About This Event
The Gathering 2026
May 11–13, 2026 | Philadelphia, PA
The Gathering is CARE’s annual multi-day conference bringing together community members, practitioners, researchers, advocates, and organizers working at the intersection of Human and Animal Well-being.
The Gathering creates space to examine how the Animal Welfare and Animal Protection fields have caused harm through exclusion, bias, and inequitable practices — and to collectively build pathways toward reform that honor both people and animals.
Grounded in CARE’s core pillars — Intention, Mobilization, Peace, Education, Acknowledgment, Compassion, and Heart — this conference centers BIPOC leadership, lived experience, and community-based knowledge. Sessions move beyond theory to focus on practical tools, shared learning, and relationship-building that participants can bring back to their communities and institutions.
The Gathering is designed for those who understand that animal welfare cannot be separated from human well-being, environmental justice, and systemic equity.
AGENDA
MONDAY
Welcome Night at The Post
5:00 pm -8:00 pm
129 S 30th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
(4 block walk from the hotel)
TUESDAY
8:00 AM | Registration and Breakfast
9:00 AM | Welcome: James Evans
9:30 AM | When Love Has Four Legs: Navigating Pet Loss, Dr. Mekel Harris and Dr. Michele Whitney
10:30 AM | Dance and Singalong, Janice Godfrey
11:00 AM | The Decision Pause A practical guide to making more informed decisions under pressure, Amy Jin Johnson
12:00 PM | Lunch
1:30 PM | Game Show: Are you Pet Smart?
2:45 PM | A Seat at the Table: How Youth engagement will take your programming to the next level.
3:45 PM | Closing, Hakeem
4:00 PM | Conference Day Ends
6:00 - 10:00 PM | Black & White Ball
WEDNESDAY
8:00 AM | Registration and Breakfast
9:00 AM | Ramona Griffin Opening Comments
9:30-10:30 AM | Akisha Townsend Eaton
10:45-11:45 PM | Thaddeus and Natasha Johnson
12:00-1:30 PM | LUNCH
1:30 PM | Ryan Harris
2:30 PM | James Evans and Cat Small
3:30 PM | Shafonda
4:30 PM | James Evans Closing Statements
See you all there!
About This Event
The Gathering 2026
May 11–13, 2026 | Philadelphia, PA
The Gathering is CARE’s annual multi-day conference bringing together community members, practitioners, researchers, advocates, and organizers working at the intersection of Human and Animal Well-being.
The Gathering creates space to examine how the Animal Welfare and Animal Protection fields have caused harm through exclusion, bias, and inequitable practices — and to collectively build pathways toward reform that honor both people and animals.
Grounded in CARE’s core pillars — Intention, Mobilization, Peace, Education, Acknowledgment, Compassion, and Heart — this conference centers BIPOC leadership, lived experience, and community-based knowledge. Sessions move beyond theory to focus on practical tools, shared learning, and relationship-building that participants can bring back to their communities and institutions.
The Gathering is designed for those who understand that animal welfare cannot be separated from human well-being, environmental justice, and systemic equity.
AGENDA
MONDAY
Welcome Night at The Post
5:00 pm -8:00 pm
129 S 30th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104
(4 block walk from the hotel)
TUESDAY
8:00 AM | Registration and Breakfast
9:00 AM | Welcome: James Evans
9:30 AM | When Love Has Four Legs: Navigating Pet Loss, Dr. Mekel Harris and Dr. Michele Whitney
10:30 AM | Dance and Singalong, Janice Godfrey
11:00 AM | The Decision Pause A practical guide to making more informed decisions under pressure, Amy Jin Johnson
12:00 PM | Lunch
1:30 PM | Game Show: Are you Pet Smart?
2:45 PM | A Seat at the Table: How Youth engagement will take your programming to the next level.
3:45 PM | Closing, Hakeem
4:00 PM | Conference Day Ends
6:00 - 10:00 PM | Black & White Ball
WEDNESDAY
8:00 AM | Registration and Breakfast
9:00 AM | Ramona Griffin Opening Comments
9:30-10:30 AM | Akisha Townsend Eaton
10:45-11:45 PM | Thaddeus and Natasha Johnson
12:00-1:30 PM | LUNCH
1:30 PM | Ryan Harris
2:30 PM | James Evans and Cat Small
3:30 PM | Shafonda
4:30 PM | James Evans Closing Statements
See you all there!