2026 SACA Conference

Tuesday - September 15th   1pm - 5pm

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This class will be directed to new ACO's and will be taught by our Board Members that bring over 100 years of experience and knowledge to this class.   

• Lisa Wimberly and Dustin Dutton will be teaching catchpole and animal behavior. 

• Cyndi Hoffman will be teaching Situational Awareness. 

• Alan Smith will be teaching about the work/family balance.   

• Report Writing 101 will be reviewed.   

This will be a hands on, conversations and flexible to questions type of class.    New ACO's - this is your chance to learn and get answers to your questions.   You will receive a certificate of attendance for this class.

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This class is open to everyone that purchases a full conference OR you can purchase a pass for just this day.

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Wednesday - September 16  8am - 5pm   

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8:00 to 8:30 - Registration

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8:30-9:30   Clint Ganus - ASPCA   It’s Raining Cats & Dogs: Animal Disaster Planning Speed Networking Event     

In this interactive session, participants will engage in focused discussions on disaster preparedness specifically for companion animals. Through structured speed networking, attendees will explore vital topics such as sheltering plans, stakeholder engagement, data and technology utilization, state of readiness, post-disaster response, and the setup of temporary pet shelters. Each topic will include guided questions that encourage participants to evaluate and improve their organization’s preparedness strategies. This session is designed to foster collaboration, share innovative ideas, and equip participants with actionable insights to enhance their disaster response plans for companion animals.

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9:45-10:30   Larry Connolly, Animal Shelter Trauma Influenced Design

Trauma-Influenced Design Principles will be reviewed and how they apply to new and existing animal shelters.

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10:45-12:00  and continued 1:30-2:30

Vanessa Sims from the GA Department of Ag. and Jennifer Dunn, Deputy Assistant Commission for the GA Department of Behavioral Health as joint speakers - topic:  SACA: Self Care is Community Care. This will be an interactive course to help everyone in the field with the day to day emotional, stressful and frustrating work that we do.

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*** 12:00-1:30  Lunch ***

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2:45-3:30 -  Round Table discussions.​

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3:30-4:00 -  Meet the Vendors.   Each vendor will be given a few moments to spotlight their products/services.

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4:00-5:00 - Larry Shivey, Pro Vet Logic - Implementing Protocols for Specific Infectious Agents

You will be provided with corresponding manuals (handouts), and an online certificate course for this specific subject matter

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6:00 - Welcome Meet and Greet.    Event Co-Sponsored by NACA

Come to the hotel for a Pizza Party and Karaoke night.   

More details to be announced.

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Thursday - September 17  8am - 5pm

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8:00 - 12:00   Dan Ettenger  -  Foundations of Animal Hoarding, Cruelty, and Neglect

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This class provides an overview of the fundamental concepts of animal hoarding, neglect, and cruelty. Participants will review basic indicators, common misconceptions, and practical considerations for identifying each condition in the field. Through discussion and case examples, the course will examine how hoarding, neglect, and cruelty present differently, the challenges they pose to responders, and the importance of consistent, objective assessment. This course is designed to support informed decision-making and effective response by animal control, law enforcement, and animal welfare professionals.

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12:00-1:30  Lunch

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1:30-3:00  Dustin Dutton  -  Struggle Bus - Navigating politics in small towns for small shelters

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3:45-5:00  Spiders, Snakes and Rabies - what you need to know!

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Friday September 18  8am to Noon

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8:00 - 9:45   Working with Rescues     Presented by True Rescue's very own Kristin Condit and Amy Simcik

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10:00-10:30  - AWARDS

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10:45-Noon   Chad Foley - ACO and Comedian.  We are going to end our 2026 conference with some good times and some laughs.    We all have to laugh at ourselves and each other so lets have some fun!

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