In this issue:


  • Member Spotlight: NACA
  • Welcome to the Board, Sam Wolbert
  • MPA Is Hiring Cat Trainers
  • Lunch & Learn Webinars: April 15 & April 29
  • Sneak Peek: 2026 One Voice Conference & Expo
  • Membership Dues Change April 1
  • Welcome New Members
  • April Member Events


Note: the next local advocacy committee meeting is Wednesday, March 25. MPA members who'd like to join, please reply to request the meeting link.
 

Michigan Pet Alliance supports its members. Speaking with One Voice, we can create lasting change. Lend your voice. Become a member today.

 

Spencer Conover, if you don't mind, would like you to think differently about animal control. 


"Professionalism," he says, is the new watchword.


And as chief operating officer with the National Animal Care & Control Association (NACA), he's in a position to help make it happen.

"Most people don't understand animal control," Conover says. "It really comes down to battling an image issue, the guy who drives around in a truck with a big net to take dogs away."


The key, and this is where NACA comes in, is training, training and more training, Conover will tell you, along with professional certification, NACA is on a mission to carry the word to a national audience of people who work every day with the animals among us, whether it's out in the community or as shelter workers.


"Our goal is to provide enough training and resources to help animal control professionals make a positive impact on their communities," Conover says. "We want animals to be home and safe with their owners, and we can provide the resources to assist professionals who work with them."


The vast majority of what NACA does is provide training wherever it's needed, one day in Florida, the next, perhaps, in Waco, Texas, then on to North Carolina and beyond, including Michigan. Conover says it's what they do best, the thing that can change people, as well as organizations. He likens the process to "getting people on the bus and in the right seats."

Sometimes that can mean helping an animal control department bring its practices in line with professional standards, at others providing shelter workers with the mental health resources they need to overcome compassion fatigue.


No matter the end goal, Conover says, the work of NACA and their partner organizations can change communities, whether it is helping shelters save more animals or helping animal control officers reach their professional goals.

Through NACA and his own experiences, Conover preaches the gospel of positive change to the organizations he's comes in contact with.


"All communities can learn from that," he says. "You have to involve all community stakeholders. It's just really about bringing people together."


That tenet is fully embraced by Michigan Pet Alliance. NACA and MPA share the belief that everyone working together, while speaking with One Voice, creates life-saving and life-changing results.


NACA was formed in 1978 to "provide resources, standardized training, and support for animal care and control professionals across the United States." Throughout the organization’s history, NACA has been a leader in providing guidance to its members as the role of animal shelters and animal care and control staff has evolved.


But, Conover, whose background was in sports media before he made the seismic shift to animal welfare work via experiences in Denver and Utah, will tell you that the kinds of professional training needed today and the needs of the organizations they help train are vastly different from what you might have found in those early days. Still, he says, NACA's job all along has been to track those changes and keep the organization's services relevant.

NACA recognizes that today’s field officers provide a wide array of services and support to their communities, including saving pets in danger, protecting human health and safety, enforcing laws and ordinances, providing support and education to community members, disaster response, investigating cruelty and neglect claims, helping lost pets get home, and helping wildlife, livestock and exotic animals, in addition to cats, dogs and other pets.

NACA understands the unique role that animal care and control professionals play in each community and is dedicated to ensuring its members have the resources, tools and training necessary to perform this role safely and effectively."


NACA will bring its mission and the experience that buttresses it to Michigan this October, sponsoring sessions at the 2026 One Voice: Michigan Pet Alliance Conference & Expo. NACA members Eric Thompson and Angela Miedema will present three breakout sessions throughout the two-day conference, including Disaster Planning & Response and Emergency Sheltering for Animals.


Michigan Pet Alliance appreciates NACA's membership, sponsorship and support.
 

Michigan Pet Alliance proudly welcomes Sam Wolbert to its board of directors.


Sam is a nonprofit executive and attorney who most recently served as president and CEO of the Animal Welfare League of Arlington in Arlington, Virginia.

During his tenure, he led the organization through a period of strategic growth and improved organizational effectiveness, with a focus on aligning board and staff leadership, expanding community-based programs and strengthening the internal capacity needed to support long-term impact.


After returning to his home state of Michigan, Sam founded Grey Girl Consulting, where he advises nonprofit and animal welfare organizations on strategic planning, board development, leadership alignment and organizational sustainability. His work helps organizations move beyond reactive decision-making and build the internal foundation needed to improve outcomes for animals and the communities they serve.


Sam brings a practical, real-world perspective grounded in executive leadership experience and a commitment to strengthening the animal welfare field.


This October, Sam will present two can't-miss breakout sessions for executive leadership at the 2026 One Voice: Michigan Pet Alliance Conference & Expo in Clinton Township. His day one session is Strategic Planning That Actually Gets Used, while his day two session is Building a Board That Strengthens the Organization.
 

Michigan Pet Alliance is hiring!


MPA is seeking independent contractors to educate and train shelter and rescue staff and volunteers, on-site and online, in understanding feline body language, behavior and welfare. 


Please review the job description and requirements. Key requirements include topic understanding, plus good presentation and interpersonal skills.


The application will remain open until all positions are filled. MPA would like to contract with several trainers to cover various regions in the state. Please submit a letter of interest and resume/CV.


Job announcement and description: Feline Education Trainer
Apply Today
 

Mark your calendars and register today for next month's free lunch & learn webinars.


"Starting a Barn Cat Program"

Free Webinar: Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at noon Eastern

Presenter: Jess Vankoningsveld, Cat Behaviorist, Humane Society of Huron Valley


Join us for an in-depth session on managing a successful barn cat program. We’ll explore how to identify which cats are best suited for barn placement, how to find and screen adopters, and strategies for supporting both cats and their new caregivers to ensure successful transitions. We’ll also cover tips for engaging with the public and addressing common questions or concerns about outdoor cats. This session is perfect for anyone interested in expanding barn cat programs while promoting safe, happy outcomes for cats and communities alike.


Register today for Starting a Barn Cat program.


_____________________________________________________________________________


"Building Safe & Effective Community Response Protocols: Preparing for ICE Encounters"

Free Webinar: Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at noon Eastern

Presenter: Jennifer Schorn, Animal Welfare Social Worker


This session provides a concise overview of the need for ICE response protocols, followed by practical guidance for developing your own. Participants will learn who to involve, from legal and safety experts to community partners, and how to keep protocols non-political and centered on safety. The workshop will cover best practices for responding in high-stress situations, including clear, supportive language for interacting with clients, agents and customers. Key considerations, such as supporting individuals who choose to shelter in place and maintaining access to essential services like food and veterinary care, will also be addressed. Time will be included for Q&A to explore real-world scenarios and to strengthen preparedness.


Register today for Building Safe & Effective Community Response Protocols: Preparing for ICE Encounters.


If you can't attend these webinars live, register anyway to receive the replay links.
 

Mark your calendars for a bonus session at this October's 2026 One Voice: Michigan Pet Alliance Conference & Expo.


On October 1, the day before the conference officially kicks off, there will be a TNR certification course available from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.


Sponsored by All About Animals, Angelica Roth will take participants through the process of Trap Neuter Return, from the initial observation and documentation step through recovery, release, monitoring and care-taking.


Stay tuned. Conference registration will open at the end of summer. If you're interested in an exhibitor booth or conference sponsorship, please email conference@michiganpet.org.
 

Beginning April 1, Michigan Pet Alliance membership dues will change, but don't worry. It's all good news.


Membership dues for businesses and individuals remain the same. Shelters, rescues and nonprofits will be combined into one category: Organizations.


Membership dues as of April 1:

  • Individuals: $35
  • Organizations: $250
  • Businesses/Corporations: $300


As an added benefit, all member organizations (at the new rate) will be able to enroll an unlimited number of employees, volunteers and board members to receive an MPA membership. This gives your staff and leadership direct access to networking opportunities, the local advocacy committee, and discounts at conferences, workshops and trainings.


Members who were paying dues less than $250 have been offered the option to switch or be grandfathered at their current rate and enrollment limitations.


Now is the time. If your organization is not yet an MPA member, join by April 1 for the opportunity to enjoy the lower membership dues.


Please reply or email membership@michiganpet.org with questions or concerns.
 

Michigan Pet Alliance welcomes our newest members. Thank you for joining us. With One Voice, we accomplish more.


  • Brave Hearts Rescue
  • Vanya Boranova
  • Carmen Burgess
  • Connie Denbrock
  • Malinda Slack
  • The Rescue Base
  • Nicole Wallick


Encourage your partners and network to join MPA and become a member. Share the benefits of membership in Michigan Pet Alliance.
 

A benefit of MPA membership is free promotion for the upcoming events and fundraisers of member organizations. Here are a few opportunities to support animal welfare organizations next month:



Lend your voice and enjoy the benefits of being a member of Michigan Pet Alliance. Become a member today! It's only $35 a year for an individual. That's less than $3 a month to support pets and life-saving initiatives in Michigan.

 

Michigan Pet Alliance

MPA Vision:

To achieve the best quality of life for Michigan’s companion animals. 


MPA Mission:

To work in collaboration and speak with a single voice to eliminate abuse and neglect of Michigan’s companion animals and to save all healthy and treatable homeless companion animals through training, technical assistance, education, and advocacy.

 

313-731-2244

info@michiganpet.org

 michiganpet.org 

 

Michigan Pet Alliance is a 501(c)3 charitable organization as defined by the IRS

(EIN 20-0399162) and is a GuideStar Exchange Platinum Participant.
Guidestar Platinum

Contributions are tax deductible.
 

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