Massachusetts Animal Coalition

04/05/2026

Dr. Kwane Stewart ~ Saturday, April 25, 2026, 1:30 PM - 5:00 PM

Worcester Technical High, 1 Officer Manny Familia Way Worcester, MA 01605-2885

Join other animal lovers and hear from Dr. Kwane Stewart, CNN's 2023 Hero of the Year, during an inspiring presentation. Dr. Stewart's talk will be followed by a panel discussion with local animal welfare groups who are helping at risk pets across our state. Dr. Stewart's work with those experiencing homelessness and helping the pets they love can inspire all of us to combine our efforts and passions to make an impact locally.

Stick around for the VIP reception with Dr. Stewart and mingle with veterinary staff, professionals, and animal lovers. Snacks and non-alcoholic drinks are included in the VIP registration package. Limited space is available for the VIP reception!

Registration and more details:
https://www.massvet.org/events/kwane-stewart-2026

03/01/2026

Missing Dogs Massachusetts is pleased to be able to offer a grant program to provide funds for the purchase of martingale collars for registered organizations that adopt out dogs in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Completed applications must be received by midnight, March 31, 2026.
Should you have any questions please feel free to reach out via email:
[email protected]

Link to application: https://wix.123formbuilder.com/.../2026-martingale...

Please be sure to share with rescues/shelters/humane societies/animal control depts in Massachusetts and Rhode Island!

Missing Dogs Massachusetts is pleased to be able to offer a grant program to provide funds for the purchase of martingale collars for registered organizations that adopt out dogs in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Completed applications must be received by midnight, March 31, 2026.
Should you have any questions please feel free to reach out to us via email:
[email protected]

Link to application: https://wix.123formbuilder.com/form-6935648/2026-martingale-funding-grant-application

Please be sure to share with rescues/shelters/humane societies/animal control depts in Massachusetts and Rhode Island!

02/15/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1bY91ByG6i/

01/29/2026

The Florida Summer Fellowships are immersive training experiences designed to build medical, surgical, and operational skills in students seeking future careers in HQHVSN, community cat management, shelter medicine, or low-cost access to veterinary care.

The Operation Catnip Community Cat Management Fellowship is an intensive 10-week program in all aspects of community cat management, including caregivers, residents, veterinary schools, and local animal welfare organizations toward improving the treatment of community cats. The program runs May 18 – July 25, 2026, in Gainesville with 1 week in Miami.

The EveryPet Fellowship in HQHVSN and Accessible Veterinary Care is a 5-week program. Students will develop skills spay/neuter surgery, dentistry, and creating practical, cost-effective, accessible care plans that balance the needs of both the patients and clients in a fast-paced high-volume clinic. The program runs June 22, 2026, through July 24, 2026, in Jacksonville.

Applications for both programs are due February 14, 2026. Both programs offer financial stipends during the training. Learn more and apply for the fellowships here:

Operation Catnip
https://sheltermedicine.vetmed.ufl.edu/.../applications...

EveryPet
https://www.everypet.org/veterinary-student-training-at.../

01/27/2026

A team of nine Shelter Medicine experts have worked for over a year to publish the first ever comprehensive guide to caring for rabbits in the unique environment of animal shelters.

The Association of Shelter Veterinarians’ Guidelines for Humane Rabbit Housing in Animal Shelters was just published in a special issue of the Journal of Shelter Medicine and Community Animal Health. The comprehensive 25-page guideline systematically covers capacity planning, facilities, enclosures, enrichment, co-housing, sanitation, and infectious disease management. Appendices include a section on Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease prevention and mitigation and an image collection of high-quality shelter housing for rabbits.

https://jsmcah.org/index.php/jasv/article/view/149/321

12/25/2025

Salisbury, MA Low-Cost Vaccine & Microchip Clinic 🐾

On Sunday, January 4, Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society is offering affordable services for cats and dogs!

💉 Rabies & Distemper Vaccines: $20 each
✂️ Nail Trims: $10
📍 Microchip Identification: FREE (thanks to a generous grant from the Cummings Foundation!)

Appointments are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. There are no income or residency requirements—just bring your cat in a carrier or your dog on a leash, and our vet and staff will take care of the rest.

⚠️ Pre-registration and pre-payment are required.

👉 Register online today to reserve your spot! https://clinichq.com/.../5db1433d-d4c7-497b-ae45...

12/17/2025

MAC is Now Accepting Applications for the
2026 Pet Plate Grant Cycle!!

MAC offers grant funding to shelters, rescues, and nonprofit high volume spay/neuter providers, which are incorporated and licensed in the state of Massachusetts. Municipal animal control programs in Massachusetts are not required to be incorporated or licensed and are also encouraged to apply.

The deadline for submissions is January 15, 2026

Click here to apply: https://www.massanimalcoalition.org/pet-plate-grant

12/14/2025

Animal Shelter Behavioral Management Certificate Course through the University of the Pacific starts on January 26, 2026

This on-line course is taught by Certified Animal Behavior Consultant and Shelter Animal Behavior Specialist Kelley Bollen, MS, CABC who also serves as the Director of Humane Network’s "Alive & Thriving" program.

This 8-week certificate course will give you the knowledge and skills to develop an effective behavior program at your shelter aimed at improving the welfare of the animals in your care.

For more information and to register click button below.

Sign up for certificate course from University of the Pacific.

12/09/2025

CMDART pet first aid class
Saturday, Dec 13, 10-4
Berlin Fire Department, 23 Linden Street

Animal Control Officers get 5 CEUs for attending the class

The course has been discounted to $70 for CMDART. (Usually the course is $100-125.00). There are scholarship registrations available if you are on a state voucher or limited income situation. Indicate the nature of your request when registering. Scholarships are being made available through a CMDART grant received from the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts.
No personal pets are allowed at the course; only those being used for demo purposes.
Course content includes Snout to Tail assessment, choking and wound management. CPR and more. This is a fun interactive course, not just a lecture. The fee includes $30 of items participants will take home including a pet first aid book. Personal pet first aid kits will also be available for purchase.

11/05/2025

11/04/2025

New England Federation of Humane Societies' Training: Dog Behavior for Frontline Staff

Join us for a day dedicated to advancing canine care in sheltering. This session features expert-led presentations on safe and effective dog-to-dog introductions, advanced canine body language, ethical considerations and dog behavior, and defensive handling. Attendees will leave with practical tools to better assess behavior, support safe interactions, and make informed, compassionate decisions for the dogs in their care.

Nov 10, 2025
9:00am - 3:00pm

Dakin Humane Society
171 Union St, Springfield, MA 01105

Doors open at 8:30am.
Attendees will be responsible for their own lunch.

Expert Speakers:
Cayla Penny, MSPCA
Hannah McGee, MSPCA
Lauren Rubin, Dakin Humane Society

Register here:

Join us for a day dedicated to advancing canine care in sheltering. This session features expert-led presentations on safe and effective dog-to-dog introductions, advanced canine body language, ethical considerations and dog behavior, and defensive handling. Attendees will leave with practical tools...