Wisconsin Federated Humane Societies Badger State Conference 2026

Get ready for an awesome in-person gathering of animal lovers and advocates at the Badger State Conference 2026! Join fellow Wisconsinites passionate about humane societies for a day filled with inspiring talks, networking, and fun. Whether you're a volunteer, staffer, or just curious, this event is the place to connect and share ideas. Don't miss out on this friendly, local meetup all about making a difference in Wisconsin’s animal welfare scene!

Info: Come for the coffee, stay for the vendors!

Info: Millions of potential adopters turn to online platforms each month, seeking their perfect companion. But what truly drives their decisions when it comes to large dogs? In this data-driven session, we'll go beyond assumptions to dive deep into the world of large dog adoption. We'll share trends in supply and demand, and uncover the critical impact of factors like photo quality, showcased personality traits, adoption fees, and strategic marketing on adoption interest. Learn the secrets to crafting captivating dog profiles that truly resonate with potential adopters. We'll also reveal groundbreaking insights from recent research on the real reasons why people search by breed – and it's far less about aesthetics than you might imagine. Discover the fascinating interplay between breed preference and other specific traits, and gain actionable strategies for shelters and rescues to navigate these perceptions effectively.

Info: With every shelter stuffed to bursting, long stay pets are often the most at risk. Not only because of space crunches but also due to the effects being kenneled has on their bodies and behavior. Organizations across the country are utilizing innovative foster care programs, proactive marketing strategies and more to target pets with long shelter stays and get them into permanent homes faster. In this presentation, you’ll learn techniques you can use right now to get your most difficult-to-place pets adopted, including the winning plans from Virginia shelters that have had great success with this specific population.
Learning Objectives:
Participants will learn the easy things their organizations can do to make it more likely that pets will be adopted quickly
Participants will learn successful strategies organizations have used to find adopters for pets with long shelter stays and some of the most difficult-to-place pets, including pets who have complicated medical needs or those whos

Info: Lunch and visit our vendors!

Info: Description coming soon!

Info: Team members from Dane County Humane Society in Madison, WI and Humane Animal Welfare Society in Waukesha, WI, will be joining us to discuss the steps they've taken to improve animal enrichment experiences in their shelter. More info coming soon!

Info: Ringworm in the shelter has a reputation that's a lot worse than the reality. In this highly interactive session, Dr. Becky Stuntebeck of Paws to Elevate Shelter Consultation Services will set the record straight and give you tools that make ringworm management a little bit easier. Attendees will vote on which topics to dig into, so the conversation goes where you need it to go. Come ready to ask questions, bust some myths, and gain renewed confidence in your ability to contain infections and provide the best care possible to infected animals.

Info: Come for the coffee, stay for the vendors!

Info: Leading volunteers is deeply rewarding, but when challenges arise, even experienced leaders can feel stuck or unsure how to respond. Difficult volunteer situations rarely come out of nowhere; they are often rooted in unclear expectations, misalignment, burnout, or unmet needs. This practical, interactive workshop helps participants recognize early warning signs of volunteer challenges and respond with confidence and clarity. Participants will explore common root causes of difficult volunteer behavior, strategies for preventing problems before they escalate, and when—and how—to step in when issues do arise. Using real-world scenarios, the session introduces tools for addressing concerns directly and respectfully that protect both relationships and mission. Whether you’re new to engaging volunteers or navigating long-standing dynamics, this session will strengthen your ability to handle any situation with empathy, professionalism, and grace.

Info: Visit Wisconsin Federated Humane Societies facebook page to vote on what you would like to hear about!

Info: Lunch and visit with our vendors!

Info: Working in animal welfare is rewarding, but it can also be emotionally taxing, filled with endless highs and lows. Most of us are pretty good at learning the practical and professional skills needed to work in this field and deal with its challenges. Many of us, however, continue to struggle with incorporating those harder-to-define but equally important skills that help us acknowledge and work through our emotions in healthy ways. This session will highlight the concept of courageous conversations, with the goal of providing animal welfare staff and volunteers with the tools they need to navigate an emotionally complex working environment.

Info: What if you could predict which pets would succeed in a new home before they ever entered your doors? Since 2017, Rehome by Adopt a Pet has been tracking the journey of pets staying out of the shelter system—and we’re ready to share the results. This session breaks down the "anatomy of a rehome," using nine years of granular data to explore:
Owner Stamina: How long are owners truly willing to wait for the right match?
Success Metrics: Which pets find homes fastest and what factors drive a successful transition?
Intake Reduction: How to turn these insights into a "Supported Self-Rehoming" program that works immediately.
Move beyond guesswork and leave with a data-backed blueprint to empower owners, reduce intake, and save more lives.

Info: In this lively session, we’re digging into the people side of foster programs—because getting animals into homes starts with bringing more humans on board! We’ll tackle the questions everyone’s asking: How do you get more folks through the door? And how do you keep them coming back for more tail wags and happy endings? With a mix of surprising research, real-world examples, and interactive moments, you'll walk away with fresh ideas to make your program more welcoming, inclusive, and downright irresistible.

Info: Join seminar speakers, sponsors, vendors and fellow shelter staff from across Wisconsin for a night of networking and connection making! This event will facilitate focused, interactive discussions allowing attendees to engage in, debate, or brainstorm specific topics in a smaller round table setting.

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