MMPC Learniverse – Community Cat Programs – Legal Considerations with Shelter PALS

MMPC Learniverse – Community Cat Programs – Legal Considerations with Shelter PALS


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This course will explore what community cat programs (CCPs) are, explain why CCPs are needed, and describe how effective CCPs operate in compliance with state and local laws. You'll learn how your shelter can address cat overpopulation and help cats thrive where they are by implementing humane, life-saving, evidence-based community cat programs. 

As part of the Maddie's® Million Pet Challenge Learniverse program, Bruce Wagman, Lead Counsel for San Francisco SPCA's Shelter Policy and Legal Services (Shelter PALS) program, covers community cat programs in the state of California. The country’s first and only legal aid organization dedicated exclusively to the needs of animal shelters, Shelter PALS leverages the expertise of the best minds in animal welfare and channels significant legal aid to animal shelters. 

This short, self-paced course has been approved for 1.0 Certified Animal Welfare Administrator (CAWA) continuing education credit by The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement and by National Animal Care and Control Association. 

This course has been approved for 1 hour of continuing education credit until September 18th, 2026 in jurisdictions that recognize RACE approval. Upon completing the course and passing the quiz, upload your certificate to https://CEBroker.com. This is the broker used by the AAVSB to track your continuing education credits.

Keywords:  cats, kittens, community, cat, programs, TNR, SNR

PLEASE CONTACT:  learniverse@sheltermedportal.com if you have any questions or concerns about this course.


With the Maddie’s®️ Million Pet Challenge, the Five Key Initiatives of the Million Cat Challenge have expanded to include other species at risk in shelters and evolved into the Four Rights.  

Within the Four Rights, every element works in concert to support one another: animals and people are treated as individuals, empowering shelter staff to make the best decisions for everyone; community safety net services are in place and flourishing; and humane care within the shelter is provided, with appropriate outcomes for the animals that do come in, allowing shelters to deliver the Right Care, in the Right Place, at the Right Time, and to the Right Outcome.

This course focuses on community cat programs to help make sure cats get the Right Care, in the Right Place, and get to the Right Outcome. 

Learn more about  Maddie's®️ Million Pet Challenge Learniverse.  #ThankstoMaddie


You can also join the discussion about these concepts over on Maddie's Pet Forum in the Shelter PALS Legal Series Discussion Group.

Discussion Group on Maddie's Pet Forum

Click to visit the Discussion Group (will open in a new window/tab).


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Community Cat Programs Legal Considerations
Begin self-paced component package.
Begin self-paced component package. Learn what Community Cat Programs (CCP) are, why CCPs are needed, and how effective CCPs operate.
Course Feedback Survey
3 Questions
3 Questions We would really appreciate your feedback on this course to help us continue to improve and provide more of what you need in the future.
Course Quiz
5 Questions  |  3 attempts  |  4/5 points to pass
5 Questions  |  3 attempts  |  4/5 points to pass Let's check your knowledge after going through the Community Cat Programs Legal Considerations course (and help you get your CE credits).
Shelter PALS Legal Series Discussion Group
Select the "Visit the Discussion Group" button to begin.
Select the "Visit the Discussion Group" button to begin. Shelter PALS Legal Series discussion group on Maddie's®️ Pet Forum will open in a new window/tab.
CAWA/NACA CE Certificate
1.00 CAWA & NACA CE credit  |  Certificate available
1.00 CAWA & NACA CE credit  |  Certificate available This short course has been approved for 1.0 Certified Animal Welfare Administrator (CAWA) continuing education credit by The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement (AAWA) and by National Animal Care and Control Association.
RACE CE Certificate
1.00 RACE credit  |  Certificate available
1.00 RACE credit  |  Certificate available This course has been approved for 1 hour of continuing education credit until December 7th, 2024 in jurisdictions that recognize RACE approval. Upon completing the course and passing the quiz, upload your certificate to https://CEBroker.com. This is the broker used by the AAVSB to track your continuing education credits.

We have a dedicated discussion group on Maddie's Pet Forum to discuss the Shelter PALS Legal Series.  Bring your questions, comments, thoughts, and suggestions, or just see what others are thinking about these ideas.

Discussion Group Button
Click to visit the Discussion Group (will open in a new window/tab)
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Bruce Wagman

Lead Counsel

San Francisco SPCA - Shelter Policy and Legal Services (Shelter PALS)

For almost three decades, Bruce Wagman has been using his legal education and well-honed skills to help animals in all sectors of society, and benefit both society and the animals themselves. He is the only lawyer running an exclusive animal law practice in a major United States firm. He litigates, drafts animal-friendly legislation, oversees rescue operations, and consults clients who care for and protect animals. He has published two major works, the leading casebook for law schools nationwide—Animal Law: Cases and Materials—and a global survey of animal laws, A Worldview of Animal Law, the only global survey of animal law. Bruce also founded Project Chimps, a chimpanzee sanctuary that is home to chimpanzees retired from a research laboratory. Bruce’s clients include numerous animal protection organizations as well as private individuals. He has worked on behalf of many species, including alpacas, bears, birds, cats, chickens, chinchillas, chimpanzees, cows, deer, dogs, dolphins, ducks, elephants, elk, ferrets, geese, goats, gorillas, horses (domestic and wild), lions, mice, monkeys, pigs, rabbits, sharks, turkeys, whales, and wolves. In addition to his role as Lead Counsel of Shelter PALS, Bruce currently serves as Of Counsel at Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila LLP.

Learn more about the San Francisco SPCA - Shelter Policy and Legal Services (Shelter PALS)