Welcome to our Shelter Industry Events Calendar! Here, you’ll find a variety of webinars, learning opportunities, online meetings, and national events focused on animal sheltering and related interests. While some events are hosted by the UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program, most are organized by other groups and agencies. Please note that being listed here doesn’t mean we’ve reviewed the material.
We’re here to provide you with a range of resources to help make your life easier. For more details about any event, feel free to contact the organizer directly (you’ll find their info in the event description). Know of any event that we are missing that you think should be shown here? EMAIL US at events@sheltermedportal.com
Submit your housing-related questions for the 9/16 All Call presenters! HEART LA’s Zaira Bernal (Paralegal) and Diana Cruz (Program Director/Law Clerk) will explore common challenges individuals with disabilities face when seeking the required documentation for Emotional Support Animals (ESAs), focusing on the limitations of current policy and real-world hurdles.
About the presentation: The call will begin with a brief overview of the Fair Housing Act (FHA), highlighting its protections and requirements for individuals who rely on ESAs to mitigate their disabilities. The core of the presentation delves into three case studies illustrating common obstacles, including medical professionals’ reluctance due to liability concerns, and the systemic lack of healthcare resources available to low-income and marginalized communities. The discussion will emphasize the sources of resistance, such as misinformation about ESA roles and barriers in healthcare access.
The presentation concludes by offering practical solutions HEART LA has implemented to address these challenges. These include facilitating self-certification for individuals receiving disability benefits in California, partnering with organizations to connect clients with healthcare providers, directly engaging with cautious medical professionals to educate and alleviate concerns, and training caseworkers and other qualified third parties on how to issue ESA documentation. Through this comprehensive approach, the organization aims to expand access to housing for those who need ESAs, creating a path for legal protections to be applied effectively in practice.
Save the date for Part 2 of our conversation with Zaira and Diana! Zaira and Diana will return to the All Call on October 1 for a conversation on addressing landlord resistance to ESA protections. What do you need to know to advance disability justice and help people and pets at risk of eviction stay together in your community? Submit your questions for the presenters.
About the All Call: The All Call is a twice-monthly, California community call for animal well-being professionals that occurs on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday. The one-hour call is a dedicated space to share and learn from each other. Popular topics include initiatives that create a more inclusive culture for both staff and community, programs that keep pets with their people, industry trends, research studies, as well as the hard stuff, like what’s not working or what is particularly difficult during times of scarcity. The call is a mix of presentations, storytelling, open discussion, and Q&A time.
The All Call is hosted by California for All team members Allison Cardona, Nadia Oseguera, and Ivy Ruiz, and is enriched by rotating facilitators. You only need to register one time. Calls are sometimes recorded; recap emails with supplemental resources are sent post-call.
Website Concerns/Questions
webadmin@sheltermedportal.com
