Four dog behavior courses by Ferdie Yau are on Maddie’s University

We’re excited to share that Maddie’s® University now offers four dog behavior courses from Ferdie Yau (MA, CPDT-KA), an animal trainer and ecologist dedicated to improving the lives of animals and their caregivers. His business, Sits & Wiggles Dog Training specializes in treating complex canine behavior problems for both private clients and shelters. The four free courses available are: Each course should take no longer than 30 minutes to complete and focuses on one behavior topic, with lots of video examples. Dr. Sheila...

    Posted On: Mar 3, 2026 | Category: Chew On This InformationView Details

Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: 2025 annual data report, kitten tips and more!

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Create your own professional developmental portals on Maddie’s® UniversityWe’re re-sharing as Maddie’s Fund® has been creating portals for animal welfare organizations in New York State in response to the educational requirements in the Companion Animal Care Standards Act Article 26-C. Does your organization need training for new staff members and volunteers? Would you like to be… Learn More Webcast: Early life stressors and the...

    Posted On: Mar 2, 2026 | Category: Chew On This InformationView Details

Webcast: Early life stressors and the behavior and physiology of rescue kittens

Maddie’s® Insights is our ongoing webcast series with practical tips based on current research to help pets and people. Join us on Thursday, March 12, 2026 at 12PM PT/3PM ET for “Early life stressors and the behavior and physiology of rescue kittens.” Dr. Jennifer Vernick veterinary behavioral medicine resident at Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) in Canada will present. Across species, early-life stressors, such as inadequate nutrition, maternal separation, unreliable access to...

    Posted On: Feb 24, 2026 | Category: Chew On This InformationView Details

Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Inspiration from the field, well-being tips and more!

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Inspiration from the Field with Daisy NavinHave you ever wondered how your fellow animal well-being professionals manage their days and take care of themselves? In our new blog series, we’ll be chatting with a member of our field regularly about these topics and sharing it with you. Whether your role looks similar or completely different, we hope you discover something useful… Learn More 4 tips for achieving brilliant well-beingHow do you show up in...

    Posted On: Feb 23, 2026 | Category: Chew On This InformationView Details

Inspiration from the Field with Daisy Navin

Have you ever wondered how your fellow animal well-being professionals manage their days and take care of themselves? In our new blog series, we’ll be chatting with a member of our field regularly about these topics and sharing it with you. Whether your role looks similar or completely different, we hope you discover something useful and inspiring to carry into your own work and life. helpful and inspiring, and apply it in your own life.  This month, we spoke with Daisy Navin, the Foster Programs Manager at LifeLine Animal Project....

    Posted On: Feb 19, 2026 | Category: Chew On This InformationView Details

Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: My Dog is My Home conference, “snowcations” and more!

Happy Tuesday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. How one animal organization had success with “snowcations” during snowstormsWe know that short-term foster care can have immense benefits in helping lower stress levels in shelter dogs. Research shows that just a one or two night stay away from a shelter can drastically reduce dogs’ cortisol levels. And upon returning to the shelter, cortisol levels returned to baseline. Meaning the short-term foster sleepover essentially… Learn More...

    Posted On: Feb 17, 2026 | Category: Chew On This InformationView Details

How one animal organization had success with “snowcations” during snowstorms

We know that short-term foster care can have immense benefits in helping lower stress levels in shelter dogs. Research shows that just a one or two night stay away from a shelter can drastically reduce dogs’ cortisol levels. And upon returning to the shelter, cortisol levels returned to baseline. Meaning the short-term foster sleepover essentially serves as a break or vacation for them. Charlotte-Mecklenberg Animal Care and Control (CMACC) has had a thriving staycation and daycation (field-trip) program for several years. But with the...

    Posted On: Feb 12, 2026 | Category: Chew On This InformationView Details

Join us virtually for the My Dog is My Home Conference next month

When a person loses their home, they experience trauma and grief. Their pet may be their sole source of love and support. For a person experiencing homelessness, losing their pet can make one of the most difficult times in their life even more painful. Yet, with few emergency facilities offering pet-inclusive housing, it’s a decision so many people feel forced to make. We know pet-inclusive solutions to homelessness are not only possible, they already exist. Maddie’s Fund® is a proud sponsor of the annual My Dog Is My Home...

    Posted On: Feb 10, 2026 | Category: Chew On This InformationView Details

Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Instructor-Led Courses, top Maddie’s Pet Forum resources and more!

Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. How animal shelters can overcome barriers when building their community programmingBelow is the third and final post in a series featuring Gateway Pet Guardians and their progressive approach to reimagining the future of animal sheltering aimed at keeping people and pets together. In the first post in this series, we shared an overview of how they operate and… Learn More The top 10 resources on Maddie’s Pet ForumIf you haven’t checked in on...

    Posted On: Feb 9, 2026 | Category: Chew On This InformationView Details

The top 10 resources on Maddie’s Pet Forum

If you haven’t checked in on Maddie’s® Pet Forum lately, now’s the time! Whether it be exploring threads that discuss fundraising and resource drives or advice on getting started with grant writing, there’s something on just about every topic. In addition to connecting with peers, the Resource Library holds a collection of over 1,700 resources for you to access! Why reinvent the wheel? Visit the library to access templates, manuals and other resources shared by forum members. Below are the top 10 resources:...

    Posted On: Feb 3, 2026 | Category: Chew On This InformationView Details