MAWc
Minnesota Animal Welfare Conference
Meeting the Needs of Pets & People in the Animal Welfare Field
Join us on June 23, 2026!
The Minnesota Animal Welfare Conference, now in its 23rd year, brings over 100 animal welfare advocates together for an invaluable day of learning and networking. This year, the conference will be co-hosted by Tri-County Humane Society and Animal Humane Society, with support from the ASPCA, UW-Madison Shelter Medicine Program, Humane World, and My Pitbull Is Family. We believe that providing affordable opportunities for continued education and networking among animal welfare professionals is key to making Minnesota a more humane community.
Please join us from 8 A.M.- 5 P.M. on June 23rd at the Best Western Kelly Inn in St. Cloud, Minnesota!
REgISTER for the conference!
Schedule
8:00 – 8:55 A.M.
Registration & Breakfast
9:00 - 10:00 A.M.
Keynote Speaker: Shannon Glenn,
My Pit Bull is Family
10:00 - 10:30 A.M.
Break: Visit Exhibitors, Network
10:30 – 12:00 P.M.
Workshop A: Meeting Communities Where They're At - Access to Care and Surrender Prevention; Speakers: Dr. William Frahm-Gilles, DVM, Access Veterinary Care Clinic in Crystal, MN, and Shannon Glenn, My Pit Bull is Family
OR
Workshop B: Do THIS not THAT: Shelter Medicine Fundamentals; Speaker: Dr. Erica Schumacher, DVM, UW Madison - Shelter Medicine Program
(Will have 1 C.E. credit)
12:00 – 1:00 P.M.
Lunch
1:00 – 1:30 P.M.
Spay/Neuter Access Update; Speaker: Jamie Case, Northern Tier Shelter Initiative Director, ASPCA
1:30 – 2:30 P.M.
Workshop C: Behavior Pathway Planning (Part 1); Speaker: Katy Mahaley, MS, Senior Director, Animal Behavior Cruelty Recovery Center, Behavioral Sciences Team, ASPCA
(Will have 1 C.E. credit)
OR
Workshop D: Volunteer Engagement in Action: Strengthening Recruitment, Retention, & Connection; Speaker: Carolyn Sherer, Director of Volunteer Engagement, Animal Humane Society
Description: How do we increase volunteer engagement in ways that create the greatest impact for our organization, the animals and communities we serve, along with volunteers themselves? During this interactive session, we will draw on current trends in volunteerism, reflect on our own organizational practices, and identify actionable strategies for strengthening volunteer recruitment, retention and connection with the mission.
2:30 - 3:00 P.M.
Break: Visit Exhibitors, Network
3:00 - 4:00 P.M.
Workshop E: Tools for Behavior Pathway Planning (Part 2); Speaker: Katy Mahaley, MS, Senior Director, Animal Behavior Cruelty Recovery Center, Behavioral Sciences Team, ASPCA
OR
Workshop F: Adoption Best Practices; Speaker: TBD
4:00 - 4:30 P.M.
State of the State / Minnesota Legislation Update
4:30 - 5:00 P.M.
Door Prize Drawings
5:00 - 6:00 P.M.
Optional: Tour Tri-County Humane Society,
735 8th St. NE, St. Cloud
735 8th St. NE, St. Cloud
OR
Network with conference attendees over dinner at Green Mill Restaurant and Bar
Scholarships are now available!
Conference Scholarships
We are excited to announce that National Animal Care & Control Association, in collaboration with Maddie's Fund, is offering a total of 27 free scholarships to attend the Minnesota Animal Welfare Conference. To maximize the number of animal welfare organizations benefiting from this generous gift, each organization may request up to three conference scholarships to cover the registration fees by emailing office@tricountyhumanesociety.org.
NACA and Maddie's Fund® are dedicated to ensuring that scholarship recipients gain an enriching and valuable experience. This includes access to top-tier content and meaningful networking opportunities that are critical for professional growth and fostering future collaboration. We are grateful that they are providing these scholarships, ensuring a well-rounded and impactful conference experience.
NACA Memberships
NACA, in collaboration with Maddie's Fund, is offering 25 complementary NACA memberships. These memberships are first come, first serve. Please request your membership by emailing office@tricountyhumanesociety.org.
CONFERENCE SPONSORS
PRESENTING SPONSOR
TOP DOG SPONSOR
CHAMPION CAT SPONSOR
