Mountain Animal Welfare Summit

About Register Now Schedule Speaker Bios Plan Your Stay Sponsors

Welcome to the Mountain Animal Welfare Summit!

In rural areas, some of the most challenging animal welfare issues exist in places you don’t go, with animals you don’t see in a shelter or rescue. The lack of access to veterinary care, combined with increasing cost of care can leave pets and owners in challenging circumstances. The sad reality is rural states also experience animal cruelty cases which are hidden from view or are so large and expensive to prosecute counties are at a loss as to how to address the issue. These are urgent issues affecting communities across the region. This conference will provide a space where we can openly discuss these challenges, share insights and explore solutions having a lasting impact. By coming together, we can push the boundaries of what’s possible and ensure that animal welfare extends beyond the walls of our organizations to the pets and people who need it most.

We’re so glad you’re here for the first ever Mountain Animal Welfare Summit, whether you’re from a municipal shelter, nonprofit rescue, brick-and-mortar facility, or foster-based organization. This summit is designed with something for everyone—from an in-depth legal and animal cruelty track to a fundamentals track covering the core of animal welfare work. No matter your role or experience level, we all have something to learn from each other, and this is the perfect space to connect, share ideas, and collaborate.

We are especially honored to welcome our keynote speaker, Karen Diver, a distinguished Native American leader and former Special Advisor to President Obama on Native American Affairs. With her vast experience in governance, policy and advocacy, Karen brings a unique perspective on the intersection of animal welfare, community engagement and the challenges faced in rural and tribal communities. Her leadership and dedication to equity and sustainable solutions will set an inspiring tone for our time together. We are thrilled to have her kick off this important summit!

We’ll see you soon,

Marta R. Pierpoint
HSWM Executive Director

Registration is open now!

We can’t wait to see you in beautiful Missoula this June. Please use the button below to register for the conference. There are options for single tracks as well as full conference registration. Please note that lunch will be provided each day, and dinner will be provided on Thursday, June 12. Early bird pricing closes on May 1st. Each attendee will need to register individually. If you have any questions about registration, please email us at development@myhswm.org

Scholarship Opportunities

ASPCA Northern Tier Shelter Initiative

The ASPCA Northern Tier Shelter Initiative (NTSI) has a limited number of scholarships for the Mountain Animal Welfare Summit 2025. These $500 scholarships are limited to attendees who plan on attending the whole conference, and can be used to cover registration, transportation and lodging for one or more attendees from qualified animal welfare agencies or official representatives of Indigenous communities. Funds cannot be used for food or staff time, or to cover registration for only the first day of the event. Please submit one application per agency, as you can list multiple attendees on the same form. Scholarships applications are open from March 10 – April 4, 2025, at 4 PM (Mountain Time) – apply here!

National Animal Care & Control Association

The Scholarship funds provided by NACA, in collaboration with Maddie’s Fund®, are dedicated to ensuring that law enforcement professionals gain an enriching and valuable experience to enhance their knowledge of animal welfare issues, best practices and protocols. This includes access to top-tier content and meaningful networking opportunities that are critical for professional growth and fostering future collaboration. If you are an animal control officer or other law enforcement professional tasked with ensuring animal welfare issues are addressed in your community, you are eligible for a scholarship. Scholarships are generally $500 each and can be used to cover registration, accommodations and transportation. There are a limited number of scholarships available, please apply as soon as possible here.

For a PDF copy of the schedule, please click here.
**Lunch will be provided every day, dinner will be provided on Thursday, June 12. Full session description to come, schedule subject to change.

Day 1 – Wednesday, June 11

Investigating Animal Cruelty **5 Hours CLE Pending

9:40am – 10:10am | Animal Laws, Beth Brandler, Esq.
10:0am – 10:45am | Lawful Seizure and Animal Disposition, Beth Brandler, Esq.
11:00am – 12:30pm | Investigative Tips & Techniques; Common Defenses, Teresa Ladner, Leigh Anne Wilson, Barney Strong
12:30pm – 1:30pm | Lunch & Learn, Forming a Montana Association, NACA
1:30pm – 2:15pm | Equine Cruelty Case Discussion: Issues & Challenges from a Recent Case, Dep. Tim Jurgonski – Madison County Sheriff’s Office
2:15pm – 3:30pm | *Hands On* Crime Scene Documentation, Teresa Ladner, Leigh Anne Wilson, Barney Strong
3:40pm – 4:30pm | Case Preparation & Testimony Tips, Beth Brandler, Esq.

5:00pm | Keynote Speaker, Karen Diver

Diver is a seasoned executive with a rich background in Indigenous governance and community-based organizations. She brings expertise in grassroots organizing, international relations, philanthropy and community engagement. She is currently serving as the inaugural Senior Advisor to the President for Native American Affairs at the University of Minnesota.

Day 2 – Thursday, June 12

Access to Care for Native & Underserved Communities

9:30am – 10:45am | A Facilitated Conversation with Karen Diver
11:15am – 12:30pm | A Facilitated Conversation with Karen Diver
12:30pm – 1:30pm | Lunch & Learn, Shelter Access to Spay/Neuter in Montana, ASPCA
1:30pm – 4:15pm | Vaccine Clinic Training – *Hands On* (Break Included), HSWM
1:30pm – 4:15pm | Vaccine Clinic Training – Lay Vaccinator *Hands On* (Break Included), HSWM
5:00pm – 7:00pm | Conversations & Cocktails

Caring for Cats Where They Are

9:30am – 10:45am | The Best Outcome for Every Cat: Implementing the Cat Superhighway, Cameron Moore
11:15am – 12:30pm | Welfare, Not Warfare: The Evolution of Community Cat Services and Navigating the Controversies That Shape Their Future, Monica Tarant
12:30pm – 1:30pm | Lunch & Learn, Shelter Access to Spay/Neuter in Montana, ASPCA
1:30pm – 2:45pm | Kitten College: Small Program, Huge Impact, Marnie Russ
3:00pm – 4:15pm | Understanding Cat Behavior, Tabitha Kucera
5:00pm – 7:00pm | Conversations & Cocktails

Day 3 – Friday, June 13

Veterinary Medicine: Companion Animal Developments **RACE Approval Pending

9:30am – 10:45am | Vaccination Protocols: Tailoring Protection for Every Patient, Dr. Erica Schumacher
11:15am – 12:30pm | Identifying and Managing Common Infectious Diseases in Dogs & Cats, Dr. Erica Schumacher
12:30pm – 1:30pm | Lunch
1:30pm – 2:45pm | Hard Conversations: Medications, Euthanasia and the Reality of Behavior Cases, Dr. Lisa Radosta
3:00pm – 4:15pm | Step by Step: Practical Approaches to Incremental Care in Veterinary Case Management, Dr. Jená Valdez

Fundamentals in Animal Welfare

9:30am – 10:45am | Active Population Management: Pathway Planning & Population Rounds, Dr. Lauren Overman
11:15am – 12:30pm | Foster Based Best Practices, Kelly Duer
12:30pm – 1:30pm | Lunch
1:30pm – 2:45pm | Customer Service in Animal Welfare, Gina Knepp
3:00pm – 4:15pm | Behavior & Enrichment Tips, Quinn Morrow

Karen Diver
Keynote Speaker – Wednesday, June 11 5:00pm

Karen Diver is currently serving as the inaugural Senior Advisor to the President for Native American Affairs at the University of Minnesota. Her previous roles in higher education included serving as a Faculty Fellow for Inclusive Excellence at the College of St. Scholastica and as business development with the Native Nations Institute at the University of Arizona.

Karen was also an appointee of President Obama as the Special Assistant to the President for Native American Affairs. As part of the Domestic Policy Council from November 2015 until the end of the Administration.

Karen served as Chairwoman of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa from 2007 -2015, managing the second largest workforce in northern Minnesota and a high capacity Tribal government.

Her current service includes the Great Lakes Fishery Commission as a US Commissioner and US Section Chair, member of the Board of Directors for the Bush Foundation, and Board of Governors for the Honoring Nations Program with the Harvard Kennedy School Project for Indigenous Governance and Development.

She has a Bachelors in Economics from the University of Minnesota, Duluth, and a Masters in Public Administration from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

Marta Pierpoint
Executive Director, Humane Society of Western Montana
Conference Presenter, Mountain Animal Welfare Summit

Marta Pierpoint moved to Montana over twenty-five years ago, leaving her San Francisco law practice to join Triaxsys Research LLC as a partner. After serving as Vice President to Triaxsys for three years, Pierpoint switched gears to fuel her passion for education, employed in leadership positions in both public and private academic domains. In 1998, Pierpoint joined the Humane Society of Western Montana as a member, and enthusiastically supported the mission in a variety of roles from foster to board chair until nine years ago when she was ultimately hired as Executive Director. During her tenure HSWM has grown from a shelter primarily focused on serving the approximately 1,400 pets in the building to premier animal welfare organization influencing policy and practice across the state to improve the lives of pets. HSWM now serves thousands of animals a year within and far beyond the shelter walls with a robust team of veterinary, behavior and animal care specialists.

Pierpoint is a frequent speaker on topics pertaining to nonprofit leadership and progressive animal welfare practices. Pierpoint holds a Fellowship Certificate in Shelter Leadership from the University of Wisconsin Shelter Medicine Program.

Elizabeth Brandler
Senior Counsel for Legal Advocacy & Investigations, ASPCA

Elizabeth (Beth) Brandler currently serves as Senior Counsel for the Legal Advocacy and Investigations Department for the ASPCA. In this role, Beth works closely with other ASPCA departments to identify, select and support animal fighting and cruelty cases nationwide. Beth both directly and through the supervision of the ASPCA’s Criminal Practice Counsel, supports local law enforcement and prosecutors across the country to investigate and prosecute animal fighting and cruelty cases. Beth also provides and oversees dedicated legal services for the ASPCA-NYPD partnership in New York City. Beth also provides assistance and legal advice to other ASPCA departments that are involved in criminal case work.

Beth came to the ASPCA in 2013, after spending six years with the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office, where she was an Assistant District Attorney in the Rackets Bureau. In that capacity, she successfully prosecuted numerous animal cruelty and animal fighting cases, as well as organized crime, official corruption and violent felony offenses. During that time, Beth also was appointed as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney for the United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of New York, Public Corruption Unit, and a Special Prosecutor for the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. Prior to becoming a prosecutor, Beth worked as an associate in a New York based law firm where she assisted in trials and appeals in federal and state civil and criminal cases. Beth received her B.S. in Biology from the University of Richmond and her J.D. from New York University School of Law.

June 11, 9:30am | Overview of Animal Cruelty Laws
June 11, 10:10am | Lawful Seizure & Animal Disposition
June 11, 3:40pm | Case Preparation & Testimony Tips

Teresa Ladner
Senior Director of Investigations, ASPCA

Teresa Ladner serves as the Senior Director of Investigations for the Legal Advocacy and Investigations Department of the ASPCA. In this position, Teresa is responsible for leading and managing all aspects of the department’s investigative function and serves as the Incident Commander for criminal and non-criminal case deployments. She also works in close coordination with the organization’s criminal practice attorneys to ensure successful case outcomes.

Teresa came to the ASPCA after retiring from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, where she was a Supervisory Special Agent. In that position, Teresa provided leadership to more than 40 FBI employees and task force officers; collaborated regularly with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and public and private stakeholders; and supervised the processing of small and large-scale crime scenes, including major terrorism events, kidnapping and missing children cases, and violent crimes, among others. While at the FBI, Teresa also pursued opportunities to hone her leadership and management skills, including training in navigating strategic change and employee development and mentoring.

Teresa is a lifelong animal lover with a demonstrated commitment to animal welfare. Upon retirement, Teresa deployed with the ASPCA as a professional responder aiding the evidence team on several national criminal cases and volunteered with Tallahassee Animal Services as a veterinary assistant, as well as the Florida State Animal Rescue Coalition’s disaster response team. In 2016, Teresa obtained her Master of Science degree in Veterinary Medical Sciences from the University of Florida, having previously received her M.A. in Homeland Defense and Security Studies from the Naval Postgraduate School, and a B.A. in Criminal Justice from Michigan State University. She is a courtesy faculty appointment with Florida International University, College of Arts, Sciences and Education, and a graduate of the Low Stress Handling® Silver Certification program. Teresa lives in Georgetown, Texas with her family.

June 11, 11:00am | Investigative Tips & Techniques; Common Defenses
June 11, 2:15pm | Crime Scene Documentation

Leigh Anne Wilson
Director of Investigations, ASPCA

Leigh Anne Wilson is a Director of Investigations with the ASPCA, Legal Advocacy and Investigations Division. In her role she consults and collaborates with law enforcement and animal welfare agencies on animal cruelty cases. Leigh Anne has worked with federal, state, and local agencies to recommend investigative processes for neglect and animal cruelty. Her skills have allowed her to assist through subject matter expertise on federal dog fighting cases, case lead large-scale animal sanctuary seizure, as well as animal hoarding and puppy mill investigations at the ASPCA.

Before her work with the ASPCA, Leigh Anne served as a SSgt. with Chatham County Sheriffs Office, and as Animal Services Director for Chatham County. She started her career with Guilford County Animal Services and was the supervisor of the animal cruelty investigations team. Leigh Anne has her general instructor certificate with POST standards and the North Carolina Department of Justice. Her team with the ASPCA continues to train law enforcement, prosecutors, and animal welfare professionals across the country. Leigh Anne still works as a part time patrol officer for Pittsboro Police Department, while also pursuing her bachelor’s degree for criminal justice with a minor in crime scene investigations from Purdue University.

June 11, 11:00am | Investigative Tips & Techniques; Common Defenses
June 11, 2:15pm | Crime Scene Documentation

Barney Strong
Director of Investigations, ASPCA

Barney Strong is a Director of Investigations with the ASPCA, Legal Advocacy and Investigations Division. In his role, Barney Investigates animal cruelty and neglect reports by working closely with both law enforcement and animal welfare organizations around the United States. Prior to joining the ASPCA, Barney began his career in Law Enforcement as a Police Officer in London, England. While working in the criminal Investigations department, Barney received multiple commander awards for his professionalism and dedication to his work, resulting in substantial crime reduction in London.

Barney later progressed onto joining the aviation and counter terrorism division within the Metropolitan Police. After moving to the United States, Barney wished to combine his passion of law enforcement with his love of animals. Barney became a sworn humane officer in California state. Here he worked as a lead Investigator for San Diego Humane Law Enforcement, Investigating a wide variety of both domestic and livestock crimes.

June 11, 11:00am | Investigative Tips & Techniques; Common Defenses
June 11, 2:15pm | Crime Scene Documentation

Deputy Tim Jurgonski
Madison County Sheriff’s Office

Tim has worked as a deputy with the Madison County Sheriff’s Office since July of 2020. He works at the office as both a Search & Rescue Coordinator and a Field Training Officer. When he is not working, Tim also volunteers at the Madison Valley Rural Fire Department.

June 11, 1:30pm | Equine Cruelty Case Discussion: Issues & Challenges from a Recent Case

Sam Mitchell, DVM
Director of Medicine, Humane Society of Western Montana

Dr. Sam’s interest in shelter medicine started in veterinary school, so she was thrilled to join the team at HSWM in 2020 after spending a little over two years in general practice. During her time at the shelter she’s helped implement programs to increase Montanans’ access to veterinary care, including low-cost spay/neuter and free pet vaccinations in Missoula, yearly spay/neuter and wellness clinics across the state, and Montana’s first Lay Vaccinator Program. She has presented at Animal Care Expo 2024 to share tips and tricks for starting such programs and is excited to be part of Mountain Animal Welfare Summit. When not at work she enjoys crafting, hanging out with friends, and spending time with her dog and cat.

June 12, 1:30pm | Vaccine Clinic Training – Lay Vaccinator

Justine Scaccia, DVM
Shelter Veterinarian, Humane Society of Western Montana

Justine is the newest veterinarian to join the Humane Society of Western Montana. She graduated from Washington State University in 2023 and went straight into completing a Small Animal Rotating Internship at WestVet Animal Emergency and Specialty Center in Boise, ID. Prior to her journey of veterinary medicine, she graduated with her degree in psychology and began her career doing group home work and wilderness therapy with youth-at-risk in the community. During these five years, she discovered her passion for working with people and ultimately decided to pursue a career that included both people and animals. Specifically, shelter medicine has always been a strong interest through her experiences volunteering and working at a local shelter in Montana. She is very excited to be a part of the impactful and passionate HSWM team. Outside of work, Justine has a 14 year old chihuahua mix named Stewie and a 9 month old kitten named Lydia. She is excited for this year’s outreach program to begin as well as for summer activities.

June 12, 1:30pm | Vaccine Clinic Training – Hands On

Julia Teixeira, DVM
Shelter Veterinarian, Humane Society of Western Montana

Dr. Julia Teixeira graduated from Midwestern University in 2021 and moved to Montana to pursue a career in general practice. After a few years in private practice and a few changes in geography, Dr. Julia once again found herself in Montana now working as a Shelter veterinarian in Missoula with the Humane Society of Western Montana. Shelter medicine was not what Dr. Julia initially thought she would be doing post graduation as she was raised in the large animal side of veterinary medicine but it has become the greatest passion of her career. Dr. Julia loves the community she serves whether it be by doing surgery, vaccine clinics or educating the public on disease. In her spare time she is an avid reader and beginning painter.

“Welcome to Montana! I hope you find the treasure state full of magic and wonder! The Humane Society of Western Montana is the biggest gift to enter my life, my hope is that we can impart some of our love and passion for animal welfare and strengthen the human connection to your life as well!”

June 12, 1:30pm | Vaccine Clinic Training – Hands On

Sierra Lenox
Veterinary Technician, Humane Society of Western Montana

Sierra Lenox is an experienced animal welfare professional currently serving as a Veterinary Technician at the Humane Society of Western Montana. With over seven years in the animal welfare industry across multiple shelters, Sierra has developed expertise in veterinary care, shelter operations, animal behavior, and community outreach. A graduate of Montana State University with a degree in Psychology, she holds multiple certifications including Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA), Certified Canine Behavior Consultant (CCBC-KA) and Fear Free Certified Shelter Professional. Sierra is passionate about improving access to veterinary care, particularly for underserved communities, and aspires to become a shelter veterinarian to better serve animals and their guardians.

June 12, 1:30pm | Vaccine Clinic Training – Lay Vaccinator

Cameron Moore
Shelter Strategy & Operations Consultant, Maddie’s Million Pet Challenge
College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida

Cameron oversees shelter engagement for Maddie’s Million Pet Challenge and the Shelter Medicine Program at the University of Florida. She works directly with municipal and nonprofit organizations to help improve efficiencies while increasing lifesaving. The goal is to work smarter instead of harder. Since 2013, she has completed over 150 shelter consultations in 25 states as well as Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. Recommendations focus on actionable solutions, proposing easy changes to enhance team performance while addressing the 4 rights (the right care, the right time, the right place and the right outcome).

In 2008, Cameron launched the Feral Freedom program in Jacksonville, Florida which helped over 30,000 community cats in the first 6 years and has become a model program around the country.

In addition, Cameron formed a nonprofit called Lucky Cat Adoptions in 2005 and has helped over ±15,000 cats and kittens through adoption and TNR.

June 12, 9:30am | Community Cat Superhighway

Monica Tarrant
Chief Innovation Officer, Give Them Ten Movement

Monica Tarant is the Chief Innovation Officer with the Give Them Ten Movement and is helping create cat caring communities across the country. A decade before anyone had heard of such a thing, she cut her teeth founding a trap-neuter-return organization in rural Illinois and pioneered one of the nation’s first and largest working cat programs. In 2012, her move to Texas helped Austin achieve a citywide 98% live release rate for cats. Monica then spent years as an instructor for the Maddie’s Fund Lifesaving Academy, teaching shelters best practices and innovative programs, advancing research in shelter medicine, and progressing public policy as a City of Austin Animal Advisory Commissioner. Monica is a frequent speaker and advisor on creative solutions for every cat, progressive community cat programming, transformative shelter leadership, and creating strategic visions for impactful, sustainable organizations.

June 12, 11:15am | TNR in Action

Marnie Russ
Founder, National Kitten College – Arlington, VA

Marnie is a seasoned animal welfare advocate and the founder of Kitten College at the Animal Welfare League of Arlington in Arlington, VA. The innovative program, which started as the first kitten nursery of its kind, has grown significantly under her leadership. Since its inception, Arlington’s kitten rescue efforts have expanded from saving just 92 kittens in 2016 to almost 1,600 in 2023, while maintaining an impressive 98% live release rate. Marnie has been fostering neonatal kittens for over two decades, specializing in the care of critical-care neonates and high-risk nursing and expectant queens. Her expertise in at-risk kitten care is widely recognized, and she is often sought after to speak nationally on topics like neonatal kitten care, shelter/rescue program development, and bottle feeding techniques.

In 2023, Marnie played a key role in assisting UC Davis and the University of Wisconsin in updating neonatal kitten care guidelines, which have since been widely distributed. Her practices have been adopted globally to help shelters maximize resources while saving neonatal kittens. Marnie also leads National Kitten College, a 501(c)(3) organization that she founded in 2024. She sits on multiple boards for spay/neuter organizations, including Fox Hollow Animal Project in Montana and Caring Hands Animal Support and Education – International Advocacy. Marnie travels internationally each year to support spay/neuter initiatives in underserved areas, working to improve the lives of street animals in third-world countries. Her work continues to have a profound impact on both national and international animal welfare efforts.

June 12, 1:30pm | Kitten College: Small Program, Huge Impact

Tabitha Kucera
Owner, Chirrups and Chatter Cat & Dog Behavior Consulting and Training

Tabitha Kucera is an Elite Fear Free and Low-Stress Handling Certified Registered Veterinary Technician, Veterinary Technician Specialist (Behavior), Certified Cat Behavior Consultant, and Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner. Tabitha lectures nationally and internationally, helping audiences build stronger connections with animals through a deeper understanding of behavior.

Tabitha has held leadership roles with the Society of Veterinary Behavior Technicians, the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, and the Pet Professional Guild’s Cat Committee. She also served as a behavior consultant and mentor for the Cat Pawsitive Pro program for six years.

In addition, Tabitha works closely with animal welfare and veterinary organizations, including veterinary hospitals and animal shelters, to develop and implement training and behavior programs. She is a Fear Free certified speaker and coach, a Fear Free Practice Certification and Implementation Consultant, and the host of the podcast Tails from a Vet Tech.

June 12, 3:00pm | Understanding Cat Behavior

Dr. Erica Schumacher
Outreach Veterinarian and Clinical Instructor, University of Wisconsin Shelter Medicine Program

Dr. Erica Schumacher (she/her) fell in love with shelter medicine in 2003 when she joined the medical team at Dane County Humane Society (DCHS) in Madison, Wisconsin as a certified veterinary technician. Following her lifelong dream of becoming a veterinarian, she attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine and worked with Dr. Sandra Newbury to create the school’s first shelter medicine elective in 2004. After traveling and working in Arizona, Alaska and Africa, she returned to her roots at DCHS as the Chief Shelter Veterinarian where she oversaw the medical team as well as the shelter’s wildlife center for seven years.

She particularly enjoyed supervising the clinical training for the UW Shelter Medicine Program interns, residents, and veterinary students. In 2018, Dr. Schumacher joined the UW Shelter Medicine Program as an Outreach Veterinarian. She enjoys using her clinical background in shelter medicine as well as her love of teaching to help other shelters reach their lifesaving potential.

June 13, 9:30am | Vaccination Protocols: Tailoring Protection for Every Patient
June 13, 11:15am | Identifying and Managing Common Infectious Diseases in Dogs & Cats

Lisa Radosta, DVM, DACVB

Dr. Radosta graduated from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in 2000. She completed a residency in Behavioral Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. During her residency, she was awarded the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists Resident research award two years in a row.

Dr. Radosta is the owner of Florida Veterinary Behavior Service, a specialty behavior practice in southeast Florida.

She is a sought after national and international speaker. She is a coauthor of several books including: Behavior Problems of the Dog and Cat, 4th edition and From Fearful to Fear Free. She is a contributing author for Blackwell’s Five Minute Veterinary Consult, Blackwell’s Five-Minute Veterinary Consult Clinical Companion: Canine and Feline Behavior, Decoding your Cat, Canine and Feline Behavior for Veterinary Technicians and Nurses and Feline and Small Animal Pediatrics.

She has published research articles in the Journal of Applied Animal Behavior Science, Journal of Veterinary Behavior and The Veterinary Journal and written review articles for Advances in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, Compendium, NAVC, Veterinary Team Brief, Clinician’s Brief and AAHA Newstat. She has served on the Fear Free Executive Council and the AAHA Behavior Management Task Force.

She has been interviewed for many publications including Cat Fancy, Dog Fancy, Palm Beach Post, NAVC Clinician’s Brief, Sun Sentinel, WebMD, AAHA trends, Real Simple, Good News for Pets, Catster, DVM 360 and AAHA News Stat. She has appeared on Lifetime television, Laurie Live, local news in southeast Florida, Mitch Wilder’s Amazing Pet Discoveries, Nat Geo Wild, Animal Planet, Steve Dale’s Pet Talk and Dogs, CNBC and Cats and Scapegoats.

June 13, 1:30pm | Hard Conversations: Medications, Euthanasia and the Reality of Behavior Cases

Jená Valdez, DVM
Chief Medical Officer, San Francisco SPCA

Dr. Jena Valdez serves as Chief Medical Officer at the San Francisco SPCA, where she oversees innovative and impactful programs designed to deliver affordable, non-judgmental veterinary care. In pioneering the launch of the San Francisco SPCA’s Community Veterinary Clinic, a preventative health clinic located in a veterinary resource desert within the city, she continues to advocate for all animals and pet owners to provide them with high-quality care within financial reach. Beyond her work in California, she’s also a nationally recognized speaker and advocate for improving access to veterinary care and increasing diversity within animal welfare and veterinary medicine.

A graduate of Colorado State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Dr. Valdez has extensive experience in private practice, sheltering, and High Quality High Volume Spay/Neuter, and has volunteered countless hours with numerous groups including Rural Area Veterinary Services (RAVS) to help meet the veterinary needs of underserved communities throughout the mainland US and Hawaii.

She shares her home in San Francisco with her husband and a crinkle-eared tabby cat.

June 13, 3:00pm | Step by Step: Practical Approaches to Incremental Care in Veterinary Case Management

Dr. Lauren Overman
Senior Director – Shelter Medicine, ASPCA

Dr. Lauren Overman has worked in animal welfare for over 20 years and her involvement in and commitment to shelter medicine runs deep. She started as a veterinary assistant in an animal shelter before attending veterinary medical school. After graduating from the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in 2011, Dr. Overman went on to complete a shelter medicine internship at Oregon Humane Society. She then joined the Humane Society for Southwest Washington for 10 years as Vice President of Veterinary Services, where she oversaw the surgical and medical care of shelter animals and pets of people experiencing houselessness. She now works on the Shelter Medicine Services team at the ASPCA providing consultation to animals shelters across the country. Dr. Overman is currently serving on the Board of Directors for both the Alliance for Contraception of Cats and Dogs (ACC&D) and the Association of Shelter Veterinarians (ASV).

June 13, 9:30am | Active Population Management: Pathway Planning & Population Rounds

Kelly Duer
Senior Shelter Solutions Specialist, Maddie’s Fund

As Senior Shelter Solutions Specialist for Maddie’s Fund®, Kelly Duer’s focus is on helping shelters and rescue organizations increase lifesaving through the implementation of robust foster care programs. Her role includes consulting with shelters, creating and providing training for organizations and their foster coordinators, and writing and assisting with research on foster care.

June 13, 11:15am | Foster Based Best Practices

Gina Knepp
Senior Specialist – Outreach & Engagement, Petco Love

Gina Knepp is a Senior Specialist-Outreach & Engagement with Petco Love, focusing on the growth of Petco Love Lost, a lost pet reunification tool with the capability of improving lost pet reunification across the country. Formerly with Michelson Found Animals, Gina spent five years pioneering conversations and programs about getting lost pets back
home where they belong.

Gina’s background includes managing the Front Street Animal Shelter in Sacramento, California. Her experience leading a municipal, open intake, high volume shelter adds to her passion for helping lost animals get back home. Gina has extensive training expertise in Customer Service for animal welfare professionals, along with creating vibrant volunteer programs, leadership and change management. Gina lives in Hamilton,
Montana with her husband Chris, two dogs, Lucy & Rex, her cat, Kit, 18 deer and 80 turkeys.

June 13, 1:30pm | Customer Service in Animal Welfare

Quinn Morrow, CCTBS, CACTP
Behavior Specialist, Humane Society of Western Montana

Quinn is a certified canine behaviorist with a deep commitment to enhancing the holistic well-being of shelter animals. Quinn views behavior through the lens of applied ethology alongside applied behavior analysis. She focuses on enrichment to help shelter animals stay sane in the shelter and increase successful adoptions. Through her work with shelter animals and community animals, Quinn strives to strengthen the human-animal bond in whatever form that takes! In her free time she can be found crafting, working out, or deep in the woods with her dog!

June 13, 3:00pm | Behavior & Enrichment Tips

Hotel Accommodations

We have reserved a block of rooms on a group rate at The Residence Inn and the AC Hotel in historic downtown Missoula. Both hotels are on the same block and are both walking distance (15-20min) to the conference at the University of Montana via footbridge. Rooms must be reserved by May 11, 2025.

Residence Inn Missoula Downtown – $249/night
The beautiful Residence Inn by Marriott Missoula Downtown is an all-suite hotel with kitchens, work space and living space in every guest room and is perfect for those longer stays in town.

Complimentary Hot Breakfast Buffet
Indoor Swimming Pool
Access to restaurants, shopping, and more all within the hotel via the Mews
2^ndStory Rooftop Courtyard with lounge seating, fire pits, and a grill for guest use
Pet Friendly with fee
Onsite coin operated guest laundry
Valet Parking for $27 per night
Business Center
Fitness Center
Complimentary WiFi
Walking distance to dozens of cafés, bistros, restaurants, shops, entertainment & more

Book Residence Inn

AC Hotel Missoula Downtown – $249/night
The new AC Hotel by Marriott Missoula Downtown celebrates the AC Hotel’s beauty and classic modern design borne of its Spanish roots and European soul. Along with the inspirational and functional design, the welcoming modern touches will fill your stay with intention and meaning.

AC Kitchen open daily from 6:30am-10:30am offering a European breakfast spread for an additional $16 per person per day
AC Lounge open daily at 4:00pm, which offers local liquors, beers, and select wines
7R Bar offers a unique Missoula experience on the 7^thfloor rooftop with breathtaking views our our city and mountains (open seasonally)
Valet Parking for $27 per night
Business Center
Fitness Center
Complimentary WiFi
Walking distance to dozens of cafés, bistros, restaurants, shops, entertainment & more

Book AC Hotel

Founded in 1866, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) was the first animal welfare organization to be established in North America and today serves as the nation’s leading voice for vulnerable and victimized animals. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation with more than two million supporters nationwide, the ASPCA is committed to preventing cruelty to dogs, cats, equines, and farm animals throughout the United States. The ASPCA assists animals in need through on-the-ground disaster and cruelty interventions, behavioral rehabilitation, animal placement, legal and legislative advocacy, and the advancement of the sheltering and veterinary community through research, training, and resources.

Kitten College is a nonprofit organization offering vital support to animal shelters and rescues working to save neonatal kittens. Through education, resource sharing, and training we strive to decrease euthanasia while increasing quality of life. We are committed to fostering a compassionate community, dedicated to saving the lives of the most vulnerable felines and ensuring they receive high quality care. Our goal is to provide these services at little to no cost to shelters and rescues.

Michelson Found Animals Foundation is a leading animal well-being non-profit that believes people and pets are better together. Generously funded by Dr. Gary Michelson and Alya Michelson, Found Animals operates a range of programs including community partnerships, catalytic grants, impact investments, and education and advocacy initiatives that share a common goal: to champion pets at every point they intersect with our society. Found Animals has helped more than 8 million pets since it was founded in 2005. Learn more at foundanimals.org.

Established in 1994 by Dave and Cheryl Duffield, Maddie’s Fund^® is a family foundation and the fulfillment of a promise to their dog, Maddie. She provided them joy for over ten years and continues to inspire us today.

Due to their generosity and vision, the Foundation has awarded over $287.5 million in grants toward increased community collaborations and live outcomes, pioneering shelter medicine education, establishing foster care as a standard across the U.S. and driving innovation in access to care. Maddie’s Fund proudly offers the industry a national voice, important funding opportunities for bold ideas, learning resources and access to collaborate and share innovative solutions.

The National Animal Care & Control Association is committed to setting the standard of professionalism in animal welfare and public safety through training, networking, and advocacy.