Join the Foster 50 Challenge now!
Registration for the Foster 50 Challenge is now open and closes on April 30. Foster 50 was built on a simple belief: lasting impact happens when animal shelters, foster-based rescues, partners and pet parents work together. In its inaugural year, this national, coalition-led program proved what’s possible through community-powered action. Together, Foster 50 communities: Welcomed over 9,000 new foster parents Increased active foster participation by 11% Placed nearly 40,000 dogs and cats into foster homes Saw almost 12,000 pets adopted...
Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: New guide for animal services, lessons from award-winning foster programs and more!
Happy Monday. Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Lessons from award-winning foster programsJoin us for a dynamic look at some of the winning strategies from the 2025 Foster 50 Challenge (registration for 2026 is now open!) Through a series of lightning-fast talks, you’ll learn how grant funding helped spark new ideas, expanded foster programs and created measurable change for communities and animals in need. In less than 90… Learn More Learning opportunities to help prevent dog bitesIt’s...
Lessons from award-winning foster programs
Join us for a dynamic look at some of the winning strategies from the 2025 Foster 50 Challenge (registration for 2026 is now open!) Through a series of lightning-fast talks, you’ll learn how grant funding helped spark new ideas, expanded foster programs and created measurable change for communities and animals in need. In less than 90 minutes, you’ll walk away with practical strategies and inspiration that show what’s possible when shelters invest in fostering. Who should attend? Everyone is welcome! This webcast is...
Learning opportunities to help prevent dog bites
It’s National Dog Bite Prevention week and we know that despite management and prevention, dog bite accidents can still happen. And, healing is not just physical, but emotional after a bite. Here are two existing learning opportunities on Maddie’s® University to help decrease the chances of dog bites occurring: Fundamentals of Canine Communication and Safe Dog Handling (self-paced course by Devan Amundsen, CPDT-KA): Reading dog body language and communicating effectively with our own behavior are practiced skills...
Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Animal Care Expo, dog behavior courses and more!
Happy Monday. Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Please note: we’ll be at Animal Care Expo this week, so we’ll be taking a break from the blog the rest of this week. Be sure to come say hi at our booth if you’re at Expo! Two new dog behavior courses are now available on Maddie’s UniversityWe’re excited to share that Assessing Dog Behavior Through Everyday Interactions and Building Trust with Dogs Who Aren’t Ready to Come Out of the Kennel are now available for free on...
Two new dog behavior courses are now available on Maddie’s University
We’re excited to share that Assessing Dog Behavior Through Everyday Interactions and Building Trust with Dogs Who Aren’t Ready to Come Out of the Kennel are now available for free on Maddie’s® University. These two self-paced courses were authored by Kristen Brown, CPDT-KA, VSA-CDT, with assistance by Dr. Sheila Segurson DVM, DACVB, Board-Certified Veterinary Behaviorist, Director of Shelter Solutions at Maddie’s® Fund. They are designed to be completed within 30 minutes, with lots of short...
Creating a foster-centric medical clinic at your animal shelter
Ready to switch your animal shelter from a kennel-centric medical model to a foster-centric clinic that effectively supports animals living in foster homes? Don’t miss April’s Maddie’s Monthly Foster Connection, Creating a Foster-Centric Medical Clinic! The discussion takes place on Thursday, April 2 at 12PMPT/3PM ET. 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...
Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Maddie’s Insights, continuing education credits and more!
Happy Monday. Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Fur-ever starts now: Supporting dogs and adopters’ post-adoptionMaddie’s® Insights is our ongoing webcast series with practical tips based on current research to help pets and people. Join us on April 16 at 12PMPT/3PM ET for Fur-ever starts now. Supporting dogs and adopters’ post-adoption. This is a program that looks at common health and behavior concerns in dogs after their adoption in the… Learn More Content approved for continuing...
Fur-ever starts now: Supporting dogs and adopters’ post-adoption
Maddie’s® Insights is our ongoing webcast series with practical tips based on current research to help pets and people. Join us on April 16 at 12PMPT/3PM ET for Fur-ever starts now. Supporting dogs and adopters’ post-adoption. This is a program that looks at common health and behavior concerns in dogs after their adoption in the United Kingdom. Our speakers are Drs. Eleanor Jordan and Lauren Samet, both of Dogs Trust, a British animal well-being charity and humane society which specializes in the well-being of dogs. It is the...
Content approved for continuing education credits on Maddie’s University
Looking for continuing education credits for your animal well-being role? We’ve got you! Maddie’s® University now has 15 self-paced courses and 90 on-demand presentations approved for RACE-approved credit. These courses and presentations have been approved for credit in jurisdictions which recognize the American Association of Veterinary State Board’s (AAVSB’s) Registry of Approved Continuing Education (RACE). Below are a few of the self-paced courses available for RACE credit: Below are some examples of...
