October 3rd - 5th, 2025
This amazing 3-day conference, just for cat rescuers, cat shelters/rescues or cat enthusiasts, is jam-packed with speakers covering all of the latest in the cat world. Our speaker line-up includes Jackson Galaxy, Kitten Lady -Hannah Shaw, Dr. Matt McGlasson, Stephen Quandt, Nathan The CatLady, Sterling "TrapKing" Davis, Eric Phelps with Sister Kitten, Cat Behaviorist Ingrid Johnson, Rosemarie Crawford from the National Kitten Coalition, Sharon Labron and Kristen Petrie from The Community Cats Podcast, Joy Smith from Feline Haven Feline Center, Dr. Gables with VetMed Animal Health, and Amy Simcik with True Rescue. There will be a broad range of all cat-related topics including TNR, cat medicine/CPR, communal cat sheltering, the latest and greatest cat behavior techniques, increasing cat adoptions, volunteer engagement, making a better social media presence, neonatal care and so much more! There will be a HUGE party Saturday Evening for all speakers and attendees!
Please click the link provided to purchase tickets for the conference as well as add on Meet and Greet passes!
The event will be held at: Cumberland University Alumni Center, 408 S Maple St, Lebanon, TN 37087
See the schedule details below! Early registration Thursday October 2nd at True Rescue Cat Shelter, 12110 Lebanon Rd, Mount Juliet, TN
The Ultimate Cat Conference is focused on innovative education and practices that support anyone who works or volunteers in animal welfare with felines. The goal is to network amongst peers and learn from the best in the industry. Vendors will be on site to support the work you're currently doing, and show you ways to help more animals! Our mission is to build a community of cat lovers and cat rescues/shelters, striving to provide a unified standard of care that will continue to serve and educate others nationwide.
Ticket holders will have exclusive access to Meet and Greets with several of our most acclaimed speakers. Stay tuned!
There will be weekly email updates to ticket holders regarding vendors, shopping, accommodations, local tourist spots, dining options, etc.
If you haven't registered at the shelter on Thursday, please arrive by 8 am to register and check in!
Welcome attendees! Don't miss opening remarks and daily Q&A with Amy!
Best practices for kitten-focused programs including kitten diversion, foster programs, on-site care of kittens, and more
Ask the Vet!
Food trucks and vendors available all around the Alumni Center!
GDubs Brew Co Truck (All day)
Sambwich Co Food Truck (Lunch only)
This event is for Meet and Greet ticket holders only!
Saving Kittens Workshop
This class includes information on kitten development, assessing health, monitoring stool and urine, bottle feeding, kitten-led weaning, behavior and socialization, and more. Attendees gain an understanding of the issues impacting kittens, learn the fundamentals of caring for kittens 0-8 weeks of age, and become empowered to play a role in saving their lives.
Cat Math Part 1: Determine Your Key Cat Numbers to Reduce Overpopulation in Your Community
Join Stacy LeBaron and Kristen Petrie for a 50-minute workshop where you’ll actively participate in identifying the strategic number of owned cats that need to be spayed/neutered annually, as well as the number of cats for TNR. Each participant will determine their target population and use the Community Cat Calculator to better understand what needs to be done to create a more humane community for cats. This is organizational strategic planning-accomplished in less than an hour.
Closing remarks and reminders for Day Two
Please check in each day
Welcome attendees! Don't miss opening remarks and daily Q&A with Amy!
Growing Your Rescue's Social Media: Tips for Success
Discover the essential dos and don’ts for building a strong social media presence as an animal rescue. Learn practical strategies to boost engagement, reach more supporters, and share your mission effectively.
TBA
Against All Odds: My Journey with Special Needs Cats
A heartfelt story of rescuing and caring for cats with unique challenges, highlighting the triumphs, setbacks, and life lessons learned along the way.
FIP, CH, FIV & FELV: What Every Rescuer Should Know
An informative session unpacking the realities of four common yet often misunderstood feline conditions, exploring symptoms, care strategies, and the latest advances in treatment and management.
Food trucks and vendors available all around the Alumni Center!
Bubbles and Brews Coffee Truck
Pig Pen BBQ Food Truck
This event is for Meet and Greet ticket holders only!
This event is for Meet and Greet ticket holders only!
From Wild Instincts to Healing Hands: Decoding the Mysteries of Cats
An in-depth exploration of the adaptive and evolutionary forces that shape feline behavior, revealing why cats act the way they do and how those instincts play out in our homes and shelters.
From Fearful to Friendly
A groundbreaking, humane approach to helping extremely frightened cats who don’t respond to traditional positive reinforcement techniques. Includes a practical “bonus” method for testing when a fearful cat can be safely picked up-every time.
The Human Heart
A personal account of overcoming vicarious trauma in the shelter environment and finding resilience in the work of animal welfare.
Medical Issues That Present as "Behavior Problems": Recognition & Management
Learn how common medical conditions can appear as behavior problems in cats and gain practical strategies to recognize and manage them effectively.
Closing remarks and reminders for Day Three
This event is for UCC Attendee's, Speakers and Vendors. Doors open at 6 pm. Food and drinks provided as well as giveaway prizes throughout the night. Come network with like-minded feline focused friends! Live music, Karaoke, awards and lots of fun will be had!
Please check in each day
Welcome attendees! Don't miss opening remarks and daily Q&A with Amy!
TBA
TNR and Disaster Response. Eric will be sharing his TNR work with Sister Kitten and their experience during Hurricane Helene.
Collaboration Over Competition: Building Unity in Animal Rescue
This session begins with a brief introduction and an overview of TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) and how it all began. But the heart of the conversation is about something bigger. It's about how we can come together as a rescue community instead of working against each other. After traveling across the country and even internationally to places like Greece and Spain, one thing has become clear; our biggest challenge isn’t the animals, it’s learning to work as a team.
Food trucks and vendors available all around the Alumni Center!
GDubs Brew Co Coffee Truck
TN French Dip Food Truck
Kettle Corn Shop
Feline Health Challenges: Panleukopenia and Caring for Pregnant or Nursing Queens
This two-part session explores two vital topics in feline health. The first half examines panleukopenia in kittens and adult cats, outlining the disease process, treatment protocols, and prevention strategies to protect feline populations in shelters, foster programs, and clinics. The second half focuses on the care of pregnant and nursing queens, covering health management, specialized needs, and guidance for navigating challenging situations. Together, these discussions provide essential information for improving health outcomes and welfare for cats in all care environments.
Cat Math Part 2: How to Get More Cats Fixed in Your Community
In this 50-minute session, Stacy LeBaron will share models of spay/neuter initiatives designed for non-veterinarians who want to build capacity in their community. She’ll cover not only the types of models, but also how to launch and implement them. Key issues such as staffing, funding, and planning will be addressed so you can apply your cat math to build a sustainable spay/neuter and community cat program tailored to your community.
TBA
Closing remarks