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Subject to Change

Wednesday, October 15, 2025

Optional Daytime Field Trips:

9:00 A.M. 3:00 P.M.

Bat World Sanctuary and Lake Mineral Wells State Park ($75; includes lunch)


Founded in 1994 by Amanda Lollar after she came across an injured Mexican free-tailed bat lying on a hot sidewalk in Mineral Wells, Texas, Bat World Sanctuary is a GFAS-accredited sanctuary located 45 minutes from Fort Worth. Hoping to heal the bat’s injured wing and set her free, Lollar took the bat home and named her “Sunshine.” During her time in captivity, Sunshine taught Lollar the enchanting language of bats and sparked her indelible love for this remarkable species. In addition to the hundreds of non-releasable bats from around the world who have found permanent refuge at this indoor, natural habitat facility, thousands of injured and orphaned bats have also been rescued and returned to their rightful place in the wild. As Bat World Sanctuary doesn’t typically offer tours, this field trip is a one-time special program just for Animal Grantmakers Conference attendees.

Before heading back to the Hilton Fort Worth, participants will stop at Lake Mineral Wells State Park for lunch and a discussion about animal welfare with a park interpreter.

Bat World Sanctuary Hosts:

  • Amanda Lollar, founder and president
  • Natalie Perez, executive director

Lake Mineral Wells State Park Host:

  • David Owens, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Animal Grantmakers Host:

  • Luke Klein, American Anti-Vivisection Society (AAVS)

1:00 P.M. 4:00 P.M.

Humane Society of North Texas: HSNT Equine Ranch and Saxe Forte Adoption Center (no charge)


The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex area is home to several highly-respected animal welfare organizations. For those looking for an afternoon and / or shorter outing, the second field trip option is to two sites operated by the Humane Society of North Texas: HSNT Equine Ranch and Saxe Forte Adoption Center in Fort Worth. The Humane Society of North Texas has achieved unprecedented lifesaving through a variety of innovate programs aimed at ending animal cruelty and pet homelessness in the region.

Equine Ranch Host:

  • Steven Stevens

Adoption Center Hosts:

  • Nelda Corbell
  • Kelli Eaves

Animal Grantmakers Host:

    • Bethany Heins, Best Friends Animal Society and Animal Grantmakers Board President

      6:00 P.M. 7:30 P.M.

      Opening Reception

      Join fellow attendees for drinks, appetizers, and networking as AGCon 2025 officially kicks off.

      Welcome Remarks:

      • Bethany Heins, Best Friends Animal Society and Animal Grantmakers Board President
      • Jill Hoffman, Animal Grantmakers (Consultant)

        Thursday, October 16, 2025

        7:15 A.M. – 8:30 A.M.

        Breakfast

        8:45 A.M. – 9:00 A.M.

        Opening Remarks

        Speakers:

        • Bethany Heins, Best Friends Animal Society and Animal Grantmakers Board President
        • Jill Hoffman, Animal Grantmakers (Consultant)

        9:00 A.M. – 10:30 A.M.

        Unwantedness: Expanding the Circle of Protection

        Animal advocates have always been innovators—from pioneering TNR programs to creating wildlife corridors to building sanctuaries for animals others had given up on. This session explores how that same creative, compassionate spirit can extend to animals who currently fall through the cracks. With our expert panelists we'll examine how certain wild, urban, lab, and farm animals are not just excluded from protection but exterminated. Our speakers will discuss ethical complexities and explore how the successful strategies we've developed for the animals we know and love might create pathways to help those we've overlooked.

        Speakers:

        • Bob Fischer, Texas State University and Rethink Priorities
        • Rebecca (Bec) Gooley, Wisdom Good Works
        • Jay Odenbaugh, Lewis & Clark College
        • Delcianna (Delci) J. Winders, Vermont Law and Graduate School
        • Andrés Jiménez Zorrilla, Open Philanthropy

        10:30 A.M. – 10:45 A.M.

        Break

        10:45 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.

        Funding Systemically: An International Perspective on Creating Change for Dogs and Cats

        Join us as we discuss what funding to achieve systemic change can look like for dogs and cats, drawing on examples from across the globe. We will invite reflections and advice from the panel to support funders interested in systemic funding and improving grantmaker practice.

        Speakers:

        • Mike Dower, Jai Dog Rescue (Thailand)
        • Patrick Gerard, International Companion Animal Management Coalition (International; United Kingdom-based)

        Moderator:

        • Roxanne Nazir, Battersea Dogs and Cats Home

          12:00 P.M. – 12:10 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.

            Award Presenter:

            • Jill Hoffman, Animal Grantmakers (Consultant)

              12:10 P.M. – 1:25 P.M.

              Lunch

              1:25 P.M. – 3:00 P.M.

              Lightning Talks

              Concise and engaging, these five TED-inspired talksand talkerson diverse topics within animal protection will leave you wanting to hear more!

              Presenters:

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

              Introducer:

              • Luke Klein, American Anti-Vivisection Society (AAVS) and Alternatives Research and Development Foundation

                3:00 P.M. – 3:15 P.M.

                Break

                3:15 P.M. – 4:30 P.M.

                Together Texas: Using Peer-to-Peer Grantmaking for Lifesaving in Companion Animal Shelters Throughout the Lone Star State

                This panel will showcase four different collaborative partnerships that are built on a model of scaling a funder's work through peer-to-peer grantmaking. We will hear different examples of challenges and wins with this model of funding.

                Speakers:

                • Clare Callison, Austin Pets Alive!
                • Nelda Corbell, Humane Society of North Texas
                • Heather Hall, One Tail at a Time West Texas
                • David Maldonado, Operation Kindness

                Moderator:

                • Laura Cox, Best Friends Animal Society

                4:30 P.M. – 4:40 P.M.

                Break

                4:40 P.M. – 5:30 P.M.

                Don't Mess with Animals! Protecting Farmed Animals in Texas (and Around the World)

                Join us for a lively 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.

                Speakers:

                • Monica Chen, New Roots Institute
                • Sharon Núñez, Animal Equality

                6:30 P.M. – 7:30 P.M.

                Yappy Hour  (Pay Own Way)

                Relax and unwind after the first day of sessions at a happy hour for animal lovers in the hotel bar.

                7:30 P.M. – 9:30 P.M.

                Dine Around Fort Worth (Pay Own Way)

                Enjoy a delicious meal with other conference participants at one of Fort Worth's vegan or vegan-friendly restaurants. As Fort Worth's appetite for plant-based diets and food has increased considerably over the past few years, there will be plenty of good choices.

                  Friday, October 17, 2025

                  7:15 A.M. – 8:30 A.M.

                  Breakfast

                  8:45 A.M. – 11:30 A.M.

                  Presentation and Interactive Discussions   Animal Grantmakers Members Only (a separate activity is being planned for non-members during this time)

                  11:45 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.

                  Designing Smarter Grants  Member-Led Workshop

                  Join us for a hands on workshop to streamline and strengthen grantmaking. Together, we will design shared templates, explore reporting standards, and evaluate technology tools that work for both funders and grantees.

                    Facilitators:

                    • Stacy LeBaron, Philanthropist and Dedicated Feline Advocate
                    • Melissa Rubin, Greater Good Charities

                      1:00 P.M. – 2:15 P.M.

                      Lunch

                      2:15 P.M. – 3:15 P.M.

                      Measuring Grant Impact and Data-Driven Decision-Making  Member-Led Presentation and Discussion

                        Facilitator:

                        • Stien van der Ploeg, Animal Charity Evaluators

                          3:15 P.M. – 3:30 P.M.
                          Break

                          3:30 P.M. – 5:00 P.M.

                          Golden Nuggets to Guide Your Animal Grantmaking  Member-Led Discussion

                          6:30 P.M. – 8:30 P.M.

                          Reception & Gala Dinner

                          Keynote Speaker:

                          • Jeff Sebo, New York University

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