Kitten Kindergarten: The ABCs of Clicker Training
2024-09-12 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York)
—–CANCELLED——
We regret to inform you that due to unforeseen circumstances, we must cancel the upcoming webinar, “Kitten Kindergarten: The ABCs of Clicker Training.” We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. We will explore options to reschedule this valuable session and will keep you updated on any new dates.
Thank you for your continued support and understanding.
The National Kitten Coalition
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Join NKC for a special presentation by guest speaker Jessica Benoit RVT, VTS (Behaviour), KPA CTP, CPDT-KA, Fear Free TM Certified and Approved Speaker.
In this presentation attendees will learn all about clicker training! We will delve into the mechanics of clicker training, reinforcers and treat delivery and how to set up training sessions for success. Learn how to teach your kitten foundation behaviors and how to utilize these behaviors for problem prevention.
If you can’t attend the live presentation, don’t worry! Sign up anyway. A recording of this webinar will be accessible on NKC’s eLearning Center within two weeks of the live event.

About Jessica Benoit
Jessica graduated from the NAIT Animal Health Technology program in 2010. She is a Registered Veterinary Technologist and the co-owner of Companion Veterinary Clinic, a Fear Free Certified Practice in Alberta, Canada. She is a Veterinary Technician Specialist in Behaviour, a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, and Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner. Jessica is also a Fear Free Certified veterinary professional, trainer, and speaker.
Jessica developed the training and behaviour program at Companion Veterinary Clinic in 2013, developing curricula for dog training classes, kitten classes, trick training, and offering private training and behaviour modification sessions. Her goals have always been for clients to see their veterinary clinic as the first step to helping them with their pet’s behaviour, and to ensure the emotional welfare of patients during veterinary visits. She is enthusiastic about teaching pet guardians how to best motivate and connect with their pets using positive, science-based methods of training. She has a special interest in cooperative veterinary care and enjoys helping canine and feline patients feel more comfortable and empowered for veterinary examinations and procedures.
Jessica enjoys educating and sharing her knowledge through speaking engagements which include Doggone Safe presentations for children, guest lecturing both locally and internationally for veterinary professionals and trainers and providing client education seminars. In addition, she provides mentorship for veterinary technologists and trainers interested in animal behaviour. In her spare time, she loves reading and being outdoors with her husband and two children, 1 dogs, 1 cat, and 10 chickens!

2024 NKC Veterinary Conference
2024-10-20
Early Bird registration is open!
Plan to join colleagues at the 5th annual National Kitten Coalition Veterinary Conference (NKCVC)!  This one-day, live, online event welcomes renowned speakers and attendees from around the world with the common goal of sharing information to help kittens and increase their survival rates. Session topics include kitten hospitalization, spay/neuter techniques, upper respiratory tract infections, diarrhea, kitten toxicities, fetal and neonatal mortality, and more.
The NKCVC is a kitten-focused, virtual event intended for veterinarians, veterinary technicians/nurses, those currently enrolled in veterinary or veterinary technician schools, veterinary staff members in private practices and shelters, and those involved in veterinary education and research.
Check here to learn more about conference and the sessions and speakers.
Take advantage of Early Bird registration today and don’t miss the opportunity to secure your spot at a discounted rate! Click here to register.
Interested in sponsoring this event to help keep the registration cost affordable? Click here to see the Sponsorship Brochure!

Neonatal and Early Kittenhood Emergencies
2024-11-13 19:30 - 20:30
The National Kitten Coalition is presenting a free RACE® CE webinar!
We want to say thank you to our veterinary professional community!
Mark your calendars for a FREE Webinar approved by the AAVSB for 1.00 credit of live, interactive RACE® CE for veterinarians and veterinary technicians/nurses in jurisdictions that recognize RACE® approval.
This webinar is open to all veterinary professionals. Please share with any of your colleagues who might be interested in attending, need CE credits, or simply love kittens.

Date/Time: Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at 7:30 PM EST
Title: Neonatal and Early Kittenhood Emergencies: Be ready to save the next one that walks through your door
Speaker: Emily Coleman, DVM

Webinar Overview
Kittens are very fragile beings that require immediate and intensive care in the face of a medical emergency. Conditions that will leave an adult cat only mildly ill or uncomfortable can quickly become life-threatening for a neonatal or young kitten. Neonatology and early kittenhood are often overlooked topics during veterinary medical education and continuing education opportunities, leaving both the recent graduate and the seasoned practitioner without the necessary knowledge of how to handle various emergencies commonly seen in kittens.
This talk will discuss how to recognize, diagnose and make treatment recommendations for several types of emergencies including ocular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, parasitic, congenital and traumatic. These emergencies, while varying in levels of urgency as well as ease of treatment, all often involve a kitten that is just days to weeks old.
As the nation adopts a no-kill outlook to animal rescue, it is only expected that more kittens will be seen in veterinary hospitals, making it very important for veterinary practitioners to be empowered to have frank, honest conversations with their clients on treatment recommendations and prognosis, whether they be rescue organizations or good Samaritans of the general public. As early veterinary intervention is almost always required, this tiny, vulnerable population deserves a chance to survive by being evaluated and treated appropriately.
Session objectives: After attending this virtual lecture an individual should be able to:

Identify the most common neonatal and early kittenhood emergencies seen in practice
Confidently treat these neonatal and early kittenhood emergencies
Understand the critical importance of complete supportive care for the neonate and kitten during an emergency
Create a kitten emergency kit for use in her hospital

Register today for this FREE webinar!

Considerations for Community Kittens
2025-01-25 10:00 - 2025-01-26 17:00
Join The National Kitten Coalition’s Rosemarie Crawford, LVT, for her session on “Considerations for Community Kittens” at the Community Cat’s Podcast’s 2025 Online Cat Conference on January 25-26, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM EST.
This two-day event will feature a wide range of cat-focused content from speakers in various animal welfare roles. You will gain valuable insights to help you and your organization create a more humane world for community cats. Register now for just $75 to enjoy access to live events, recorded sessions, speaker slides, handouts, and more.
Presenter: Rosemarie Crawford, LVT

Pregnant Queens and Bottle Baby Basics
2025-01-27 19:00 - 20:15
Join us for an exclusive double-feature webinar that covers the basics from two of our most popular sessions: Caring for Pregnant Queens and Caring for Bottle Babies.
As kitten season approaches, you may already be encountering pregnant queens in your community and will soon be seeing bottle baby kittens. In this webinar, you’ll learn the essentials of caring for a pregnant queen and preparing for bottle babies -whether with or without their mom. Get equipped with the knowledge and skills you need to navigate the start of kitten season successfully.
Click here to register for this double-feature webinar!
Presenters: Susan Spaulding and Rosemarie Crawford, LVT
Title: Caring for Pregnant Queens and Caring for Bottle Babies
Date/Time: Monday, January 21, 2025 at 7:00 pm– 8:15 pm

Classroom to Clinic: Neonatal and Early Kittenhood Emergencies
2025-02-17 19:30 - 20:30, 2025-11-05 19:30 - 20:30
Are you a veterinary student or faculty member with a passion for feline health and welfare? Join the National Kitten Coalition this February for our RACE® CE-Approved Neonatal and Early Kittenhood Emergencies webinar tailored especially for you!
Sign up for our Classroom to Clinic mailing list to receive the registration link and stay updated on our future events and initiatives.

Prepare for Kitten Season
2025-03-18 16:30 - 17:30
‘Kitten Season’ is almost here, and in some places it has already arrived– or never stopped! Get prepared for kittens now in order to help all your kittens in the future.
This webinar will cover what you can do now to prepare and will provide need-to-know information to save more kittens! From administrative level planning, to increasing your foster care team, to essential kitten-care information (whether in the field, in foster homes or in the shelter), this session will address preparation and best practices, leaving you with plenty of ideas to make this kitten season one of your best yet!
There will be time for questions, and information about where to find additional, trusted kitten resources will also be included.
Click here to register for this free webinar!
Presenter: Rosemarie Crawford, LVT
Director of Educational Programs,The National Kitten Coalition
Rosemarie Crawford has long had a passion for helping animals–particularly kittens. She is a licensed veterinary technician, co-founder of The National Kitten Coalition and has almost 20 years’ experience in animal welfare. As a medical staff member in a high-volume, open-access shelter, Rosemarie worked closely with the shelter veterinarian to provide for the animals’ medical and surgical needs. She assisted in developing and implementing successful protocols for the care of kittens in the shelter’s nursery as well as for those in foster care. Additionally, Rosemarie served in two shelters as the foster coordinator and understands the challenges of creating, expanding and maintaining foster programs. In addition to presenting national and international training sessions for The National Kitten Coalition, Rosemarie works at a six-doctor veterinary practice in northern VA and also fosters kittens needing medical care.

New England Federation of Humane Societies
2025-03-24 08:00 - 2025-03-26 16:00
The NKC will be presenting at the New England Federation of Humane Societies Conference! Our topic is Preparing Pets for Adoption.
The 2025 conference will take place March 24 to March 26 in Burlington, Massachusetts. We’re hoping to see some old friends there and look forward to making new ones too!
Visit The NEFHS Conference information page for more information, conference agenda and registration.

Virginia Federation of Humane Societies Conference
2025-04-02 08:00 - 2025-04-04 16:00
The NKC is presenting at the 2025 Virginia Federation of Humane Societies Conference from April 2 until April 4 in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Our topic is Preparing People AND PETS for Adoption Success.
We’re happy to be presenting at this fun and informative conference— we love being with so many great people, coming together to learn and save more lives!
Visit the VFHS Conference page for more information, conference program and registration.

Fading Kitten Syndrome: Fight the Fade
2025-04-25 13:00 - 14:00
Join us for a comprehensive webinar on Fading Kitten Syndrome (FKS), designed specifically for kitten fosters and caregivers. This session, presented by Rosemarie Crawford, LVT, will delve into the critical aspects of FKS, including its signs, causes, treatments, and prevention strategies.
With the information provided in the webinar, attendees will understand these aspects of FKS and be better able to help kittens by recognizing early signs of “fading,” taking immediate and appropriate actions, and knowing what can be done to prevent some cases of fading kitten syndrome from ever occurring in the first place. Empower yourself with the knowledge to save precious lives and provide the best care possible for vulnerable kittens.
Click to register for this FREE webinar.
Presenter: Rosemarie Crawford, LVT

Panleukopenia 101: A Guide for Fosters and Caregivers
2025-05-21 19:30 - 20:30
Don’t miss this invaluable opportunity to learn from Dr. Emily Coleman as she explores the life-saving strategies for panleukopenia in kittens. Specifically designed for foster families and kitten caregivers, this webinar will provide you with crucial knowledge on recognizing early symptoms, accessing care for treatment, and implementing effective vaccination and cleaning protocols to stop the spread of this devastating disease. Empower yourself with the knowledge and tools to protect vulnerable lives and provide the best care for kittens in need.
Click to register for this FREE webinar.
Presenter: Emily Coleman, DVM

2025 Online Kitten Conference
2025-06-07 10:00 - 2025-06-08 17:00
The Online Kitten Conference is a virtual conference for anyone who wants to create a better future for our youngest felines!
Kittens require specialized care, which is why The National Kitten Coalition and the Community Cat Podcast have partnered to present a conference dedicated exclusively to caring for the tiniest felines. Over this two-day event, animal shelter professionals, caregivers, fosters, and kitten enthusiasts will come together to deepen their knowledge and sharpen skills for raising healthy kittens and running successful kitten programs.
Sessions will cover a wide range of topics and featured speakers will include respected experts in kitten care, representing a wealth of experience from across the animal welfare community.
Click here to register

2025 AVMA Convention
2025-07-19 08:00 - 2025-07-23 17:00
The National Kitten Coalition is exhibiting at the American Veterinary Medical Association Convention from July 19-22, 2025 in Washington, DC. Come visit us in Booth #945 and learn about our new educational offerings!
NKC Board member, Emily A. Coleman, DVM is presenting “Feline Panleukopenis: Saving More Cats and Kittens with a Proactive Approach” on July 20.

Emily Coleman, DVM
The Convention is being held in the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

2025 Feline VMA Conference
2025-09-18 08:00 - 2025-09-21 17:00
Join us a the Feline VMA Conference in Portland, Oregon on September 18 through 21. Stop by our exhibit booth (#522) and say “Hi” and talk about all things kittens with us!
Click here for more information and conference registration.

2025 Ultimate Cat Conference
2025-10-03 09:00 - 2025-10-05 16:00
NKC’s Rosemarie Crawford will be presenting two sessions on kitten-related issues at the 2025 Ultimate Cat Conference in Lebanon, Tennessee!
Click here for more information and conference registration.

Incubators—All of Your Questions Answered
2025-10-08 19:30 - 20:00
Join us for a fast-paced, informative webinar designed specifically for kitten caregivers: Incubators—All of Your Questions Answered. In just 15 minutes, we’ll walk through the essentials of incubator use for neonatal kittens—what to look for, how to set up and monitor safely, and common troubleshooting tips. Then, stay for a live 15-minute Q&A session where you can ask your own questions or listen in as others share theirs. Whether you’re fostering, working in a shelter, or supporting fragile feline lives in any capacity, this session is for you.
Can’t attend live? No problem—register anyway! All registrants will receive a recording link after the event so you can watch on your own time. Click here to register for this FREE webinar!
Presenter: Emily A. Coleman, DVM
Dr. Emily A. Coleman grew up in Baltimore, Maryland and acquired a Bachelor of Science at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Virginia in 2005. She then attended the Virginia Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia, graduating and receiving her DVM in 2009. After over ten years in private practice and shelter medicine, Dr. Coleman decided to think outside of the box and to start her own mobile feline spay/neuter/TNR and preventative care practice dedicated to supporting 501c3 nonprofit rescue organizations in Central Virginia. The Celtic Cat, LLC opened in November 2021 and has since assisted over twenty organizations with their veterinary care of cats and kittens.
Dr. Coleman’s veterinary interests include neonatal kitten care, preventative surgery and medicine, as well as geriatric care. Dr. Coleman serves as the IACUC veterinarian at the University of Mary Washington and has served on the Board of Directors for The National Kitten Coalition since 2023. Dr. Coleman has spoken on behalf of NKC at national veterinary conferences, and she regularly hosts NKC webinars.
She currently lives in Spotsylvania, Virginia with her husband, cats, dogs and chickens and fosters the most vulnerable neonatal kittens from surrounding counties each year, typically receiving them at just a few days old. When not busy with her foster kittens she enjoys attending live music events, reading, gardening and practicing yoga.

2025 NKC Veterinary Conference
2025-10-19 08:00 - 17:00
Plan to join colleagues at the 6th annual National Kitten Coalition Veterinary Conference (NKCVC)!  This one-day, live, online event welcomes renowned speakers and attendees from around the world with the common goal of sharing information to help kittens and increase their survival rates.
The NKCVC is a kitten-focused, virtual event intended for veterinarians, veterinary technicians/nurses, those currently enrolled in veterinary or veterinary technician schools, veterinary staff members in private practices and shelters, and those involved in veterinary education and research.
Check here to learn more about conference and the sessions and speakers.
Registration today and secure your spot! Click here to register.
Interested in sponsoring this event to help keep the registration cost affordable? Click here to see the Sponsorship Brochure!

Sanitation and Cleaning for Kitten Caregivers
2025-12-03 19:30 - 20:00
With thorough cleaning and sanitation, you can significantly lower the risk of virus and disease transmission in your shelter or home.
Join us for a presentation on the current protocols and best practices for cleaning and sanitization when handling and caring for kittens. We will discuss effective products and procedures for disinfecting rooms, cages, bedding, and litter boxes to help keep your kittens safe and healthy.
In this concise 30-minute session, Dr. Emily Coleman, DVM, will share essential cleaning protocols and product recommendations to help reduce the spread of infectious diseases. The presentation will be followed by a live Q&A, giving you the chance to ask questions and get advice on your sanitation challenges.
Click here to register for this free webinar!
Speaker: Emily Coleman, DVM
Dr. Emily A. Coleman grew up in Baltimore, Maryland and acquired a Bachelor of Science at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Virginia in 2005. She then attended the Virginia Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia, graduating and receiving her DVM in 2009. After over ten years in private practice and shelter medicine, Dr. Coleman decided to think outside of the box and to start her own mobile feline spay/neuter/TNR and preventative care practice dedicated to supporting 501c3 nonprofit rescue organizations in Central Virginia. The Celtic Cat, LLC opened in November 2021 and has since assisted over twenty organizations with their veterinary care of cats and kittens.
Dr. Coleman’s veterinary interests include neonatal kitten care, preventative surgery and medicine, as well as geriatric care. She serves as the IACUC veterinarian at the University of Mary Washington and has served on the Board of Directors for The National Kitten Coalition since 2023. In 2025, Dr. Coleman became the Executive Director of The National Kitten Coalition. She has spoken on behalf of NKC at national veterinary conferences and regularly hosts NKC webinars.
She currently lives in Spotsylvania, Virginia with her husband, cats, dogs and chickens and fosters the most vulnerable neonatal kittens from surrounding counties each year, typically receiving them at just a few days old. When not busy with her foster kittens she enjoys attending live music events, reading, gardening and practicing yoga.

Kitten Development–Fast Tracked
2026-01-21 16:00 - 16:30
Join us for this quick, 30 minute webinar covering the important milestones kitten caregivers need to know about. This live session will not only help you accurately determine the age of kittens, but it will also provide you with essential information to know what’s expected with for the first 12 weeks of a kitten’s development.
Gain the confidence to know what physical characteristics kittens should be showing as they grow and develop. You’ll also have a chance to ask questions!
Register now for this free webinar! This webinar will be recorded and made available through NKC’s eLearning soon after the live event.
Presenter: Rosemarie Crawford, LVT
Rosemarie Crawford is a licensed veterinary technician who has worked in animal welfare for more than 15 years. She has experience in public and private shelters and in veterinary practices. As a medical staff member in a high-volume, open-access shelter in Illinois, Rosemarie worked closely with the shelter veterinarian to provide for the animals’ medical and surgical needs. She assisted in developing and implementing progressive, proactive protocols for the care and treatment of kittens in the shelter’s kitten nursery room as well as for those in foster care.
Additionally, Rosemarie served in two shelters as the foster coordinator and understands the challenges of creating, expanding and maintaining a foster program as well as the rewards such a program can reap via the involvement of volunteers. During times of disaster, she serves as an emergency responder with several national organizations to provide rescue, shelter, veterinary care and transport for affected animals. For many years, she also served as a volunteer instructor for Humane Society University, teaching extended workshops in the United States and Canada on Emergency Animal Sheltering, Disaster Animal Response and Animal First Aid. Prior to focusing her efforts on animal welfare, Rosemarie taught high school and college English for 10 years, and her passion for teaching comes through in the workshop presentations.
Rosemarie is the Co-founder and Director of Educational Programs at the National Kitten Coalition, where she leads initiatives to improve outcomes for kittens through education and training. Currently, she also works at a large, six-doctor veterinary practice in the greater Washington D.C. area and fosters neonatal, injured or debilitated kittens for several local shelters and rescue groups.

Understanding Your Kitten or Cat: Recognizing Pain and Knowing When to Seek Veterinary Help
2026-01-31 12:00 - 14:00
Join us for a special two-part webinar event designed to help cat and kitten owners and caregivers recognize the subtle signs of pain and discomfort in their felines and understand what circumstances, both painful and non-painful, require care from a veterinarian.
Presenters:
Emily Coleman, DVM
Tracey Deiss, DVM
In the first session, Emily Coleman, DVM, will share how everyday changes—like grooming habits, posture, activity levels, or even the way your cat’s ears and eyes communicate—can reveal when they are experiencing pain or discomfort.
In the second session, Tracey Deiss, DVM, will guide you through situations that require veterinary intervention (and how urgently), so you’ll know when to act. By the end, you’ll feel more confident in spotting signs of pain and early warnings requiring veterinary care to protect your cat’s health and well-being.
You’ll also have the chance to ask questions and get clarity and understanding that will give you peace of mind and will help your cat or kitten live their best life.
Hosted by The EveryCat Health Foundation and The National Kitten Coalition
This webinar is offered at no cost thanks to the generous support of our sponsor, Zoetis.

Click to register for this FREE webinar!
About Our Speakers:
Emily Coleman, DVM
Dr. Emily A. Coleman grew up in Baltimore, Maryland and acquired a Bachelor of Science at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Virginia in 2005. She then attended the Virginia Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia, graduating and receiving her DVM in 2009. After over ten years in private practice and shelter medicine, Dr. Coleman decided to think outside of the box and to start her own mobile feline spay/neuter/TNR and preventative care practice dedicated to supporting 501c3 nonprofit rescue organizations in Central Virginia. The Celtic Cat, LLC opened in November 2021 and has since assisted over twenty organizations with their veterinary care of cats and kittens.
Dr. Coleman’s veterinary interests include neonatal kitten care, preventative surgery and medicine, as well as geriatric care. Dr. Coleman serves as the IACUC veterinarian at the University of Mary Washington and has served on the Board of Directors for The National Kitten Coalition (NKC) since 2023. In 2025, she was appointed Executive Director of NKC, where she continues to advance education and advocacy for kittens and their caregivers nationwide. Dr. Coleman has spoken on behalf of the NKC at national veterinary conferences, and she regularly hosts NKC webinars. She currently lives in Spotsylvania, Virginia with her husband, cats, dogs and chickens and fosters the most vulnerable neonatal kittens from surrounding counties each year, typically receiving them at just a few days old. When not busy with her foster kittens she enjoys attending live music events, reading, gardening and practicing yoga.
Tracey Diess, DVM
Dr. Tracey Deiss attended Texas A&M pursuing a BS in Biochemistry and Genetics with a Chemistry minor. She received her DVM from Texas A&M University in 1998. During veterinary school, she worked at MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Lab Animal Medicine and Surgery. Dr. Deiss completed an internship in small animal medicine and surgery prior to practicing emergency medicine for 15 years in Grapevine, Texas. She returned to her hometown of Rosenberg, TX joining a large SA practice where her special interests included ultrasonography, soft tissue surgery, feline medicine, and pain management.
Dr. Deiss joined Zoetis as the professional services veterinarian for the Houston and surrounding areas in 2018 and is currently serving as the veterinary medical lead for Feline Anxiety and Pain. Knowing that cats are masters at hiding pain and illness, she is passionate about partnering with their humans in providing consistent comprehensive health screens in clinical practice. She shares her life with a couple of adult kiddos and a menagerie of pets including a Doberman named Sapphira, a Schnauzer named Ms. Ives, and a naughty Borzoi named Jezzie. There is seldom a dull moment in the Deiss Family Circus.
About the Organizations:
EveryCat Health Foundation is the world’s only nonprofit focused solely on feline health research. Since 1968, we’ve awarded grants for cutting edge research in feline medicine, ranging from clinically applicable proposals to long shot investigations with game-changing potential. Arguably, no organization has changed the way feline medicine is practiced as much as EveryCat Health Foundation. EveryCat Health Foundation advances feline health by supporting groundbreaking research and education that benefits every cat, every day, everywhere.
The National Kitten Coalition is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing survival rates of kittens. We achieve our mission by educating and training animal shelter staff, rescue groups, veterinary communities, volunteers and fosters to provide high-quality, cost-effective care; providing outreach and educational materials to animal welfare and veterinary professionals and the public; and promoting cooperation and information sharing within the animal welfare community.
Click to register for this FREE webinar!

Starting Strong: How to Perform a Kitten Intake Exam
2026-02-25 19:30 - 20:00
Welcome kittens with confidence – join us for a 30‑minute webinar on the essentials of intake exams.
Dr. Emily Coleman, DVM, Executive Director of The National Kitten Coalition, will guide you step‑by‑step through how to perform a kitten intake exam. Designed for rescue and shelter staff, as well as fosters and caregivers, this session covers what to look for during intake, how to spot potential health concerns, and the importance of documenting baseline stats to track changes over time.
You will gain simple, practical strategies to build confidence in monitoring kitten health, along with ready‑to‑use intake and tracking materials to support your caregiving journey. The webinar concludes with a brief Q&A, giving you the chance to get your questions answered and leave prepared to welcome kittens safely and successfully. When you register, you will also have the opportunity to submit your questions in advance—helping us ensure the session covers the topics most important to you.
Click here to register for this free webinar!
Presenter: Emily A. Coleman, DMV
Dr. Emily A. Coleman grew up in Baltimore, Maryland and acquired a Bachelor of Science at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Virginia in 2005. She then attended the Virginia Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia, graduating and receiving her DVM in 2009. After over ten years in private practice and shelter medicine, Dr. Coleman decided to think outside of the box and to start her own mobile feline spay/neuter/TNR and preventative care practice dedicated to supporting 501c3 nonprofit rescue organizations in Central Virginia. The Celtic Cat, LLC opened in November 2021 and has since assisted over twenty organizations with their veterinary care of cats and kittens.
Dr. Coleman’s veterinary interests include neonatal kitten care, preventative surgery and medicine, as well as geriatric care. Dr. Coleman serves as the IACUC veterinarian at the University of Mary Washington and has served on the Board of Directors for The National Kitten Coalition (NKC) since 2023. In 2025, she was appointed Executive Director of NKC, where she continues to advance education and advocacy for kittens and their caregivers nationwide. Dr. Coleman has spoken on behalf of the NKC at national veterinary conferences, and she regularly hosts NKC webinars.
She currently lives in Spotsylvania, Virginia with her husband, cats, dogs and chickens and fosters the most vulnerable neonatal kittens from surrounding counties each year, typically receiving them at just a few days old. When not busy with her foster kittens she enjoys attending live music events, reading, gardening and practicing yoga.

Springtime Safety: Preventing Toxic Exposures in Kittens
2026-03-18 14:00 - 14:30
Join us for an essential 30-minute webinar, Springtime Safety: Preventing Toxic Exposures in Kittens, led by Rosemarie Crawford, LVT.
While our focus extends beyond lilies, it’s crucial to note that a staggering 53% of cat owners are unaware that lilies are toxic to their pets*. With Easter approaching, many households are likely to display lilies and other seasonal items that pose serious risks to kittens.
This webinar aims to equip fosters and caregivers with the knowledge needed to navigate these hazards and to emphasize the importance of educating new adopters about the safety of their adorable spring kittens.
We’ll cover the most prevalent holiday hazards, including toxic plants, festive foods, and household decorations, while providing effective prevention strategies and guidance on how to respond in case of exposure. Attendees will walk away with clear, actionable insights to ensure the safety of kittens during the holiday celebrations, along with the opportunity for a live Q&A. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance the well-being of our furry friends!
* Cats Protection, 2025 (https://www.cats.org.uk/media/onnnmi1h/cats-report-uk-2025_digital.pdf)
Click here to register for this free webinar!
Presenter: Rosemarie Crawford, LVT
NKC Co-Founder and Director of Educational Programs
Rosemarie Crawford is a licensed veterinary technician who has worked in animal welfare for more than 15 years. She has experience in public and private shelters and in veterinary practices. As a medical staff member in a high-volume, open-access shelter in Illinois, Rosemarie worked closely with the shelter veterinarian to provide for the animals’ medical and surgical needs. She assisted in developing and implementing progressive, proactive protocols for the care and treatment of kittens in the shelter’s kitten nursery room as well as for those in foster care.
Additionally, Rosemarie served in two shelters as the foster coordinator and understands the challenges of creating, expanding and maintaining a foster program as well as the rewards such a program can reap via the involvement of volunteers. During times of disaster, she serves as an emergency responder with several national organizations to provide rescue, shelter, veterinary care and transport for affected animals. For many years, she also served as a volunteer instructor for Humane Society University, teaching extended workshops in the United States and Canada on Emergency Animal Sheltering, Disaster Animal Response and Animal First Aid.
Prior to focusing her efforts on animal welfare, Rosemarie taught high school and college English for 10 years, and her passion for teaching comes through in the workshop presentations. Rosemarie is the Co-founder and Director of Educational Programs of The National Kitten Coalition, where she leads initiatives to improve outcomes for kittens through education and training. Currently, she also works at a large, six-doctor veterinary practice in the greater Washington D.C. area and fosters neonatal, injured or debilitated kittens for several local shelters and rescue groups

Protecting Kittens Through Vaccination: A Webinar for Rescues, Shelters, and Caregivers
2026-04-15 19:30 - 20:00
Join us for a practical 30 minute webinar designed to help rescue organizations, shelters, fosters, and caregivers understand the essentials of kitten vaccination. Led by Emily Coleman, DVM, this session will walk you through the recommended vaccination schedule, explain why vaccines are critical for young kittens, and provide a clear overview of the diseases they protect against.
Whether you’re caring for a single foster kitten or managing a busy shelter, this webinar will give you the confidence to support healthy starts and prevent outbreaks. With easy to follow guidance and real world tips, you’ll leave with the knowledge you need to keep kittens safe and thriving on their journey to adoption.
Click here to register for this free webinar!
Presenter: Emily A. Coleman, DVM
Dr. Emily A. Coleman grew up in Baltimore, Maryland and acquired a Bachelor of Science at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Virginia in 2005. She then attended the Virginia Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia, graduating and receiving her DVM in 2009. After over ten years in private practice and shelter medicine, Dr. Coleman decided to think outside of the box and to start her own mobile feline spay/neuter/TNR and preventative care practice dedicated to supporting 501c3 nonprofit rescue organizations in Central Virginia. The Celtic Cat, LLC opened in November 2021 and has since assisted over twenty organizations with their veterinary care of cats and kittens.
Dr. Coleman’s veterinary interests include neonatal kitten care, preventative surgery and medicine, as well as geriatric care. Dr. Coleman serves as the IACUC veterinarian at the University of Mary Washington and has served on the Board of Directors for The National Kitten Coalition (NKC) since 2023. In 2025, she was appointed Executive Director of NKC, where she continues to advance education and advocacy for kittens and their caregivers nationwide. Dr. Coleman has spoken on behalf of the NKC at national veterinary conferences, and she regularly hosts NKC webinars.
She currently lives in Spotsylvania, Virginia with her husband, cats, dogs and chickens and fosters the most vulnerable neonatal kittens from surrounding counties each year, typically receiving them at just a few days old. When not busy with her foster kittens she enjoys attending live music events, reading, gardening and practicing yoga.

2026 Indiana Animal Welfare Conference
2026-04-17 17:30 - 2026-04-18 16:40
Dr. Emily Coleman, Executive Director of The National Kitten Coalition is presenting at the 2026j Indiana Animal Welfare Conference in Indianapolis,, April 17–18, 2026. The Conference brings together animal welfare professionals & volunteers, rescue and community cat organizations, veterinary professionals, and animal control officers. The topic of Dr. Coleman’s presentation is Kitten Nutrition: Feeding for Healthy Growth.
Click here for registration information and to learn more about the conference.

Understanding, Managing and Preventing Diarrhea in Kittens
2026-05-06 14:00 - 14:30
Diarrhea is one of the most common health challenges in kittens, and it can quickly become serious if not managed properly. In this 30‑minute webinar, Rosemarie Crawford, LVT, will guide fosters, caregivers, pet owners, and shelter volunteers through the key causes of diarrhea, how to recognize when it’s minor versus when urgent care is needed, and practical steps you can take to provide supportive care at home, along with simple things you can do to help prevent many cases of diarrhea.
Whether you are fostering for the first time or supporting a busy shelter program, this session will equip you with clear, actionable tools to protect kitten health and improve outcomes.
Click here to register for this free webinar!
Presenter: Rosemarie Crawford, LVT
NKC Co-Founder and Director of Educational Programs
Rosemarie Crawford is a licensed veterinary technician who has worked in animal welfare for more than 15 years. She has experience in public and private shelters and in veterinary practices. As a medical staff member in a high-volume, open-access shelter in Illinois, Rosemarie worked closely with the shelter veterinarian to provide for the animals’ medical and surgical needs. She assisted in developing and implementing progressive, proactive protocols for the care and treatment of kittens in the shelter’s kitten nursery room as well as for those in foster care.
Additionally, Rosemarie served in two shelters as the foster coordinator and understands the challenges of creating, expanding and maintaining a foster program as well as the rewards such a program can reap via the involvement of volunteers. During times of disaster, she serves as an emergency responder with several national organizations to provide rescue, shelter, veterinary care and transport for affected animals. For many years, she also served as a volunteer instructor for Humane Society University, teaching extended workshops in the United States and Canada on Emergency Animal Sheltering, Disaster Animal Response and Animal First Aid.
Prior to focusing her efforts on animal welfare, Rosemarie taught high school and college English for 10 years, and her passion for teaching comes through in the workshop presentations. Rosemarie is the Co-founder and Director of Educational Programs at The National Kitten Coalition, where she leads initiatives to improve outcomes for kittens through education and training. Currently, she also works at a large, six-doctor veterinary practice in the greater Washington D.C. area and fosters neonatal, injured or debilitated kittens for several local shelters and rescue groups.

2026 The Kitten Conference
2026-06-06 10:00 - 2026-06-07 17:00
Kittens require specialized care, which is why The National Kitten Coalition and Community Cats Central have partnered to present a conference dedicated exclusively to caring for the tiniest felines.
Over this two-day virtual event, animal shelter professionals, caregivers, fosters, and kitten enthusiasts will come together to deepen their knowledge and sharpen skills for raising healthy kittens and running successful kitten programs.
Sessions will cover a wide range of topics, from socializing feral kittens for adoption and managing foster programs to exploring innovative initiatives that empower communities to care for kittens of any age. Featured speakers will include respected experts in kitten care, representing a wealth of experience from across the animal welfare community. Meet some of our confirmed speakers below, and stay tuned—additional sessions and expert presenters will be announced as the full lineup is finalized.
Can’t attend live? All sessions will be recorded, and registrants can watch (and rewatch!) the full library of presentations through October 1, 2026.
Early bird registration is just $50, covering access to the live event, recorded sessions afterward, speaker slides, handouts, and more. Prices increase to $75 on May 6, 2026 11:59 pm EDT—so don’t delay!
Register today and save $25 with Early Bird pricing.
