Behavior Problems are the number one reason for owner relinquishment to shelters.  Many of the problematic behaviors that pet owners struggle with are normal cat or dog behaviors that they just don't understand or appreciate.  Shelter staff should be able to advise pet owners how to resolve problematic behaviors to help keep the animals in their home - where they belong.  This lecture by Kelley Bollen, MS, CABC, offers valuable advice on all the most common problematic behaviors in dogs and cats.

$25 Members

$35 Non-Members

This is a comprehensive training game to learn how to triage animals during disasters. In partnership with CVET, CalAnimals would like to extend this training opportunity to Animal Services representatives to play the game through a discounted registration!

This game will walk you through the CVET-ADE triage protocol and allow you to practice the knowledge you learn through an interactive game of both small and large animal disaster scenarios. You will learn how to prioritize safety when responding and how to quickly and appropriately triage animals for needed veterinary care. Completion of this training will provide up to 2 hours of continuing education credit for CACOs and humane officers. 

The standard cost of the training is 50 Euros (it’s hosted in the Netherlands), but we have a 50% off token for our officers which will amount to $28.50.

Click Register Today to fill out a short ADE Triage Game Interest Form. Once completed, CVET will contact you with more information including your specific discount code and how to access the online game.

Info Flyer

For questions: cvet@ucdavis.edu

Dogs and cats speak with their bodies and they always “tell” us how they are feeling with this language. Anyone who works with them should be able to read cat and dog body language in order to assess their emotional state. This information will ensure that the animal is properly and safely handled to reduce fear and stress. This presentation, led by Kelley Bollen, MS, CABC, includes a discussion of how to read dog and cat body language and how to safely and humanely handle the shelter animals.

$25 Members

$35 Non-Members

The shelter environment can be a stressful place for animals. Stress reduction is the most important aspect of a behavior wellness program in the shelter. Animals that are stressed are at risk for reduced welfare. In addition to the psychological ramifications, stressed animals are more likely to get sick in the shelter environment. This presentation, led by Kelley Bollen, MS, CABC, discusses why the shelter is a stressful place, how to recognize signs of stress, and what measures should be taken to reduce stress in the shelter animals during their stay.

$25 Members

$35 Non-Members

Shelters need to do the best they can to get to know the dogs during their stay. Whether you are a limited-admission, fully-staffed organization or an open admission understaffed one, there are ways for you to learn more about the dogs in your care. This knowledge about the dog’s basic personality and responses to daily interactions can help improve the dog’s quality of life while in your shelter, help match the right dog to an adopter, and in some cases, keep potentially dangerous dogs from being placed back into your community. A behavior assessment involves gathering all possible information about the dog - the behavioral history in the previous home if owner surrendered, behavior during medical exams, and behavior throughout the dog’s entire stay while interacting with staff, volunteers and potential adopters. Behavior assessments help shelters make sound decisions about adoptability, improve behavioral care, and increase adoption success.

$25 Members

$35 Non-Members

Cats – the forgotten species. While most shelters have a robust enrichment and training program for their dogs, the cats usually miss out. Keeping these sensitive animals behaviorally healthy in the scary shelter environment is critical for their welfare. Enrichment involves stimulating their senses, giving them things to do like work for their food, providing them with social contact with humans and other cats (for some) and challenging their minds through training. Enrichment and training will not only improve the cat’s quality of life in the shelter, but it can also help them get adopted faster.

$25 Members

$35 Non-Members

Animal Control Officers and Humane Officers now have the opportunity to complete a basic training academy on their own time, at their own pace, without travel.

This is a web-based, on-demand course consisting of more than 60 hours of video trainings conducted by a variety of exceptional experts in our field in California state laws and animal care, specifically to meet the requirements outlined in Health and Safety Code Sec 26222 and California Corporations Code Section 14502. The program also allows for up to 20 hours of self-directed time for reviewing additional provided resources, and quizzes to help ensure that content is understood. 

View Course Agenda 

$450 Members (staff of CalAnimals member organizations)

$500 Non-members (Learner Profile needed)

This training program was designed to ensure all animal officers throughout the state of California have access to quality training and industry best practices, and support each officer’s eligibility to become certified.

*This academy is open to everyone. It is not a requirement nor promise of employment.

Learn more about the CalAnimals 

Certified Animal Control Officer Program, 

our state’s voluntary certification program for ACOs. 

*To obtain certification:

1. You must be employed as an ACO

2. Taken PC 832 Arrest, Search and Seizure

3. Completed a qualifying animal law academy

Animal Control Officers and Humane Officers now have the opportunity to complete an advanced training academy on their own time, at their own pace, without travel.

This is a web-based, on-demand course consisting of more than 40 hours of training to advance skills for investigations, work more effectively with the public, respond to disasters, implement effective programs for cats, safely interact with wildlife, and more! This course meets the requirements for 40 CEUs every 3 years outlined in Health and Safety Code Sec 26222 and California Corporations Code Section 14502 for Certified Animal Control Officers and State Humane Officers. This academy is a collection of video trainings conducted by a variety of exceptional experts in our field.
View Course Agenda

$400 Members (staff of CalAnimals member organizations)

$450 Non-members (Learner Profile needed)

Learn more about renewing your CACO status. 

**Please note: CalAnimals webinars and trainings are for informational purposes only. Please check with your own municipality, legal counsel, and/or veterinarian to determine which activities are appropriate for your agency.