Shelter Medicine Resources
Explore Our Shelter Medicine Resources
Blogs
Fear-Free Shelter Dog Housing Strategies
Shelter Assessments, Shelter Design and Optimization
Creating a fear-free environment for shelter dogs reduces stress and supports their well-being. Explore key strategies like double-sided housing, proper space allocation, and indoor/outdoor access to improve adoptability and enhance daily life in animal shelters.
Updates to the ASV Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters
Shelter Assessments, Shelter Design and Optimization
The ASV’s 2022 Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters introduce essential updates to improve animal welfare and shelter operations. This second edition provides shelters with practical tools to enhance care, reduce stress, and support staff and volunteers in their daily work.
Designing Better Animal Shelters
Shelter Design and Optimization
Discover how thoughtful animal shelter design can improve both animal welfare and operational efficiency. Learn about key design elements like stress reduction, housing layout, and capacity planning to create spaces that support the well-being of animals and staff alike.
HASS Animal Shelter Facility Guidelines
Shelter Assessments, Shelter Design and Optimization
Animal shelters are evolving into community-centered spaces with the help of HASS Facility Guidelines. Learn how innovative design principles, like shared food pantries and pet-friendly coworking areas, support both human and animal well-being.
The Silver Lining
Research and Innovation
Amid the global pandemic, we are presented with an unprecedented opportunity to stop, reset, imagine, connect, and breathe—reflecting on how we can better ourselves, our communities, and our world through mindful action and compassion.
Publications
Veterinarian-Leadership Relationships in Animal Shelters
News and Insights, Research and Innovation
What if exceptional animal care begins with better communication? Explore this recent study that uncovers hidden challenges between veterinarians and leadership in animal shelters. Are we ready to bridge the gap for better outcomes?
2024 AAHA Community Care Guidelines
News and Insights, Research and Innovation
Veterinary teams are dedicated to caring for every pet that comes through their doors, yet external limitations often stand in the way. What if practices could extend their reach by forming partnerships with nonprofit organizations and actively collaborating with their communities?
Behavior and Adoptability of Hoarded Cats
Research and Innovation, Shelter Assessments
Can hoarded cats thrive in new homes? This study explores their journey from intake to adoption, revealing surprising behavioral shifts, high adopter satisfaction, and promising long-term outcomes. The findings challenge assumptions about shelter behavior and highlight the importance of time and socialization in successful placements.
A Retrospective Study of Medical Condition and Outcomes in Hoarded Cats
Research and Innovation, Shelter Assessments
A study of 371 hoarded cats (2011–2014) found that institutional hoarding significantly increased the risk of chronic respiratory illness. Despite health challenges, hoarded cats had similar outcomes to non-hoarded cats, underscoring the need for harm reduction strategies.
Videos
The Science Behind the Human-Animal Connection
Science confirms what pet owners already know—the human-animal connection shapes our well-being in profound ways. In this plenary talk, Dr. Jyothi Robertson explores how interactions with animals improve overall well-being. Learn how this powerful bond benefits both humans and animals.
Interdependence in Animal Welfare
Animal welfare is deeply interdependent with broader societal systems. In her Maddie’s Conversations interview, Dr. Jyothi V. Robertson explores how policy, economics, and social structures shape outcomes for animals and communities alike. Discover why embracing interdependence is key to lasting change.
Podcasts
Mindfulness in Veterinary Medicine
Veterinarians face immense pressure, yet self-care is often overlooked. In Care for the Healer podcast, Dr. Jyothi V. Robertson explores mindfulness in veterinary medicine, sharing how meditation and grounding practices can foster resilience. Discover her insights on navigating the challenges of the field.
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This is a Featured Blog
Dallas’ Community‑Driven Loose Dog Strategy: A Framework for Local Engagement and Equity
Dallas’s community‑driven loose dog strategy is revolutionizing animal welfare. See how DAS and JVR Strategies partner with neighborhoods to co‑create equity‑focused, data‑driven solutions that protect pets, build trust, and strengthen communities.
AI and Computer Vision Technology in Cat Doors
Explore how AI and computer vision technology in cat doors enhance pet safety, recognize individual cats, and prevent unwanted animals from entering your home.
Veterinarian-Leadership Relationships in Animal Shelters
What if exceptional animal care begins with better communication? Explore this recent study that uncovers hidden challenges between veterinarians and leadership in animal shelters. Are we ready to bridge the gap for better outcomes?
Understanding Machine Learning: A Beginner’s Guide
Discover the basics of Machine Learning in this beginner’s guide. Learn about its types, applications and trends in AI-powered technology.
2024 AAHA Community Care Guidelines
Veterinary teams are dedicated to caring for every pet that comes through their doors, yet external limitations often stand in the way. What if practices could extend their reach by forming partnerships with nonprofit organizations and actively collaborating with their communities?
Fear-Free Shelter Dog Housing Strategies
Creating a fear-free environment for shelter dogs reduces stress and supports their well-being. Explore key strategies like double-sided housing, proper space allocation, and indoor/outdoor access to improve adoptability and enhance daily life in animal shelters.
The Science Behind the Human-Animal Connection
Science confirms what pet owners already know—the human-animal connection shapes our well-being in profound ways. In this plenary talk, Dr. Jyothi Robertson explores how interactions with animals improve overall well-being. Learn how this powerful bond benefits both humans and animals.
Updates to the ASV Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters
The ASV’s 2022 Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters introduce essential updates to improve animal welfare and shelter operations. This second edition provides shelters with practical tools to enhance care, reduce stress, and support staff and volunteers in their daily work.
Designing Better Animal Shelters
Discover how thoughtful animal shelter design can improve both animal welfare and operational efficiency. Learn about key design elements like stress reduction, housing layout, and capacity planning to create spaces that support the well-being of animals and staff alike.
Your Pets and Their Food
As promised, here is a more expansive look at the overall topic of food for your pets – what food should have, what it shouldn’t have, things to look out for, and tips for making your own food at home! A good place to start is with the components of a healthy pet diet – what do pets need in their food to thrive? First and foremost is the nutritional component of the food, which should come as no surprise. Dogs and cats need to make sure that they’re getting the proper nutrients they need every day – pets have … Read More
Thanksgiving and Your Pets
Thanksgiving brings delicious food and family gatherings, but many holiday favorites can be harmful to pets. Discover which foods to avoid—including turkey, chocolate, onions, and grapes—to keep your furry friends safe this holiday season.
Veterinarians and Suicide
Veterinarians face unique stressors, from emotional and financial burdens to isolation and burnout, contributing to alarming suicide rates within the profession—highlighting the urgent need for awareness, support networks, and self-care solutions.
Defining Your Life Purpose Increases Longevity
A sense of purpose isn’t just inspiring—it’s essential. Whether through big goals or simple moments in nature, reconnecting with what matters most can shape how we live and lead. Sometimes, purpose looks like play and presence. And that’s where the magic begins.
New Ventures
Reflection, connection, and purpose. When we pause long enough to be still, we often uncover new ways to lead with intention—for people, animals, and ourselves. This is the beginning of something deeper, and I’m excited to see where it leads.
What will you explore today?
Shelter Medicine Best Practices
Keeping shelter animals healthy with the latest in disease prevention, treatment, and care strategies.
Publications
Veterinarian-Leadership Relationships in Animal Shelters
News and Insights, Research and Innovation
2024 AAHA Community Care Guidelines
News and Insights, Research and Innovation
Behavior and Adoptability of Hoarded Cats
Research and Innovation, Shelter Assessments
A Retrospective Study of Medical Condition and Outcomes in Hoarded Cats
Research and Innovation, Shelter Assessments
Publications
Veterinarian-Leadership Relationships in Animal Shelters
News and Insights, Research and Innovation
2024 AAHA Community Care Guidelines
News and Insights, Research and Innovation
Behavior and Adoptability of Hoarded Cats
Research and Innovation, Shelter Assessments
A Retrospective Study of Medical Condition and Outcomes in Hoarded Cats
Research and Innovation, Shelter Assessments