Alley Cat Allies Offers Blueprints to Transform Communities - and Save Cats' Lives - at National Conference

Program to feature visionaries who are changing shelter practices—and making significant impact

BETHESDA, Md., Aug. 2, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Advocates working to change communities to be more compassionate, humane and protective of the lives of cats are encouraged to join Alley Cat Allies, the nation's largest advocacy group for cats, on Nov. 8-10 in Arlington, Va., for Architects of Change for Cats, a national conference.

The conference program features national animal protection leaders, veterinarians, private and public shelter directors, animal control officers, animal law attorneys and other visionaries whose work has dramatically transformed the animal sheltering system in the United States. 

"Architects of Change will be a meeting of the minds of some of the most forward-thinking, innovative and successful individuals and groups in the national movement to protect the lives of cats," said Becky Robinson, president and co-founder of Alley Cat Allies.  "Attendees will return inspired and empowered to make similar impacts in their own communities."

More than 25 speakers and presentations will be featured over the course of the three-day conference. Among the presenters will be:

• Becky Robinson, president and co-founder of Alley Cat Allies.Since Robinson started the discussion on Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) 23 years ago, thousands of shelters have embraced TNR, two states and the District of Columbia have adopted TNR-friendly laws, and more than 330 local governments allow or endorse TNR.  
• Mike Arms, president of the Helen Woodward Animal Center, San Diego, Calif. Arms is recognized worldwide as the creator of popular pet adoption drives, including the International Pet Adoptathon and "Iams Home 4 the Holidays."
• Bonney Brown, a luminary of the animal protection movement and former executive director of Nevada Humane Society. Brown is now president of the Humane Network which works with humane organizations, rescue groups, and citizens to increase lifesaving programs and create no-kill communities.
• Jon Cicirelli, director of Animal Care and Services in San Jose, Calif.  Cicirelli has built community partnerships and implemented programs that have reduced the number of cats and kittens entering the San Jose shelter system by 25 percent in the last three years.
• Special celebrity guest John Fulton. Fulton hosts Animal Planet's Must Love Cats.

"This conference will provide all the tools communities need to forge compassionate change," Robinson said. "Together we will stop the killing."

For a full list of speakers and to register for the conference, visit the Architects of Change for Cats website at www.alleycat.org/conference.

About Alley Cat Allies
Alley Cat Allies is the only national advocacy organization dedicated to the protection and humane treatment of cats. Founded in 1990, today Alley Cat Allies has half a million supporters and helps hundreds of thousands of individuals, communities, and organizations save and improve the lives of cats and kittens nationwide. Their website is www.alleycat.org.

Contact:
VAISHALI HONAWAR, vhonawar@alleycat.org or (240) 482-2580

SOURCE Alley Cat Allies