Animal welfare advocates convene October 2-3 in Clinton Township
The Michigan Pet Alliance (MPA) biennial animal welfare conference returns to Southeast Michigan, assembling leaders and visionaries to share the latest research and best practices in animal welfare.
More than 200 staff, volunteers and advocates from animal welfare organizations, shelters and rescues across Michigan will gather for the two-day event to learn the latest best practices, what’s new and what’s next in animal welfare.
“The theme of this year’s conference is Next Level,” said Tanya Hilgendorf, chair of the Michigan Pet Alliance. “We know that we save more lives and we improve quality of care when we take our programs and services to the next level. This October, hundreds of animal welfare professionals and advocates will come together to learn and to share their successes – with the same goal of improving standards for the animals who need us.
“Our conferences have always been filled with an energy that lifts the most disheartened spirit and sends folks home with their batteries recharged, ready to move mountains. I expect this year’s conference to generate record-breaking energy, enough to move multiple mountains.”
The in-person event at Macomb Community College will include ample networking opportunities for participants to engage with each other, as well as with animal welfare subject matter experts and exhibitors, and to share ideas and experiences.
Keynote presentations include the future of pet registration and reunification, unpacking pet food myths and nutrition facts and Michigan’s first pet-friendly spay/neuter specialty license plate.
Breakout tracks include Gone to the Dogs, Like Herding Cats, Quality of Life & Improved Outcomes, It Takes a Village: Community Engagement and Executive Leadership & Operations.
“I look forward to attending this year’s conference and presenting a session on how to develop a community outreach program,” said Jen Clarkson, Dog Aide, Detroit. “It’s a chance to share ideas and programs that save lives and to talk to my colleagues across the state as we all learn more about taking it to the next level.”
This year’s One Voice conference features add-on afternoon workshops on Thursday, October 1. Attendees can choose from a half-day workshop on TNR: Cat Colony Caretaker Certification from All About Animals or Community Disaster Planning: LADDER from MSU Extension. The conference and add-on workshops are open to anyone who wants to learn and do more.
During a time when Michigan shelters and rescues are full, community outreach is stretched thin and cost of care for pets and people is higher than ever, the One Voice conference is an opportunity for industry professionals to improve their skills, to take a breath and to network with colleagues.
MPA is offering scholarships to reduce the two-day conference registration fee to just $50 for MPA members and $85 for non-members. Scholarships are based upon financial hardship and are being offered on a first-come, first-approved basis. Discounted registration ends August 31.
The 2026 One Voice Michigan Pet Alliance Conference & Expo is made possible thanks to our generous sponsors: Adopt a Pet Shelter Plus, DocuPet, Best Friends Animal Society, Humane Society of Huron Valley, Humane Society of Macomb Foundation, VCA Animal Hospitals, National Animal Care & Control Association and CRIJO.
Registration is now open at michiganpet.org/2026conference.
Michigan Pet Alliance - Michigan Pet Alliance (MPA) is a nonprofit organization and Michigan’s only professional association of animal welfare organizations and professionals. MPA was formed as a membership-based association to bring together all of Michigan’s pet lovers and animal welfare advocates, to speak with one voice and to raise the standards of care for companion animals in Michigan. MPA strives to end the killing of healthy and treatable homeless cats and dogs in Michigan animal shelters. The MPA mission is to collaborate with advocates, animal shelters and rescue organizations to achieve a standard of best practices through training, technical assistance, education and advocacy.
For more information, visit MichiganPet.org and follow @MichiganPetAlliance on Facebook.
More than 200 staff, volunteers and advocates from animal welfare organizations, shelters and rescues across Michigan will gather for the two-day event to learn the latest best practices, what’s new and what’s next in animal welfare.
“The theme of this year’s conference is Next Level,” said Tanya Hilgendorf, chair of the Michigan Pet Alliance. “We know that we save more lives and we improve quality of care when we take our programs and services to the next level. This October, hundreds of animal welfare professionals and advocates will come together to learn and to share their successes – with the same goal of improving standards for the animals who need us.
“Our conferences have always been filled with an energy that lifts the most disheartened spirit and sends folks home with their batteries recharged, ready to move mountains. I expect this year’s conference to generate record-breaking energy, enough to move multiple mountains.”
The in-person event at Macomb Community College will include ample networking opportunities for participants to engage with each other, as well as with animal welfare subject matter experts and exhibitors, and to share ideas and experiences.
Keynote presentations include the future of pet registration and reunification, unpacking pet food myths and nutrition facts and Michigan’s first pet-friendly spay/neuter specialty license plate.
Breakout tracks include Gone to the Dogs, Like Herding Cats, Quality of Life & Improved Outcomes, It Takes a Village: Community Engagement and Executive Leadership & Operations.
“I look forward to attending this year’s conference and presenting a session on how to develop a community outreach program,” said Jen Clarkson, Dog Aide, Detroit. “It’s a chance to share ideas and programs that save lives and to talk to my colleagues across the state as we all learn more about taking it to the next level.”
This year’s One Voice conference features add-on afternoon workshops on Thursday, October 1. Attendees can choose from a half-day workshop on TNR: Cat Colony Caretaker Certification from All About Animals or Community Disaster Planning: LADDER from MSU Extension. The conference and add-on workshops are open to anyone who wants to learn and do more.
During a time when Michigan shelters and rescues are full, community outreach is stretched thin and cost of care for pets and people is higher than ever, the One Voice conference is an opportunity for industry professionals to improve their skills, to take a breath and to network with colleagues.
MPA is offering scholarships to reduce the two-day conference registration fee to just $50 for MPA members and $85 for non-members. Scholarships are based upon financial hardship and are being offered on a first-come, first-approved basis. Discounted registration ends August 31.
The 2026 One Voice Michigan Pet Alliance Conference & Expo is made possible thanks to our generous sponsors: Adopt a Pet Shelter Plus, DocuPet, Best Friends Animal Society, Humane Society of Huron Valley, Humane Society of Macomb Foundation, VCA Animal Hospitals, National Animal Care & Control Association and CRIJO.
Registration is now open at michiganpet.org/2026conference.
Michigan Pet Alliance - Michigan Pet Alliance (MPA) is a nonprofit organization and Michigan’s only professional association of animal welfare organizations and professionals. MPA was formed as a membership-based association to bring together all of Michigan’s pet lovers and animal welfare advocates, to speak with one voice and to raise the standards of care for companion animals in Michigan. MPA strives to end the killing of healthy and treatable homeless cats and dogs in Michigan animal shelters. The MPA mission is to collaborate with advocates, animal shelters and rescue organizations to achieve a standard of best practices through training, technical assistance, education and advocacy.
For more information, visit MichiganPet.org and follow @MichiganPetAlliance on Facebook.
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