Million Cat Challenge: Navigating Anesthetic Drug Shortages in Shelters After COVID

Dr. Sheilah Robertson and Dr. Sarah KirkAugust 12, 2020

In this webcast, you'll learn what your organization needs to know to provide spay/neuter and veterinary care in a time of COVID.

Marketing the Euthanasia List

Clare Callison, Canine Lifesaving Advisor, Maddie's Lifesaving AcademyFebruary 2020

This session explores why it is important to understand exactly which animals are dying in your municipal shelter and let people help you to get them out alive.

Build Resilience and Excitement Around Change

Shelly Thompson, Tawny Hammond, Cheryl Schneider, Teresa Johnson and Lee Ann ShenefielApril 2020

Shelly Thompson moderates this panel to help you get the insider tips on how to cultivate a team of resilience and build strong teams that will rally around you.

Our Vet Just Quit

Alexis Bardzinski, DVM and Jennifer Wilcox, DVMApril 2020

Learn how to stretch the resources you do have to save the most lives possible, even in high-stress moments in your shelter or clinic.

Ergonomics for Shelter Veterinarians

Sara White, DVM, MSc, Founder, ErgovetDecember 11, 2019

Due to unforeseen circumstances, we're rescheduling this webcast for Wednesday, December 11 at 12pm PST / 3pm EST. We apologize for this inconvenience and invite you to register for the new date.

Working with animals can be intensely physical work. Many veterinarians experience musculoskeletal discomfort (MSD) related to their work, and good physical ergonomics can improve this situation. Ergonomics includes much more than the gadgets that many associate with the term or keeping a "good posture" while you work.

Return to Field you say? Tell that to my community/commissioners!

Kate Hurley, DVM, MPVM Co-founder, Million Cat Challenge and Director, Koret Shelter Medicine Program @UC Davis School of Veterinary MedicineNovember 13, 2019

Does your county worry about the optics of having ACOs putting cats back where they came from? In this webinar, we invite you to partake in a little old-fashioned role reversal where YOU get to be on the other side of the counter.

Leadership and Communication for Veterinary Nurses

Michelle Albino, LVT, VTS (Anesthesia/Analgesia), Senior Manager of Training, ASPCA Animal HospitalJuly 2019

This workshop describes leadership for nurses in the veterinary field. Explore ways to increase professional growth and get the most out of your veterinary career, including transitioning into management, how to successfully lead your team, and how to communicate effectively. This presentation was recorded at the 2019 ASPCA Maddie's^® Cornell Shelter Medicine Conference.

In-Shelter Diagnostics - Minimize Errors and Maximize Patient Care

Elise Gingrich, DVM, MPH, MS, ACVPM, DABVP (Shelter Medicine Practice), Senior Director of Shelter Medicine Services, ASPCAJuly 2019

This workshop reviews proper techniques and discusses common mistakes when performing in-shelter diagnostic tests. This presentation was recorded at the 2019 ASPCA Maddie's^® Cornell Shelter Medicine Conference.

Using Metrics to Care for Shelter Populations

Janet Scarlett, DVM, MPH, PhD, Professor Emerita of Epidemiology/ Founder of Shelter Medicine Program, Cornell UniversityJuly 2019

In this session, disease surveillance, and the assessment of the frequency of common diseases in shelters are discussed. This presentation was recorded at the 2019 ASPCA Maddie's^® Cornell Shelter Medicine Conference.

How to Get the Most Out of Your Radiographs

Erin Epperly, DVM, DACVR, Assistant Clinical Professor, Section of Diagnostic Imaging, Cornell University College of Veterinary MedicineJuly 2019

A case-based, interactive session full of practical pointers to make your time in radiography more effective and efficient. This presentation was recorded at the 2019 ASPCA Maddie's^® Cornell Shelter Medicine Conference.

Ringworm for LVTs: Fight the Fungus

Melanie Benetato, VMD, MS, Adoption Center, ASPCAJuly 2019

This workshop reviews current best practices in ringworm diagnosis, treatment and management in a shelter setting. This presentation was recorded at the 2019 ASPCA Maddie's^® Cornell Shelter Medicine Conference.

Veterinary Toxicology

Karyn Bischoff, DVM, MS, Assistant Professor, Animal Health Diagnostic Center, Cornell University College of Veterinary MedicineJuly 2019

This seminar gives a brief introduction to veterinary toxicology in small animals and includes case studies of interest to the Shelter Medicine Audience. This presentation was recorded at the 2019 ASPCA Maddie's^® Cornell Shelter Medicine Conference.

Developing A Shelter Emergency Operation Plan

Tim Perciful, Disaster Response Manager, Field Investigations & Response, ASPCAJuly 2019

This workshop discusses the importance of developing an Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) for your agency. This presentation was recorded at the 2019 ASPCA Maddie's^® Cornell Shelter Medicine Conference.

Toolkit for the Time-Starved Leader: A Practical Guide to Hiring and Retaining Engaged Employees

Jocelyn Kessler, MBA, Senior Director of Operations, Community Medicine, ASPCAJuly 2019

This workshop provides a clear and simple path hiring the right people, setting goals and expectations and spending worthwhile one-on-one time with your staff. This presentation was recorded at the 2019 ASPCA Maddie's^® Cornell Shelter Medicine Conference.

Change Can Be Fun! A Simple, Proven Framework Can Help Take the Pain Out of Change

Jocelyn Kessler, MBA, Senior Director of Operations, Community Medicine, ASPCAJuly 2019

This workshop walks viewers through a change management model based on research published in the Harvard Business Review. This presentation was recorded at the 2019 ASPCA Maddie's^® Cornell Shelter Medicine Conference.

Personnel Satisfaction - Managing Compassion Stress (Part 1 of 2)

Karen Walsh, CAWA, LVMT, CFE, Director of Animal Relocation, ASPCAJuly 2019

Part 1 of 2. During this two-part workshop, viewers learn how to measure the negative and positive effects of working in a mission driven caring profession. This presentation was recorded at the 2019 ASPCA Maddie's^® Cornell Shelter Medicine Conference.

Personnel Satisfaction - Managing Compassion Stress (Part 2 of 2)

Karen Walsh, CAWA, LVMT, CFE, Director of Animal Relocation, ASPCAJuly 2019

Part 2 of 2. During this two-part workshop, viewers learn how to measure the negative and positive effects of working in a mission driven caring profession. This presentation was recorded at the 2019 ASPCA Maddie's^® Cornell Shelter Medicine Conference.

Managing Intake & Reuniting Pets with Families

Sonia Gonzalez, Intake Coordinator, SPCA of Tompkins CountyJuly 2019

In this workshop viewers learn about how the SPCA of Tompkins County manages its intake in order to create better outcomes, conduct smoother intakes and lower intake. This presentation was recorded at the 2019 ASPCA Maddie's^® Cornell Shelter Medicine Conference.

Gentle Handling: Techniques to Reduce Stress & Save Time

Erin Doyle, DVM, DABVP, Senior Director of Shelter Medicine, ASPCAJuly 2019

Learn techniques for handling the animals in our care in a low-stress, gentle manner. This presentation was recorded at the 2019 ASPCA Maddie's^® Cornell Shelter Medicine Conference.

A Playbook Approach to Saving Lives in Animal Shelters

Dr. Sara PizanoWednesday, May 15, 2019

In this webcast. Dr. Sara Pizano will walk you through the steps each shelter, whether public or private and regardless of resources, can take to help and save more cats and dogs.

The First 72 Hours: A Model Intake and Animal Flow Process for Disease Prevention

Faith Wright, Ellen Jefferson DVM, Jordana Moerbe, Paula Medrano and Amelia NusbaumMarch 2019

Join American Pets Alive! staff as they discuss an intake and animal flow process designed to help you prevent outbreaks and ensure live outcomes.

Animal Protection Officers: Using a Community-based Approach to Measurably Reduce Intake in the Field

Mark Sloat, Program Manager, Austin Animal Center and April Moore, Engagement Manager, Austin Animal CenterMarch 2019

This session will teach approaches that value the human-animal bond, redefine 'animals in need,' and engage community members, shelter staff, and volunteers to solve problems together.

Bottle Baby 101 (Part 1 of 2)

Casandra Mensing, Neonatal Ward Manager, Austin Pets Alive!March 2019

This presentation will teach you how to start a volunteer-run bottle baby nursery and how to build it to become to be one of the most engaging and lifesaving programs in your community.

Cat Medical Care on a Shoestring Budget

Monica Frenden, Maddie's^® Director of Feline Lifesaving, American Pets Alive! and Dr. Alexis Bardzinski, Medical Director, Austin Pets Alive!March 2019

In this session, you will have the chance to learn how to save cats with medical conditions on a tight budget from national leading cat experts.

Distemper is Not a Death Sentence

Dr. Nipuni Ratnayaka, Dr. Ellen Jefferson and Jordana MoerbeMarch 2019

Join this session to learn about the process that Austin Pets Alive! developed to combat distemper without hoarding or culling them.

FeLV: What You Need to Know for Shelter Decision Making

Julie Levy, DVM, Monica Frenden and Natascha HammanMarch 2019

Come learn from shelter medicine expert, Dr. Levy, and leading cat advocates Monica Frenden and Natascha Hamman about the most current research and best practices for rehoming this vulnerable FeLV cat population.

Contagious Diseases: Euthanasia is Not the Answer

Alexis Bardzinski, DVM Medical Director, Austin Pets Alive! and Jennifer Wilcox, DVM Director of Vet Services, Pima Animal Care CenterMarch 2019

In this session, two veterinary experts will discuss how to handle disease outbreaks medically, handle the PR, and handle the operations that must continue.

Momentum in Texas Sheltering Communities

Michael Bricker, Jay Garrett, Jr., Steven Greene, Paula Powell, Ed Jamison and Dr. Michael WhiteMarch 2019

Learn from animal welfare experts about how Texas is getting to no-kill status.

Know the Law: Liability in Shelters and Rescues

Ryan Clinton, Attorney and Founder, FixAustin.orgMarch 2019

Learn how shelters and rescue groups can implement strategies to limit their liability for saving lives.

Becoming No-kill

Ryan Clinton, Attorney and Founder, FixAustin.orgMarch 2019

Join attorney Ryan Clinton, founder of Fix Austin, as he kicks off the conference by sharing the obstacles, challenges, successes, and strategies that Austin faced on their journey to no-kill.

Blueprint to a Successful No-kill Journey

Ellen Jefferson, DVM, Executive Director of Austin Pets Alive! and American Pets Alive!March 2019

Join Dr. Ellen Jefferson as she guides you step-by-step through what are considered Best Practice metrics in outcomes, intakes, and the 12 programmatic ingredients of lifesaving.

Build Team Resilience - panel

Rebecca Guinn and Ed JamisonMarch 2019

Join this presentation and get the insider tips on how to cultivate a team of resilience and how to build strong teams that will rally around you.

Every Life Matters: Using Past Data to Plan Better Outcomes

Monica Frenden, Maddie's Director of Feline Lifesaving, Austin Pets Alive!March 2019

Data is a key piece of the lifesaving puzzle, but how do we use it to save the lives of the animals in our care?

How to Be the Boss of Your Organization's Save Rate

Paula Powell, Director, El Paso Animal Services and Lee Ann Shenefiel, South Central Regional Director, Best Friends SocietyMarch 2019

In this session, you will learn what the Shelter Director's role is in stopping unnecessary death in the shelter, how to do it, and how to be successful.

Leading with Resilience in Extreme Crisis

Ellen Jefferson, DVM, Kristen Auerbach, Mike Kaviani and Lars RabbeMarch 2019

Join an impressive group of experts, who together will teach you the tools needed to save lives even when the deck is stacked against you.

The Surprising Science of Meetings: Key Learnings and Implications for Shelter Success and You as Someone Who May Lead Meetings

Steven G. Rogelberg, PhD, Chancellor's Professor, University of North Carolina at CharlotteThursday, March 28, 2019

This webcast delves into the research leading to an evidence-based path that will help you conduct a more productive meeting.

Million Cat Challenge: Fighting Fungus with Facts

Laura Mullen, Shelter Medicine Outreach Manager, SFSPCA San Francisco, CaliforniaWednesday, March 27, 2019

This webinar outlines research-based protocols that are in use at the San Francisco SPCA and examine how those same concepts apply to a variety of different shelters and rescues.

Animal shelter and rescue organizations, take this survey and you could win a $500 grant!

February 7, 2019

Learning about shelter and rescue organizations' programs can help us save more lives everywhere, so we're looking to collect information on programs across the United States in this short survey. By completing it, you could win one of ten $500 grants! The survey will ask you about your organization's policies and structure related to foster care, but…

Unleashing the People Potential: How to Develop an Extraordinary Volunteer Culture for Winning Organizations

Gina Knepp and Bobby MannOctober 2018

Learn how a small municipal shelter attracted over 2,000 volunteers who give over 100,000 hours of service annually.

An Evidence-Based Look at Compassion Fatigue: Diagnosing the Doctor and Healing the Healer, Part 1 of 2

Brian A. DiGangi, DVM, MS, DABVP, Senior Director, Shelter Medicine, ASPCADecember 2018

This presentation continues the deep dive into the research behind compassion fatigue among animal caregivers and offers methods for managing stress.

Feline Coronavirus and FIP: What's New?

Dr. Elizabeth Berliner and Dr. Gary WhittakerDecember 2018

This lecture focuses on updates and where we go from here in diagnosing and managing FIP.

General Canine Infectious Diseases

Erin Henry, VMD, Instructor of Shelter Medicine, Maddie's Shelter Medicine Program, Cornell University College of Veterinary MedicineDecember 2018

This interactive session will provide an overview of the most common infectious diseases found in shelter dogs and how you can help prevent their spread.

To Test or Not to Test: That is the Question

Brian A. DiGangi, DVM, MS, DABVP, Senior Director, Shelter Medicine, ASPCADecember 2018

This presentation discusses the indications for both individual animal and population level testing in the shelter environment.

Zoonotic Diseases: It Goes Both Ways, Part 1

Jeanette O'Quin, DVM, MPH, Clinical Assistant Professor, Shelter Medicine and Veterinary Public Health, Ohio State University College of Veterinary MedicineDecember 2018

This presentation discusses the prevention, recognition and management of a few zoonotic diseases that might walk into the shelter on four paws or two feet, including Rabies and Salmonella spp.

Zoonotic Diseases: It Goes Both Ways, Part 2

Jeanette O'Quin, DVM, MPH, Clinical Assistant Professor, Shelter Medicine and Veterinary Public Health, Ohio State University College of Veterinary MedicineDecember 2018

This presentation builds on the first hour of discussion on the prevention, recognition and management on zoonotic diseases that come into the shelter via animals or people.

A fresh look at microchipping can improve lifesaving

November 29, 2018

A new study suggests an increased focus on microchipping by shelters and veterinarians may make a lifesaving difference for stray pets. In a study published in the current issue of the Journal of Veterinary Behavior, researchers found that in Israel, animal shelters have a return-to-owner (RTO) rate for dogs of 67%, while the U.S. shelters…

Lifesaving Webcast Series: Intake Mitigation and Managed Intake

Sarah Boyd and Joe HellebrandThursday, November 15, 2018

In this webcast, Brevard County Sheriff's Office Animal Shelter personnel Dr. Sarah Boyd and Joe Hellebrand let you in on the secret that Animal Control shelters can operate as no-kill.

Lifesaving Webcast Series: Saving Lives Through Transport Programs

Colleen HarringtonThursday, November 1, 2018

Hear an overview of the key elements of a good transport program, transport best practices and how to get started on a lifesaving transport program that benefits not only the animals but the sending and receiving partners as well.

Million Cat Challenge: Helping vs Enabling: Knowing the Difference Made All the Difference!

Shelly SimmonsThursday, October 18, 2018

Learn how the largest open-admission shelter in South Carolina decreased cat intake in their shelter by nearly 60% and increased the feline save rate from 30% to over 80% in less than three years!

How to clean and disinfect pet foster homes

July 17, 2018

Your foster caregivers provide a warm and safe place for their foster pets, but do they know how to properly clean and disinfect their homes? This is especially important when there is a sick foster in the house. Everything from how to clean, why, when and supplies needed are discussed in this 17-minute Flash Class,…

How one animal organization uses Trello for dog foster management

July 5, 2018

Austin Pets Alive! was putting in a lot of work each day to let its foster dog network know about its pups that need temporary homes. The rescue organization would send out daily foster pleas to roughly 2,000 recipients. With 300 to 400 dogs needing foster care at any given time, the group was sending 12…

Study: Most adopters are happy with their new dogs and cats

May 8, 2018

While the pet adoption world is becoming more and more adopter-friendly, concerns about making sure the adoptions are successful still crop up fairly often. A just-published study conducted in an Australian shelter found that most adoptions are successful and most adopters are satisfied with their pet’s behavior, even when the newly-acquired pet was reported to…

Community First: Alan Graham on Impact and Homelessness

Alan GrahamMarch 2018

In this keynote address, Alan Graham, founder and CEO of Mobile Loaves & Fishes and the groundbreaking Community First! Village, discusses the issues surrounding human homelessness and how our human institutions are much like those for animals.

Fighting Fungus: Treat, Foster And Adopt Cats And Kittens With Ringworm

Kristen HansenMarch 2018

Tens of thousands of cats are euthanized each year solely because they have been diagnosed with ringworm. This workshop provides you with information on how to identify, house, and treat cats infected with ringworm.

Hurricane Harvey- Dealing with Distemper in the Midst of a Crisis

Ellen Jefferson, DVM and Carley Faughn, PhDMarch 2018

Contagious disease is always a threat to a shelter or rescue group but in the midst of a crisis, when you have make-shift housing and many hands in the pot, it can spread like wildfire.

Involved in animal transport? These 5 tips will keep pets happy and healthy while on the move

February 6, 2018

Whether your animal organization does large-scale transport in or out of your area, or moves one animal at a time for out-of-state adoptions, keeping those pets from getting sick, experiencing stress, or spreading disease into the receiving shelter or community is critical. Transport of animals from areas with limited adoption opportunities to those where there…

Study: Can a human drug help community cats experience less stress during TNR?

December 12, 2017

Can you imagine how terrifying it must feel for cats who are trapped for sterilization and returned to their outdoor habitat, especially when the cat is not socialized to humans? And you probably don’t need to imagine how much stress pet cats can experience when taken to the veterinarian — if you’ve ever owned a…

More jam-related marketing ideas for getting pets adopted

September 12, 2017

In the literature of persuasion, the act of buying jam turns out to have a lot to tell us about getting more pets adopted. We’ve written before about the so-called “paradox of choice,” and how research on jam sales as well as cat adoptions suggested that having fewer, rather than more, pets on the adoption…

Setting Yourself Up for Success: Using Capacity for Care to Transform Your Shelter, Part 1

Stephanie Janeczko, DVM, MS, DABVPJanuary 2018

Understanding and operating within our capacity for care is a key foundational step in starting a positive cycle where we can provide a greater level of care for a greater number of animals using the resources we already have.

Setting Yourself Up for Success: Using Capacity for Care to Transform Your Shelter, Part 2

Stephanie Janeczko, DVM, MS, DABVPJanuary 2018

Learn more about Setting Yourself Up for Success: Using Capacity for Care to Transform Your Shelter in Part 2.

Shelter Medicine for Veterinary Support Staff at Charleston Animal Society

April 2017

Shelter medicine changes everything for influenza cats in New York City – and beyond

March 21, 2017

When hundreds of cats in the New York City Animal Care and Control shelters tested positive for avian influenza last year, everyone involved set their only goal — saving the cats’ lives. That was a goal they reached, thanks to shelter medicine and the power of collaboration. “The NYACC did not want to euthanize a…

Best Practice Strategies for Redefining Animal Sheltering

Dr. Sara PizanoFebruary 2017

Hear a fresh perspective with regards to the way animals may enter the shelter and key practices that help the most leave alive, all by working smarter, not harder.

When a kitten dies of FIP, what should shelters do about the rest of the litter?

January 31, 2017

Animal shelters dread it: the death of a single kitten in a litter from feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). How much risk are the littermates at of becoming ill? Should they be kept in isolation from other cats, and if so, for how long? Should they be adopted out? If so, when? And what do you…

Lifesaving Programs for Shelters

Scott GiacoppoJanuary 2017

Is your shelter's policies saving lives or costing them? This session shows how one shelter underwent a complete transformation with one goal in mind, to save lives.

Removing Breed Labels: It's Easier Than You Think

Kristen Auerbach and Tawny HammondFebruary 2017

Most of the dogs entering the shelter should be identified as mixed breeds.

San Francisco SPCA Ringworm Program (SPORE)

October 2016

Managing ringworm in homeless pet populations is easier than you think, if you're equipped with a plan and the right tools.

Building a Powerful No-Kill Team: How to Recognize and Cultivate Leaders

Marc PeraltaJuly 2016

Your team and and what positions you have - be they staff or volunteers - are all tactics to reaching your no-kill goals. Watch this presentation to find out how to build a success-driven team.

Work Smarter Not Harder: Designing Shelter Intake Protocols to Optimize Animal Health

Kathy Makolinski, DVMSeptember 2016

Working smarter through the implementation of well-designed intake protocols will enable your shelter to provide optimal care for all animals.

Getting the Most out of Your Clinical Pathology Samples

Ashleigh Newman, VMD, DACVPSeptember 2016

In order to get the most diagnostic value out of your clinical pathology samples, proper sample collection and preparation is crucial.

Emergency and Critical Care in the Shelter and Spay/Neuter Clinic

Gretchen Schoeffler, DVM, DACVECCSeptember 2016

This presentation covers the identification, treatment, management and common emergency scenarios in shelters and spay/neuter clinics.

Emergency Protocols and Triage in the Shelter - Veterinary Technician Track

Gretchen Schoeffler, DVM, DACVECCSeptember 2016

This session discusses the development of protocols for emergency care of shelter animals and focuses on the triage and initial stabilization of the more common types of cases likely to be seen in the shelter setting.

No-Kill Strategies: Community and Shelter Policies that Work

July 2016

Hear about successful community building policies that resulted in 90% save rates.

How long do dogs with canine influenza have to be isolated?

July 26, 2016

Animal shelters have been among the places hardest-hit with infections of the H3N2 canine influenza virus since it made its first U.S. appearance in dogs from a Chicago animal shelter. Understanding how to prevent the spread of this respiratory disease is critical to protecting dogs in shelters and the community. One key to preventing transmission…

How to make sure adopters are welcome at your shelter or rescue group

June 28, 2016

Are ‘Adopters Welcome’ at your shelter or rescue group? If not, a new DIY action plan can help you get on board with this revolutionary adoption philosophy. Even if they already are, this resource can help you kick it up a notch! The Humane Society of the United States created Adopters Welcome not only to…

What you may not know about heartworm in dogs and cats

April 13, 2016

It’s Heartworm Awareness Month. Do you know as much as you think you do about heartworm disease in dogs and cats? Feline Heartworm Infection: The big surprise! Yes, we said cats. While only 5 percent of cats are on heartworm preventive, the American Heartworm Society reports rates of diagnosed heartworm infections in cats are on the…

Community Pet Adoption Survey Results - Foster Caregiver Involvement in Adoption

February 2016

Generally speaking, the model for foster programs has been a period of temporary pet fostering, followed by return of the animal to the shelter for adoption. Although foster caregivers are in a unique position to give insights into pet health and pet behavior in a home environment, foster caregiver involvement in the adoption process has been a fairly new and fairly controversial subject. In this survey report, we examined how often caregivers choose to be involved, to what extent organizations actually allow involvement and more.

New veterinary vaccine guidelines encourage titer testing in animal shelters

January 19, 2016

Few areas of veterinary medicine have seen greater change than research and recommendations around immunity to disease and vaccination. New guidelines from the Vaccination Guidelines Group (VGG) of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) provide important context and recommendations for both veterinarians and animal shelters in how to put that new understanding to work…

Shelters and rescue groups can get a head start on planning with this free tool

January 7, 2016

This tool can help you find great animal welfare events to attend, create interesting social media content, and get a jump on budgeting, kitten season, and preparing for fire, flood, mud and storm season. It’s the 2016 ASPCAPro Planning Calendar, and it’s free for you to download! How’s that for a Happy New Year tip?…

What shelters and rescue groups need to know before examining a neonatal puppy or kitten

December 8, 2015

When it comes to doing a physical exam on a newborn puppy or kitten, does your shelter or rescue group’s care team know what to look for? At the 2015 NAVC veterinary conference, Elizabeth Thomovsky, DVM, MS, DACVECC, of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Purdue University, spoke on “What to Expect in a Neonatal…

The Importance of a Physical Examination for Incoming Shelter Animals

Kathleen Makolinski, DVM October 2015

See the fundamentals of a physical examination of cats and dogs, which allows staff members to determine how to best care for animals during their shelter stay.

Achieving and Sustaining No-kill in a Medium-sized, Open Admission Shelter

Cheryl SchneiderFebruary 2015

Learn how Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter in Texas, an open admission shelter, started on their path to no-kill and how they continue to achieve a high save rate every month.

Medical Treatment for Dogs on a Shoestring Budget

Alexis Bardzinski, DVM, and Jordana EstradaFebruary 2015

Since Austin Pets Alive! takes almost any animal from the open intake city shelter, regardless of medical issue, we see many diseases in dogs.  We will talk through the worst one, Distemper, as well as others like broken bones, mange, upper respiratory infections, orthopedic issues and much more.

Rescuing Cats from the Euthanasia List

Frances Flower, PhDFebruary 2015

Learn how to create a sustainable rescue program that relies solely on volunteers to assess cats on the euthanasia list and save the most lives it can that are out of other options for a live outcome. 

Data: Why It Is Critical to Success and How To Keep Up with It

Lindsay O'GanFebruary 2015

Believe it or not, data is the cornerstone of a healthy organization. Learn how Austin Pets Alive! keeps so many moving pieces in communication through end-of -day reporting, overnight data entry and checks and balances.

A Protocoled Response to Dog and Cat Diarrhea in a Shelter Setting

Ellen Jefferson, DVM, Executive Director, Austin Pets Alive!April 2014

Every life is precious, but that doesn't mean the concept of "herd health" shouldn't be a guiding principle of the shelter veterinarian. Dr. Ellen Jefferson, whose data-driven approach has helped make Austin, TX, the largest no-kill community in the nation, shows how blanket protocols and procedures give most shelter dogs and cats the best chance to avoid, or recover quickly from diarrhea.

A Shelter-Based Approach to Canine Parvovirus Treatment

Brian A. DiGangi, DVM, MS, DABVP (Canine/Feline)December 2013

There have been many advances in treatment options since the emergence of canine parvovirus (CPV) in the 1970s, and many sheltering organizations have started to embrace various CPV treatment options in their efforts to save more lives. Brian A. DiGangi, DVM, MS, DABVP, guides you through treatment for shelter dogs with CPV, including how to make use of limited resources without compromising patient welfare and a simple algorithm to help shelters make the best treatment decisions.

Don't Run from Diarrhea: Easy Steps for the Prevention and Management of Diarrhea in Shelter Dogs and Cats

January 2013

Diarrhea is common in shelter cats and dogs, whether caused by stress, diet change, parasites or pathogens. While there are serious illnesses associated with diarrhea, in most cases, it's easily treatable and often at a very small cost. Dr. Barbara Hanek, Dr. Heather Budgin, and Dr. Elizabeth Berliner share their experience with beating diarrhea and their tips on how your organization can do the same.

The Role of Nutrition and Diet in Shelter Dog and Cat Diarrhea

January 2013

The prevalence of nutritional-caused diarrhea in shelter dogs and cats.

Lifesaving Intake Protocols and Preventive Health Care Strategies

Elizabeth Berliner, DVM, MAJuly 2012

Intake procedures and ongoing activities designed to protect shelter animal health and wellness.