ Sabrina Wilson Community Engagement Manager Spay Neuter Network TX ------------------------------ View Discussion

Hi, Sallie: Yes, we have the presentation now. It carries RACE CE as well: Identifying and Understanding Animal Cruelty and Neglect . It is also included in the sample portal for NY State standards that I sent. I'll reply to you in that email thread as well. Thanks for all you do for cats and kittens! Erika ------------------------------ Erika Shaffer Instructional Designer Maddie's Fund ------------------------------ View Discussion

Hi, I manage the foster program at Denver Animal Shelter. We have 10K animals annually but I think our guidelines would still apply. This is the acknowledgement and release form we have all foster volunteers sign. I hope it is helpful! Andrea Lawless dapfoster@denvergov.org ------------------------------ Andy Lawless Foster Program Coordinator Denver Animal Protection CO ------------------------------ View Discussion

Hi All, We're partnering with an animal welfare organization located in Salisbury, MA. They are looking for an Executive Director to lead the organization. It's a small, growing and passionate group of folks who care deeply about the welfare of cats. I've included a few links to the job description and the organization we're working with. If you know of anyone who may be interested please feel free to reach out to me directly. https://willmott.com/job/executive-director-newburyport-ma-dh5896/ HR, Human Resources Placement Solutions | Willmott & Associates Executive Director - Newburyport, MA DH5896 - HR, Human Resources Placement Solutions | Willmott & Associates Description: The Executive Director (ED) is responsible for overseeing the organization's consistent achievement of its vision, mission, and financial objectives. The ED is also responsible for planning, organizing, and supervising all aspects of operations, overseeing the development and implementation of a strategic plan for the long-term growth and success of the organization, and ensuring high-quality animal care [...] View this on HR, Human Resources Placement Solutions | Willmott & Associates > https://mrfrs.org/ MRFRS | The Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society Home New - MRFRS | The Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society To improve the lives of all cats and provide support and ... View Discussion

We are also very a very small foster based rescue. We intake kittens at the neonate stage so most of the time we just start posting pics on social media instantly. Our followers like seeing the babies grow and ultimately many of them over time will end up getting organically pre-adopted without even trying too hard. For those adoptions that fall through or that don't get pre-adopted, we begin announcing them as soon available about a week before their spay neuter dates. Again this all through social media. We do have a standing adoption event on Saturdays with our local Petco so once the kittens have been medically cleared they get to come to the events for adoptions. ------------------------------ Keri Nichol Volunteer Wildwood Kitten Haven and NICU MO ------------------------------ View Discussion

Hey Amanda! So we're a municipal shelter here in Texas. We have condos in our lobby we have dedicated to FIV or FeLV positive feline friends. We had a generous benefactor in our community who LOVES these types of cats after adopting two outdoor community cats, and both of them had each of these. They donated 5k and redid our condos, then the following year donated an additional 5k and we started a specific fund " The 5'o clock fund" in memory of our benefactor's cat. With this fund, we pay all adoption fees, provide them with a 30 day certificate to a specific vet where they can do a full blood work panel on us to have a baseline for their new friend and then we send them a $150-200 order from Chewy to their doorstep with specific items we think would help cats with these illnesses. Specific water bowls, beds, food, etc. Half the people do not even do the free blood work provided to them. If it's not, I would make it part of their adoption contract that the bills will only be covered at XYZ vet, any other vet will be at adopters own cost. Have them initial the line specifically and sign the bottom of the contract. They may get mad but it's right there. Maybe even HIGHLIGHT that line on the FeLV adoptions. Good luck! ------------------------------ Angellee Vincent Volunteer & Events Coordinator Grand Prairie Animal Services Grand Prairie, TX www.gptx.org/paws ------------------------------ View Discussion

This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous Hello! I am a volunteer at both a local city shelter and a foster based rescue and have some questions about how people dog test for dog friendlness. Our local shelter has been determining dog status and making ET decisions based on passing or failing a leashed dog test. They walk the dogs next to each other for a second and then let them meet nose to nose. Our rescue does it differently with a dog trainer and lots of repeat exposure and off leash. I am curious how other shelters or rescues dog test their fosters in a way that sets them up for success? Do you repeat it after a failed attempt or is it a one and done test? Thank you in advance! #Behavior,TrainingandEnrichment #EducationandTraining View Discussion

Wow. That is hard to believe. They are ok with Fostering? ------------------------------ Melissa Hunter Director of Development Middleburg Humane Foundation ------------------------------ View Discussion

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AeDHGbVi14o Very much recommend learning body language (you can never review it enough!) Then knowing when and how to adjust your handling based on their language. Sophia Yin's low stress handling books and videos are amazing! ------------------------------ amelia nusbaum Shelter Manager TX ------------------------------ View Discussion

Hi Erika, Can you please link this training if Maddies Fund did one? Would love to watch! ------------------------------ Sallie Edwards Board Member Ten Lives Club NY ------------------------------ View Discussion

We give FELV adopters a 30 day "warranty" where they have 30 days to contact us if any medical issues arise. We call it their medical health guarantee! After that 30-day mark, if issues arise, it is their responsibility to pay and go to their own personal vet. FELV adoptions and medically complex cats receive a 30-day warranty while other cats get a 14 day. ------------------------------ Sallie Edwards Board Member Ten Lives Club NY ------------------------------ View Discussion

Hi Jenny, I'd appreciate that, I'd love to know what the surgical resident might have to say. I definitely need to become familiar with the ASV. Thank you, Audrey ------------------------------ Audrey Summers Volunteer Homeward Bound OR ------------------------------ View Discussion

Hi T', Great idea, I will look into that! Thank you, Audrey ------------------------------ Audrey Summers Volunteer Homeward Bound OR ------------------------------ View Discussion

Our organization purchased a GoScribe engraver 3 years ago and it has been a great little machine! It's small and easily portable and takes less than a minute to engrave. I would agree with the other poster on the wait time. We used to take ours to our monthly pet Resource center but with the amount of pets people have it was taking several minutes and people were leaving without their tags. We actually have a jotform "application" on our website where people can submit a request for an ID tag and we mail it to them free of charge. ------------------------------ Lauren Hughes Co-founder SNIP NSAVE INC KY ------------------------------ View Discussion

After letting go of my 15 year old girl in July 2025, I started doing short term fostering, or as I like to call it, doggy sleepovers, for my local shelter. I pick up a dog in the afternoon, keep if for three nights, then return it to the shelter. I typically pick up the long term dogs, one's that have been there for 6 months or longer. The goals is to learn more about the dog, ie, is it house/crate trained, energy level, good on a leash, personality traits, ect. These are things that we are unable to learn while the dog is in the shelter and some of the most common questions we get from potential adopters. Plus, we get great pictures and videos to promote the dog! The reason behind only keeping the dog a few nights is because, for me, it is easier for potential adopters to meet the dog at the shelter, as opposed to having to schedule a meet and greet. Since I started doing this in October 2025, I have temporary fostered 7 dogs and of those 7 dogs, five got adopted within 2-3 weeks after the sleepover! ------------------------------ Lauren Hughes Co-founder SNIP NSAVE INC KY ------------------------------ View Discussion

We do an FTA program for up to 2 weeks for most of our dogs and some of our cats. We use ShelterLuv and have people fill out the FTA form. Typically they will fill out the application to adopt and then after discussing the FTA, we send them the FTA form. It works out really well as we keep in touch and at the end of the two weeks they can either finalize the animal for adoption or return. Typically it ends in adoption and that is when we send the contract and take payment. ------------------------------ Stefanie Schmidt Animal Welfare Specialist Hearts Alive Village NV ------------------------------ View Discussion

Do you ask for a deposit when booking appointments? What would you say are the pros and cons of having a deposit policy? How do clients usually pay the deposit-online, in person, or by phone? ------------------------------ Jason Dougan Clinic Manager Humane Society of North Texas TX ------------------------------ View Discussion

How does your organization honor the human-animal bond throughout the grieving process? We have a lot of individuals come in to donate after losing their animal or coming to either help with their grief by helping out around our shelter. I think just being a listener and showing support is the biggest thing you can ever do. Many people during this stage do have what was talked about in the video where there is a disconnect between grief and people who see losing an animal as "a lesser than or not as important". However, people come to us as a way to be able to process because we see this bond as the same or even stronger than human bonds sometimes. And sometimes people just need to give love to other animals as a way to help them process their grief. ------------------------------ Abby Vernon Animal Caregiver Ark Animal Rescue and Adoption IN ------------------------------ View Discussion

I work for a shelter in the midwest that averages 250 pets/month or 3-5k animals annually. We are looking to update our foster program guidelines and policies. Any similarly sized shelters willing to share their foster program guidelines? #FosterPrograms #OrganizationalManagement ------------------------------ Jessica Stewart ------------------------------ View Discussion

Is there any way to calm down little, wiggly dogs and distract them from moving while getting shots or blood drawn? Any advice is welcome, thank you!! #Medicine,SurgeryandSterilization ------------------------------ Carly Vermillion Student North Central High School IN ------------------------------ View Discussion

Great idea. The devil is in the details. ------------------------------ Augusta Farley ------------------------------ View Discussion

We use ShelterLuv and have an FTA option. We allow up to two weeks for the potential adopter to foster the pet. They complete a foster application and we mark the animal FTA during that time so it is removed from the website. Once the two weeks are up if they decide to officially adopt we then send the adoption link and complete as a normal adoption. We do not require any payment until the time of adoption. ------------------------------ Beth Meeks Executive Director West Texas Whiskers and Tails Animal Sanctuary TX ------------------------------ View Discussion

We have clients sign a document that only expenses at our medical center are covered and we will not cover medical expenses elsewhere. We do this for all adoptions with medically covered conditions. ------------------------------ Laura Arendt North Shore Animal League ------------------------------ View Discussion

Hi! We're also a foster-based rescue and completely understand the challenges that come with limited resources and managing everything manually. It's great that you're taking the time to analyze your data and look for ways to grow your impact. For us, we do try to follow a general process from intake to adoption to help move dogs through the system more efficiently. Once a dog enters our care, we prioritize getting their veterinary needs addressed right away (vaccines, spay/neuter if needed, and any medical treatment). At the same time, we work with the foster to gather photos, videos, and notes about the dog's personality and behavior in the home. We typically begin promoting the dog fairly early-often shortly after intake-especially on social media and adoption platforms. We've found that early exposure helps build interest while the dog is settling into foster care. As the foster learns more about the dog, we update the listing with additional details so potential adopters have a clearer picture of the pet. Another thing that has helped us is hosting meet-and-greets or adoption events when possible. They've been a great way for people to interact with the dogs in person and often lead to quicker placements. That said, we do try to stay flexible since every animal is different. Some need more time in foster to decompress or work on training before being promoted heavily. We're always learning and adjusting our process as well, so we'd also love to hear what strategies ... View Discussion

To us, "grooming" has always been about more than just a haircut, it's about the bond. A question we often get asked at LC'S Detroit Pet Salon and LC'S Foundation is how we honor that bond when it's time to say goodbye. The truth is, many of the pets we see have been coming to us for years. We've seen them grow, and we've seen them age. Honoring the grieving process means: 1. Validating that pets are family. Period. 2.Providing a compassionate ear to our clients who are navigating loss. And we often check in with our clients after the pet has passed. 3. Continuing our work in Humane Education to ensure our community knows they don't have to grieve in isolation. But after this session, I have so many more ideas on how to honor the pets and support the people who love them. ------------------------------ Tonya Smith Founder LC'S Foundation Michigan ------------------------------ View Discussion

Hi! We don't use ShelterLuv but we do offer this program. The person needs to have an approved adoption application on file and signs our foster agreement. We don't have them pay anything until their "decision day". Most people finalize on or before the two weeks, those that don't also return before the 2 weeks. We've only had a handful who we have to reach out to for missing their appointment. It gets a lot of our dogs out! Those that get returned we get lots of notes on. ------------------------------ Yvette Mota Animal Services Specialist Chula Vista Animal Care Facility CA ------------------------------ View Discussion

Hi Audrey and T', I don't know of anyone specifically looking for this type of data. In terms of ASV, you could search the Journal of Shelter Med and Community Anim Health (jsmcah.org) to look for authors who may have recently published on the topic. I do know of a surgical resident doing something along those lines and can pose your question to them. Best, Jenny ------------------------------ Jennifer Weisent Associate Prof, Shelter Medicine The University of Tennessee College of Veterinary TN ------------------------------ View Discussion

Hi, Navigating dog adoption returns can be a complex and difficult issue, especially when a dog exhibits unsafe behaviors in their home. For Stacy Price, Chief Operating Officer at One Tail at a Time, her organization has developed a system that does everything possible to support and respect people and pets during these circumstances. While our goal is always to keep adopted animals in homes, there are times when a return is requested, and the shelter environment may not be in the dog's best interest-or safe for staff and volunteers. Stacy will walk through how to guide adopters through private rehoming when appropriate, the questions they ask before accepting a behaviorally complex return, and how they incorporate professional assessments into their decision-making. The session will also cover how they provide compassionate support and clear guidance when behavioral euthanasia is the most humane option. Learn more about the session or sign up for the FREE Maddie's Monthly Behavior Connection webcast on Thursday, March 26 at noon PT/3 pm ET ! #AdoptionsandAdoptionPrograms #Behavior,TrainingandEnrichment #CaseManagement* #Conferences,WorkshopsandWebcasts #EducationandTraining #FosterPrograms #OrganizationalManagement #PeopleManagement(includingVolunteerIntegration) #PetSupportServices* #Rehoming ------------------------------ Sheila Segurson, DVM, DACVB Board Certified Veterinary Behaviorist Director of Shelter Solutions Maddie's Fund Pleasanton ... View Discussion

Good day, I work for a no-kill shelter outside of St. Louis, MO. A few years ago we implemented a FeLv adoption program and now we are looking to revamp it. I am curious as to other organizations' adoption policies in regards to FeLv and what, if anything, your organization covers for the adopter. Our current program covers all costs of medical care relating to FeLv if they come to our shelter/clinic. We are running into situations where adopters are taking the cats to their own vet, or an emergency vet, and then billing the shelter and it has increased the amount of money spent on the FeLv program. #AdoptionsandAdoptionPrograms ------------------------------ Amanda Duncan (she/her) Open Door Animal Sanctuary MO ------------------------------ View Discussion

This is fantastic!! ------------------------------ Kim Monteith Manager, Behaviour & Welfare BC SPCA ------------------------------ View Discussion

Hello! We use Shelterluv at our shelter and we do trial adoption which goes under as a foster in Shelterluv. We have our trial adopters fill out a trial adopter waiver that basically covers them for two weeks. Once those two weeks are up, we reach out to see if everything is going well and we send them their adoption check out and they pay their adoption fees at that time. We have had great success with offering that to our potential adopters. ------------------------------ Marissa Knoebel Operations Coordinator Jeffersonville Animal Shelter IN ------------------------------ View Discussion

Every Dog and the University of Tennessee Launch First-of-Its-Kind Research Project with $170,000 Grant, ThanksToMaddie Austin, TX — Nonprofit Every Dog Behavior and Training has partnered with the University of Tennessee’s Center for Pet Family Well-Being to launch the first national research project focused on access to dog behavior and training support. Funded by a $170,000 grant from Maddie’s Fund ®, a national family foundation established by Dave and Cheryl Duffield to revolutionize the status and well-being of companion animals , the Access to Behavior Care Research Project will build the foundation for a new and urgently needed area of study: who has access to behavior care for their dogs. Nearly half of U.S. households share their lives with a dog, yet many families struggle to find and afford training and behavior support. Behavioral challenges such as fear, anxiety, and aggression are among the leading reasons pets are surrendered to shelters. Despite this, there has never been a comprehensive national effort to examine how behavior services are delivered, who provides them, or what barriers families face in accessing care. Unlike veterinary medicine, where access-to-care research has been expanded in recent years, there is currently no established framework for understanding inequities in behavior care. This absence of data leaves critical gaps that disproportionately impact underserved communities. This groundbreaking project ... View Discussion

We offer foster to adopt and use shelterluv but we do not charge people prior to the offical adoption. Our clients just fill out our foster agreement and if they decide to adopt at the end of the designated time then we process all the adoption paperwork and fees then. Most of the time if they don't adopt the animal they will continue to foster them. ------------------------------ Chancel Siebuhr Behavior and Training Paws of Coronado CA ------------------------------ View Discussion

I would recommend checking out Who Will Let the Dogs Out. Our shelter started working with and following them a few months ago. Their mission aligns with a lot of what you mention. Who Will Let The Dogs Out | Join the Cause Today ------------------------------ Jamie Lynn Malone National Activations Manager NORTH SHORE ANIMAL LEAGUE AMERICA, INC. Port Washington NY ------------------------------ View Discussion

Thank you for the feedback, @Erica Mota ! ------------------------------ Joudi Abdulnour Founder & Executive Director Lữ Rescue Alliance NJ ------------------------------ View Discussion

@Audrey Summers , have you looked into the The Association of Shelter Veterinarians and what research their members are conducting? @Julie Levy , @Jennifer Weisent ? ------------------------------ T' Fisher, Director of Operations Program for Pet Health Equity ------------------------------ View Discussion

@Augusta Farley (She/Her) , it sounds like we need a "How to Host a One Health Clinic" webinar. Let me see what I can do. :-) ------------------------------ T' Fisher, Director of Operations Program for Pet Health Equity ------------------------------ View Discussion

Hi everyone, I have been lurking on this forum for a while and figured it was time to introduce myself and what we are building. My name is BJ Adkins. I am a disabled veteran and the founder of Animal-Angels Foundation, a prevention-first nonprofit serving seven counties in the Birmingham metro area of Central Alabama. I spent years fostering and kept watching the same thing happen that broke my heart. Families losing pets they loved, not because they stopped caring, but because they hit a crisis they could not solve in time. A rent increase. A vet bill they could not cover. A landlord who said the pet had to go. A temporary emergency with no safety net. By the time most of those families reached a shelter, they already felt like surrender was the only option. The system was stepping in too late. That is why I built Animal-Angels Foundation. We are not a rescue. We are prevention infrastructure. Our mission is to keep families together by changing the reasons they end up in shelters in the first. What we do We work upstream, before surrender happens, to solve the specific problem that is putting the pet at risk. We run six programs, each designed to reduce intake in a different way: Home Bound is our biggest program. It covers crisis stabilization, emergency supplies, vet support, landlord mediation, pet deposit micro-grants for families whose only barrier is an upfront housing cost, temporary foster with a clear reunification timeline, finder-to-foster ... View Discussion

I wish I had advice, but I really don't - I've tried a few different gatherings without much sustained success so definitely hoping to take some ideas some others have! ------------------------------ Rachel Ide Animal Services Director Young-Williams Animal Center TN ------------------------------ View Discussion

Good morning! While we don't use shelterluv, we used to offer foster to adopt, especially for those cats who might take extra time to settle in. It was popular and successful, from our perspective. However, our new liability insurance carrier was very uncomfortable with that program and we did have to do away with it. Their rational was that ownership of the cat became murky, should something catastrophic or at least serious happen to the cat. So, while none of this is what you asked, you might consider checking with your carrier! ------------------------------ Diane Metz Board of Directors, Volunteer, and Foster Mom Orange Street Cats, Inc. Albany NY ------------------------------ View Discussion

We make a quarterly donation to Red Rover to help people keep their pets, and this quarter our donation helped a family escape a domestic violence situation without having to give up their pets. It's such an honour to help families stay together. Pets are family! ------------------------------ Sincerely, Johanna Spielman Founder of Jamie Brianna's Legacy Fund https://jamiebriannaslegacyfund.org/ ------------------------------ View Discussion

https://www.mydogismyhome.org/ Sue, if you're not already registered, I highly suggest the My Dog is My Home conference. It's completely online, taking place March 24-26. ------------------------------ Sincerely, Johanna Spielman Founder of Jamie Brianna's Legacy Fund https://jamiebriannaslegacyfund.org/ ------------------------------ View Discussion

Sharing an opportunity to share your thoughts on S/N in dogs: United Spay Alliance has launched a field survey collecting perspectives on canine spay/neuter . The survey is open to anyone -- animal welfare professionals, veterinarians, spay/neuter advocates, and supporters alike. We welcome all perspectives as we seek to better understand what's happening on the ground. The survey is available here and is open until March 31, 2026 . #Medicine,SurgeryandSterilization ------------------------------ Rachel Powell DVM Director of Surgery Greenhill Humane Society Eugene, OR ------------------------------ View Discussion

We hope to see you on the next Maddie's Community Conversation on Monday, March 16, 2026 at 11am PT / 2pm ET for a conversation on "Supporting Pediatric Spay Neuter" with Dr. @Brian DiGangi . In this conversation, we'll explore the current state of spay-neuter and its relationship with animal shelters and accessible veterinary care. This session will review what we know about the impact and safety of pediatric spay-neuter and highlight operational tips and tricks for success in the clinic. Led by Dr. Brian DiGangi, a veterinarian board certified in Shelter Medicine Practice with over a decade of experience teaching and performing HQHVSN, this speaker brings both expertise and compassion to the discussion. This session is ideal for animal welfare professionals, veterinary staff, and community outreach teams who want to deepen their understanding of spay-neuter, why it's important to prioritize pediatric patients in spay-neuter programs, and how to handle these most vulnerable patients with skill and safety. 🔑 Key Takeaways: Focusing on pediatric spay-neuter services is a key component of a successful community animal welfare improvement plan. Pediatric spay-neuter can be conducted safely in a shelter or HQHVSN clinic setting. 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 ... View Discussion

Thanks to the 113+ 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 @Miguel Ruelas , Community Resources Manager, Pasadena Humane @Irene Chansawang , Senior Grants Specialist, Maddie's Fund Question of the Day: What's one small thing you've been doing lately to support your mental health? Grant Giveaway Winners February Maddie's Community Conversations Giveaway Winners of $5,000 each @LaTonya Smith (She/her) , LC's Foundation, Southfield, MI ""LC'S Foundation is a nonprofit organization focused on improving animal welfare both locally and internationally. Its core work centers on supporting pets and the people who care for them, especially in underserved communities. Here's a clear breakdown of what it does: Support for Animals in Need - Helps pets who are homeless, abused, neglected, or at risk by partnering with animal welfare organizations. Community Assistance - Provides resources to pet owners who are facing financial hardship so they can care for their animals. Education & Outreach - Offers education about proper pet care and professional grooming (often in connection with grooming schools or programs). We will be creating packages to give out to people and pets!!" - LaTonya Smith @Kirstin Cummings , Full Circle Cats, Oakland, CA ... View Discussion

Hi, I'm a little late to the party! I'm Laurel from the Nebraska Humane Society. I would love if we could get someone who is IAABC certified as a shelter affiliate or consultant (or one of each!) and talk about their experience with certification, how it has benefited them, and how their community or their own shelter has benefited from having someone with that certification available. It would be cool to have one cat specific and one dog specific to get both sides and see how they differ. I think it would be beneficial for anyone who is interested in wanting to follow that path as well as knowing where to find people with this certification for consulting with their shelter! ------------------------------ Laurel Wilton Feline Welfare Supervisor Nebraska Humane Society ------------------------------ View Discussion

Daisy's Promise Dog Rescue, Inc. is a nonprofit focused on keeping pets out of shelters and helping families in crisis , and this is exactly why we created our Promise Place Program . Promise Place is our temporary safety-net fostering program for families facing short-term hardship such as hospitalization, housing instability, financial crisis, or other emergencies. Instead of forcing a family to surrender a beloved pet because life became unstable, we provide a safe temporary foster placement, support services, and a path toward reunification once the family is back on their feet. We have seen firsthand how powerful short-term fostering can be. For many families, just a few weeks of support can mean the difference between losing a pet forever and staying together. It gives pets stability, gives families hope, and reduces unnecessary shelter intake at the same time. It also helps ease pressure on overcrowded shelters by creating another option besides surrender. What makes this work so meaningful is that the goal is not always adoption. Often, the goal is preservation of the human-animal bond. Promise Place allows us to step in during a crisis, stabilize the situation, and help families succeed without losing an important source of love, emotional support, and companionship. Temporary fostering truly is a lifeline, and we are grateful to be building a program that supports both pets and people in our community. #FosterPrograms @daisyspromiserescue.org Cindi Owens ... View Discussion

Thanks to our speakers, Alexis Telfair-Garcia and Brittany Szalkiewics - and everyone who joined us today! We would love to hear from you in response to today's reflection question: How does your organization honor the human-animal bond throughout the grieving process? ------------------------------ Sheila Kouhkan Senior Education Specialist Maddie's Fund CA ------------------------------ View Discussion

Through what method did you reach out to the community? ------------------------------ Melissa Klaskin psychologist Reducing Animal Stress CA ------------------------------ View Discussion

In my shelter community, there seems to be an emotional disconnect between staff and volunteers. We have some volunteers who don't seem to understand the emotional toll paid by staff and we feel like we are often perceived as unfeeling or emotionally numb. I am not sure how to have this conversation with volunteers and I also don't feel inclined to share the grief because I don't think that is helpful. ------------------------------ Eleanor Monfett Town of Saugerties Animal Shelter ------------------------------ View Discussion

Laurel -Great questions. Our AI veterinarian is designed as a support tool for adopters, not a replacement for professional veterinary care. The system was developed with input from seasoned veterinarians and trained on reputable veterinary resources (publicly available veterinary guidelines, peer-reviewed literature, and established animal care resources) aligned with current veterinary standards and best practices. It helps answer common questions about health, behavior, nutrition, and early warning signs that may indicate a pet should see a veterinarian. A few important safeguards are built in: • Clear disclaimers explain that the tool provides educational information only and does not diagnose or replace a licensed veterinarian. • Escalation guidance is included. When symptoms suggest a potential medical issue, the system directs users to contact a veterinarian or emergency clinic (again, we only refer to independent veterinarians and will be providing price transparency soon). • The system is designed to avoid giving definitive diagnoses or prescribing treatments. The goal is to help new adopters get reliable guidance in moments when they might otherwise search random forums or social media for answers. Many rescues struggle with post-adoption support, and tools like this can help owners recognize issues earlier and seek proper care. We absolutely agree that veterinary decisions should ultimately be made with a licensed professional, and the system consistently ... View Discussion

One initiative I would like to develop in my rural region is a collaborative networking event for local shelters, rescues, and animal welfare nonprofits. While many groups work tirelessly for animals, they often operate independently and may not fully know what resources, expertise, or challenges exist within the same community. My idea is to host a regional meet-and-greet and collaboration session where organizations can introduce themselves, explain their missions, and share how they operate. The goal is simple: put names and faces together to build stronger working relationships that ultimately improve care for animals. Potential outcomes could include: • Better communication between veterinarians and rescue organizations • More efficient referral of animals needing medical care or placement • Shared education on preventative health and responsible ownership • Stronger foster and volunteer networks • Opportunities for coordinated low-cost clinics or outreach events Funding resources to help support hosting the event and creating educational resources for participating groups, with the long-term goal of building a sustainable regional collaboration network for animal welfare are needed. I believe stronger relationships between veterinarians and welfare organizations can significantly improve outcomes for animals by ensuring knowledge, resources, and compassion are working together instead of in isolation. For those involved with shelters, rescues, or nonprofit work: ... View Discussion

Our community really stepped up during some recent severe weather. Out shelter is overcrowded and we have many dogs in outside kennels. With an ice and snow storm rapidly approaching, we put out the call to the community to take in fosters for the week so we could get more dogs inside and it worked! We had over 20 fosters, some ended up adopting their foster animals, and we were able to make sure all dogs had adequate shelter for the storm. This helped the staff as well! Less time outside, less danger of falling on the ice, less stress for everyone. Since then, we have slowly been seeing a few more fosters on the books, and we hope this is the start of improving our foster community. ------------------------------ Kayla Corbett Board Member Friends of Lawrence County Animals TN ------------------------------ View Discussion

That definitely sounds concerning. I'm not a vet, but pus-like discharge from a female cat's vagina-especially if she seems tired or "off" -can sometimes be a sign of a serious infection called Pyometra . This condition happens in unspayed female cats and involves an infection in the uterus. It can start with symptoms like: Off-white, yellow, or pus-like discharge Lethargy or acting unusually tired Reduced appetite Drinking more water than usual Sometimes swelling of the abdomen (not always) If it is pyometra, it's considered an emergency because the infection can worsen quickly. Unfortunately there isn't a safe home treatment for it- antibiotics or surgery from a vet are usually required . Waiting too long can make it life-threatening. What you could try if money or transport is the issue Some options people sometimes use when they can't immediately see their regular vet: Call local vets anyway - many clinics will give quick advice over the phone. Look for low-cost clinics or humane society vets run by organizations like SPCA . Some vets offer payment plans or emergency assistance funds . In urgent cases, an emergency animal hospital may stabilize the cat and discuss payment options. Until a vet visit You can monitor a few things: Is she still eating and drinking ? Is the discharge increasing ? Does her belly become swollen or painful ? Is she vomiting or ... View Discussion

At Stray Kitty Rescue in Atlantic County, NJ and the Philadelphia region, we have seen firsthand how temporary fostering can keep pets with the families who love them during difficult moments. One of the most impactful examples involved a domestic violence survivor who needed to leave an unsafe home but was afraid she would have to surrender her cat permanently. Through our temporary foster network, we were able to place the cat in a short-term foster home while she secured stable housing. The foster placement lasted only a few weeks, but it made an enormous difference. Instead of losing her beloved pet during an already traumatic time, the owner was reunited with her cat once she was safely settled. These short-term safety net fosters are incredibly powerful. They prevent unnecessary shelter surrender, reduce stress on the animal, and give families time to stabilize their situation while knowing their pets are safe and cared for. Programs like this help strengthen the human-animal bond and show how fostering can be a lifeline not just for pets, but for the people who depend on them. ------------------------------ [Kimberly] [Grieser] [Founder and President] [Stray Kitty Rescue] [Philadelphia] [PA][https://www.petfinder.com/member/us/pa/philadelphia/stray-kitty-rescue-pa1220/][https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089161606329] ------------------------------ View Discussion

Does anyone offer a foster to adopt program & use Shelterluv? Ex: Offering 2 week trial period for adoption, with adoption fee paid upfront and refunded if it doesn't work out. What contracts/forms do you have them complete? Have you has success with this program? #AdoptionsandAdoptionPrograms #FosterPrograms ------------------------------ Anna ------------------------------ View Discussion

Hi Joudi! I'm a grant writer for a foster-based rescue, but I can only speak as someone working for an American rescue. I'm sure shelters in Vietnam and elsewhere would have their own needs and expectations! Generally, though, the standard documentation for any grant would be a budget, a short proposal, documentation of charitable status, and possibly a financial statement. Most organizations are going to have that information ready to go every year, since it's needed so often. For $2,000, though, I wouldn't expect a shelter to be eager to spend the time on sending much more info than that. I think surveys can really go either way. It just depends on how hard it is to collect the data you're asking for, and whether an admin worker/volunteer would reasonably have the answers on hand -- or have to comb through databases and coworkers to get it. I would probably start by looking at grant applications for similar microgrants for pet non-profits and noting what degree of detail is standard! Especially for organizations that give internationally. Best of luck! I really appreciate the work that funders put in to programs like yours, so I hope all goes well! ------------------------------ Erica Mota Fundraising Volunteer Take Me Home Pet Rescue TX ------------------------------ View Discussion

I am really excited for this one. Our shelter just lost an dog (an neglect case) and it has hit the staff, the foster, and the volunteer community pretty hard. Support networks are so important and I look forward to learning more about how we can create points of connection. ------------------------------ Kayla Corbett Board Member Friends of Lawrence County Animals TN ------------------------------ View Discussion

I'm curious how reliable this vet advice is. Is there a disclaimer or a waiver they have to sign in case the information the AI gives is incorrect or not the best path forward for the animal? What kind of advice is the AI giving and what is it trained on? I can see how this may be useful but I am a little weary. ------------------------------ Laurel Wilton Feline Welfare Supervisor Nebraska Humane Society ------------------------------ View Discussion

There was a question asked during the Q&A portion about Rabbit Appeasing Pheromones (RAP) and the presenters at the time had not done any research in this area, so I did a little reading of some studies. A 2025 literature review from World Rabbit Science talks about some case studies of the use of RAP on rabbit farms (page 10) and from what I read in all cases the use of RAP improved stress. The most significant case in my opinion was where a large farm was located close to a quarry. An incident happened where the roof of the farm was hit by many stones, leading to the rabbits experience so much stress that the farmers were unable to sweep and clean without "causing damage" (my assumption based on earlier statements about the case studies is this is referring to the rabbits throwing themselves against the sides of their runs). After the introduction of RAP, within 24 hours the rabbits were visibly calmer and the farmers could easily sweep and clean without issue. Another study I read was using RAP in spray form to see if the pheromones would improve stress during transport. This was published literally earlier this week (March 2nd, 2026) in the American Journal of Veterinary Research and written by Elisa Codecasa, et. al. They did a 30 minute car trip and half of the rabbits were placed in a crate sprayed with RAP and the others had nothing sprayed and they video recorded their behavior. The RAP group showed less agitated behaviors and more behaviors associated with positive ... View Discussion

The My Dog Is My Home Conference is less than 3 weeks away, and we're offering all of our Maddie's friends (that's you!) a special discount code for a $75 ($65 off ) general admission ticket. Your discount/promo code is: MaddiesFriend26 Register here The conference is completely online, March 24-26, and once you're registered, you will also have access to all recordings following the event. The My Dog Is My Home Conference brings together hundreds of nonprofit representatives, members of local and national government, people with lived expertise of homelessness, social workers, veterinarians, and more to address the urgent need for more pet-inclusive emergency and affordable housing. Our full agenda featuring dozens of sessions is now published and available at the registration link (click "Agenda" to see the full schedule of sessions. Scholarships are also available. If you'd like to apply for a scholarship, please click this link. Pet-inclusive housing is a win-win-win: Keeps pets with their families–and out of animal shelters Makes housing more accessible Supports human emotional health and well-being Your discount code: MaddiesFriend26 Registration link: https://www.mydogismyhome.org/2026-conference The My Dog Is My Home Conference 2026, led by My Dog Is My Home, is made possible in part through sponsorship from Maddie's Fund® #Conferences,WorkshopsandWebcasts ------------------------------ Maya Gottfried ... View Discussion

Thank you to @Heather Cammisa and @Amber Gilmore for an excellent presentation during our February webinar, "Expanding Access to Veterinary Care through Innovative Financing." Your insights into the financial barriers many families face when seeking veterinary care-and the innovative approaches being developed to address them-sparked an important conversation about improving access to care for pets and the people who love them. We are grateful for your expertise and for helping advance solutions that support healthier pet families and stronger communities. If you missed the session or would like to watch it again, the full recording is available here: https://youtu.be/31c7S1oLmos Thank you again, @Heather Cammisa and @Amber Gilmore , for sharing your time, knowledge, and leadership with our community! ------------------------------ T' Fisher, Director of Operations Program for Pet Health Equity ------------------------------ View Discussion

Glad you found it helpful! ------------------------------ Laurie Lawless Shelter Behavior Consultant Shelter Behavior Integrations VT ------------------------------ View Discussion

I want to add a small thought here from my experience. When it comes to UTIs, hydration is honestly the biggest thing. So choosing the best wet cat food really means picking something that keeps your cat getting more moisture every day. Wet food already helps a lot because it has much more water than dry kibble. Like others mentioned, some cats truly need prescription urinary diets, especially if there were crystals or blockages before. That’s something only a vet can confirm. But if it’s a simple bacterial UTI and your vet is okay with regular food, you can look for wet food that is labeled for urinary health support. These usually help maintain proper urine pH and support bladder health. Adding a little extra water to wet food also helps. I do this and my cat doesn’t even notice. A water fountain is also a great idea because many cats drink more from moving water. There isn’t one single best wet cat food for every cat. It really depends on your cat’s history....focusing on hydration is the safest way to prevent future flare-ups. View Discussion

very cool to see this, all the helpful balanced techniques, and proper progression to keep people safe and minimize damage to dogs! <3 ------------------------------ Melody Perry Shelter Programming Coordinator Dogs Playing for Life NM ------------------------------ View Discussion

I'm about 20 minutes outside of Columbia, between Columbia and Sumter off of 378 (Garners Ferry) ------------------------------ Ashleigh Bartlett Director The Bartlett House Feline Shelter SC ------------------------------ View Discussion

Hey there, Kimberly! I'll admit that my presentation mainly dealt with short term fostering and neonatal kitten fostering, but through that lens I think I can provide some insights that have worked for us! What strategies have helped you successfully recruit fosters for higher-needs animals? You may want to look into Doobert (doobert.com). We plan to start using it in the next few months, but what they provide aligns pretty well with setting foster parents up for success. We've also had great luck creating an At-Risk list for animals who are rapidly declining in the shelter, whether it be medically or behaviorally. We've found that patrons often ask where their help is most needed, and this is a great way to convey that messaging. You can view our At-Risk page here if you'd like some verbiage and explanations. What supports or incentives have made fosters more willing to take on complex cases? We have had gift card incentives in the past, and they have certainly turned into longer-term fostering. However, I'm hesitant to say anything definitive because we've only done it on a couple dozen dogs. However, when it comes to neonatal kitten fostering, I go pretty far in-depth with that in my presentation. I start to talk about kittens halfway through the presentation. Are there messaging approaches that have helped reframe fostering these animals as rewarding rather than intimidating? Testimonials seem to go a long way, so if the animal had a previous foster, reach ... View Discussion

I am a transfer partner in that area often, how far away are you from Columbia or Kershaw SC? ------------------------------ Jennifer Gebar Shelter Manager Animal Rescue RI Peace Dale RI ------------------------------ View Discussion

I am a shelter volunteer, and fearful fearful cats/kittens are common. I would love to see bmod plans expanded to help more cats make it to adoption. View Discussion

Hello Community, Does anyone know of any databases or ongoing research projects that want cases or numbers submitted for tracking regarding adverse anesthesia events, complication rates, number of animals seen, etc. in hvhq spay/neuter clinics? Thank you! Audrey ------------------------------ Audrey Summers Volunteer Homeward Bound OR ------------------------------ View Discussion