Cats, Community and Reduced Fees: Inside Mornington Peninsula's May Adoption Event
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Member Updates & Resources
Welcome to 'What’s New', the new home for the latest updates, webinars and resources - all in one place! This space will be regularly updated with webinars, learning opportunities, and key insights to keep you informed and connected.
Stay tuned for fresh content each month, and don’t forget to check back for the latest updates!
October 2026:
Funding opportunity for NSW animal welfare and rehoming organisations
Round 2 of the NSW Government’s Companion Animal Welfare and Rehoming Grant is now open, with grants of $5,000 to $50,000 available to eligible organisations supporting cats and dogs in NSW. Funding can help with rehoming and reunification, preventing animals from entering the rehoming system, and training, services or equipment that improve rehoming outcomes. Eligible projects may also include veterinary care, animal rehabilitation and improvements to animal care facilities.
Applications close at 5 pm on 9 October 2026. Check the full eligibility criteria and funding guidelines to see whether your organisation and project qualify
Check eligibility and apply for the grant
Build your animal welfare skills at The Annual Conference 2026
The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement is holding its Annual Conference from 27–29 October 2026 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The Network Live takes place on 26 October and requires separate registration.
The program covers communications and marketing, fundraising, management and supervision, workforce development and leadership. Sessions and networking opportunities offer animal welfare professionals a chance to exchange ideas and explore approaches for their organisations. For Australian rescue and shelter teams considering attending, the US-based event may offer useful perspectives on supporting staff, strengthening communications and developing organisational practices.
Explore the conference program and registration
Strengthen your foster program with new survey insights
Looking for ideas to strengthen your foster program? A free Maddie’s Fund webinar explores findings from its 2024 National Foster Survey, including foster program trends, onboarding, application processes and social media engagement.
While the research focuses on US organisations, Australian rescue groups may find useful ideas for reviewing their own processes, identifying barriers to participation and supporting foster carers.
The session has already taken place, and an on-demand recording is now available through Maddie’s University.
Kennel Hackathon practical ideas to improve shelter dog welfare
The Animal Welfare Science Centre’s 2026 Kennel Hackathon brought together researchers and professionals from animal welfare and other fields to explore ways to make kennels better for dogs.
The event explored ideas for improving kennel environments and the welfare of dogs living in them. Australian rescue and shelter teams may find useful perspectives to consider when reviewing their facilities and everyday care practices.
The live event has finished, and the Centre has announced that recordings of the presentations are now available online.
Make your rescue website easier to use
Is your website helping people find the information they need and take the next step? This free recorded webinar highlights common website problems and shares practical, budget-friendly ways to improve navigation, accessibility and calls to action.
It also includes a checklist and basic layout ideas that rescue organisations can apply without specialist design or technical experience. These may help your team review how visitors find information about adopting, fostering, volunteering or supporting your work.
September 2026:
PetRescue's Members Suppawt Series- Foster Care Programs: A Fireside Chat Recording
If you couldn’t join us live, or would like to revisit the conversation, the full webinar recording and supporting resources are now available.
This session brought together perspectives from rescue, shelter, council, and the volunteering sector to explore how organisations approach foster care programs, including practical ideas for strengthening existing programs and considerations for those looking to start one.
Watch the webinar replay and access resources here
ASPCA Pro- How to Reduce Dog Barking in Animal Shelters
Loud, prolonged barking is stressful for staff, volunteers, and for the dogs in your shelter. Excessive barking can increase stress levels, disrupt rest and make kennels less welcoming for adopters.
ASPCA Pro have outline practical, research-based strategies to help reduce barking in animal shelters.
Click here to read the article
Find support, tools and member benefits faster on PetRescue's platform
We heard you - finding the right support, tools and opportunities as a PetRescue member should be quick and easy, and now it is.
Based on feedback from members like you, we've created an all-new Member Resources page to make it easier to discover and access everything available with your free PetRescue membership, all in one place. You'll now find everything conveniently accessible directly from your member toolbar.
Explore the Members Resource page
Maddie's Fund webinar- Could gut health affect pet behaviour?
In this free Maddie’s Fund webinar, veterinary behaviourist Dr Lore Haug will explore connections between the gut microbiome, gastrointestinal symptoms and behavioural concerns such as anxiety. The session will also introduce relevant diagnostic and treatment considerations.
The webinar takes place on 10 September with an on-demand recording available afterwards.
Register for this free webinar
Maddie's Fund webinar- Learn low-stress handling techniques for cats
This free Maddie’s Fund webinar introduces practical low-stress handling techniques, including recognising feline communication signals, using minimal restraint and conducting examinations with carriers, towels and blankets as alternatives to scruffing.
The webinar takes place on 24 September with an on-demand recording available afterwards.
Register for this free webinar
August 2026:
PetRescue's updated Supply Number fields on the pet listing form
PetRescue's Group Profile form has a fresh new look
Go to 'My Group Profile' and click 'Edit'
Maddie's Fund Lost Pet Prevention courses
ASPCA Pro- Dog Playgroup Current Best Practices Guide
Maddie's Insights: Supporting dogs and adopters’ post-adoption Recording
July 2026:
Bunnings National Community Grants Program
Updates to PetRescue's Membership Code & Pet Listing Rules
PetRescue's Membership Code and Pet Listing Rules.
ICAM’s 7th International Conference Recordings are now available
Upcoming Workshop in August: Feline High-Quality High-Volume Spey Neuter (HQHVSN)
ASPCA Pro Seven Cues Every Dog Handler Should Know
June 2026:
PetRescue's Members Suppawt Series: Bookkeeping Fundamentals
Access the webinar recording here
The Kitten Conference 2026 by The National Kitten Coalition and Community Cats Central
HASS Intake Triage: A roadmap to the root causes of people and pet support needs
2026 Shelter Cat Behaviour Mentorship through Shelter Behaviour Hub
The Community Cats Podcast- Episode on Building the Prevention Layer Animal Welfare Has Been Missing
Listen to the podcast episode here
May 2026:
One million pets adopted on PetRescue thanks to our amazing member community
PetRescue's 2026 State of Pet Adoption Survey- share your experience!
ICAM’s International Online Conference on Dog & Cat Population Management- 8th to 12th of June
Research article on New Strategies of Canine Post-Adoption Support
HASS Beyond Enforcement: Insights into Community-Centred Field Services, webinar recording
April 2026:
PetRescue's Members Suppawt Series: Get Grant Ready with Confidence
Access the webinar recording here
Finding another way home- PetRescue Home2Home Insights
HASS talk Volunteers in their latest webinar recording
New Data Finding: Foster Programs Boost Adoptions by 20 Percentage Points
March 2026:
2 new lost cost, accessible vets opening soon to our members in Victoria and Queensland
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Angel Paws Veterinary Care in West Ipswich, QLD 4305- angelpawsvetcare@gmail.com or call 0481 086 086.
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Western Animal Care in Sunshine, Victoria- (03) 9112 5939 or email info@westernanimalcare.com.au.
Author Tim Brown and PetRescue collaborate to introduce “The Adventures of Rusty the Rescue Dog”
Pre-order here. Check our their socials - Rusty’s Rescue Adventures.
Strengthen your community impact with HASS’ community roundtable toolkit
Download the free toolkit here
Austin Pets Alive Free online course on The Modern Adoption Process
HASS webinar- collaborating with human services to support pets and people better together
February 2026:
ASPCA Pro guidelines for integrating social work within animal welfare work
Best Friends' share data supporting Open Adoption Practices
MET Conference, Modern & Ethical Dog Training Conference 7 & 8 March
Register for the virtual conference here!
Shelter Learniverse webinar The Fungus Among Us: Preventing, Diagnosing, and Treating Ringworm
Click here to register for this webinar!
Best Friends Return to Home (Owner) Training Playbook
View the Return to Home playbook here!
Register for support via PetRescue's Food & Product Donation Program
Register for food & product donations through PetRescue.
January 2026:
PetRescue Scheduled Platform Maintenance Thursday 29th January
Justice Clearinghouse webinar- Lead Forward: A Fresh Start for Animal Welfare Leaders Jan 22nd
Register for the FREE webinar here!
Crafting Inclusive Digital Experiences for Animal Care Donors by TrueSense Marketing
Click here to learn about crafting an inclusive donor experience!
Update to PetRescue's all-rounder knowledge base- 'Resources for shelters, councils and rescue organisations'
NACA ShelterSafe: foundations in animal care and welfare course
Find out more about the course here
WA students create adoption posters for pets listed on PetRescue
Check out the adoption posters here!
