KC Thompson and Kayla Wade | Humane Society of Charlotte

Are you seeing more challenging animals come through your doors? Do you or your team struggle with making pathway decisions for animals with medical, behavioral, or quality of life concerns? In this presentation we will highlight individual animal cases and break down the medical, behavioral, and operational processes that go into supporting these animals through a collaborative approach. We will share our experiences at the Humane Society of Charlotte and how our team manages, copes with, and thrives in pathway decision-making. The audience will hear specific details about each animal and how the people involved came to decisions about the best outcomes for the animals, the staff and volunteers, and the community. The presentation will have interactive components comprised of a Q&A, an open discussion and more.

Shelly Moore | Humane Society of Charlotte
Jim Tedford | Association for Animal Welfare Advancement

This session is designed to help current and aspiring leaders in animal welfare understand the need for effective leadership and how to navigate the challenges they face in their roles, providing them with the tools to lead with integrity, transparency, and fairness. Understand the difference between management and leadership. Identify and address common ethical dilemmas in leadership. Foster a culture of accountability, openness, and respect within their teams. Lead by example, creating lasting, positive impact in their organizations and communities. Strengthen decision-making skills that prioritize ethics alongside performance. By the end of this session, attendees will have a deeper understanding of how effective leadership can build stronger teams, enhance reputations, and create sustainable success in any field.

Lee Ann Shenefiel | Austin Pets Alive!
Alex Vilalobos | Hays County 

Love for pets transcends party, economic, and social divides, but shelter operations can divide communities, frustrate officials, and leave shelter leaders without support. Hays County, Texas—one of the nation’s fastest-growing areas—is approaching this challenge differently, proposing a smaller-scale shelter model paired with strong community programs to keep people and pets together. In this session, learn how a team of nonprofit and county staff engaged residents through a community needs and values survey, advocacy, and data to shape a future-forward animal services organization. Discover the strategies that fostered community unity, informed decisions, and open dialogue around this passionate topic.

Terri McCollister | SC Department of Public Health
Emily Herring | NC Department of Health and Human Services

Rabies is a deadly and often misunderstood virus. This session brings clarity to rabies prevention, covering North and South Carolina’s latest testing data and trends. Representatives will discuss the vital roles that public health officials play in each state to include similarities and differences in enforcement, data collection, and response efforts. Learn about life-saving post-exposure (PEP) and pre-exposure (PrEP) treatments and gain practical strategies for managing rabies risks in any community. Whether you’re from North Carolina or South Carolina, new to animal care and control, or a seasoned professional, this session equips you with the knowledge to better protect people and pets from this serious disease.

April Hunstman | Adopt-A-Pet

This presentation will delve into the critical elements that make pet photos as captivating as possible. We'll cover everything from the perfect pose to the ideal setting, revealing secrets to capturing hearts and driving engagement. Examining factors like the inclusion of children, accessories, setting, text overlays, photo quality, variety, DEI compliance, and platform-specific nuances, we’ll provide actionable insights for volunteer photographers, foster parents, shelter staff, and social media marketers. As a bonus, we’ll also share insights into how adoption fees impact public interest in pets!

Lorien Clemens | PetHub, Inc.

Join us for a hands-on workshop for animal welfare organizations, teaching participants how to create compelling marketing campaigns using free tools like Canva, SurveyMonkey, etc. The session will also cover how to use ChatGPT for generating persuasive copy and campaign ideas. By the end, participants will have the skills to integrate these tools into a cohesive marketing strategy, enhancing outreach and engagement efforts.

Spencer Conover | Pasco County Animal Services

In this session, we’ll explore the balance between the strict enforcement of the law and the compassionate application of its principles in animal control. By focusing on proactive, progressive approaches, we’ll discuss how animal control officers can navigate complex situations with empathy while staying within legal guidelines. Through real-life examples, we’ll highlight how compassion-driven enforcement not only supports animal welfare but also strengthens community relationships. Leave with practical tools to make thoughtful, informed decisions that honor both the letter and spirit of the law.