Shelter Operations & Animal Care

This page is a compilation of resources related shelter operations and animal care. If you know of an organization or resource not listed here that may be beneficial to others, please send email to ohiofedhs@gmail.com

GUIDELINES FOR STANDARDS OF CARE IN ANIMAL SHELTERS - updated in December 2022

Published by the Association of Shelter Veterinarians. 

STATE OF OHIO BOARD OF PHARMACY INSPECTION GUIDE: TERMINAL DISTRIBUTOR OF DANGEROUS DRUGS/ANIMAL SHELTERS

This guide applies only to locations licensed as terminal distributor of dangerous drugs that meet the definition of a “animal shelter” in rule 4729:5-15-01 of the Ohio Administrative Code.

SHELTER PLANNERS OF AMERICA

The Nation's Leading Animal Shelter Specialist for Needs Assessment Studies, Conceptual Design and Full Architectural and Engineering Services.

COMPANION ANIMAL TRANSPORT PROGRAMS BEST PRACTICES

Transport Best Practice guidelines, templates, and tools developed by leaders at The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement, along with recommended links to other resources. Sample policies are intended to be guidelines only.

SANITATION IN ANIMAL SHELTERS

From UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program.

PETFINDER SHELTER SOFTWARE GUIDE 

Which software is right for your shelter or rescue group? There are many to chose from and this site managed by Petfinder can help.

AMERICAN HUMANE OPERATIONAL GUIDE: RECORD KEEPING

Accurate and efficient record keeping is crucial to all animal shelters. This manual lays the groundwork for successful record keeping and makes it easier to keep accurate and efficient records.

DETERMINING SHELTER STAFFING NEEDS

The National Animal Care and Control Association recommends that each animal care and control shelter be staffed each day with the appropriate number of kennel personnel to insure that the facility, and every animal within, is maintained at, or in excess of, minimum care standards.

ANIMAL ENRICHMENT MODEL PRACTICES

The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement developed the Enrichment Model Practice guidelines, templates, and tools, along with a webinar series and recommended links to other resources.

ADOPTION MODEL PRACTICES

The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement developed the following Adoption Model Practice guidelines, templates, and tools, along with a webinar series and recommended links to other resources.

PROVISION OF VETERINARY CARE IN A SHELTER SETTING MODEL PRACTICES

The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement's model practice will provide a comprehensive overview of a shelter medicine program so the leadership and administration of animal welfare organizations understand the key components necessary to meet the medical needs of the animals in their care.

LENGTH OF STAY MANUAL

As proven lifesaving strategies and shelter medicine continue to evolve, so should shelters’ procedures, programs and protocols in pursuit of providing humane care for the animals. When measuring your shelter’s proficiency in these lifesaving areas, it is critical to analyze the average length of stay (LOS) for animals. Best Friends' manual can help.

ANIMAL SHELTER APPLICATIONS AND QUESTIONNAIRES

From Outcomes for Pets Consulting, this document contains: adoption questionnaire; new foster sign up questionnaire; dog owner surrender questionnaire; lost dog intake survey for finders; and new volunteer survey

AAHA MICROCHIP LOOKUP

For veterinary hospitals, animal control facilities, and shelter staff members seeking to streamline the process of reuniting lost pets with their owners, AAHA offers the Universal Pet Microchip Lookup Tool.

FOR MEMBERS ONLY:

SAMPLE MANUAL OF STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES (members only)

This Microsoft® Word document contains basic standard operating procedures (SOPs) for some of the most commonly performed tasks in animal shelters. It is designed for you to edit and expand to reflect your agency’s policies and procedures. 

INTAKE PROCEDURES (members only)

Standard dog and cat intake procedures prepared by the National Animal Care & Control Association.

BEHAVIORAL EUTHANASIA IN SHELTER DOGS (members only)

Guidelines for euthanasia elected in cases when, despite treatment, the Five Domains of animal welfare are not met and maintained and/or the dog is a serious safety risk to people or companion animals.

MICROCHIP IDENTIFICATION LIST (members only)

Have a microchip you need to identify? Use this handy list to find phone numbers of microchip providers compiled by the National Animal Care & Control Association.