7:15 A.M. – 8:30 A.M.

Breakfast

8:45 A.M. – 9:00 A.M.

Conference Welcome

9:00 A.M. – 10:15 A.M.

Animal "Unwantedness"

After an overview of the concept of "moral weight" and factors influencing the moral weight—relative importance—assigned to different animals from Bob Fischer (Texas State University, Rethink Priorities), various perspectives on which animals we decide to care about and implications for animals viewed as "unwanted," (e.g., "pests," "invasive species," and abandoned companion animals, as well as animals used in medical research and food production) will be discussed.

10:15 A.M. – 10:30 A.M.

Break

10:30 A.M. – 11:45 A.M.
Working with Municipalities and Elected Officials in Various Countries to Elevate Animal Welfare

In this international session, panelists from several different countries will discuss working with local authorities and more broadly situating animal welfare work in human behavior change to reach outside the animal welfare “bubble." 

11:45 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.

Fourth Annual Melanie Anderson Lifetime Excellence in Animal Protection (LEAP) Award

The Melanie Anderson LEAP Award was established by the Summerlee Foundation and Animal Grantmakers in 2022 to honor Melanie Anderson, Summerlee’s director of animal programs for 32 years. Geared toward lifetime achievement, it is given every fall at the Animal Grantmakers Conference to an animal advocate who has made a substantial and sustained contribution to the field of animal protection.

12:00 P.M. – 1:15 P.M.

Lunch

1:15 P.M. – 2:50 P.M.

Lightning Talks

Concise and engaging, these five TED-inspired talks—and talkers—on diverse topics within animal protection will leave you wanting to hear more!

• Protecting Animals, Protecting People - Mary Wakeham, Founder & CEO, Refuge4Pets and Links Group (U.K.) Trustee
• Mitigating AI Safety Risks and Making AI a Positive Force for Animals - Max Taylor, AI for Animals
• Improving Animal Welfare in Aquatic Food Systems - Alexandria Beck, Non-Profit Consultant
• Animals in Tourism - Carol Kline, Ph.D., Appalachian State University
• Sanctuaries as Lifetime Care - Liz Tyson, Ph.D., Born Free USA (primate sanctuary)

2:50 P.M. – 3:05 P.M.

Break

3:05 P.M. – 4:20 P.M.

Peer-to-Peer Grantmaking

4:20 P.M. – 4:30 P.M.

Break

4:30 P.M. – 5:30 P.M.

Animal Agriculture—and Being Vegan—in Texas

Several panelists, including Sharon Núñez with Animal Equality and Monica Chen with New Roots Institute, will talk about animal agriculture in Texas, the leading producer of cattle in the United States by a wide margin. In addition to learning about some of their campaigns and programs (e.g., corporate pressure, humane education), attendees will hear about Texas' increasing vegan-friendliness.

6:30 P.M. – 7:30 P.M.

Yappy Hour  (Pay Own Way)

7:30 P.M. – 9:30 P.M.

Dine Around Fort Worth (Pay Own Way)