Dates for ICAWC 2009 announced!

The dates for the 11th International Companion Animal Welfare Conference have been announced!

7th-9th October 2009

BUDAPEST, Hungary

HOTEL HÉLIA
H-1133 Budapest
Kàrpàt u. 62-64

www.danubiushotels.com/helia

A full programme and details of how to register will be available very soon; in the meantime, please let us know if there's anything you'd particularly like us to feature at hq-icawc@dogstrust.org.uk.

You can also read the 10th Edition of ICAWC News, all about the Stresa conference.

What happens next? Looking forward to 2009

It's been a couple of weeks since ICAWC 2008 ended and we've been busy doing helpful things like uploading all the presentations and handouts to the website, preparing for International training that will be happening later this week, replying to feedback and comments and so forth.

We've also been discussing next year's ICAWC; well, you don't think it all comes together a week before the event, do you?! The shortlist is still hush-hush, but as soon as it's official I'll be letting you all know where it'll be and what to expect.

Although it won't be updated as frequently, we'll keep this blog going at regular intervals as the planning for next year takes place. In the meantime, please do keep the discussion going at the ICAWC social network and keep building the Wiki; these are all useful communication tools that can grow in the future.

Alex Roumbas

ICAWC 2008: Day 3 - The Presentations

Still with us? Just joined us? Either way, welcome! Today I'll be furiously liveblogging presentations on rewarding companions, practical tips for avoiding stress in companion animal handling, vision, feral cats, TNR and Pets In Europe. Then I'll suddenly go very silent (and possibly a little green) because I'll be the one on stage! I have a feeling my colleagues will be exacting revenge for my paparazzi photography and manic tapping while I'm up there...

We'll kick off shortly with Clarissa making her opening remarks and speaking about rewarding our companions with the Honours Awards.

ICAWC 2008 Presentation: International Training Opportunities

Previous presentation: Tellington Touch - Sarah Fisher

David Newall, the former Deputy Director General of Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, now consults for Dogs Trust on international development. He is offering the chance for ICAWC delegates to gain training and experience through Dogs Trust.

4:35: "Welfare evolves, and we learn as well." The training can be a two way process. The areas covered include shelter management, veterinary matters, maketing, fundraising and media, rehoming, customer care, dog handling, shelter construction, first aid and education.

4:40: Brigitta, a previous attendee at a training session from Lithuania, speaks of her experiences. She talks of how they raised some money to get started, but then stalled on where to start - should it be neutering? Education? Shelters? The training gave her a place to start with helping dogs in Lithuania. She is joined in her recommendation by a fellow attendee (whose name, unfortunately, was lost in the clamour of applause for Brigitta!).

Delegates are due to arrive from all over the world, including India and Pakistan, for another session at Dogs Trust West London in a matter of weeks. The training itself is fully covered by Dogs Trust in terms of costs - if you can get yourselves to the UK, Dogs Trust will take care of the rest.

4:45: Educators are being educated! Teachers and animal welfare professionals are given the tools to teach children that "helping animals is everyone's responsibility". We always do need volunteers who can provide locations for future courses, and welcome contact from anyone who can help.

And now... some ice to dip my hands in! The delegates, though, will be treated to a 'speakeasy', which is a chance to have a chat with any of today's speakers and ask all those pressing questions.

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End of the day! Come back tomorrow for more.

ICAWC 2008: Day 2 - The Presentations

Good morning! After a welcome buffet dinner last night which gave many of us a chance to meet someone we hadn't met before (and some who are ICAWC veterans got a chance to chat with well-known and liked faces), we're all back, bright and early and ready to hear the first day of presentations.

I'm all set up and ready to go behind the sound desk - with up to 200 people in the room, the speakers will have to be heard properly -with my laptop in front of me and Chris Laurence's digital camera to my left. I'll be making the speakers nervous while they talk and hoping no-one does that to me when it's my turn tomorrow.

I'll be liveblogging highlights from many of the presentations to give everyone who couldn't attend a chance to see what to expect next time. That means I'll be posting, editing and posting again as things happen, so it's best to refresh the page every 5 minutes or so if you want to folow a particular presentation. You can do that by pressing the refresh button on your browser or F5 on your keyboard.

We'll kick off shortly with ICAWC Chairman and Dogs Trust Chief Executive Clarissa Baldwin giving the welcome address, who will be followed by ten presentations on topics ranging from population dynamics to human-animal interaction, changing behaviour patterns to education and Tellington Touch to international training opportunities.

You know, I can feel my hands getting tired already from the typing I'm going to be doing!

ICAWC 2008: Workshop - Tellington Touch by Sarah Fisher

As workshops go, this is definitely hands on; there will be dogs here! Brought in by a nearby shelter (which is also hosting visits for delegates), they will allow workshop host, Sarah Fisher, to demonstrate how body language and postural cues can help canine carers assess and respond to a dog's behaviour.

"I love the way this work is really respectful to the animal... and helps that animal reach its full potential". With this positive start, Sarah's getting started, and I'll keep editing and updating this page to bring you the highlights.

1:20pm: In response to a question, Sarah says she has worked using these stress-reducing strategies with all sorts of animals (including meerkats, prairie dogs, snakes - even tarantulas!). Shelter work is her favourite, as it's so rewarding and makes life easier and more positive for both animals and people in a potentially stressful environment.

1:25: The dogs are ready to make their entrance! Sarah is prefacing this with a list of things to look out for. Because of the situation, the dogs have been chosen by the shelter only if they're happy to be handled by people, but Sarah has not worked with them before. Her first observation - of uneven ears - speaks to her as typical of dogs that don't like to be handled in a certain way and might have been misdiagnosed as 'dominant' when actually they're fearful and tense.

1:30: The dogs, two beautiful hounds called Dimo and Pizzikella, are brought in. D is instantly uncomfortable - there is huge muscular tension through the legs, a tucked in tail and very little movement. P is a little happier and more mobile, but still nervous.

Touch starts with the back of the hand. All the touches are very, very light, using just the fingertips or palm but not gripping - just floating across the skin. Sarah begins at the area the dog is most comfortable with, often the front end (where 60% of the weight of the dog is). From back of hand, you can move to one and a quarter turns of a circle, clockwise, with the fingertips.

1:40: The idea of the T Touch is to "bring movement back to the body even though the animal is afraid".

As Sarah's hands move to the hindquarters, D moves away. She resumes contact from the front, guiding him back to her by stroking, not pulling the lead. Slowly he shoes signs of movement. These can be fearful of calm (just like people, dogs yawn, lick lips, sniff as a calming signal or sign of stress, so it's important to read context).

A body wrap is applied, which can be a useful distraction and calming technique for the animal. D does not object; if he had, it would have been removed.

1:50: Treats are brought out. P confidently wolfs down a few; D is still to nervous to eat.

2:00: In answer to questions, Sarah recounts some success stories, such as that of a Pointer that could only be approached with stroking sticks through kennel bars, such was its kennel guarding fear. Within an hour of repeating a few strokes, followed by a break, she was calm enough to be put on the lead and lead out of her kennel.

A story about an Akita that narrowly escaped destruction after savaging its owner follows. Despite being virtually untouchable, working only "within the threshold of what the dog can cope with" (in this case touch for a few seconds near the head only) and some physiotherapy delivered amazing results, with a dog who started out with eyes fixed, and no interest in humans rapidly becoming a tail-wagging, eager friend.

2:10: Sarah demonstrates the touching techniques on the backs of some willing human volunteers before letting them try on the dogs (provided the hounds are comfortable). They agree that clockwise, gentle motions are much more pleasant than flat-handed, heavy pressure patting and stroking. A very soft tissue lift is demonstrated, cupping the skin to raise and guide down the tissues. This can also be used over joints. She explains how we must mirror relaxed body language and respect what the animal is telling us: "we're the only species that greet head on with eye contact and something held out - and that's considered polite!".

2:20: Despite having a short break out of the room followed by a drink (a very promising sign), D signals he's had enough by going to sit under a table and stare at the wall.

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Reading this blog is no substitute for attending a session like this. Sarah worked on, showing the delegates the right type of touch by demonstrating on the backs of willing volunteers, and displaying props that can help with animals that can't be approached. I hope this taster makes you think of finding out more about the Tellington Touch and using these calming techniques on animals in your care. I know that my kitten can be a bit fractious and fearful, having lived on the streets, and I'll certainly be trying out the basic strokes and finding out more.

Hopefully there will shortly be some photos to follow, but in the meantime I'm gearing up to join a workshop on pet first aid. More blogging to come!

And we're off... day one begins!

It's morning in Stresa, Italy, and morning is indeed broken, or at least the clouds are, because it's very, very rainy! Still, it's all go inside, where badges are being alphabetised, welcome packs assembled, the stage paced by nervous speakers and Internet connections are being alternately blessed and cursed...

Registration is due to begin at 11, but we're expecting a few early comers who will want to be registered and ready to go by the time the first shelter visit leaves. We'll be ready for them! The two visits today will run alongside workshops in Tellington Touch, Feline Infectious Diseases, Shelter Building in a Rescue Environment and First Aid for Dogs and Cats. Not to worry if you haven't managed to register first thing, though, as someone will be manning the desk until 5pm.

I'll be floating around the workshops blogging away, so if you want to know more about the content bookmark this page and check back. As long as the WiFi doesn't fail me (and I have faith it won't!), I'll be bringing you a regular dose of news from the conference.

Well, except when I'm the one speaking. *Quakes*

Alexandra Roumbas, Dogs Trust

Reminders, packing and preparation, oh my!

Reminder emails being sent out for the 1,000EUR competition can only mean one thing: it's time to pack!

We're all due at Terminal 5 on Tuesday morning, so it's time to get my shirts and skirts in a row and make sure my presentation still feels as fresh and interesting as it did when I first started work on it. I've got supporting documents ready to upload right afterwards so that anyone who needs further information should have it at their fingertips when visiting the ICAWC website.

I'm a little nervous about the presentation, but much more so about the flight! Now it's getting closer I have remembered my dislike of take off, but also started to get quite excited about all the possibilities next week has to offer.

I've already heard from one delegate who is coming all the way from Australia; it will be great to meet her and I guess after that I really can't complain about two hours in the air!

Remember, I'll be blogging about the different presentations and activities here so that if you couldn't make it this year you'll still have a good idea what to expect in the future. Just bookmark this page and head back here on Wednesday.

Alexandra Roumbas, Dogs Trust

Three weeks to go!

I can’t believe ICAWC is now only 3 weeks away! This is my first conference and already I have a sense of how much of a buzz there is about the whole thing. There are still some last minute registrations coming in – if you haven’t yet registered I strongly recommend doing it soon! Some of the activities are already oversubscribed.

I have received emails from delegates all over the world and its great to hear that so many organizations are advertising the conference on their own websites, and are this year bringing with them like-minded peers from their part of the world. That’s what ICAWC is all about – encouraging as much sharing of information and best practice as possible so that we can all do the best for our companion animal friends.

Meanwhile I am busying getting together all the presentations from our guest speakers – they all sound fascinating and I can’t decide which I am most looking forward to hearing.

When you arrive at ICAWC please don’t forget to come to the registration desk, where you will receive a welcome pack, including the full Programme of Events. And I hope we will see you all at the free Welcome Buffet Dinner on Wednesday 29th October at 7.30pm at the Regina Palace Hotel.

Finally, I have been really enjoying reading all your competition entries. Someone has to win the 1000 EUR cash prize!! If you haven’t sent your entry yet, you need to answer the following question in no more than 45 words:

“How do you explain to a potential corporate donor that dogs/cats are worthy of their support?”

Send your answers to hq-icawc@dogstrust.org.uk

Good luck, and see you in Italy!!

Helen Speake, Events Team, Dogs Trust

Dog Talk's Carolyn Menteith on what to expect at ICAWC 2008

It’s getting to that time of year again. The time when the animal welfare world starts turning it’s eyes towards ICAWC. And I am certainly no exception. This will be my 6^th Conference and I am looking forward to this as much as my first – in fact probably more so. I know what to expect from ICAWC; I have to say I always love every minute of it and I know this one will be as enjoyable and educational - and as inclusive - as all the others!

I enjoy listening to all the speakers – but I think even more than that, I love listening to the stories from people around the world who are managing, against the odds, to do some truly remarkable things to benefit, protect and care for animals. It always fills me full of enthusiasm and hope, and I think this is what ICAWC is really all about.

For the last four years, my job at ICAWC has been to compile and write the ICAWC newsletter… so if anyone accosts you in the bar looking for quotes on what you think of the conference, that will probably be me! This year however a page of the newsletter will be devoted to blog quotes (I am finally getting the hang of all this technology!) so please post your thoughts – both before and after the conference – here. I look forward to being able to include them in the newsletter.

I also have another job at ICAWC this year and it is one I am looking forward to but also one I am somewhat nervous about….! I am presenting a new resource that is a joint project between Dogs Trust and Battersea Dogs & Cats Home – and it is a template designed to help anyone wanting to start up a trap, neuter return programme to help their local street dog population. It is based on both their expertise and also on their experiences setting up a successful TNR centre in Oradea, Romania. I have been spending the past few (well actually quite a few!) months compiling, writing, editing and designing this web-based template, and it will have its first outing at ICAWC. I am excited about it because I think it is fantastic, and has advice from some of the very best welfare brains in the business, and I believe that it will prove invaluable in helping dogs around the world. On the other hand, I am nervous because I want it to be the very best it can be…. So a few sleepless nights for me before ICAWC!

Carolyn Menteith, Dog Talk

Welcome to ICAWC 2008!

Welcome to the 10th International Companion Animal Welfare Conference.

This year's conference will take place in Stresa, Italy from the 29th to the 31st of October, so there's still plenty of time to register for the event.

Topics being covered this year in presentations and optional workshops include first aid, customer care, population dynamics and successful rehoming among many others. You can see the full programme here, and have a chance to win some brilliant prizes.

Once you've signed up and started planning your visit, you can join the ICAWC network to virtually 'meet' other delegates, swap ideas and find others who share your interests. There's even a Wiki you can use to spread the word about your organisation and expertise.

This blog will be updated regularly nearer the time with ICAWC news, and I'll be posting updates from the event for those of you who cannot make the conference this year but would have liked to attend.

Hope to see you there!

Alexandra Roumbas, Web Editor, Dogs Trust (conference organisers)