ASPCA Northern Tier Shelter Initiative (NTSI) Quality of Life Grant is sponsored by ASPCA. The Northern Tier Shelter Initiative ("NTSI") is accepting applications from brick-and-mortar animal shelters in Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin to improve the quality of life for animals in their care.

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Culture & Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion National Field & Disaster Response The ASPCA’s Northern Tier Shelter Initiative (NTSI) is a specialized program that provides grants, free consultations and trainings to brick-and-mortar shelters, non-profit veterinary clinics and Indigenous communities in Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

The NTSI program develops relationships to enable animal welfare agencies and communities in these seven states to create sustainable advancements in animal welfare cats and dogs.

Northern Tier agencies and animal welfare professionals are empowered through education and training, connection to resources, expanded peer networks and guidance that focuses on industry best practices, improving quality of life for shelter animals and increasing access to veterinary care. Since launching in 2015, the NTSI program has engaged over 280 organizations and provided over $10 million in grants.

Browse the popular Zoomies behavior training sessions developed by our staff and attended by thousands of professionals. NTSI works with brick-and-mortar shelters, non-profit veterinary clinics, and Indigenous communities to improve the quality of life for cats and dogs.

Tricia Sebes, CAWA, Senior Director Tricia leads strategic animal welfare efforts across seven states and manages a multi-year grant supporting shelters, clinics, and Indigenous communities. She has been on the ASPCA’s Northern Tier Shelter Initiative team since it launched in 2015. Tricia previously held leadership roles at McKamey Animal Center and the Humane Educational Society in Chattanooga, TN.

She holds a degree in Human Services Management from the University of Tennessee and serves as board secretary for a high-volume spay/neuter clinic in her hometown, where she lives with her partner, two shelter dogs and a cat. Jamie works closely with shelters and nonprofit clinics to solve the everyday stressors of animal welfare.

While her work is primarily focused in Minnesota and Wisconsin, she has led projects spanning the seven states in the Northern Tier. One of these passion projects is supporting shelters in their quest for accessible spay/neuter services. For almost two decades, Jamie has dedicated her career to supporting pet families and strengthening the human animal bond through her work.

Jamie is a wife and mother of two human children, two dogs, an outdoor working cat and thousands of honeybees. Kay Joubert, CAWA, Director Kay's work primarily focuses on building effective relationships with animal welfare agencies in Alaska, Idaho, Montana and Washington to improve the quality of life for animals in their care and communities.

She has led projects spanning all seven Northern Tier states, developing the Zoomies webinars and refining NTSI’s collaborations to improve access to veterinary care within Indigenous communities. Prior to joining the ASPCA, Kay led a companion animal shelter for over 10 years, served on several non-profit boards and a state-wide animal welfare association.

She leverages her experience of daily shelter and veterinary clinic operations to help agencies in the northern tier implement best practices and make stronger connections to help more animals in challenging environments. Laura Nelson, Senior Manager Laura oversees program integration, grant management and data systems, while also driving efforts to expand the program’s reach across the broader animal welfare field.

Before joining the ASPCA, Laura served as Program Director for Gateway Pet Guardians in East St. Louis, IL, where she managed shelter operations and led both the adoption and foster teams. “The Northern Tier Shelter Initiative is a valued partner who listens to the needs of local animal shelters and comes alongside them to make a meaningful impact in the lives of animals.

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