Join Us at the 2014
Prairie States Animal Welfare Conference
Don’t wait - register now!
Over a dozen sessions
designed especially for
Executives,
Animal Control Officers,
and Shelter Staff!
Attend our 14th annual Prairie States Animal Welfare
Conference in Bloomington, Illinois, and see why we are
the premiere conference designed just for animal welfare
professionals from the Midwest!
• Keynote Session: Working Together Legally,
Effectively, and Respectfully.
• Break-out sessions featuring experts on everything
from animal care to adoption to field activities.
• Full day sessions on Community Cats and Officer
Safety and Self Defense
• Special Session with Aimee Sadler: Shelter Play
Groups and Leash Manners
Prairie States also offers opportunities to meet and mingle
with national and Midwest vendors along with lots of
fantastic networking opportunities!
Prairie States At-A-Glance — June 9-11, 2014
Monday, June 9
9 am - 10 am
9:30 am to 10 am
Conference Registration - Exhibit Hall
Keynote - Working Together - Exhibit Hall
10 am - 1 pm
Track 1 Taking it to the Street (Cats): Grassroots Advocacy for Community Cats
Sponsored by Petsmart Charities
Track 2 Officer Safety and Self Defense
Sponsored by County Animal Controls of Illinois
1 pm -2 pm Lunch
2 pm - 3:30 pm
Track 1 Managed Feral Cat Colony Legislation
Sponsored by Petsmart Charities
Track 2 Officer Safety and Self Defense, part 2
Sponsored by County Animal Controls of Illinois
3:30 pm -5 pm
Track 1 Free to Good Home - Fee-Waived Adoptions
Sponsored by Petsmart Charities
5 pm - 6:30 pm
Welcome Reception - Exhibit Hall
Sponsored by Petfinder
6:30 pm
IAWF Annual Meeting - Exhibit Hall
Tuesday, June 10
7:30 am - 8:45 am Conference Registration and Breakfast
Exhibit Hall
8:45 am - 9 am
Welcome to Prairie States 2014
Exhibit Hall
Tuesday’s Administrative Track sponsored by ASPCA
9 am - 10:30 am
Track 1 Ingredients for a Successful Grant Application
Track 2 Opening Our Minds and Our Adoptions
Track 3 Responsible Pet Ownership
10:30 am - 11 am
Break - Exhibit Hall
Sponsored by Found Animals Registry
11 am - 12:30 pm
Track 1 Court Advocacy
Track 2 Tick-Borne Diseases
Track 3 Verbal Defense and Influence
12:30 pm -2 pm
Lunch - Exhibit Hall
2 pm - 3:30 pm
Track 1 Volunteer Programs - Best Practices
Track 2 Care of Small & Unusual Pets for Shelters
Track 3 Animal Rabies &
Submission of Animals for Rabies Testing
3:30 am - 4 pm
Break - Exhibit Hall
4 pm - 5:30 pm
Track 1 Beyond Events: Donor Cultivation
Track 2 Can We Talk?
Adoption Screening Through Conversation
Track 3 Successful Transfer & Relocation Programs
5:30 pm to 7 pm
Reception - Exhibit Hall
Sponsored by PetPoint
Wednesday, June 11
Wednesday’s special session sponsored by Best Friends
8 am - 9 am
Registration and Breakfast
Exhibit Hall
9 am - 11 am
11 am - 11:30 am
11:30 am - 1 pm Playing for Life! A Training Program for Shelter Dogs Featuring Play Groups
Break - Exhibit Hall
Fancy Footwork - How to Fix Poor Leash Manners
No audio or video recording of sessions allowed without
prior approval of the Illinois Animal Welfare Federation
The Illinois Animal Welfare Federation provides these workshops for informational purposes
only, and the views expressed in these workshops are not necessarily the views of the IAWF.
The IAWF does not endorse nor recommend specific protocols or procedures provided during
this seminar.
After working so hard, you deserve a break!
Be sure to visit the Exhibit Hall at 5 pm Monday evening for our Welcome Reception! Take this
opportunity to visit our generous conference sponsors and vendors, meet new colleagues, and
catch up with old friends. On Tuesday evening, join us for an evening of networking and good
times with friends! We’ll be celebrating all the hard work and dedication you bring to the field
as animal welfare professionals.
Workshops - Monday
Keynote Discussion - Working Together
Legally, Effectively, and Respectfully
Moderator - Tom Van Winkle, President, IAWF
Panelists - Robin Sweeney, Good as Gold Rescue; Abby Smith, Felines
and Canines Inc.; Sally Westerhoff, Quincy Humane Society, and
Brent Youngsteadt, Chicago Animal Care and Control
The Illinois Animal Welfare Federation was
created to encourage and enable animal welfare
organizations to work together to benefit animals
and people in Illinois. Too often, these groups find
themselves at odds with each other - sometimes
within their own communities - creating “winners”
and “losers” in the public eye. This panel discussion
will provide insights into the specific requirements,
limitations, and expectations of rescue groups, openadmission shelters, animal control agencies, and no
kill facilities and how those issues affect the transfer
of animals and other collaborative arrangements.
Officer Safety and Self Defense
Jeffrey Clemens, Animal Control Training Services
Whether you work in an urban or rural setting,
Animal Control Officers are exposed to situations that
can be potentially dangerous concerning officer safety. Most ACO’s don’t have the luxury of working with a
partner. Requests for back-up from fellow officers or
other law enforcement agencies can often be delayed
or not immediately available, placing the ACO at greater
risk. This course is designed to promote officer safety
through danger recognition and prevention techniques.
Those who attend both sessions of this
workshop will receive a certificate of attendance
through County Animal Controls of Illinois.
Taking It to the Street (Cats): Grassroots
Advocacy for Community Cats
Laura Nirenberg, Legislative Attorney, Best Friends Animal Society
and Peter Wolf, Cat Initiatives Analyst, Best Friends Animal Society
Community cat programs (CCPs) are a critical
component of Best Friends’ commitment to reducing
shelter deaths. However, CCPs are also one of the most
hotly debated topics in animal welfare today. This
workshop will provide attendees with (a) an overview
of the science supporting this paradigm shift in outdoor
cat management, (2) tips for working with stakeholders
to amend relevant local and state laws, and (3) talking
points to address key issues raised by opponents.
Managed Feral Cat Colony Legislation
Dr. Donna M. Alexander, Cook County Animal Control Administrator
Cook County instituted progressive feral cat
colony legislation several years ago. Dr. Alexander will
provide a description of the legislation and problems
regarding managed feral cat colonies. The results
and ensuing legal problems will also be discussed.
Fee-waived adoptions . . . Lots of
organizations are doing it successfully
Jesse Winters, Senior Director, Community Outreach, ASPCA
In this workshop, we’ll review the research
and data, discuss the pros, cons, and lessons learned,
and identify what it would take to try this in your
community to save more lives responsibly.
Conference Workshops - Tuesday
Ingredients for a Successful
Grant Application
Michael Barrett, Vice President, Grants Management, ASPCA
What does it take to craft an irresistible
funding request? If you’re thinking about applying for
a grant from an animal welfare funder, this workshop
is for you. Michael Barrett, VP of ASPCA Grants, will
share practical strategies and tips on preparing for an
application process, building a strong case for support,
and articulating clear goals and milestones. This
90-minute workshop is ideal for grant writers who are
new to the field or anyone who would like a refresher.
Volunteer Programs: Best Practices
Lydia Krupinski, Manager of Volunteer Services, The Anti-Cruelty Society
Are you looking to take your volunteer
program to the next level? Is your volunteer retention
rate on the decline? Are you trying to navigate the
waters of the volunteer realm and feeling lost? If you
answered “yes” to any of these questions - or if the
word “volunteer’ makes you shudder with fright or
delight - then consider joining us for this workshop! We’ll help you determine how to set, or repair, the
foundations for your volunteer department by sharing
tried and true best practices. If you’ve been grappling
with renegade volunteers, or simply want to make the
most of your helpers’ time, then attend this seminar!
Addressing Animal Cruelty through
Safe Humane Court Advocacy and
Court Case Dog Programs
Cynthia Bathurst, Executive Director and Co-Founder, Safe Humane
This presentation will discuss Safe Humane
Chicago’s success in addressing criminal animal cruelty
cases through collaborative justice, court advocacy and
a robust assessment, socialization, rescue and rehoming
program for the animal victims, in particular, “Court Case
Dogs” - dogs who first come to light as “evidence” of the
neglect or abuse for which their owners are criminally
charged. Program strategies and metrics will be
included along with compelling stories and photos.
basic understanding of these diseases, how to identify
them, and what to do when you encounter them. Beyond Events, Donor Cultivation 101
Care of Small and Unusual Pets for
Shelters, Rescues, and Animal Control
Megan Wolf, Development Director, Champaign County Humane Society
When is the right time to start thinking about
your donors? TODAY! Donors are the foundation
for success, and donor cultivation is the most
effective method of fundraising. In this workshop,
you will get the tools you need to start cultivating
donors and alleviate your fear of raising funds.
Opening Our Minds and Our
Adoptions to Save More Lives
Todd Cramer, Field Program Manger, PetSmart Charities, Inc.
Because we care so deeply about the animals
we shelter, we want to be able to assure them a loving
future. Adoption is seen as a floodgate we tightly
control to guarantee the pet’s next life is a good one. In
this session, we will use the ‘PetSmart Charities Report
on Adoption Forum II’ to explore the principles of
less-restrictive adoption screening, and you will learn
what the experts say about the “Five Essentials of a
Successful Adoption”, the best adoption process, and
what the effects of a good adoption program are on
the organization, the community, and the animals. Can We Talk? Adoption Screening
Through Conversation
Todd Cramer, Field Program Manger, PetSmart Charities, Inc.
In 2003, the “Report on Adoption Forum
II’ established the “Five Essentials of a Successful
Adoption”: The match would be suited to the individual
and family. The pet would be afforded appropriate
veterinary care. The pet’s social, behavioral and
companionship needs would be met. The pet would
have a livable environment (including appropriate food,
water, shelter, etc.). The pet would be respected and
valued. Oftentimes, the tools and methods we use to
achieve these five essentials leave potential adopters
feeling interrogated, violated and exasperated encouraging them to look elsewhere for a pet. In this
workshop, you will learn to achieve the five essentials in
a positive way, through conversation, not interrogation.
Tick-Borne Diseases
G. Robert Weedon, DVM, MPH, Shelter Veterinarian, CCHS, Clinical
Assistant Profession, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois
Tick-borne diseases can be an insidious
problem in animal shelters. They can be difficult
to recognize and debilitating for the animals. Some have zoonotic potential, which can affect
staff and volunteers. It is important to have a
Beth Randall, Director, Critter Camp Exotic Pet Sanctuary
Often shelters are so overwhelmed saving cats
and dogs that they understandably do not have the
time and energy to find out how to properly care for
small and unusual pets that end up at their facility. This
can lead to animals receiving insufficient care or even
dying in a facility’s care. Thousands of small pets can
be saved if those in rescues and animal shelters know
how to properly care for them. This presentation will
cover dozens of small pets and discuss stabilization,
appropriate handling, temporary housing and food,
immediate health concerns, placement resources, and
more. The workshop will also describe a “tool kit” that can
be easily compiled for dealing with incoming animals.
Critter Camp will provide a free hard copy
of “Immediate Intake Care of Small and Unusual
Pets” to all who attend the presentation.
Verbal Defense and Influence
Michael D. Schlosser, Ph.D., Director, University of Illinois Police Training Institute
Verbal Defense and Influence is a tactical
communication course. Participants will learn simple
tactics to de-escalate hostile situations involving
confrontational and argumentative people. Participants will
learn how to properly use the 5-step principle, deflection
phrases, and peace phrases as de-escalation tactics.
Animal Rabies and Submission of
Animals for Rabies Testing
Connie Austin, DVM, MPH, Ph.D., and Robert Cox, Rabies
Supervisor, Illinois Department of Public Health
This session will go over animal rabies testing
in the state including how to properly submit animals
for rabies testing, what the results of unsatisfactory,
inconclusive, negative and positive mean, and what
common errors in shipping are seen. In addition, a
description of animal rabies and animal rabies submission
in the state will be covered including scenarios to
illustrate when animal rabies testing should be done.
Responsible Pet Ownership
- Reducing Recidivism
Daniel DeSousa, Deputy Director, County of San
Diego Department of Animal Services
Tired of educating or issuing citations to the same
person over and over again? Are those citations clogging
up your courts or, even worse, not even being pursued
due to higher priority cases in the prosecutor’s office
and courtrooms? Learn one agency’s technique to
reduce the workload for the prosecutors and courts
yet still gain compliance from that chronic offender. Successful Transfer and Relocation
Programs - Saving Lives with ASPCA MAP
Jesse Winters, Senior Director, Community Outreach, ASPCA
Interested in transferring animals from your
organization to others for adoption? Unsure how
to find transfer partners? Learn how to establish
great partnerships, manage expectations, and
what you need to keep in mind to create a great
transfer and relocation program to save more lives.
Special Session - Wednesday
Sponsored by Petfinder
The 14th Annual
Prairie States Conference is
proudly presented by the
Illinois Animal Welfare Federation
Our Mission Statement
The Illinois Animal Welfare Federation
believes education of leaders is paramount
to advancing the care, treatment and
respect of all animals. As leaders in animal
welfare, we provide valued and respected
resources to community members, elected
officials and animal organizations.
Our Purpose
Playing for Life! A Training Program for
Shelter Dogs Featuring Play Groups
•
To act as a strong, unified voice for
the protection of all animals.
Aimee Sadler, Director of Training and Behavior,
Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation
Playing for Life! Is a nationally recognized
program developed for shelter dogs that saves
lives! Introduced to over 55 organizations across
the US, this program features canine play groups
as an assessment, enrichment, training and
adoption enhancement tool. Implementing
daily play groups supports a better quality of life
for the dogs as well as the people dedicated to
supporting them until adopted into loving homes!
•
To assist animal humane societies, animal
control facilities and other animal
welfare organizations in strengthening
their organizations and programs.
•
To promote the kind and humane
treatment of animals and the enforcement
of laws for the protection of animals.
•
To provide and promote training and
education of humane investigators,
animal control officers, and other
animal welfare workers.
•
To gather and distribute for the use
and benefit of its members and
the public, information regarding
pending and existing federal, state
and local animal welfare legislation
and to promote a Federation
position on proposed legislation.
•
To encourage cooperative, supportive,
and collaborative relationships among
humane societies, animal control facilities,
and other animal welfare organizations.
•
To engage in such other activities as
shall encourage and promote kindness,
consideration and prevention of cruelty
to animals and also to exercise all other
powers, rights and privileges conferred
by the laws of the State of Illinois.
Fancy Footwork: How to Fix
Poor Leash Manners
Aimee Sadler, Director of Training and Behavior,
Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation
How do we get our shelter dogs looking so
flashy and happy on leash? When teaching shelters
how to implement play groups we show them tons of
video of our dogs having a great time with their basic
obedience and good manners coming in and out of the
kennels. Let us show you our fancy footwork routines
and why the dogs respond so well to our training.
Conference Information
Registration includes designated meals and breaks on Monday, Tuesday
and Wednesday. Single day registrations include meals for registered day
only. All meals include vegetarian options. For more information, visit
www.IAWF.net
Hotel Reservations
The Prairie States Conference will be held at the DoubleTree by Hilton
Bloomington, 10 Brickyard Drive, Bloomington, IL. Room rates for
the conference begin at $99 per night, and include free parking. For
reservations, call the hotel directly at 309-664-6446 or central reservations
at 1-800-222-TREE and request the Group Code PSC. Online registration is
available at www.bloomington.doubletree.com.
Be sure to reserve your room by May 19 to guarantee the special
conference rate! If traveling by air, we recommend flying into the
Central Illinois Regional Airport - BMI. The DoubleTree Hotel provides a
complimentary shuttle for all overnight guests. Please call 309-664-6446 to
arrange pickup.
Why Wait? Register Now!!
Registration for the full three-day conference is $125. If your organization is a member of the Illinois
Animal Welfare Federation the registration fee is $100 for the first person and $75 for each additional
person. If you would like to register for just one day, either Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, the
registration fee is $50.
Please make check payable to Illinois Animal Welfare Federation. Mail registration form with payment
to: TAILS Humane Society, Attn: Beth Drake, 2250 Barber Greene Road, DeKalb, IL 60115. You may also
register online at iawf.wildapricot.org. Have questions? Contact Beth at bdrake@tailshumanesociety.org or
815-758-2457 ext. 10101.
Cancellation/Refund Policy
No refunds will be issued after May 25, 2014. Cancellations before then will be refunded less a $25
processing fee.
Thank you to our generous sponsors.
Without their support, Prairie States 2014 would not be possible.
County Animal Controls of Illinois
2014
PRAIRIE STATES
ANIMAL WELFARE CONFERENCE
Registration Form
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This is my first Prairie States Conference
Registration for FULL CONFERENCE - IAWF MEMBER RATE ($100 Monday-Wednesday) Number of ADDITIONAL attendees at MEMBER RATE ($75 each with 1 FULL CONFERENCE registration)
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Registration for Tuesday ONLY ($50)
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Register now!
June 9-11, 2014
DoubleTree by Hilton - Bloomington, Illinois
Something for everyone!
Executives • Animal Control Officers • Veterinarians
Line Staff • Managers • Medical Staff • Volunteers
Prairie States Conference
c/o TAILS Humane Society
2250 Barber Greene Road
DeKalb, IL 60115
www.IAWF.net