How animal shelters can create a culture of safety for employees, volunteers and community members

April 15, 2021

This is a guest post written by Colleen Parker and Danielle Emery of Urban Resource Institute People and Animals Living Safely (URI PALS). Read part two of this two-part series.  As with any change you're trying to implement at your animal welfare organization, culture starts with policy and is rooted in the people you surround yourself…

Maddie Talks Outline Examples

January 2017

Million Cat Challenge: Support for Kittens in the Field

Julie Levy, Kristen Hassen-Auerbach, Heather Kennedy and Nick LippincottAugust 13, 2020

Find out what field officers, volunteers and fosters are doing to give kittens the best chance of survival while streamlining operations and expanding safety nets outside shelter walls.

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.

Ideas for Safely Offering Spay/Neuter and Wellness: Q&A session

Jennifer Bolser, DVM, Natalie Corwin, Melanie deHaan, DVM, Cynthia (Cindy) Karsten, DVM, Cate Lemmond and Aimee St.ArnaudMay 27, 2020

Join this discussion on how can we do spay/neuter in a manner that is safe for staff, clients and animals in this new "normal".

An Emergency Contraceptive Option for Cats During COVID-19 Delayed Surgery

Joyce Briggs, Michael (Mike) Greenberg, Julie K. Levy, Michelle Kutzler and Linda RhodesApril 10, 2020

Find out about new possibilities with non-surgical contraception solutions for cats during this time of Covid-19 delayed surgery.

Data for Activists: Get the Information You Need

Rory Adams, Content Manager, American Pets Alive!April 2020

Leave this presentation knowing what data you need and how to get it, through the use of public information requests.

How to Use Research to Save Lives

Kevin Horecka, Lead Data Scientist, American Pets Alive! and Walmart TechnologyApril 2020

Learn which research is the most important to know about and what it tells us about animal sheltering.

Contagious Disease is Not a Death Sentence: How Communities Overcame Outbreaks without Killing

Jennifer Wilcox, DVM and Nipuni Ratnayaka, DVMApril 2020

Leave this session with the knowledge necessary to fight disease outbreak, medically and operationally from veterinarians who have lived through it.

What Do We Do About Our Long Stays?

Sarah Aguilar, Deputy Director, Pima Animal CareApril 2020

Learn how to analyze length-of-stay data and know what to do with it.

The First 72 Hours: A Model Intake & Animal Flow Process

Jordana Moerbe, Faith Wright and Dr. Nipuni RatnayakaApril 2020

Join American Pets Alive! as they discuss what should happen within the first 72 hours after an animal enters any sheltering system.

The Future of Animal Shelter Data

Kristen Hassen- Auerbach, Sarah Aguilar and Elena BattlesApril 2020

As sheltering evolves, we face an evolving set of challenges. Learn what experts in the field of animal shelter data collection are suggesting.

ACOs Gone Wild: Handling Fearful and Fractious Wildlife and Companion Animals

April Moore and Mike WheelerApril 2020

Learn animal control officers' tips and tricks for humanely handling even the stickiest situations with fearful and fractious animals.

New AAFP FeLV/FIV Guidelines: 5 critical takeaways for your shelter

Julie Levy, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, DABVPJanuary 16, 2020

Confused about navigating FeLV and FIV in shelter cats? This free, pop-up webinar is designed to bring you au courant in less than 30 minutes.

Lifesaving Protocol for At Risk Dogs: Part 2

Kristen Hassen-Auerbach, Director of Animal Services Pima Animal Care Center, Tucson, Arizona & Sheila Segurson, DVM, DACVB, Director of Research, Maddie's FundOctober 24, 2019

Part 2: The Challenges of Saving Medium and Large Dogs in Shelters. This webcast is the second in a two-part series but can be viewed on its own and will be useful to shelter leadership at all levels, volunteers, advocates and anyone else who struggles to save big dogs' lives.

Lifesaving Protocol for At Risk Dogs: Part 1

Kristen Hassen-Auerbach, Director of Animal Services Pima Animal Care Center, Tucson, ArizonaOctober 23, 2019

Part 1: What is the Lifesaving Protocol for At Risk Dogs? This webcast is the first in a two-part series but can be viewed on its own and will be useful to shelter leadership at all levels, volunteers, advocates and anyone else who struggles to save big dogs' lives.

Maddie’s Shelter Compass is like hiring an extra employee

October 8, 2019

Ever feel like you have too much to do and don't know where to start? Whether it's cleaning out your closet or saving the lives of more pets, we can relate. Often times we end up not starting a task because we simply don't have the time to figure out a plan.  While we can't organize your closet for you, we can help…

The Million Cat Challenge: Interventions and observations associated with survival of orphaned shelter kittens undergoing treatment for diarrhea

Jody Gookin, DVM and Sandra Strong, DVMOctober 2, 2019

In this free 30-minute webcast, Drs. Jody Gookin and Sandra Strong provide information for veterinarians and medical support staff on survival statistics and novel treatments for orphan kitten diarrhea.

Sedative Pharmacology

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

This workshop will define the difference between sedatives, tranquilizers, and anxiolytics; describing in detail all medications available in veterinary medicine. This presentation was recorded at the 2019 ASPCA Maddie's^® Cornell Shelter Medicine Conference.

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.

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.

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.

Making Better Use of Shelter Data

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

In this workshop, we look at examples of where data can be used to help control overcrowding, maximize the use of shelter housing, monitor the effectiveness of spay/neuter programs, detect shifts in the health of incoming community animals, improve the welfare of fostered animals and target efforts to improve outcomes. This presentation was recorded at the 2019 ASPCA Maddie's^® Cornell Shelter Medicine Conference.

Basic Principles of Managing a Large-Scale Animal Emergency or Disaster

Dick Green, Senior Director of Field Investigations & Response, ASPCAJuly 2019

This workshop discusses the basic principles of incident management and why having everyone speak the same language and be under the same incident command structure saves lives. This presentation was recorded at the 2019 ASPCA Maddie's^® Cornell Shelter Medicine Conference.

How Are They Doing? Assessing Pain and Quality of Life in Shelter Animals

Emily McCobb, DVM, MS, DACVAA, Clinical Associate Professor of Anesthesiology- Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts UniversityJuly 2019

This workshop reviews signs of pain and suffering in dogs, cats and rabbits and identifies simple techniques for assessing pain in animals. This presentation was recorded at the 2019 ASPCA Maddie's^® Cornell Shelter Medicine Conference./

Ringworm: the Role of Staff and Volunteers in Fighting 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.

They Can't be Available for Adoption Until When?! Neonatal Care in the Animal Shelter

Erin Henry, VMD, Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Cornell UniversityJuly 2019

This workshop discusses the developmental stages, care and pathway planning for neonatal kittens and puppies in the shelter. 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.

Capacity for Care & Population Management

Lena DeTar, DVM, DACVPM, DABVP (Shelter Medicine Practice), Clinical Assistant Professor of Shelter Medicine, Maddie's Shelter Medicine Program, Cornell University College of Veterinary MedicineJuly 2019

In this workshop you will learn how to maximize your potential as a life-saving organization by understanding your limits and expanding your expectations. This presentation was recorded at the 2019 ASPCA Maddie's^® Cornell Shelter Medicine Conference.

Overview of ASPCA Field Investigations & Response and the Nuts and Bolts of Animals in Distress-Disasters

Dick Green, Senior Director of Field Investigations & Response, ASPCAJuly 2019

This workshop provides a brief history of the ASPCA Field Investigations & Response Team (FIR) and discusses the history of animal rescue and how an emergency becomes a disaster. This presentation was recorded at the 2019 ASPCA Maddie's^® Cornell Shelter Medicine Conference.

Medical Issues in Emergency Sheltering

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

In this workshop, Dr. Gingrich covers some of the more challenging medical issues unique to animals impacted by disaster. This presentation was recorded at the 2019 ASPCA Maddie's^® Cornell Shelter Medicine Conference.

Innovations in Emergency Animal Sheltering

Joe Hinkle, CAWA, Shelter Director, Field Investigations & Response, ASPCAJuly 2019

In this session, the presenter discusses lessons learned and best practices from recent ASPCA emergency shelters with an emphasis on what your agency should be doing now to prepare for setting up and staffing an emergency shelter. This presentation was recorded at the 2019 ASPCA Maddie's^® Cornell Shelter Medicine Conference.

2018 Year of Disasters in Review

Dick Green, PhD, Senior Director of Field Investigations & Response, ASPCAJuly 2019

In this talk, Dr. Green provides key take-home lessons learned and best practices so that communities and animal welfare agencies will have more tools to enhance animal response capabilities and become more disaster resilient. This presentation was recorded at the 2019 ASPCA Maddie's^® Cornell Shelter Medicine Conference.

Cultivating a Fostering Community

Kelly Duer, Foster Care Specialist, Maddie's Fund^®May 2019

In this presentation, you'll learn how to create a culture of fostering in your community and recruit the foster caregivers you need.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.