Join us on June 9 for Paws & Policy, a national policy update designed specifically for animal shelters.

The event will open with a concise legislative briefing from Katie Jarl, Vice President of Government Relations for Animal Policy Group, highlighting the most significant policy developments from the 2026 legislative sessions and the issues most likely to affect animal shelters and their communities.

The second half of the program will shift from presentation to moderated conversation. Dr. Jasmin Robinson, Director of DEI Initiatives for The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement, will join Katie in dialogue informed by questions submitted by participants in advance. We encourage you to share your questions ahead of time using this form. While we may not be able to address every question live, submissions will help shape the discussion and ensure we focus on the issues most important to the field.

Together, Katie and Jasmin will explore emerging policy trends, discuss how advocacy priorities are evolving across different regions and political landscapes, and examine what these developments mean for shelter leaders and organizations.

Topics will include pets and housing, access to veterinary care, and other key issues identified through the Association's member survey.

Whether you are new to advocacy or already engaged in policy work, you'll leave with a clearer understanding of what's happening across the country, where animal welfare voices are making an impact, and how your organization can engage in policy conversations that matter.

By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

• Identify key 2026 legislative trends impacting animal shelters and animal welfare organizations across the United States.
• Describe current policy developments related to pets and housing, access to veterinary care, and other emerging issues affecting shelters and communities.
• Recognize how policy priorities and advocacy approaches are evolving across different political and geographic landscapes.
• Explain opportunities for animal welfare professionals and organizations to engage in advocacy and policy conversations within their communities.

Host: Dr. Jasmin Robinson, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives, The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement and MSM Global Consulting

Presenter: Katie Jarl, Vice President of Government Relations for Animal Policy Group 

This live and recorded program is approved for 

• 1 Certified Animal Welfare Administrator continuing education credit 

Check out these other Animal Welfare Legislation updates by Katie Jarl

Blog: Policy That Matters: Animal Welfare Legislation On the Move in 2026
Check out the recorded Justice in Action Roundtable from February, featuring Katie as a panelist.
Blog: Policy That Matters: The Animal Welfare Trends Defining 2026