2023 AGENDA
When reviewing the agendas below, please note that we have indicated "suggested audiences" for each session. This does not mean you have to fall into the "suggested audience" to attend - it is simply a guideline to help you determine which sessions you might want to attend.
The State of Animal Welfare in North and South Carolina
SPEAKERS: Abigail Appleton | Josh Fisher | Ellen Taylor
SUGGESTED AUDIENCE: ACOs, Shelter Workers, Management
Let's dive into data and understand what the current situation of Animal Shelters in South and North Carolina is. Understanding what is happening is key to planning and saving lives in shelters. Leaders of animal sheltering in both states will be presenting what is happening and talking about the strategies that are having the greatest impacts on animal lifesaving.
State Meetings
2:00pm - 3:00pm | Lands End
New ASV Guidelines
SPEAKERS: Abigail Appleton | Becca Boronat | Elizabeth Fuller
SUGGESTED AUDIENCE: Shelter Workers, Management
The Association of Shelter Veterinarians has recently updated its Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters. In this session, you will learn what's new and how to implement changes that will help animal welfare organizations reduce overcrowding, stress, disease, and how to provide more humane care to sheltered animals that increases lifesaving.
2:00pm -3:00pm | Palladium C
The Importance of Behavior Evaluations in Criminal Cases
SPEAKER: Katy Mahaley
SUGGESTED AUDIENCE: ACOs, Shelter Workers, Management
Victims of animal cruelty can be profoundly affected by the psychological trauma that they’ve experienced. Many of the lasting repercussions are reflected in the animals’ behavior. Therefore, a structured system for assessing and documenting behavior can be an important component of understanding, caring for and potentially rehabilitating these victims. In this talk, you’ll learn how we do this and what we have discovered from the work.
2:00pm -3:00pm | Palladium A
Sovereign Citizens for Beginners
SPEAKER: Michael Prodan
SUGGESTED AUDIENCE: ACOs, Shelter Workers, Management
Sovereign Citizens: Who are they? Is it a mental illness, a scam, or an extreme overvalued belief? As sovereign citizens’ numbers grow, so do the chances of contact with law enforcement and public service workers. Understand the movement, identify indicators, and know how to protect yourself from their tactics.
3:30pm-4:30pm | Palladium B
Emerging Technologies Improving Animal & Customer Services
SPEAKER: Shelly Simmons
SUGGESTED AUDIENCE: ACOs, Shelter Workers, Management
Historically, in order to get help from animal service agencies, people have to come in to the shelter or call an already inundated phone line. There are many new ways that animal services can provide support for the community through no-contact services like texting, web-chat, video chat and more. Integrating new technology doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Listen how one shelter in South Carolina has dramatically improved efficiency and customer satisfaction despite being short-staffed by embracing a variety of free and low-cost technologies.
All in This Together: Pooling Limited Shelter Resources to Help People and Animals
SPEAKERS: Jennifer Phillips | Tiani Schifano
SUGGESTED AUDIENCE: ACOs, Shelter Workers, Management
The importance of working with community partners and members to compile resources that keep pets at home has become an integral part of animal welfare. In this keynote discussion, representatives from Animal Services for the City of Charlotte/Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and Orange County Animal Services will discuss pet support programs that can help pets stay with their families and how they implemented them.
11:00pm - 12:00pm | Palladium B
Engaging Public Officials to Empower Shelters
SPEAKER: Kelsey Gilmore-Futeral
SUGGESTED AUDIENCE: ACOs, Management
Humane care, control, and sheltering of pets is affected by laws and policies set by local governments and agencies. Increasing decision makers’ awareness of the challenges facing your shelter and the successes you’ve achieved influence the laws and policies they implement. Join us for this interactive work session where you’ll leave with custom concrete next steps for you and your team to take to engage law and policy makers with the goals of removing legal and policy barriers and empowering (funding!) the efficient and effective operation of your program.
12:00pm-1:30pm - Lunch Break
1:30pm - 2:30pm | Palladium A
Wild Neighbors of Interest in the Carolinas
SPEAKER: Dave Pauli
SUGGESTED AUDIENCE: ACOs, Shelter Workers, Management, Agency Phone Call Takers
In this interactive session, attendees will get an overview of coexistence and nonlethal controls for black bears, beavers, coyotes and gators. Discussion points will be based on questions from the audience on any species and in-depth digital resources will also be provided.
1:30pm - 2:30pm | Palladium C
A Community Approach to Animal Control and Field Services: Tools to Keep People and Pets Together
SPEAKERS: Josh Fisher | Sandra Strong | Jorge Ortega
SUGGESTED AUDIENCE: ACOs, Management
Join us and let’s talk about the emerging trend of bringing community services, social services, and outreach to field services. Leaders in the industry will share their unique perspective on implementing strategic changes in their organizations to support pets and people in the community. Learn how critical thinking, data analysis, and a basic human support approach can keep pets from entering the shelter. A community centered focus can work in both rural or urban areas and supports One Health by strengthening the human animal bond.
3:00pm - 4:30pm | Palladium B
Interactive Session: Safe Capture and Transport of Wild, Injured Birds of Prey and Reptiles
SPEAKERS: Mandy Feavel | Eric McBeth
9:00am-10:30am | Palladium B
Supported Self-Rehoming: A Better Option for People, Pets, and Over-Crowded Shelters
SPEAKER: Shelly Simmons | Kaycey Adair
SUGGESTED AUDIENCE: Shelter Workers, Management
One out of every four animals entering shelters come in as “owner surrender”. Many pet owners are willing to rehome their own pets but they are unaware of the resources available to do it safely and successfully. In this discussion, learn from experts how to help people rehome their pets without those pets entering your shelters. There’s extra urgency now while most shelters are at critical capacity to implement self-rehoming programs that can quickly and effectively lower intake, improve morale, save money, and deliver better customer satisfaction. After the session is over, meet with self-rehoming representatives from Rehome by Adopt-a-Pet and Home-to-Home and walk away with tools to start your own supported self-rehoming program no matter how small or large the organization.
11:00am-12:00pm | Palladium C
Behavioral Wellness and Fostering
SPEAKER: Shane Gentry
SUGGESTED AUDIENCE: Shelter Workers, Management
We know that dogs with behavior challenges have the longest lengths of stay in animal shelters, cost more to make ready for adoption, and are most at-risk of euthanasia when space runs out. In this informative session, we will discuss dog behavior in general as it pertains to shelter, rescue and fostering. Learn more efficient ways to rehabilitate and rehome dogs. Our goal is to teach you how to help as many as possible so you can get them in, get them well, get them rehomed, and help the next one.
11:00am-12:00pm | Palladium A
Building Your Emotional Intelligence
SPEAKER: Evans Kerrigan
SUGGESTED AUDIENCE: ACOs, Shelter Workers, Management, All Employees
Emotional Intelligence is a key driver of success in work and life, but how do you actually develop your own social and emotional skills? Begin building your ability to better work with others and handle difficult situations through this interactive workshop. Participants in the workshop will gain free access to a personalized world-class EQ assessment and report valued at $135.
11:00pm-12:00pm | Lands End
Cobra Kai vs Miyagi Do: Balancing Quality Care and Lifesaving
SPEAKER: Gina Burrows | John Graves
SUGGESTED AUDIENCE: ACOs, Shelter Workers, Management
Every day we walk the line between lifesaving and providing high quality of care in shelters and rescues. How do you manage your time and energy when both getting animals moved out as quickly as possible and providing positive and enriching experiences while in your care are priorities? This session will dive into topics like enrichment, population management, pathway planning, and lifesaving programs to better learn balance. After all, "Balance is key. Balance good, everything good. Balance bad, better pack up, go home."
12:15pm-1:30pm | Palladium B
LUNCH SESSION -Investigating Blood Sports
SPEAKER: Terry Mills
SUGGESTED AUDIENCE: ACOs, Shelter Workers, Law Enforcement, Management
Although animal fighting is illegal, people still participate in this brutal sport across North and South Carolina. Learn how to identify paraphernalia used in animal fighting as well as other related signs and evidence and learn important techniques to investigate blood sports.
MON, Feb 27 | 3:00pm - 5:00pm
TUE, Feb 28 | 8:00am - 4:30pm
WED, Mar 1 | 8:00am - 4:30pm
THU, Mar 2 | 8:00am - 1:30pm
After hours contact: [email protected]/803.238.7438
TUE, Feb 28 | 9:30am - 4:30pm
WED, Mar 1 | 8:00am - 6:00pm
THU, Mar 2 | 8:00am -12:00pm
TUES FEB 28
BREAK 11:30am - 12:00pm | Exhibit Hall
LUNCH 1:00pm - 2:00pm | Palladium B
BREAK 3:00pm - 3:30pm | Exhibit Hall
VIP RECEPTION* 5:30pm -7:00pm | Vista Room at Embassy Suites
*by invitation only
WED, MAR 1
BREAKFAST 8:00am - 9:00am | Exhibit Hall/Palladium B
BREAK 10:30am - 11:00am | Exhibit Hall
LUNCH 12:00pm - 1:14pm | Palladium B
BREAK 2:30pm - 3:00pm | Exhibit Hall
NETWORKING RECEPTION 4:30pm - 6:00pm | Seaside Vista *
*new location
WED, MAR 2
BREAKFAST 8:00am - 9:00am | Exhibit Hall/Palladium B
BREAK 10:30am - 11:00am | Exhibit Hall
LUNCH 12:15pm - 1:30pm | Palladium B (lunch will be enjoyed during the last session of the conference)