Taking Action for Animals 2014: Full Schedule

5:00pm EDT

Registration

Thursday June 26, 2014 5:00pm - 9:00pm EDT
Ballroom Foyer

Registration

8:00am EDT

Registration

Friday June 27, 2014 8:00am - 9:00pm EDT
Ballroom Foyer

Registration

9:00am EDT

Becoming a Political Animal

Additional Fee Required
Transform your passion to help animals into action. Learn more about the legislative process and strengthen your advocacy skills. Find out how you can work with others to advance policies to protect animals within the Congress, state legislatures, and other bodies. Hear from experienced campainers about the best ways to network with other advocates and organizations engaged in animal protection work.

Moderators

JP Goodwin

Director of Animal Cruelty Policy, The Humane Society of the United States

John Goodwin is the Director of Animal Cruelty Policy for The HSUS's Animal Cruelty & Fighting Campaign. He is a nationally recognized expert on animal fighting issues who has been involved in the passage of both state and federal legislation to curb animal fighting. John has given... Read More →

Speakers

State Sen. Roy Afflerbach (PA)

Ret., Founder & President, The Afflerbach Group

Senator Roy C. Afflerbach, Ret. is President of The Afflerbach Group, LLC. His experience in government circles spans forty-six years, during which time he has earned multiple public service awards. He served as senior staff in the Pennsylvania Senate, a two-term Member of the Pennsylvania... Read More →

Matt Dominguez

Public Policy Manager, Farm Animal Protection, The Humane Society of the United States

After graduating from Lewis & Clark Law School, Matthew Dominguez joined the Farm Animal Protection campaign in 2011. He works to pass legislation that protects farm animals from cruelty while blocking harmful bills. Dominguez and his work have been covered by the New York Times... Read More →

Inga Gibson

Hawaii State Director, The Humane Society of the United States

Inga joined The HSUS 10 years ago, spearheading animal protection initiatives in Washington, Oregon and Idaho before opening the Hawaii office of The HSUS in 2009. Her experience ranges from humane investigations and shelter management to coordinating education and policy reform campaigns... Read More →

Carol Misseldine

Director of Grassroots Organizing, The Humane Society of the United States

Carol Misseldine serves as Director of Grassroots Organizing for The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). Prior to her current position, Misseldine served as a member of HSUS’s California State Council. Previous professional positions include Sustainability Director for... Read More →

Wayne Pacelle

President & CEO, The Humane Society of the United States

As president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), Wayne Pacelle leads the nation’s largest animal protection organization and one of the nation’s top charities.The HSUS is the number one provider of direct care services to animals, and it is the chief animal... Read More →

Bernie Unti

Senior Policy Advisor/Special Assistant to the President, The Humane Society of the United States

Friday June 27, 2014 9:00am - 12:00pm EDT

Friday Workshops

9:00am EDT

Plant-Powerful Cooking Demonstration

Additional Fee Required
Expand your culinary skills, whether you're a curious beginner, a flexitarian, a vegan veteran, or just looking to work some meat-free meals into your diet. This demo will arm you with the know-how you need to take action for animals in your kitchen!

Speakers

Doron Petersan

Founder/Owner, Sticky Fingers Sweets & Eats

Living the life as an Italian-Jew from New York-turned-vegan was ever so challenging. Craving traditional guilt-laden foods, she was determined to unlock the secrets of creating their animal-free counterparts for everyone to enjoy. With a degree in Dietetics from the University of... Read More →

Friday June 27, 2014 9:00am - 12:00pm EDT

Friday Workshops

12:00pm EDT

Lunch on your Own

Friday June 27, 2014 12:00pm - 2:00pm EDT

Other

2:00pm EDT

Giving Farm Animals a Voice

Additional Fee Required
WARNING: The factory farming industries don’t want you to attend this session. With billions of animals at risk, farm animals need protection from suffering. And we have a plan to do it! Some of the nation's most experienced farm animal campaigners will share strategies for effectively waging farm animal cruelty initiatives. This session is all about ways you – either professionally through an organization or at your local level as an individual – can make a difference for farm animals with as much or little time as you have available.

Speakers

Matt Ball

author of The Accidental Activist and The Animal Activist's Handbook

Matt Ball co-founded Vegan Outreach and served as the group’s Executive Director for more than 20 years. Matt built VO into a leading animal advocacy organization, with many thousands of active members around the world. Under his leadership, activists distributed more than 22 million... Read More →

Suzanne McMillan

Senior Director, Farm Animal Welfare Campaign, ASPCA

Suzanne is the Senior Director of the ASPCA’s Farm Animal Welfare campaign. She oversees the development and implementation of campaigns to combat farm animal cruelty on both the state and national levels. Efforts include public and consumer education, legislative and regulatory... Read More →

Erica Meier

Executive Director, Compassion Over Killing

Executive Director, Compassion Over Killing Erica Meier is the executive director of Compassion Over Killing (COK), a non-profit animal protection organization based in Washington, DC. Since 1995, COK has worked to expose farmed animal abuse and promote vegetarian eating using a... Read More →

Kristie Middleton

Corporate Outreach Manager, Farm Animal Protection, The Humane Society of the United States

Kristie Middleton is the food policy manager for The Humane Society of the United States. She has successfully worked with dozens of corporations, hospitals, and other institutions to improve the plight of farm animals through humane-minded purchasing programs, and has worked with... Read More →

Friday June 27, 2014 2:00pm - 5:00pm EDT

Friday Workshops

2:00pm EDT

Saving Pets

Additional Fee Required
We’ve made tremendous progress in bringing down euthanasia rates, but there’s still work to do in many communities—and you can help. We’ll teach you how to select an area of focus, build collaborative relationships, and take steps to make lasting changes. No matter your goal—increasing adoptions, implementing community cat programs, increasing access to low-cost spay/neuter, providing a safety net for families at risk of giving up their pet, eliminating breed-specific policies, or encouraging puppy-friendly pet stores—we’ll give you all the tools you need to save the lives of pets in your community.

Speakers

Tawny Hammond

Director, Fairfax County Animal Shelter

Tawny Hammond, the Director of the Fairfax County Animal Shelter, has worked for the past 27 years in public service managing facilities and programs for pets and their people. She is committed to humane solutions for all animals in the Fairfax County community and to working collaboratively... Read More →

Laurie Maxwell

Chicago Manager, Pets for Life, The Humane Society of the United States

Laurie’s expertise includes strategic, relationship-based community outreach in underserved areas, informed by her Pets for Life work and her educational background in social work. She firmly believes we can reduce the suffering of pets living in poverty by empowering pet owners... Read More →

John Moyer

Outreach Coordinator in the Puppy Mills Campaign, The Humane Society of the United States

Coordinate grassroots level outreach nationwide for the Puppy Mills Campaign. This includes efforts to increase the number of qualified pet stores in our Puppy Friendly Pet Stores program and help convert stores into more humane models where they offer adoptable shelter pups instead... Read More →

Neya Warren

Coalition to Unchain Dogs

Friday June 27, 2014 2:00pm - 5:00pm EDT

Friday Workshops

5:00pm EDT

Exhibit Hall Open/Welcome Reception

The welcome reception officially opens the conference and gives participants their first opportunity to network. This year’s event takes place in the exhibit hall and includes hors d’oeuvres, one complimentary beverage from the bar, and a cash bar. The HSUS State Directors will also be in the exhibit hall. Come meet the representative from your state!

Friday June 27, 2014 5:00pm - 8:00pm EDT
Ballrooms AB

Exhibit Hall

8:00pm EDT

Movie Screening - Blackfish

Killer whales are beloved majestic and friendly giants, yet are infamous for their capacity to kill viciously. Join us for a special viewing of Blackfish, which unravels the complexities of this dichotomy. By focusing on the story of the notorious performing whale Tilikum, who – unlike any orca in the wild – has taken the lives of several people while in captivity, Blackfish expands on the discussion of keeping such intelligent creatures in captivity.

Friday June 27, 2014 8:00pm - 10:00pm EDT

Movie Screening

7:30am EDT

Registration

Saturday June 28, 2014 7:30am - 7:30pm EDT
Ballroom Foyer

Registration

8:30am EDT

Welcome Remarks

Join us as we welcome you to the conference! Hear opening remarks from Michael Markarian, Chief Program & Policy Officer of The HSUS.

Saturday June 28, 2014 8:30am - 8:45am EDT

Plenary

8:45am EDT

Plenary 1 - Averting Farmageddon

Philip Lymbery’s investigative journey to find the hidden cost of cheap meat exposed him to the devastating impact of factory farming on people, animals and our planet. In his book Farmageddon: The True Cost of Cheap Meat, Philip concludes that factory farming is one of the most pressing issues of our time. It is responsible for unparalleled food waste and damage to our health and the countryside, and is the biggest cause of animal cruelty on the planet. In this talk, Philip will discuss the solutions to averting Farmageddon.

Speakers

Philip Lymbery

Philip Lymbery is Chief Executive of leading international farm animal welfare organisation, Compassion in World Farming, and author of Farmageddon: The true cost of cheap meat, recently published by Bloomsbury. Written with Sunday Times political editor, Isabel Oakeshott. Farmageddon... Read More →

Saturday June 28, 2014 8:45am - 9:30am EDT

Plenary

9:30am EDT

Plenary 2 - Every Twelve Seconds: Industrialized Slaughter and the Politics of Sight

As part of his Ph.D. dissertation research at Yale University, Timothy Pachirat worked undercover for nearly six months on the kill floor of an industrialized cattle slaughterhouse in Omaha, Nebraska. In his book Every Twelve Seconds: Industrialized Slaughter and the Politics of Sight, Timothy draws on his experience working as a liver hanger, a cattle driver and a quality control worker to explore how routine, massive processes of violence against immigrant workers and animals are normalized in modern society. Timothy’s talk today, far from being a “shock and awe” exposé (no graphic images will be shown!), carefully analyzes the divisions of space and labor on the slaughterhouse kill floor in order to raise provocative questions about the relationship between transparency and social and political transformation, all of which will be of interest to anyone fighting to change the world for animals.

Speakers

Timothy Pachirat

Assistant Professor, Political Science, University of Massachusetts Amherst

In 2004, Pachirat conducted undercover fieldwork for nearly six months as a liver hanger, a chute handler, and a quality control worker on the kill floor of an industrialized cattle slaughterhouse in Omaha, Nebraska. This research is the basis for his book, Every Twelve Seconds... Read More →

Saturday June 28, 2014 9:30am - 10:15am EDT
Ballroom C

Plenary

10:15am EDT

Break

Saturday June 28, 2014 10:15am - 10:30am EDT
Ballroom C

Other

10:30am EDT

Plenary 3 - Robin Quivers - My Vegucation: How Real Food Can Save Lives

Robin Quivers—best known for her level-headed comebacks to Howard Stern’s often-outrageous humor—certainly had fame, but she lacked her health. Frankly, she was sick and tired of being sick and tired. In this keynote, Robin will chronicle in both humorous and harrowing detail her transformative journey to a more healthful, more compassionate lifestyle. Robin will also be signing copies of her best-selling book, The Vegucation of Robin.

Speakers

Robin Quivers

The celebrated news anchor and co-host of “The Howard Stern Show” – and author of vegan cookbook, The Vegucation of Robin: How Real Food Saved My Life. Robin also runs a non-profit organization called the 15 Foundation, which funds healthy food and nutrition programs in schools... Read More →

Saturday June 28, 2014 10:30am - 11:15am EDT
Ballroom C

Plenary

11:15am EDT

Exhibit Hall Open/Lunch

NEW this year! The TAFA exhibit hall will include an assortment of food vendors, offering a diverse and exciting selection of cuisines for your purchase! Come have lunch while you learn about other animal protection organizations and ways to get involved - and do some shopping, too! There will be great animal cruelty-free products to buy for you and your pet. Help support our exhibitors and sponsors – they help make TAFA possible!

Saturday June 28, 2014 11:15am - 2:00pm EDT
Ballrooms AB

Exhibit Hall

1:00pm EDT

Sponsor Session with Big Cat Rescue: Your ROAR For Big Cats

Come hear from our Diamond Sponosr, Big Cat Rescue!

Your ROAR For Big Cats presentation will provide valuable information on the plight of big cats and how most captive big cats live in America. It will also explain why regulations cannot solve the problem -- only a ban on the private possession of big cats will end the misery and suffering of the 5000+ exotic cats living in backyards in this country. The presenter will show how YOU can make a difference by asking Congress to quickly pass the Big Cats & Public Safety Act.

This session will be held on the Balcony Level of the Exhibit Hall.

Speakers

Howard Baskin

Advisory Board Chairman, Big Cat Rescue

Advisory Board Chairman, Big Cat Rescue Howard Baskin spent 11 years at Citicorp in various assignments, most recently as Director of Strategic Planning for the Commercial Real Estate Division. After leaving Citicorp in 1991 he was an equity participant and general manager in three... Read More →

Saturday June 28, 2014 1:00pm - 1:30pm EDT
Ballrooms AB

Other

2:00pm EDT

Change of Heart: The Psychology of Social Change

Major corporations, politicians, and other groups rely on persuasion research to help them effectively reach consumers. Learn the latest science of persuasion to help make long-lasting changes for animals.

Speakers

Nick Cooney

Director of Education, Mercy For Animals

Nick Cooney is Director of Education at Mercy For Animals, a farmed animal protection and vegan advocacy organization. He is the author of Change of Heart: What Psychology Can Teach Us About Spreading Social Change and Veganomics: The Surprising Science On What Motivates Vegetarians... Read More →

Dr. Milena Esherick

HSUS California State Council Member

Dr. Milena Esherick is a licensed clinical psychologist and Director of Counseling Psychology at the Wright Institute in Berkeley, California. For over 15 years she has worked in a variety of community and medical settings helping people achieve healthy eating and lifestyle changes... Read More →

Saturday June 28, 2014 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT

Advocacy 101 Track

2:00pm EDT

Mad Communication Skills

Learn how to communicate the message of animal protection effectively to voters, lawmakers, friends, and advocates.

Speakers

Anthony Bellotti

Director, White Coat Waste Movement and Humane Research Council

Anthony Bellotti is a director of the Humane Research Council and founder of the White Coat Waste Movement - a new campaign to expose and eliminate the waste, fraud, and abuse in the government’s $12 billion annual taxpayer-funded animal experimentation budget. Bellotti has been... Read More →

JP Goodwin

Director of Animal Cruelty Policy, The Humane Society of the United States

Joshua E. Ulibarri

Partner, Lake Research Partners.

Saturday June 28, 2014 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT

Building Skills Track

2:00pm EDT

Serving the Underserved: Pets for Life

One in six Americans live in poverty, and 60 percent of Americans have at least one pet. Clearly, poverty has a large impact on dogs and cats every day. Develop a better understanding of what this means for companion animals in your community, learn how to reach underserved audiences of pet owners, and hear what local organizations can do provide information and resources to owners in need.

Speakers

Jill Kline

Education and Advocacy Manager, Wisconsin Humane Society

Jill Kline joined the Wisconsin Humane Society’s staff in 2006. Jill holds a Master’s degree in Public Service/Nonprofit Management and, in 2012, she received one of the United Way of Greater Milwaukee’s “Philanthropic Five” awards, which recognize community leaders under... Read More →

Ashley Mutch

Manager, Pets for Life Philadelphia, The Humane Society of the United States

Saturday June 28, 2014 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT

Learning the Issues Track

2:00pm EDT

Hearing from Humane Lawmakers

Get the inside scoop from lawmakers on the legislative process and find out what humane legislators need from you in order to pass animal protection laws.

Moderators

Kelly Peterson

Senior Vice President, State Affairs, The Humane Society of the United States

Kelly Peterson is vice president of State Affairs for The Humane Society of the United States She works with HSUS state directors throughout the country to support animal welfare legislation, fight animal cruelty, and engage like-minded citizens to promote the protection of animals... Read More →

Speakers

State Rep. Diana Urban (CT)

Del. Eric Luedtke (MD)

Delegate, District 14, Maryland House of Delegates

Delegate Luedtke was elected in 2010 and has quickly become a leader in the Maryland General Assembly on animal welfare issues. After two years of work with the Humane Society and the National Aquarium, legislation he championed made Maryland the first east coast state to ban the... Read More →

Del. Tag Greason (VA)

Member, General Assembly of Virginia

Tag grew up the youngest of four children in a military family. His father, a career Army Officer, taught him about integrity, compassion, hard work, and perseverance. A product of Northern Virginia Public Schools, he believes strongly in the power of a good public education. He went... Read More →

Saturday June 28, 2014 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT

Public Policy Track

3:00pm EDT

Break

Saturday June 28, 2014 3:00pm - 3:15pm EDT

Other

3:15pm EDT

There Oughta Be a Law

Don't believe the hype! Nonprofits, animal shelters, sanctuaries, and individuals are allowed to lobby, within limits. Find out how you can get political for animals and help enact public policies that prevent cruelty and abuse.

Speakers

Christine A. Dorchak, Esq.

President and General Counsel, GREY2K USA Education Fund

Christine has extensive professional experience in the animal protection movement. Before obtaining her law degree, she worked as Research Director for the New England Anti-Vivisection Society, and was the manager of the Ellen Gifford Sheltering Home for Cats in Boston. She co-founded... Read More →

Laura Maloney

Chief Operating Officer, The Humane Society of the United States

As the Chief Operating Officer, Laura drives organizational alignment with a keen focus on fusing business and management practices to advance The HSUS’s ambitious animal protection agenda. She oversees Human Capital (HR), Humane Society Academy, Administration, Conferences & Events... Read More →

Robin Starr

Chief Executive Officer, Richmond SPCA

Robin is a graduate of Wake Forest University and the University of Richmond School of Law. She practiced law before becoming chief executive officer of the Richmond SPCA in 1997. She is a Trustee Emeritus of the Richmond Ballet and former member of the Board of the National Federation... Read More →

Saturday June 28, 2014 3:15pm - 4:15pm EDT

Advocacy 101 Track

3:15pm EDT

Mo Money, Mo Animals Helped

Learn how to effectively fundraise for your own group or another organization.

Speakers

Sarah Barnett

Senior Reputation Manager, The Humane Society of the United States

As Senior Reputation Manager for The Humane Society of the United States, Sarah monitors and manages crisis communications for the nation's largest and most effective animal welfare organization. Working in the media relations department, she works to increase positive sentiment about... Read More →

Howard Baskin

Advisory Board Chairman, Big Cat Rescue

Alex Bury

Senior Director of State Councils, The Humane Society of the United States

Alex Bury was trained as a classical chef at the world-renowned Culinary Institute of America and has been asking for money ever since. Whether raising money to start a restaurant or to help homeless dogs in Alaska (she once spent a week in a dog house, in January in Alaska, to raise... Read More →

Saturday June 28, 2014 3:15pm - 4:15pm EDT

Building Skills Track

3:15pm EDT

Billions of Reasons to Be Optimistic for Farm Animals

We’re building momentum in the fight to help farm animals. Learn about the victories we’ve achieved and how you can help speed the pace of progress.

Speakers

Gene Baur

President and Co-Founder, Farm Sanctuary

Gene Baur is co founder and president of Farm Sanctuary, America’s leading farm animal protection organization. Gene Baur has been hailed as “the conscience of the food movement” by TIME magazine. For more than 25 years he has traveled extensively, campaigning to raise awareness... Read More →

Nathan Runkle

Executive Director, Mercy for Animals

Nathan Runkle is the founder and executive director of Mercy For Animals. Through his work with MFA, Nathan has been featured on ABC’s World News Tonight, Nightline, and 20/20, CNN, and National Public Radio, and in USA Today, and the New York Times. Nathan has worked alongside... Read More →

Paul Shapiro

Vice President, Farm Animal Protection, The Humane Society of the United States

Vice President, Farm Animal Protection, The Humane Society of the United States Paul Shapiro has played an integral role in numerous successful legislative and corporate campaigns to improve the plight of farm animals. Shapiro's work has helped enact farm animal protection laws in... Read More →

Saturday June 28, 2014 3:15pm - 4:15pm EDT

Learning the Issues Track

3:15pm EDT

Yes You Can! Enacting State and Local Policies for Animals

Hear inspiring stories of how individuals have made a difference in the fate of pro- and/or anti-animal bills in their communities.

Moderators

Jennifer Fearing

Deputy Director, Policy & Programs, The Humane Society of the United States

Prior to joining The HSUS, Jennifer Fearing worked for nearly a decade in economic consulting before starting a Sacramento-based community spay/neuter organization and running United Animal Nations (now Red Rover). During her time at The HSUS, she co-authored a book on creating dog-friendly... Read More →

Speakers

Sue Bell

, Founder & Executive Director, Homeward Trails; Board Member, Humane Dominion PAC and VA Federation of Humane Societies, Homeward Trails

Sue founded Homeward Trails Animal Rescue (HT) in 2001. Originally an all-volunteer organization, HT has grown to employ five full-time staff, 10 part-time staff and over 750 volunteers, rescuing over 17,000 animals to date. In 2013, HT opened a one-of-a-kind cageless shelter/adoption... Read More →

Rachel Delaney

Executive Director, Humane Society Calumet Area

Rachel has served as Executive Director for the Humane Society Calumet Area in Munster, Indiana since 2005. She oversees operations at HSCA Adoption Center, Estelle Marcus Animal Clinic, Paws Resale Shoppe and Moraine Ridge Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. Delaney is the Indiana State... Read More →

Carol Misseldine

Director of Grassroots Organizing, The Humane Society of the United States

Cheri Shankar

Member, Board of Directors, Humane Society Legislative Fund

14 years ago I walked into a cat rescue having mistaken it for a boarding facility. I walked out a new person. Starting in rescue and evolving into a full time, dedicated animal rights activist, I now work on many fronts to help all animals. I rescue, volunteer, foster, fundraise... Read More →

Saturday June 28, 2014 3:15pm - 4:15pm EDT

Public Policy Track

4:15pm EDT

Exhibit Hall/Networking Reception

The Networking Reception gives all participants an extended break—after a full day of workshops— to continue networking and further explore the exhibit hall. The event includes hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar.

Saturday June 28, 2014 4:15pm - 6:30pm EDT
Ballrooms AB

Exhibit Hall

6:30pm EDT

60th Anniversary Benefit Gala

This is a separate ticketed event - see TAFA website for special pricing information available to TAFA attendees only.

Join us for a special evening at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Supporting the lifesaving work of The HSUS, the Washington, DC Anniversary Benefit Gala will celebrate sixty years of victories for animals and will chart a course for driving transformational change for animals in the decade ahead. The event will also celebrate Wayne Pacelle’s ten years as CEO and the gains for animals that have been achieved under his leadership.

The proceeds from the event will support The HSUS’s work to create lasting change for animals through animal protection litigation and our work to enforce and pass state and federal legislation.

A limited number of gala tickets are available.

The event is cocktail attire.

Saturday June 28, 2014 6:30pm - 10:00pm EDT
Ballroom C

Gala

7:30am EDT

Registration

Sunday June 29, 2014 7:30am - 4:30pm EDT
Ballroom Foyer

Registration

8:00am EDT

Lobby Day Training - 'Get Ready To Lobby'

Attendance is required before attending Monday Lobby Day.
If you plan to take part in Lobby Day on Monday, you are required to attend this training session before joining us on Capitol Hill. To be a successful citizen lobbyist, you must know what catches a busy lawmaker’s attention. This program will give you all the skills you need to meet with your legislators or their staffs and discuss important animal protection legislation. Lobby Day packets will be available at the HSUS Federal Affairs table in the exhibit hall, and you can also pick them up at this Lobby Day training along with your Monday meeting schedule.

Speakers

Sara Amundson

Executive Director, Humane Society Legislative Fund

Sara has served as HSLF’s executive director since the organization’s inception in 2004. In this role, she leads the organization’s political and legislative activity. Her experience is well suited for the position, having served for 18 years in various key roles at the Doris... Read More →

Jessica Feingold-Lieberson

Legislative Specialist, Federal Affairs, The Humane Society of the United States

Federal Legislative Specialist, The Humane Society of the United States

JP Goodwin

Director of Animal Cruelty Policy, The Humane Society of the United States

Cece Kremer

Vice President, Federal Affairs, The Humane Society of the United States

Cece oversees the Federal Affairs department and all strategy pertaining to the legislative priorities of The HSUS. Before coming to Federal Affairs in 2011, Cece operated her own business as a lobbyist for environmental, regulatory, and energy issues. Previously, she served for eight... Read More →

Kate Wall

Legislative Specialist, Federal Affairs, The Humane Society of the United States

Federal Legislative Specialist, The Humane Society of the United States Kate Wall is a Federal Legislative Specialist in the Federal Affairs department of The Humane Society of the United States, where she focuses primarily on legislation relating to wildlife, exotic animals, and... Read More →

Sunday June 29, 2014 8:00am - 9:00am EDT

Lobby Day

9:00am EDT

Humane Begins at Home

Live your principles every day by turning your home into a haven for animals. Our experts will present 10 easy ways to create an enriching, safe environment for pets both indoors and out; plant life-sustaining backyard or porch gardens that support a diversity of wildlife; and advocate for humane treatment of animals in your own neighborhood and beyond. From creating a catio or pollinator paradise to serving up an animal-friendly feast or raising funds for your local animal shelter, you can make your home a castle for creatures large and small.

Speakers

Kate Benjamin

Hauspanther

Nancy Lawson

Vice President, Content, The Humane Society of the United States

As the author of the Humane Backyard column in The HSUS’s All Animals magazine, Nancy Lawson blends her passion for wildlife gardening with her role as a professional animal advocate. In her 16 years at The HSUS, she has spearheaded numerous publishing and branding initiatives... Read More →

KC Theisen

Director, Pet Care Issues, Companion Animals, The Humane Society of the United States

Sunday June 29, 2014 9:00am - 10:15am EDT

Advocacy 101 Track

9:00am EDT

Animals in the Limelight: Getting Media Coverage

Cruelty can't stand the spotlight. Here’s how to work with the media to shine a bright light on animal protection issues.

Speakers

Lisa Fletcher

Host, The Stream, Al Jazeera America

Lisa Fletcher is the host of The Stream, an emerging-events and political talk show on Al Jazeera America. Fletcher is an investigative reporter and news anchor who's covered stories around the world as a Correspondent for ABC News and for various major-market television stations... Read More →

Bruce Friedrich

Senior Policy Director, Farm Sanctuary

Bruce Friedrich leads Farm Sanctuary’s policy and litigation efforts. His articles on farm animal issues appear regularly on The Huffington Post and in newspapers across the country. Bruce has appeared on the Today show and CBS Evening News, as well as a variety of programs on MSNBC... Read More →

Sunday June 29, 2014 9:00am - 10:15am EDT

Building Skills Track

9:00am EDT

No Horsing Around: Let Your Equine Shine!

Hear from experienced advocates about equine welfare issues such as horse slaughter and carriage horses. Practical tools, talking points, and hands-on learning experiences will empower you to become a better advocate, to educate lawmakers and the media, and to improve the lives of horses.

Speakers

Keith Dane

Vice President, Equine Protection, The Humane Society of the United States

As Vice President of Equine Protection for The Humane Society of the United States, Keith Dane oversees the domestic horse welfare programs for the nation’s largest animal protection organization. Those efforts include a nationwide campaign to end the slaughter of America’s horses... Read More →

Holly Hazard

Senior Vice President, Programs & Innovations, The Humane Society of the United States

Holly Hazard is the Senior Vice President of Programs and Innovations at The Humane Society of the United States. In addition to her role as the Senior Vice President, she is the executive responsible for the Equine Protection Program and The Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association... Read More →

Nancy Perry

Senior Vice President, Government Relations, ASPCA

Senior Vice President of Government Relations, ASPCA Nancy Perry oversees the ASPCA’s state and federal policy work, and recently opened the ASPCA Washington, D.C. office. Nancy formerly was HSUS’s vice president of Government Affairs. Nancy has testified in Congressional hearings... Read More →

Sunday June 29, 2014 9:00am - 10:15am EDT

Learning the Issues Track

9:00am EDT

Getting on the Docket: Fighting for Animals in the Courts

Hear from some of the country’s leading animal lawyers about recent developments for animals in the courts, how to craft legislation that will stand up to any legal challenge, and cases studies of recent investigations and enforcement actions to stop cruelty and abuse.

Speakers

Vandhana Bala

General Counsel, Mercy for Animals

Vandhana Bala serves as general counsel for Mercy For Animals and oversees the organization’s legal initiatives, which include working with investigations department staff and local law enforcement for criminal prosecutions of farmed animal abusers, developing lawsuits and initiating... Read More →

Jonathan Lovvorn

Senior Vice President & Chief Counsel, Animal Protection Litigation, The Humane Society of the United States, The Humane Society of the United States

Jonathan Lovvorn is senior vice president & chief counsel for Animal Protection Litigation at The HSUS. A nationally recognized expert in animal law, Mr. Lovvorn has litigated extensively on behalf of animals, and manages the nation's largest animal protection litigation program... Read More →

David Wolfson

Partner, Milbank

David J. Wolfson is a partner in the Global Corporate Group at Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP. He currently is an adjunct professor at NYU Law School, where he teaches animal law, and at New York University, where he teaches public policy and animal protection. He has previously... Read More →

Sunday June 29, 2014 9:00am - 10:15am EDT

Public Policy Track

10:15am EDT

Break

Sunday June 29, 2014 10:15am - 10:30am EDT

Other

10:30am EDT

Town Hall with Wayne Pacelle

Join us for a 60-minute town hall meeting with Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States.

Sunday June 29, 2014 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
Ballroom C

Town Hall

11:30am EDT

Exhibit Hall Open/Lunch

Don't miss out on your last chance to network and shop the exhibit hall. Lunch from our fabulous food vendors will also be available for purchase!

Sunday June 29, 2014 11:30am - 2:30pm EDT
Ballrooms AB

Exhibit Hall

1:00pm EDT

Sponsor Session with Big Cat Rescue: Your ROAR For Big Cats

Speakers

Howard Baskin

Advisory Board Chairman, Big Cat Rescue

Sunday June 29, 2014 1:00pm - 1:30pm EDT
Ballrooms AB

Other

2:30pm EDT

Building a More Humane Economy

A more humane economy is possible, and we can each help bring it about. By working with a broad coalition of those with common interests, we can create better policies that will make our economy, and our a society, more humane.

Speakers

Josh Balk

Director of Food Policy, Farm Animal Protection, The Humane Society of the United States

Josh Balk is director of food policy for The Humane Society of the United States. Since starting with HSUS in 2005, he has worked with many of the largest corporations in the world to improve animal welfare in their supply chains. Kraft, ConAgra, Wendy's, Kroger, Denny's, Kellogg... Read More →

David Coman-Hidy

Executive Director, The Humane League

Kevin Fulton

Owner/Manager, Fulton Farms

Kevin Fulton operates Fulton Farms, a diversified organic farming and grazing operation in central Nebraska that hosts visitors and employs interns from around the world. He has been featured prominently in hundreds of publications, several books and documentaries, and on numerous... Read More →

Sunday June 29, 2014 2:30pm - 3:45pm EDT

Advocacy 101 Track

2:30pm EDT

#socialmedia

Animals can have an online presence, too! Learn how to use social media to give animals online profiles.

Speakers

Steve Jenkins

Esther the Wonder Pig

Pulin Modi

Senior Campaigner, Change.org

Pulin Modi is a senior campaigner at Change.org. His goal is to empower the platform’s users to run effective, inspiring campaigns on many issues including animals, the environment, health, and food. Pulin graduated from Vassar College with a self-designed degree in “Ecology of... Read More →

Derek Walter

Esther the Wonder Pig

Sunday June 29, 2014 2:30pm - 3:45pm EDT

Building Skills Track

2:30pm EDT

Are You Wild About Wildlife?

When taking on the most harmful practices for wildlife, policy decisions occur everywhere: from the state house floor to the courtroom to stakeholder processes lead by public wildlife agencies. Hear about these pressing challenges and how you as an advocate may be the most effective voice for wildlife.

Speakers

Carole Baskin

CEO, Big Cat Rescue

Founder and CEO, Big Cat Rescue Carole Baskin is the founder and CEO of Big Cat Rescue and manages 107 volunteers and 9 staff. She’s garnered international attention to the plight of captive big cats on CNN, Animal Planet, Discovery, U.S. News & World Report, People Magazine, The... Read More →

Nicole Paquette

Vice President, Wildilfe Protection, The Humane Society of the United States

Nicole Paquette is The Humane Society of the United States’ Vice President of Wildlife Protection. She has worked in the animal protection field for almost 20 years, with a diverse focus on legislation, litigation, campaigns, and organizational governance. She oversees the The... Read More →

Andrew Wetzler

Director, Land & Wildlife Program, Natural Resource Defense Council

Andrew Wetzler is Director of NRDC’s Land and Wildlife Program and is based in NRDC’s Chicago, Illinois, office. Andrew’s program focuses on wildlife and habitat conservation and open space preservation. While at NRDC, he worked to conserve a wide variety of individual species... Read More →

Sunday June 29, 2014 2:30pm - 3:45pm EDT

Learning the Issues Track

2:30pm EDT

Humane Action: Your Toolbox to Pet Out the Vote!

Hosted by the Humane Society Legislative Fund (HSLF), the nation’s leading political advocacy organization for animal welfare.
This panel discussion teaches animal advocates how to engage in political activity to further the animal welfare agenda at both the state and federal levels. Panelists will focus on the effects of electing humane candidates, how individuals can make a difference by participating in the political process, and how to choose the right candidates to support or oppose. Participants will learn about the grassroots tools they can use to achieve success.

Speakers

Christine Coughlin

Founder and President, Minnesota Voters for Animal Protection

Christine Coughlin is founder and executive director of Minnesota Voters for Animal Protection, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting animals by promoting humane legislation and legislators in MN. She has been active in the field since 2002, conducting grassroots legislative campaigns... Read More →

Paul Jacob

President, Citizens in Charge Foundation

Paul Jacob is president of Citizens in Charge, a group protecting and expanding the initiative rights of every American, without regard to politics or party. Jacob also heads Citizens in Charge Foundation, which conducts research on direct democracy, and litigates to defend the First... Read More →

Joe Trippi

President, Trippi & Associates

Heralded on the cover of The New Republic as the man who "reinvented campaigning,” Joe Trippi has been at the forefront of movement politics for nearly 30 years. Trippi began his political career working on Edward M. Kennedy's presidential campaign in 1980 and has worked on numerous... Read More →

Sunday June 29, 2014 2:30pm - 3:45pm EDT

Public Policy Track

3:45pm EDT

Break

Sunday June 29, 2014 3:45pm - 4:00pm EDT

Other

4:00pm EDT

Animal Advocates Without Borders

In the past year, numerous local and national governments around the world have passed laws to protect animals against cruelty. Participants in this workshop will learn about the progress made for animals around the world and discuss ways to leverage these victories to further their own advocacy efforts at home.

Speakers

Kitty Block

Vice President, Humane Society International

Mahi Klosterhalfen

President & CEO, Albert Schweitzer Foundation for Our Contemporaries

Mahi has been an activist ever since he was a student and worked with the HSUS to bring the cage free campus campaign to Germany. He was the first employee of the Albert Schweitzer Foundation and has helped to grow it to a team of 20 within five years. The foundation focuses on farmed... Read More →

Sunday June 29, 2014 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT

Advocacy 101 Track

4:00pm EDT

Creating Corporate Policy Progress for Animals

Learn how to bring animal protection into the corporate boardroom to enact new policies for animals.

Speakers

Matt Prescott

Outreach Director, Farm Animal Protection, The Humane Society of the United States

Food Policy Director, The Humane Society of the United States Matt Prescott has worked in the animal protection field for more than a decade, with a focus on reforming agriculture to account for farm animal welfare. Working primarily with major food corporations – including fast... Read More →

PJ Smith

Fur Corporate Outreach Manager, Wildlife Protection, The Humane Society of the United States

PJ has been the corporate outreach manager for The HSUS’ Fur-Free Campaign for five years, during which time he has worked with international and domestic brands and retailers–including TJX, Zara, Gucci, and Nordstrom–to develop fur policies, and continues to find to ways to... Read More →

Sunday June 29, 2014 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT

Building Skills Track

4:00pm EDT

What’s Up With that Cat?

There are millions of free-roaming community cats in neighborhoods all across the country, and you can join the army that is working to help them. This class will cover all you ever wanted to know about outdoor cats and the many ways you can get active for them in your community. If you never want to have to ask, “What’s up with that cat?” again, this class is for you!

Speakers

Danielle Bays

Community Cat Programs Manager, Washington Humane Society

When Danielle moved into her house in 2008 she realized a large colony of unaltered cats lived next door and got busy trapping. That eventually led to a full-time job with WHS’s TNR program. Danielle has spent the last two decades advocating for all types of animals, working for... Read More →

Katie Lisnik

Director of Cat Protection and Policy, The Humane Society of the United States

Katie Lisnik works as the Director of Cat Protection and Policy for The HSUS and is based out of Maine. Lisnik attended the University of Vermont and received her BS in animal science with a minor in wildlife biology. She also received her MS in Animals and Public Policy from Tufts... Read More →

Sunday June 29, 2014 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT

Learning the Issues Track

4:00pm EDT

Pounding the Pavement: Grassroots Advocacy for Animals

Street by street, block by block, taking the message of animal protection to the people. Here’s how to engage and organize your community to build a more humane society.

Speakers

Matt Dominguez

Public Policy Manager, Farm Animal Protection, The Humane Society of the United States

Patricia Haddock

President and Co-Founder, VegRehoboth

Patricia Haddock is a long-time animal advocate and proponent of healthy, compassionate living. In 2010, Haddock co-founded Delaware Votes For Animals, the state's first and only political action committee (PAC) for animal protection. DVFA advocates for laws to protect animals from... Read More →

Dr. Melissa Li

Doctor, Providence St. Vincent Medical Center, Department of Pathology

Dr. Melissa Li is a native Oregonian who specializes in pathology. In her practice, she subspecializes in gastrointestinal pathology and is also director of autopsy services. She is board-certified in anatomic/clinical pathology and forensic pathology.

Sunday June 29, 2014 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT

Public Policy Track

9:30am EDT

Lobby Day

Attendees will meet at the Renaissance DC, Mt. Vernon Room, before departing for the Capitol. A light breakfast (sponsored by the ASPCA) will be available starting at 7:00am for Lobby Day participants.

Monday June 30, 2014 9:30am - 4:00pm EDT
Renaissance DC Hotel - Mt. Vernon Room

Lobby Day