Animal Care Expo is an educational conference combined with an international trade show. Hosted by The Humane Society of the United States, the show attracts the largest gathering of animal care and control professionals and volunteers in the world. In recent years, conference attendance has reached 1,500, attracting professionals from all 50 states and nearly 30 countries. For four days, participants attend seminars, exhibits, lectures and workshops related to the field of animal protection.
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Mark Your Calendar for Animal Care Expo 2009! |
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April 6-9, 2009
Bally's Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
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| Bally's Las Vegas |
 For more information on the next Animal Care Expo, visit The HSUS website at www.AnimalSheltering.org/expo.
To learn more about the international program at Animal Care Expo, send an email including:
- your name
- address
- telephone number
- email address, and
- organization name
to Donna Pease, Expo Coordinator—International Program, at dpease@hsi.org. |
International Program
Since 1999, Humane Society International has brought people from different regions of the world to participate in week-long training internships prior to the start of the conference. Internships are sponsored by U.S. humane societies and shelters and provide interns with guidance on a range of issues from community outreach to shelter cleaning.
As part of Expo, HSI provides a schedule of workshops and other events designed for international participants, especially those from developing countries. Past workshops have focused on:
- international disaster preparedness and response,
- anti-cruelty legislation and enforcement, and
- the link between animal cruelty and human violence.
Awards
A highlight of Animal Care Expo is the presentation of several special awards. The Animal Advocates program creates partnerships between HSI and international organizations that endorse, promote and strive to adhere to certain basic policies of animal welfare. The HSI Award for Extraordinary Commitment and Achievement is also presented annually at Expo, recognizing individual animal protectionists (particularly those in developing countries) whose sensitivity and compassion have led them to exceptional levels of bravery and self-sacrifice as they strive to mitigate and prevent the suffering of animals brought about by neglect, cruelty and exploitation.
Creating Community
Because animal activists in developing countries often feel isolated, the international program provided at Expo by HSI is a much needed connection with others in the field. Participants share their programs and projects, the issues and obstacles they must overcome, and the solutions they have found. Though the issues vary from country to country, the wisdom shared by these groups proves valuable across cultural boundaries and presents the opportunity to learn from the others' experiences. The sharing and networking that occurs during these forums is perhaps the most important aspect of the conference. A recent attendee perhaps said it best:
"Often, those of us in animal welfare feel weighed down with the seemingly endless animal welfare activities we do in our respective areas, until we see the wonderful work done, often under difficult environments, by other dear ones around the world. The conference was simply rejuvenating. Thank you, Humane Society International, for making it happen."
- Josphat Ngonyo, Youth for Conservation, Kenya
