2010 HHC Conference Agenda

8:30 – 9:00 AM

Continental Breakfast and Registration

9:00 – 9:15 AM

Welcoming Remarks

9:15 – 10:45 AM

Partners in Crime Fighting: Forging a Working Relationship with Law Enforcement

Law enforcement and animal control officers are key players in cases of animal neglect and abuse, but many lack experience in evaluating equines and are ill-equipped to conduct horse seizures. Learn how you can bolster your connection with law enforcement and animal control to better serve needy horses in your community.

10:45 – 11:00 AM

Break

11:00 – 12:00 PM

The Ins and Outs of the GFAS Horse Rescue Accreditation Program

Daunted by an accreditation program? This workshop demystifies the process and explains how becoming a GFAS-accredited organization can increase your chances of winning grants.

12:00 – 12:30 PM

Update on Federal Horse Slaughter Legislation

12:30 – 1:30 PM

Lunch

1:30 – 2:30 PM

Equine Career Counseling: Maximize Your Horse’s Adoptability

Horses perform different tasks in the course of their lives, yet many wind up at rescues when they are ill-suited to a particular job. Hear about innovative programs that help match rescued horses with new, appropriate jobs.

2:30 – 2:45 PM

Break

2:45 – 4:00 PM

Ethics Discussion: The End of Life Question

Euthanizing an injured or severely malnourished horse is a heart-wrenching decision, but one that is sometimes necessary, and might enable a horse rescue to help save many other horses. In this session we discuss the ethical decision associated with euthanasia and the role it plays in horse rescue management.

4:00 – 4:30 PM

Wrap Up/Closing Remarks

6:00 – 7:30 PM

Reception

8:30 – 9:00 AM

Continental Breakfast

9:00 – 9:15 AM

Review of Day One

9:15 – 10:30 AM

Media Savvy Solutions: Make the Press Work for You

Have you ever been caught off-guard by a reporter, quoted out of context, or missed an opportunity to promote your efforts? This panel will walk you through the anatomy of a successful press call or interview, and highlight how to create opportunities to drive the story.

10:30 – 10:45 AM

Break

10:45 – 12:00 PM

Build Your Donor Base and Raise Funds Through Social Media

Facebook friends and Twitter follows can translate into valuable support for your organization. Social media gurus explain how to maximize these mediums.

12:00 – 1:00 PM

Lunch

1:00 – 2:30 PM

Before the Call: Preparing for a Large-Scale Seizure

Responding to large equine seizures can quickly tap even the biggest rescue’s resources. This workshop will discuss how to rally your resources ahead of time and develop plans and protocols to ready rescues for sudden seizures of any size.

2:30 – 2:45 PM

Break

2:45 – 4:15 PM

Helping Horses Beyond Your Barn

Join our panel as we discuss what steps (beyond rescue and rehoming) we can take to improve the lives of horses and reduce the number of those without homes. Topics will include the creation of horse welfare councils, gelding clinics, owner education and efforts to create hay banks and other vital resources.

4:15 – 4:45 PM

Open Forum

Pose a question; offer advice. Here’s your chance to query your peers and discuss challenges facing the horse industry or the rescue community. Send any questions or topics you would like to have addressed during this session to ssegal@hsus.org

4:45 – 5:00 PM

Closing Remarks