What Is Animal Care Expo?

Are you ready to mingle and learn with others who are passionate about animal welfare and care? We attended for the first time in 2014, long before the idea of Petrics was even formed. It was one of the most energizing and inspiring experiences! If you love animals and want to work in pet care, behavior, or welfare, the Animal Care Expo is the perfect event for you.

Keep reading to learn what the Expo is, who organizes it, and how you can attend. And we also give an overview of this year’s highlights. You won’t want to miss it!

What Is Animal Care Expo?

Animal Care Expo is an annual event created by The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). The international Expo brings together people from around the world who value the mission of the HSUS. Its purpose is to educate and support staff, volunteers, and animal welfare partners. The event also provides ample opportunities for networking in an effort to learn from each other and share resources.

HSUS Animal Care Expo — Animal Care Expo is the largest international animal welfare event.

What Is The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS)?

The Humane Society of the United States fights to end suffering for all animals. HSUS focuses on ending cruelty to animals, caring for animals in crisis, and building a stronger animal protection movement. They do these things through legislation, rescue organizations, shelters, and everyday acts of kindness by people who care about saving the lives of animals.

At Petrics, we resonate with the mission of HSUS. Learn more about our solution.

When and Where Is Animal Care Expo?

The 2023 Animal Care Expo is taking place on April 3-6 in New Orleans, Louisiana. It’s held at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. This is an annual event, with the location changing occasionally. It has previously been held in Daytona Beach, Las Vegas, Fort Lauderdale, Kansas City, and more over the years.

Over 2,500 people are expected to attend. Experts from every field within animal welfare will be there to share best practices, connect, and be inspired. In addition, there will be vendors in the exhibition hall with the latest and greatest products and pet solutions.

Who Can Attend Animal Care Expo?

Everyone and anyone is welcome to attend Animal Care Expo! It’s an inclusive event for those wanting to contribute to the care and protection of animals.

The attendees typically include professionals and volunteers from shelter and rescue personnel, the veterinary field, animal control organizations, first responders, humane educators, behavior specialists, wildlife rehabilitators, and more.

The 2023 Animal Care Expo has in-person and virtual options to make the event accessible to anyone. The virtual event will be a live stream of the in-person seminars and keynotes, but it’s limited in networking opportunities. In addition, the sessions will be recorded and available to both in-person and virtual participants.

What Happens at Animal Care Expo?

The HSUS Animal Care Expo features about 100 professional development sessions throughout the four-day event. Continuing education credits are also available for many of the sessions for Certified Animal Welfare professionals and veterinarians and veterinary technicians in jurisdictions which recognize AAVSB RACE approval.

There’s also an exhibition hall with the latest innovations, products, and services for pets. Many animal industry partners can be found here, including some of the biggest names in animal advocacy. Let’s take a closer look at each component of the Expo.

Sessions

HSUS invites a variety of speakers and workshop presenters who are knowledgeable in their subject areas. Sessions include topics such as recognizing chronic pain in cats, trauma-informed emergency animal foster care, and improving shelters by creating LIMA-based (least intrusive, minimally aversive) cultures. There are also workshops focused on organizational leadership and volunteering.

The educational tracks also include daylong learning labs that focus on specific areas of expertise, such as free-roaming animal capture, animal husbandry, the health of kittens, and how technology and data help improve street animal management.

The main stage features a variety of high-level sessions that apply to each area of animal welfare.

Keynote Speaker

The keynote speaker for the 2023 Animal Care Expo is Dr. Jyothi Robertson. She’s a well-renowned veterinarian with a specialization in shelter medicine. Dr. Robertson has worked with shelters for over 20 years. In addition, she provides consulting services to animal welfare organizations through her business, JVR Shelter Strategies.

Continuing Education Credits

The HSUS Animal Care Expo is an approved provider for various continuing education credits. If you’re an animal welfare staff member or medical professional needing credits, there are multiple opportunities at the event. You can check out the website for a list of sessions that qualify for continuing education. Be aware that you will need to self-report your credits, as HSUS doesn’t do so on your behalf.

Exhibits

Animal Care Expo is also a tradeshow with a variety of exhibitors. The vendors range from animal sanctuaries and service providers to pet supplies and technology. Past vendors have included Petco Love, PetSmart Charities, Maddie’s Fund, Royal Canine, ASPCA, and Best Friends Animal Society. The event is also a good opportunity to purchase discounted supplies.

What would an international event be without social time? The Expo’s agenda packs in plenty of time to mingle and network with others who are passionate about animal welfare. It all starts with a welcome dinner. There are also happy hours, coffee chats, and a party on the agenda. And, of course, you can make time for one-on-one meetings with potential partners, volunteers, and new friends.

Seth Casteel and Caitlin Morton — Our founder, Caitlin Morton, at the goodbye party with Seth Casteel, author of *Underwater Dogs,* at the 2014 Animal Care Expo.

Is the HSUS Animal Care Expo an Annual Event?

Yes, the HSUS Animal Care Expo is an annual event. The 2024 and 2025 dates and locations have been announced.

The 2024 Animal Care Expo will take place on May 15-18 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas. And the 2025 Expo will be on April 15-18 in Las Vegas, Nevada, at the Caesars Forum.

Expand Your Animal Welfare Education at the HSUS Animal Care Expo

You can expand your investment in animal welfare by attending the HSUS Animal Care Expo. You’ll learn the latest advancements in services, legislation, animal healthcare, and more. It’s also an excellent opportunity to network with others to share new ideas and get a rejuvenating sense of inspiration.

In animal care and welfare, it’s easy to get worn out by compassion fatigue. We can’t think of a better way to reinvigorate your purpose and excitement than to attend this expo!

Will you attend a future Animal Care Expo? Let us know in the comments below, and we hope to see you there!