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Kick Off Event! May 19-21, 2021
followed by weekly webinars, Thursdays, May 27 - July 1
www.texasunites.com Texas Unites 1
Our Sponsors
THE TEXAS UNITES VIRTUAL LEARNING SERIES IS POSSIBLE DUE TO
THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS!
PARTNER WITH US!
Sponsorship and advertising opportunities are available for our current Virtual Learning Series and for our 2022 conference.
For more info, email info@texasunites.com.
Texas Unites 2
Online Learning with
Texas Unites
Texas Unites’ Virtual Learning Series will offer the quality professional
development workshops you have come to expect from Texas Unites,
opportunities for attendees to connect with one another, and introductions
to the many wonderful animal welfare related products and services that can
assist you in your work.
May 19 - 21, 2021 kicks off the Virtual Learning Series with sessions planned
to appeal to ALL in animal welfare. The webinar series follows on Thursdays,
May 27 - July 1 with sessions in specific topic areas such as Health & Behavior,
Marketing & Outreach, Placement & Shelter Programs, and Management &
Team Building.
Texas Unites webinars are offered to all who are interested in improving the
lives of pets and people in their communities. Join us to earn your CE, enhance
your knowledge, and boost your career!
• All sessions are CE approved through DSHS and AAWA with
selected sessions approved through TBVME.
• Your $49 registration fee provides access to all webinars May 19
through July 1.
• Registration will remain open throughout the Virtual Learning
Series. Register early to participate live in your chosen sessions
or enjoy the recorded sessions at your convenience.
• Review the complete schedule of webinars in this brochure and
at www.texasunites.com/training
www.texasunites.com/training..
Texas Unites 3
Continuing Education
CREDITING AGENCIES
Continuing Education Credits can be obtained by following the guidelines set by the following
organizations: DSHS, TBVME, AAWA, and TCLEOSE. A continuing education verification
certificate for each individual webinar is made available electronically to registrants of the Texas
Unites for Animals Conference Virtual Learning Series to assist in tracking your hours.
DSHS
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has approved all Texas Unites webinars
for CE credit for ACOs, up to a maximum of 45.5 available hours per Officer.
Chapter 829 of the Texas Health and Safety Code mandates that 30 hours of required continuing
education (CE) training for ACOs approved by the Department of State Health Services (DSHS)
be completed every 3 years. Of these, DSHS policy has been that a maximum of 10 hours per
3-year period can be obtained via satisfactory completion of DSHS-approved online training.
However, due to the number of course cancellations and the limitations on travel created by the
COVID-19 pandemic, the following temporary exception to this limit was implemented: for ACOs
whose 3-year period ends between March 15, 2020, and March 15, 2021 (inclusive), up to 30
of the required CE hours can be earned via satisfactory completion of DSHS-approved online
training. With the continuance of this disaster, DSHS has extended the CE exception period
to coincide with the dates of the ACO training waiver issued by the Office of the Governor, as
mentioned above. The CE exception period is in effect from March 13, 2020, until the training
waiver is terminated by the Office of the Governor or until the March 13, 2020, disaster declaration
is lifted or expires. Please note that certificates of completion from online sponsors may still
include the statement about the 10-hour limit; that does not mean that this temporary exception
does not apply.
For information on temporary training policy modifications and suspensions/waivers due to
COVID-19, go to: https://dshs.texas.gov/IDCU/health/zoonosis/education/training/ACO.aspx
AAWA
Texas Unites is an approved provider of content which enhances professional competence and
aligns with the 5 domains of the CAWA Exam specifications. Every hour of training equals 1 CE
towards CAWA Recertification.
Texas Unites 4
Continuing Education
CREDITING AGENCIES (continued)
TBVME
The Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners (TBVME) has approved the following
continuing education for Veterinarian and Licensed Veterinary Technician attendance:
Specified webinars up to a maximum of 11.5 hours:
Refresh Your Compassionate Heart: An Everyday Tool for You and Your Team
Thursday, May 27, 2021 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Basic Customer Service for Animal Welfare Professionals
Thursday, June 17, 2021 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Advanced Customer Service Techniques for Dealing with People
Thursday, June 17, 2021 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Behavior Skill-Building: Communicating With Canines
Thursday, June 24, 2021 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Cytology for Shelters
Thursday, June 24, 2021 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
What’s New? Updates on Infectious Diseases in Shelter Medicine
Thursday, June 24, 2021 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Building Programs Based on Intake Data
Thursday, July 1, 2021 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
How to Elevate Your Presence and Points in Zoom Meetings
Thursday, July 1, 2021 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
TCLEOSE
Texas Unites for Animals webinars may be eligible for The Texas Commission on Law
Enforcement Officer Standards and Education (TCLEOSE) credit. Texas Unites cannot provide
the specific requirements for TCLEOSE online training approval at this time. Note: Texas Unites
for Animals provides a certificate of completion for attendees to keep on file and for organizations
to submit to TCLEOSE for approval. TCLEOSE will require copies of course handouts and other
materials associated with your participation.
Texas Unites 5
Schedule
3 DAY KICK OFF EVENT!
WEDNESDAY, MAY 19
Webinar Petco Love: Insider’s Guide to Receiving Grants!
9:30 am to 11:00 am Chelsea Staley, Director of Lifesaving, Petco Foundation
Exhibit Hall
Virtual Exhibit Hall!
11:00 am to 12:00 pm
Roadmap to Saving More Lives in Texas
Brent Toellner, Senior Director, National Programs, Best Friends Animal Society
Webinar
Ed Jamison, CEO, Operation Kindness
2:00 pm to 3:30 pm
Luis Quintanilla, Executive Director, Harlingen Humane Society
Rene Vasquez, Director, Fort Bend County Animal Services
Webinar Animal Welfare Data in the Wake of COVID-19
4:00 pm to 5:00 pm Todd Whittington, Vice President, Client Services, Pethealth Inc.
THURSDAY, MAY 20
The New Front Line in Animal Welfare: Acting at the Intersection of Pets, People, &
Webinar
Poverty
9:30 am to 9:50 am
Matthew Bershadker, President & CEO, ASPCA
Top Transport Tips
Webinar
Karen S. Walsh, CAWA, Senior Director, Animal Relocation, Shelter Outreach, ASPCA
10:00 am to 11:00 am
Brian DiGangi, DVM, MS, DABVP, Senior Director of Shelter Medicine, ASPCA
Exhibit Hall
Virtual Exhibit Hall!
11:00 am to 12:00 pm
Are Good Intentions Contributing to Systemic Racism?, presented by The
Association for Animal Welfare Advancement (AAWA)
Webinar
Katherine Shenar, Executive Vice President, The Association for Animal Welfare
2:00 pm to 3:30 pm
Advancement
Ed Jamison, CEO, Operation Kindness
Social
Region Meetups
4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Texas Unites 6Schedule
3 DAY KICK OFF EVENT!
FRIDAY, MAY 21
The Past, Present, and Future of Adoptions
Webinar
Alex Castelazo, Sr. Manager of Data Science, PetSmart Charities
10:00 am to 11:00 am
Steve Kaufman, Sr. Manager, Adoption Initiatives, PetSmart Charities
Exhibit Hall
Virtual Exhibit Hall!
11:00 am to 12:00 pm
2021 Legislative Update, presented by Texas Humane Legislation Network (THLN)
Webinar
Shelby Bobosky, Executive Director, Texas Humane Legislation Network
2:00 pm to 3:30 pm
Stacy Sutton Kerby, Director of Government Relations, Texas Humane Legislation Network
Social
Happy Hour!
4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Virtual Exhibit Hall
Visit our Sponsors! Attendees are encouraged to visit the Texas Unites website to explore our
sponsors, view handouts, watch videos, and contact any sponsors with questions they might
have about their products and services. A Texas Unites representative will also be available for
immediate response for any conference Q&A during this time.
Region Meetups
Join this casual gathering to share where you're from and learn about others in your community
who are also working to help animals and the people who care for them.
Happy Hour
Join us for an end of week escape. Sip and snack while enjoying a fun game to end the week!
Bring your own drink - coffee, tea, soda, or (if you are at home) something festive!
Door Prizes
Be a part of the action during the Kick Off Event! Attend the Region Meetup and/or the Happy
Hour and be entered into a drawing for door prizes!
Texas Unites 7Schedule
VIRTUAL LEARNING SERIES
THURSDAY, MAY 27
Practical Applications of bringing a Rural Shelter from 33% to 90+% live release rate
Webinar
Kelli Ballenger, Co-Founder, Rusk County Pets Alive!
9:00 am to 10:00 am
Lisa Waugh, Co-Founder, Rusk County Pets Alive!
Webinar Underserved or Underleveraged? A Data Driven Look at our Communities.
10:30 am to 12:00 pm Bethany Heins, Director of Strategy & Network Operations, Best Friends Animal Society
Webinar Refresh Your Compassionate Heart: An Everyday Tool for You and Your Team
2:00 pm to 3:30 pm Linda R. Harper, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist
Pet Stores, Puppy Mills and Local Action to End the Problem
Lauren Loney, Texas State Director, State Affairs, The Humane Society of the United
Webinar
States
4:00 pm to 5:30 pm
Jenna Jensen, Public Policy Specialist, Stop Puppy Mills Campaign, The Humane Society
of the United States
THURSDAY, JUNE 3
Webinar Building an Animal Shelter: Work behind the walls
9:00 am to 10:00 am Adam Hermesch, International Sales and Business Development Manager, Shor-Line
Choice in the Shelter Setting
Webinar
Allison Hartlage, KPA-CTP, CBCC-KA, CTC, CNWI and Manager of Animal Training and
10:30 am to 12:00 pm
Behavior, Humane Society of Boulder Valley
Getting Stuck? How to maximize lifesaving with the right animal flow
Webinar
Jordan Craig, General Manager, Dallas Animal Services
2:00 pm to 3:30 pm
Marian Cannell, Manager II, Dallas Animal Services
Webinar Cat Enrichment Toolkit
4:00 pm to 5:30 pm Pamela Hill, Cat Behaviorist, thatcatgirl.com
Texas Unites 8Schedule
VIRTUAL LEARNING SERIES
THURSDAY, JUNE 10
Webinar Put the “smart” back into your smartphone and your PC too!
10:30 am to 12:00 pm April Huntsman, CAWA, Director of Animal Welfare Insights, Adopt-a-pet.com
Fetch Followers with Scalable Social Media Strategies for Any Animal Organization
Webinar
Leah Backo, Public Information Coordinator, Dallas Animal Services
2:00 pm to 3:30 pm
Kelsey Keys, Marketing and Communications Manager, Operation Kindness
Data, Data, Every Where, Nor Any Stat to Keep - Collecting and Analyzing Data That
Webinar Makes a Difference
4:00 pm to 5:30 pm Jason Smith MBA, CAWA, Technology Integration Consultant, HLP Inc., Makers of
Chameleon Software
THURSDAY, JUNE 17
Basic Customer Service for Animal Welfare Professionals
Webinar
Cathy M. Rosenthal, CHES, Writing for a Cause, Animal Welfare Communications
9:00 am to 10:00 am
Consultant
Advanced Customer Service Techniques for Dealing with People
Webinar
Cathy M. Rosenthal, CHES, Writing for a Cause, Animal Welfare Communications
10:30 am to 12:00 pm
Consultant
Webinar Bridging the Gap: Understanding Adopter Expectations, Perception and Reality
2:00 pm to 3:30 pm April Huntsman, CAWA, Director of Animal Welfare Insights, Adopt-a-pet.com
What Color is My Cat?
Webinar Vickie Fisher, President-Elect, EveryCat Health Foundation (a Winn Feline Foundation
4:00 pm to 5:30 pm legacy)
Immediate Past President, The International Cat Association, Inc. (TICA)
Texas Unites 9Schedule
VIRTUAL LEARNING SERIES
THURSDAY, JUNE 24
Behavior Skill-Building: Communicating With Canines
Webinar
Lynne V. Swanson, DVM - Behavior Coordinator for Safe Harbor Farm K9 Rescue &
10:30 am to 12:00 pm
Rehab
Cytology for Shelters
Webinar
Julie Piccione, DVM, MS, DACVP, Clinical Pathology Section Head, Texas A&M Veterinary
2:00 pm to 3:30 pm
Medical Diagnostic Laboratory
What’s New? Updates on Infectious Diseases in Shelter Medicine
Webinar
Chumkee Aziz, DVM, DABVP (Shelter Medicine), Senior Director, Northern Tier Shelter
4:00 pm to 5:30 pm
Initiative, ASPCA
THURSDAY, JULY 1
Building Programs Based on Intake Data
Webinar
Kristen Hassen, Austin Pets Alive!
8:30 am to 10:00 am
Dr. Ellen Jefferson, Austin Pets Alive!
Webinar How to Elevate Your Presence and Points in Zoom Meetings
10:30 am to 12:00 pm Joel Schwartzberg, Senior Director of Strategic and Executive Communications, ASPCA
Webinar Move out of the way and let your Board Govern!
2:00 pm to 3:30 pm Bonnie Hill, Founder and Advisor, Spay Neuter Network
Webinar Supercharge Your Community Outreach with an Advisory Board
4:00 pm to 5:30 pm Carrie Collins-Fadell, MPA
Texas Unites 10Webinars
3 DAY KICK OFF EVENT!
*All Central Standard Time
WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 2021
9:30 AM - 11:00 PM
Petco Love: Insider’s Guide to Receiving Grants!
Chelsea Staley, Director of Lifesaving, Petco Foundation
Every year, Petco Love invests $30 million in animal welfare organizations across the country. Want to get in on
the FUNding? This conference session will provide you with an insider’s guide to grant application process, data
requirements, evaluation metrics, and reveal the secrets to partnering with Petco Love.
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Roadmap to Saving More Lives in Texas
Brent Toellner, Senior Director, National Programs, Best Friends Animal Society
Ed Jamison, CEO, Operation Kindness
Luis Quintanilla, Executive Director, Harlingen Humane Society
Rene Vasquez, Director, Fort Bend County Animal Services
In 2016, Best Friends set a goal of getting every shelter in the nation to a 90% save rate by 2025. From where
you sit, that may seem like an impossible goal. But tremendous progress is being made around country and in the
state of Texas - -including communities like yours. This session will explore the data to show lifesaving progress,
the work that is being done, and the work that remains. We’ll talk with a roundtable of shelter leaders from shelters
of various sizes across the state will talk about the progress in their communities and how you may apply it to your
work.
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Animal Welfare Data in the Wake of COVID-19
Todd Whittington, Vice President, Client Services, Pethealth Inc.
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, shelters have faced new challenges and extraordinary
circumstances. Data has been invaluable in helping shelter leaders make informed decisions and see trends
that may provide a glimpse into the future. Since March of 2020, 24Pet ShelterWatch reports have been a go-to
source for shelter intake, outcome, and foster data – based on aggregate data from our network of over 1,700
animal welfare organizations using our PetPoint and Chameleon platforms. These reports provided week-by-week
and year-over-year comparisons across animal control, SPCAs, humane societies and rescue groups. Join us
for a presentation of aggregate data from over 200 Texas organizations and join in a discussion with your peers to
learn about rapidly evolving operations and practices.
Texas Unites 11Webinars
THURSDAY, MAY 20, 2021
9:30 AM - 9:50 AM
The New Front Line in Animal Welfare: Acting at the Intersection of Pets, People, & Poverty
Matthew Bershadker, President & CEO, ASPCA
Matt will discuss the importance of animal welfare organizations looking beyond the four walls of animal shelters to
protect at-risk animals in communities where persistent poverty and a lack of accessible and affordable veterinary
services challenges pets and people. Sharing examples from ASPCA Community Medicine work in New York City,
Miami, and Los Angeles – including critical partnerships with local animal welfare and human services agencies –
Matt will also highlight the work of Texas animal welfare organizations already committed to making vital veterinary
services and resources affordable and accessible to those who need it most.
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Top Transport Tips
Karen S. Walsh, CAWA, Senior Director, Animal Relocation, Shelter Outreach, ASPCA
Brian DiGangi, DVM, MS, DABVP, Senior Director of Shelter Medicine, ASPCA
When it comes to long distance animal relocation, COVID-19 changed the way we work across the country but
some things have stayed the same. Join us for a discussion on the things that are different and the basics that
always remain the same. Practicing these tips will help ensure the animals in your care are set up thrive both
during and after relocation.
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Are Good Intentions Contributing to Systemic Racism?, presented by The Association for Animal Welfare
Advancement (AAWA)
Katherine Shenar, Executive Vice President, The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement
Ed Jamison, CEO, Operation Kindness
Are you still asking adopters if they rent or own their home? And how is this question associated with systemic
racism? This panel of animal welfare leaders walks you through why well-intended protocols unwittingly contribute
to inequity. As a leader in animal welfare or animal services, when was the last time you reviewed programs,
processes, and communications for inherent bias? Learn how data supports an open adoption policy and how
your organization can adopt a more equitable approach.
Texas Unites 12Webinars
FRIDAY, MAY 21, 2021
9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
The Past, Present, and Future of Adoptions
Alex Castelazo, Sr. Manager of Data Science, PetSmart Charities
Steve Kaufman, Sr. Manager, Adoption Initiatives, PetSmart Charities
The landscape of adoptions began changing well before the onset of COVID-19. The work of many shelters and
rescues in recent years led to the transporting of animals from areas of high pet supply to areas of high demand,
where S/N efforts significantly reduced the number of homeless pets. But new challenges arose due to the current
global pandemic forcing alternative adoption protocols, while simultaneously increasing demand for pets from
quarantined families and individuals as well as a growing a reliance on rescues. With more than 25 years of
industry experience and as the Senior Manager of Adoption Initiatives with PetSmart Charities, Steve Kaufman
offers his national perspective and insights on this topic; and Alex Castelazo, Senior Manager of Data Science at
PetSmart Charities, contributes with his data-driven understandings of the changing landscape of pet acquisition.
Join them as they review the history of pet adoption and provide insights for the future.
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
2021 Legislative Update, presented by Texas Humane Legislation Network (THLN)
Shelby Bobosky, Executive Director, Texas Humane Legislation Network
Stacy Sutton Kerby, Director of Government Relations, Texas Humane Legislation Network
Will microchips be mandatory in Texas? Can puppies still be sold at pet stores in Texas? Will the Working Dog
Protection Act pass? There have been over 100 bills that affect Texas Unites' attendees and their jobs, whether
they are ACOs, rescue volunteers, shelter managers, or other animal welfare advocates. This course will cover
the current Texas Legislative Session in-depth concerning the animal-related bills with a chance of passing. Ms.
Bobosky and Ms. Sutton Kerby will give a brief background to the Texas
legislature, the general legislative process, the current
numbers of bills brought that affect the day-to-
day work that Texas Unites attendees face,
and how the attendees can help either pass or
oppose a bill. This course will briefly touch on
federal animal bills and how everyone can get
political for animals.
Texas Unites 13Webinars
VIRTUAL LEARNING SERIES
*All Central Standard Time
THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2021
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Practical Applications of bringing a Rural Shelter from 33% to 90+% live release rate
Kelli Ballenger, Co-Founder, Rusk County Pets Alive!
Lisa Waugh, Co-Founder, Rusk County Pets Alive!
Practical Applications of bringing a Rural Shelter from 33% to 90+% live release rate workshop will outline how we
worked with city leadership to open doors to begin changing how the community treats their animals.
In addition, we will discuss how we implemented focused life- saving programs to reduce the EU rate. These
programs were from our Lifesaving Apprentice Classes from Maddie’s Fund/American Pets Alive!. We used
focused data to create programs that would make the largest impact on the numbers. We will also discuss how to
work your way through crisis - you don’t have to lose these animals!
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Underserved or Underleveraged? A Data Driven Look at our Communities.
Bethany Heins, Director of Strategy & Network Operations, Best Friends Animal Society
The social vulnerability index (SVI) study, published by Best Friends Animal Society, brings to light many
conclusions, some expected and some not so much. The study overlays the 2019 Best Friends National Dataset
with the Center for Disease Controls SVI data which indicates level of vulnerability for human suffering and
financial loss based on 15 variables.
In this session we dive into the output of that study, focusing on key takeaways to help us modify our programs to
best serve and utilize our community.
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Refresh Your Compassionate Heart: An Everyday Tool for You and Your Team
Linda R. Harper, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist
Even before the pandemic, individuals dedicated to helping animals experienced high levels of daily stress.
COVID-19 has added new challenges to this lifesaving work, leaving dedicated staff and volunteers of animal
welfare organizations even more vulnerable to compassion fatigue and burnout. With less opportunity for in-
person support, a strategy that individuals can apply to help them recognize their needs and unique gifts is
essential. Honor Feelings: Reframe Story is a proactive tool that individuals can practice every day and share
Texas Unites 14Webinars
both in-person and while engaged in virtual conversations and gatherings. One tool cannot hold all the answers,
but for anyone feeling locked into stress, grief, or emotional overload, Honor Feelings: Reframe Story provides a
jumpstart to begin to restore the joy in this lifesaving, heart-driven work.
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Pet Stores, Puppy Mills and Local Action to End the Problem
Lauren Loney, Texas State Director, State Affairs, The Humane Society of the United States
Jenna Jensen, Public Policy Specialist, Stop Puppy Mills Campaign, The Humane Society of the United States
Over 300 communities, including several in Texas, have banned the sale of puppy mill dogs in pet stores. These
humane pet store ordinances are drying up the market for puppy mill dogs and helping to easing the suffering
of breeding dogs who are routinely confined in tiny, filthy cages until they can no longer produce another litter of
puppies. Passing a local ordinance, even if your community does not currently have a puppy selling pet store, is a
vital step in helping bring about an end to this cruel business model.
You will hear from two speakers who have decades of lobbying experience and have been at the forefront of this
campaign. You’ll learn how to get an ordinance drafted, introduced and enacted into law. You’ll learn what hurdles
that puppy mill lobbyist will throw in your path, and how to overcome them. This workshop is a must for those who
are passionate about ending puppy mills.
THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2021
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Building an Animal Shelter: Work behind the walls
Adam Hermesch, International Sales and Business Development Manager, Shor-Line
Begin with the End in mind. This is the crucial thinking you need to begin your Shelter build. What are the main
goals you are trying to accomplish with this new facility? We will walk you through this process starting with
the architect and design phase through the construction phase. Taking into consideration the critical areas and
decisions you need to make before you even start your build. The careful planning of your facility and the details
that become an integral part of your building. Shor-line has collaborated with many professionals in the Shelter
Design and Construction phases of new facility builds or remodel project. We will get some advice from a few
of these experts to help you begin your project knowing that the end in mind is exactly what you want for your
Business Success.
Texas Unites 15Webinars
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Choice in the Shelter Setting
Allison Hartlage, KPA-CTP, CBCC-KA, CTC, CNWI and Manager of Animal Training and Behavior, Humane
Society of Boulder Valley
The shelter can inherently limit an animal's ability to make choices. How an animal performs in the shelter-setting
can be greatly influenced by their collective experiences while in your care, beginning as soon as they walk
through your doors. How can we change our behavior to enable more choice for the animals in our care? Join
Allison Hartlage, KPA-CTP, CBCC-KA, CTC, CNWI and Manager of Animal Training and Behavior at the Humane
Society of Boulder Valley to explore this important topic.
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Getting Stuck? How to maximize lifesaving with the right animal flow
Jordan Craig, General Manager, Dallas Animal Services
Marian Cannell, Manager II, Dallas Animal Services
Are you interested in learning how to maximize lifesaving at your shelter by improving your flow to ensure animals
don’t get “stuck”? This workshop is led by two members of the leadership team of Dallas Animal Services (DAS),
currently the 3rd highest intake municipal shelter in the country with an intake of nearly 40,000 cats and dogs this
past year. This workshop will discuss how DAS manages this high-volume intake by being strategic. You will learn
how the team changed the process from beginning to end to improve efficiencies and reduce cross-contamination
as well as how they utilize opportunities to automate the process to avoid sticking points.
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Cat Enrichment Toolkit
Pamela Hill, Cat Behaviorist, thatcatgirl.com
Feline enrichment is more than just a series of “nice if you can do it” activities. It’s a critical component of feline
shelter care. But why...and how? In this session, you’ll find out! We’ll talk about what feline enrichment is and
how it enhances cat welfare and adoptability. You will also learn to evaluate how well your organization is doing
at meeting the behavioral needs of the cats in your care and to create an enrichment program that is easy to
implement and impactful, even with limited time and financial resources.
Texas Unites 16Webinars
THURSDAY, JUNE 10, 2021
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Put the “smart” back into your smartphone and your PC too!
April Huntsman, CAWA, Director of Animal Welfare Insights, Adopt-a-pet.com
Passionate animal advocates (like yourself!) are always pressed for time. When trying to save animals' lives, it’s
important to do more in less time. If building a time machine isn’t an option for you, why not take advantage of the
greatest apps and tools out there? With so many to choose from, finding the ones that work in animal welfare can
be a daunting task. In this session, you’ll get to see the best options available that are extremely low cost or free.
Using technology to your advantage will not only help you save time, streamline communication, increase staff
and volunteer productivity and reduce redundant workflows but can also help you have a greater impact on both
the animals and humans that you interact with every day.
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Fetch Followers with Scalable Social Media Strategies for Any Animal Organization
Leah Backo, Public Information Coordinator, Dallas Animal Services
Kelsey Keys, Marketing and Communications Manager, Operation Kindness
Does your organization have a limited (or non-existent) marketing budget? Are you tasked with managing multiple
social platforms but aren’t sure what to post? Do you have limited manpower and feel unsure where to invest your
time to get content that achieves engagement? Every animal welfare organization struggles with implementing and
maintaining social media best practices, especially with always evolving social media platforms and algorithms.
Whether you’re a small rescue group or a huge municipal shelter, this session will provide you with tangible
strategies to improve your social media and animal promotional efforts in a time when virtual communications
could not be more important. Speakers have experience in non-profit and municipal shelters with intakes ranging
from 2,000 to 40,000 pets a year, in addition to serving on the boards of non-shelter animal welfare organizations.
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Data, Data, Every Where, Nor Any Stat to Keep -
Collecting and Analyzing Data That Makes a Difference.
Jason Smith MBA, CAWA, Technology Integration
Consultant, HLP Inc., Makers of Chameleon Software
Data is everywhere, and lots of it. There is so much
data, of one form or another, collected in animal service
organizations that it can become a bad thing, if not used
wisely. Too much data, ineffective
analysis or poor data
management can make
Texas Unites 17Webinars
gathering information for decision making almost impossible. Worse it can prove deceptive and cause you to
make the wrong decisions.
In this session we will discuss the aspects of data collection, management and analysis. We will explore making
sense of the data available to us, how we put information in context and the value of keeping things simple. We
will also discuss the potential for, and benefit of, automating data collection and analysis
THURSDAY, JUNE 17, 2021
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Basic Customer Service for Animal Welfare Professionals
Cathy M. Rosenthal, CHES, Writing for a Cause, Animal Welfare Communications Consultant
Poor customer service can spread quickly on social media and impact every aspect of your agency. Delivering
exceptional customer service only takes a little effort and can drastically increase adoptions and donations as
well as attract more volunteers and foster families to your agency. In this workshop, learn the secrets to achieving
customer service excellence, from what to say and how to say it to body language techniques that can help you
build quick rapport with the people you serve every day. This is a fun and engaging workshop that shows staff the
many ways to engage people in positive ways.
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Advanced Customer Service Techniques for Dealing with People
Cathy M. Rosenthal, CHES, Writing for a Cause, Animal Welfare Communications Consultant
If you know the basics of customer service and want more advanced techniques and strategies to handle difficult
people, this workshop is for you. During this session, you’ll learn more about body language, word choice and
tone; language techniques, like agreement frames and reframing, that can help people see things more positively;
and special strategies on how to manage and deal with difficult people, whether they be clients or co-workers.
You’ll learn through examples and handouts how the subtlest change in tone and body language can help de-
escalate a tense situation and turn an upset individual into a more agreeable customer.
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Bridging the Gap: Understanding Adopter Expectations, Perception and Reality
April Huntsman, CAWA, Director of Animal Welfare Insights, Adopt-a-pet.com
Adopt-a-Pet.com is North America’s largest non-profit pet adoption website and that means we have millions of
potential adopters visiting our website every month. In fact, we had over 50 million visitors in 2018. We’ve been
collecting lots of data and asking our visitors to provide us with insights into how they think, feel and experience
pet adoption. In this session, we will get into all of the data that we have been collecting for the past several
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years, share specific insights into the adopter experience and explain trends we are seeing with online pet
searching. We will also share insights into the gaps between perception and reality and how your organization
can boost or break your reputation with potential adopters.
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
What Color is My Cat?
Vickie Fisher, President-Elect, EveryCat Health Foundation (a Winn Feline Foundation legacy)
Immediate Past President, The International Cat Association, Inc. (TICA)
A colorful, fun, but basic presentation, based on Cat Genetics “001”, describing the fundamentals of identifying cat
colors and patterns. The presentation also discusses some of the most popular breeds of cats. With less than 5%
of companion cats being an actual “breed” of cat, the common model of describing dogs in terms of combinations
of “breeds”, doesn’t work in the world of cats. Participants learn that “tabbies” are not a breed of cat but all cats
are tabby cats! What’s the difference between a tortie and a Calico, why do some white kittens have a little black
mark on the top of their heads, what do all pointed cats have in common? Participants learn the answers and
much more.
THURSDAY, JUNE 24, 2021
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Behavior Skill-Building: Communicating With Canines
Lynne V. Swanson, DVM - Behavior Coordinator for Safe Harbor Farm K9 Rescue & Rehab
So much of getting the best from a dog pivots upon one particular concept – communication – and the best of
communication follows two Golden Rules (Reward what you want and STOP rewarding what you don't want!). It
also honors the "Five C’s" (calm, clear, confident, consistent and canine-intuitive). Beyond that, body language is
the name of the game. Dogs express themselves clearly through postures, positions, movement and energy. They
read our posture and the positions we take, plus how we move and the energy we project, and they interpret them
in the unique context of their species (not ours). With dogs, it is not so much what you say but how you say it.
Not getting the response you want from certain dogs? A simple change of posture or position may be all you
need. Want to bring out a dog’s most calm focus and “follow-ship?” Well-timed genuine smiles and canine-intuitive
movement promotes both. Following common canine social cues is also important, and shelter personnel and
rescue volunteers who know them are in a good position to bring out the best in their dogs.
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2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Cytology for Shelters
Julie Piccione, DVM, MS, DACVP, Clinical Pathology Section Head, Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic
Laboratory
Cytologic evaluation of fine needle aspirate samples can rapidly provide valuable information with minimal
cost. In a shelter setting, cytology can be used to guide treatment, surgical planning, and any special adoption
considerations. In this session, we will review specimen collection, slide preparation, and microscopic evaluation.
Proper collection and preparation of specimens is necessary for appropriate microscopic interpretation. Several
tips and tricks will be provided to improve preparation of cytologic specimens. The cytologic appearance of
inflammation, benign neoplasia, and malignant neoplasia will be presented. At the end of the session, attendees
will have the confidence to collect, prepare, and review routine cytology specimens. Additionally, we will cover
various pathologist consultation services available for challenging cytology cases.
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
What’s New? Updates on Infectious Diseases in Shelter Medicine
Chumkee Aziz, DVM, DABVP (Shelter Medicine), Senior Director, Northern Tier Shelter Initiative, ASPCA
This presentation will review and provide updates on the risk factors, pathogenesis, clinical disease, and
epidemiology of infectious diseases in animal sheltering settings, with an emphasis on prevention of disease. We
will focus on updates in the management of dermatophytosis, retroviruses, and feline URI.
THURSDAY, JULY 1, 2021
8:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Building Programs Based on Intake Data
Kristen Hassen, Austin Pets Alive!
Dr. Ellen Jefferson, Austin Pets Alive!
While we know a great deal about how animals leave animal shelters through outcomes, we still know relatively
little about how and why they enter in the first place. In this presentation, you will learn about the complex,
fascinating way we think about intake and how we can revolutionize animal shelters, animal control services and
rescue groups, just by digging deeper into how we track the reasons for intake and how better addressing the
complexity of animal intakes might lead to better, faster outcomes. From changing shelter software systems, to
building case management strategies based on intake types and reasons, to helping keep more pets with their
families in the first place, you will learn all about why and how to think differently about intake data.
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10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
How to Elevate Your Presence and Points in Zoom Meetings
Joel Schwartzberg, Senior Director of Strategic and Executive Communications, ASPCA
When workplace meetings shifted from real to virtual platforms, many assumed their communication and
presentation approaches could stay the same. But a room is not a Zoom. Meeting participants need to adopt new
communication mindsets and tactics to maximize the new medium. In this hour-long interactive workshop, ASPCA
Senior Director of Strategic and Executive Communications Joel Schwartzberg will show you how to enhance your
points, presence, and impact from the other side of the screen.
The workshop—designed for participants at all levels of skill and experience—covers the following topics:
• Understanding and overcoming "Zoom Fatigue"
• Effective point-making in virtual environments
• Optimal visual framing
• Meeting mindfulness
• Minimizing distractions
• Eye contact and volume training
• Strategic use of chat
• Active listening
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Move out of the way and let your Board Govern!
Bonnie Hill, Founder and Advisor, Spay Neuter Network
Founders Board = Bad
A Founder’s Board is a board that isn’t really governing the organization - they are leaving that to you, the founder.
Instead, that board is rubber stamping what you think should be done. After all, these are your family and friends.
They want to support your efforts. They are certainly not there to create family feuds by suggesting you might not
be right!
Governing Board = Good
A Governing Board - one that provides the leadership of the organization, that sets direction and policy, that
provides financial oversight and ensures adequate resources to expenditures. A good Governing Board is your
way to freedom and a life. I promise because it happened to me.
Come learn how to give up the reins and ride your non-profit into a successful future.
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4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Supercharge Your Community Outreach with an Advisory Board
Carrie Collins-Fadell, MPA
Traditional boards fulfill a critical role in animal welfare organizations. But, what if you are ready to expand your
organization’s size, mission, or reach? Could it be time to build an advisory board? Advisory boards operate in
tandem with the board of directors and when executed properly can serve as a conduit for community influence
and resources. Join us as we explore the do this and please don’t do that of working with high level volunteers.
In this session participants will examine the lifecycles of nonprofits, identify opportunities and challenges of adding
an advisory board, and create an opportunity matrix to guide them on community recruitment for possible board
members.
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Chumkee Aziz, DVM, DABVP (Shelter Medicine), Senior Director, Northern Tier Shelter Initiative, ASPCA
Chumkee obtained her DVM degree at Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in 2012. She completed
a rotating internship at the ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital in NYC in 2013 and a shelter medicine
residency with the Koret Shelter Medicine Program at the University of California, Davis in 2016. She currently
works for the ASPCA as a senior director in the shelter medicine services department. Her areas of focus include
the role of community collaboration in mitigating pet homelessness, proactive shelter population management
and infectious disease prevention in shelters. Chumkee is board certified in Shelter Medicine Practice through the
American Board of Veterinary Practitioners. She joined the ASV Board in 2017 and currently serves as the Board
President.
Leah Backo, Public Information Coordinator, Dallas Animal Services
Leah Backo has a visual communications education and ties that background into the marketing of every
organization she is a part of. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, she is now the Public Information Coordinator
at Dallas Animal Services in Dallas, TX, where she manages the social media, public relations, and the visual
materials that are produced at the shelter. Even though she now works at a shelter with the third largest intake
in the country, she came from an organization that had an intake of only about 2,000, so she has experience in
communications for organizations both large and small. She has a passion for social media and producing quality
content. When not at work, Leah enjoys running with or just lounging on the couch with her deaf rescue pup, Lace.
Kelli Ballenger, Co-Founder, Rusk County Pets Alive!
Kelli Ballenger is the co-founder of Rusk County Pets Alive!. After living in Austin, Texas for 27 years, she
moved to Henderson, Texas to help with her family. Living in the nation’s largest no-kill city and then moving to a
community with a 70% euthanasia rate in their shelter was a shock. Kelli started petitioning for change and found
a group of like-minded people, this is when she met Lisa Waugh.
Together, Kelli and Lisa implement data driven programs and practices from Maddie’s Lifesaving Academy/
American Pets Alive!, to bring change and increase live release rates in the local shelter. When RCPA! started in
August of 2018 the live release rate was 33% at the local shelter. Currently, it is over 90%.
With Kelli’s experience from leadership roles in her career and in business she is able to combine those skills with
the knowledge from Maddie’s Academy to bring a unique approach to building a sustainable organization to help
lead the local community to a no-kill status.
Matthew Bershadker, President & CEO, ASPCA
Matt Bershadker is president and CEO of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA),
the first animal welfare organization in America and a national leader in the rescue and protection of at-risk
animals. Under Matt’s leadership, the ASPCA has established critical programs across the country dedicated to
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the safety of vulnerable and victimized dogs, cats, horses, and farm animals, with the ultimate goal of creating
compassionate systemic change for animals in need. A lifelong animal lover, Matt joined the ASPCA in 2001 and
was named president and CEO in 2013.
Shelby Bobosky, Executive Director, Texas Humane Legislation Network
Shelby is the Executive Director of the Texas Humane Legislation Network and the Texas Humane Network. She
is an attorney that began as a volunteer board member with THLN on January 1, 2011. Under her leadership as
President, Vice President, and Legislative Chair of the THLN board, the organization has had three successful
legislative sessions wherein THLN successfully passed the Anti-Gassing Law (passed in 2013), the Mandatory
Canine Encounter Training Law (passed in 2015), and the Animal Cruelty Enhancement Law (passed in 2017).
After graduating from law school in 1999, Ms. Bobosky had continued practicing general civil litigation until
2017, when she decided to do only pro bono work, putting in hundreds of hours for THLN and assisting animal
welfare advocates and rescues when possible. Ms. Bobosky also serves as a Dallas Animal Services Shelter
Commissioner and is an Adjunct Professor of Law at SMU School of Law, teaching Animal Law and Wildlife Law.
Marian Cannell, Manager II, Dallas Animal Services
Marian Cannell is the Manager II over Shelter Operations at Dallas Animal Services. She has been in Animal
Welfare since 2012, when she entered the industry with a drive to learn more about providing behavioral support
for large dogs in a shelter environment. In 2014 , she created the Canine Good Citizen Ready program and,
after two years, Marian perfected the CGC Ready model that is now taught nationally through Maddie’s Fund
Foundation. In 2016, Marian took on the role of Dog Behavior Program Manager, and began to lead some of
APA’s! most innovative dog programs. In July 2018, Marian joined Dallas Animal Services. Since joining the
leadership team, Marian has made it a goal to lead with innovative ideas and creative solutions to some of the
most challenging problems that face the organization.
Alex Castelazo, Sr. Manager of Data Science, PetSmart Charities
Alex currently serves as Sr. Manager of Data Science at PetSmart Charities where he applies advanced analytics
to better understand the complex landscape of animal welfare. He began his career at Citigroup and American
Express where his interest in database management, programming, and statistics grew into a passion for data
science. He seeks to understand complex subjects by distilling them down to their principal components. Alex
currently studies the factors that contribute to animal wellbeing in our communities and finds ways to improve the
impact of funding in the animal welfare industry.
Carrie Collins-Fadell, MPA
Carrie Collins-Fadell is a nonprofit professional residing in Phoenix where she runs The Butters Fund, an animal
shelter diversion program serving members of the disability community in financial crisis. Carrie hold s a Certificate
of Shelter Management – Lifesaving Model from University of the Pacific, has completed a 70-hour trauma
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programing certificate, and is a board member of the United States Brain Injury Alliance.
Carrie’s passion is well-run nonprofits that serve their clients with efficient and effective programs and services.
An award-winning writer about nonprofit, management, and legislative issues, Carrie grew up in Michigan and
ran a United Way in New York State prior to her time in Arizona. Carrie’s favorite things are her three rescue
chihuahuas, cacti, champagne, and oxford commas – in that order.
Jordan Craig, General Manager, Dallas Animal Services
Jordan Craig is the General Manager with Dallas Animal Services (DAS). She has been involved in animal welfare
for more than a decade, starting with wildlife rehabilitation and moving to domestic animal sheltering operations.
With nearly 40,000 animals entering DAS annually, Jordan is working with her team to improve programs and
execute new strategies to safely and responsibly place as many animals as possible.
In her leadership roles, she has endeavored to improve the quality of life for both animals and employees. Jordan
has also had the privilege of speaking at regional animal welfare conferences to help other agencies learn about
programs and strategies to help improve processes and break through barriers in the field of animal welfare.
Brian DiGangi, DVM, MS, DABVP, Senior Director of Shelter Medicine, ASPCA
Brian DiGangi works for the ASPCA as a Senior Director of Shelter Medicine. He received his DVM from University
of Florida (UF) and completed a residency in shelter medicine, and spent several years on faculty at UF before
coming to the ASPCA. Brian is board certified in both Canine and Feline Practice and Shelter Medicine Practice by
the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners. He is a past president of the Association of Shelter Veterinarians
and currently serves as the Editor for the American Heartworm Society.
Vickie Fisher, President-Elect, EveryCat Health Foundation
For many years Vickie shared her love of animals with a busy
career in finance and management. Upon her retirement, she has
been able to devote more time to her passion. As President of
Albuquerque Kennel Kompadres, she works to better the "shelter
life" for homeless animals and has received the Albuquerque
Mayor’s Good Samaritan Award for this work. An All Breeds senior
cat show judge and ring and school instructor for The International
Cat Association (TICA), Vickie travels the world, both judging cats
and educating young and not so young about the wonders of cats as
companion animals and how to properly care for them.
Vickie has authored two coloring books for children, both teaching
children proper care and respect for cats. One of the coloring books
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is published by TICA and is available both in English and Spanish. She is Immediate Past President of TICA and
President-Elect of EveryCat Health Foundation, the largest “feline only” grantor of funds for feline health research.
Linda R. Harper, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist
Linda R. Harper, Ph.D. is a lifelong animal lover and advocate, and has been a clinical psychologist in the Chicago
area for 35 years. As the founder of Blessed Bonds, a foster-based program that keeps people and pets together,
she understands the physical, mental, and emotional stress that comes with this heart-driven work. Linda is a
frequent speaker at animal welfare conferences & gives workshops locally and throughout the country. Linda
facilitates the pet loss support group sponsored by the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association. She is the author
of four books including The Power of Joy in Giving to Animals (with foreword and contributions by Best Friends’
co-founder, Faith Maloney).
Allison Hartlage, Manager of Animal Training and Behavior, Humane Society of Boulder Valley
Originally from Kentucky, Allison graduated from the University of Georgia and shortly after relocated to Oregon.
She began volunteering with Oregon Humane Society and in 2008 attended the San Francisco SPCA Academy
for Dog Trainers, where she received her certification as a Canine Trainer and Behavior Counselor (CTC),
graduating with honors. She then returned to Portland and spent three years working with companion animals
at a private daycare and training business before relocating to Boulder, CO in 2011. She currently manages the
Humane Society of Boulder Valley’s nationally-recognized training and behavior department.
Allison is passionate about force-free, science-based training and behavior modification and feels fortunate to live
and work in such a supportive community.
Allison is committed to the ongoing pursuit of learning opportunities. She is a Certified Nose Work Instructor,
a graduate of the Karen Pryor Academy and Dr. Susan Friedman’s Living and Learning with Animal’s course
and holds her CBCC-KA (Certified Behavior Consultant Canine). She shares her home with her two daughters,
husband and two rescued kitties, Marley and Maya.
Kristin Hassen, Director, Maddie’s® American Pets Alive!
Kristen is the Maddie’s® American Pets Alive! Director. She formerly served as the Director of Pima Animal Care
Center, Pima County’s only open-admissions animal shelter which takes in 17,000 homeless, lost and abandoned
pets annually and serves 15,000 animals through animal protection and outreach services. Under her direction,
PACC is saving more than 90 percent of the cats and dogs who come to the shelter including orphaned puppies
and kittens, pets recovering from illness and injuries, and animals who have been victims of cruelty or neglect.
In 2017, she oversaw the opening of the newly-constructed state-of-the-art, animal services facility. Under her
leadership, PACC partners with hundreds of rescue and community groups and engages thousands of volunteers
and foster families to help achieve its mission. Kristen has received national recognition for her innovative,
lifesaving programs. At PACC, she’s created the largest pet foster care program in the United States, with nearly
5,000 animals sent to foster just this year. Because of the success of this program, PACC received a large grant
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to lead a training initiative that funds dozens of shelters around the U.S. to attend four-day ‘apprenticeships’ to
learn about PACC programs and operations. Outside the shelter, Kristen has developed partnerships to build a
community outreach program focused on providing resources for pets owned by people facing homelessness
and extreme poverty. Kristen also presents and writes regularly on a variety of subjects, including breed labeling,
reduction of shelter intake, innovative foster care and social media for animal welfare leadership.
conferences.
Bethany Heins, Director of Strategy & Network Operations, Best Friends Animal Society
As the Director of Strategy & Network Operations, Bethany Heins leads the execution of strategic projects
associated with Best Friends’ national program work to achieve no-kill nationwide by 2025 as well as the
Best Friends Network. This role marries Bethany’s diverse programmatic and shelter operations background,
partnership-building capacity and knack for strategic planning.
Prior to this position, Bethany served as the Senior Manager of Regional Programs with a focus on developing
Best Friends’ lifesaving programs in Atlanta, Georgia; Nashville, Tennessee; and Houston, Texas.
Through Best Friends in 2012, Bethany launched an innovative program in San Antonio, Texas, that focuses
on partnerships and grassroots public engagement to save community cats. Bethany then served as the Live
Release Manager for the City of San Antonio Animal Care Services from 2013 through early 2015.
Bethany has also worked as the Executive Director of Vernon County Humane Society (Driftless Humane Society)
in Wisconsin. She began her career in shelter operations working as an Animal Care Specialist for Central Illinois
Humane Society while obtaining her bachelor’s degree in natural resources and environmental sciences at the
University of Illinois. Bethany lives in Illinois with her husband and daughter, and an ever-changing number of cats
and dogs.
Adam Hermesch, International Sales and Business Development Manager, Shor-Line
Adam Hermesch is the International Sales and Business Development Manager for Shor-Line. For over 13 years,
his experience in boarding, veterinary, and shelter industries has resulted in an excellent track record of successful
projects. He travels year round (pre-Covid) to domestic and foreign markets, attending trade-shows and
maintaining strong work relationships with customers in the field. Adam has extensive experience, consulting over
a thousand new building and remodel projects of all sizes, and is enthusiastic about seeing business designs from
start to finish. Outside of work Adam loves spending quality time with his three young children and his beautiful
wife, Catherine. Additionally, he appreciates watching sports, cooking, and of course playing in the backyard with
his Labrador Retriever, Tyson.
Bonnie Hill, Founder and Advisor, Spay Neuter Network
For 16 years, Bonnie Hill, President and Founder of Spay Neuter Network has overseen the management of a
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high volume spay neuter organization that has grown from operating 1 day a week performing 2,000 surgeries
a year to performing over 32,000 in 2019. The 3 clinics located North Texas offer transports from 35 cities and
also offer a mobile unit that services rural areas throughout North Texas. Before committing to the organization
full time 10 years ago, Bonnie had worked for 25 years in the humane medical industry, including management,
marketing and sales, revenue assessment, billing and collections, compliance, profit/loss and consulting and
product development. Along with her responsibilities as Executive Director at Spay Neuter Network, she sits
on the Spay Neuter Network Board of Directors, instrumental in starting the Big Fix and Fort Worth Pet Project
spay/neuter initiatives in Dallas and Fort Worth, sat on the Advisory Board for PetSmart Charities responsible pet
ownership campaign and the Advisory Committees for several local City shelters.
Pamela Hill, Cat Behaviorist, thatcatgirl.com
A cat behaviorist with 20 years of experience, Pam has worked with the Michigan Humane Society, the Atlanta
Humane Society, Broward County Humane Society, the Animal Protective Association and many additional animal
shelters and veterinary clinics. She has previously served as Chair of the Advisory Board to St Louis County
Animal Care and Control and currently serves as cat behavior advisor to the St Louis Petlovers Coalition. She has
conducted many shelter staff and volunteer trainings and her educational lectures have previously been featured
at the Great Lakes Animal Welfare Conference, the Midwest Animal Sheltering Conference and the Southeast
Animal Alliance.
When she's not helping animal shelters improve their cat programs, or providing one-on-one counseling to
frustrated cat owners, you can find her working on her website, thatcatgirl.com.
April Huntsman, CAWA, Director of Animal Welfare Insights, Adopt-a-pet.com
April Huntsman, CAWA serves as the Director of Animal Welfare Insights for Adopt-a-Pet.com, the nation’s largest
non-profit adoptable pet search engine. April manages Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet.com, the nation’s largest self-
supported rehoming service. Her credits include implementing sustainable social enterprise models, developing
at-risk animal population programs, and administering no-kill community partnerships. April has been in the
animal welfare industry for over 20 years and has worked for both local and national animal welfare organizations
including Maricopa County Animal Care & Control, Salt Lake County Animal Services, Best Friends Animal Society
and Michelson Found Animals Foundation. April lives in Southern Utah and is the proud mother of 3 rescue dogs.
Ed Jamison, CEO, Operation Kindness
Ed Jamison joined Operation Kindness as CEO in March. Most recently the Director of Dallas Animal Services,
Jamison led a staff of around 220 employees, maximizing relationships with the rescue community, rebuilding
the volunteer base and instituting new, progressive programming. Prior to coming to the Dallas area, Jamison
was the Chief Animal Control Officer for the City of Cleveland, Ohio, but he entered the animal care and control
world in the mid-2000s while he was the animal warden for the City of Garfield Heights, a suburb of Cleveland.
In his time serving Cleveland, Ed made a push to redefine the way animal control functions and re-brand the
Texas Unites 28You can also read
