Humane Alliance's Big Fix Rig
The Big Fix Rig's presence in the Gulf Coast region will allow groups in both states to offer low-to-no-cost spay/neuter surgeries to residents and feral cat caregivers through the Humane Alliance's high-volume spay and neuter system. More...

Think Puppy Mills Aren't a Shelter Problem? Think Again.
More...

Rabies Vaccine Recall: Rabvac 3 TF Serial 873113A
A recent test indicated an issue with the duration of protection for the vaccine Rabvac 3 TF Serial 873113A. More...

Canine Influenza: Now What?
Along with a handful of hurricanes, last summer brought headlines of a new canine respiratory infection spreading inexorably across the nation. First seen among greyhounds, canine influenza has now been documented at shelters, boarding kennels, and within the general pet population in many states. Inevitably, shelters are fielding questions from within their own ranks and from the public, and whether or not this disease has struck in your community, it’s one we all need to know about. More...

MouthPieces
Animal Sheltering magazine provides customizable outreach materials you can print out and use in your shelter. More...

Coffee Break: Leaving the Sheltering Field and Deciding to Return

In your space, you told us about a time when you decided to stop working in the animal sheltering and rescue field, the reasons you wanted to leave—and what brought you back.

Carriage Horse Update

While a bill recently adopted by the New York City Council calls for some improvements in the way carriage horses are treated, advocates are disappointed by how little the measure does to protect these animals.

Collars and Sense
It’s often said in the sheltering field that a collar and identification tag are a lost pet’s best chance of returning home. That’s especially true for felines: Only 2 to 5 percent of the millions of homeless cats entering shelters each year are reunited with their families. More...

Mouthpieces: Love Your Cat? Then TAG Your Cat!

In this issue, Mouthpieces helps you communicate to pet owners the importance of outfitting their precious feline companions with a collar and tag.

The Behavior Department: A Beginner’s Guide to Stress Across Species
It’s essential that every species in your shelter receives appropriate, individualized care, which goes a long way toward reducing stress, improving health—and increasing the chances of adoption. Our guide will help you recognize, prevent, and reduce stress in birds and small mammals. More...

People Power: When Life Hands You Stuffing …

Meet Joan Laisney, the founder and coordinator of Kennel Comforters, a group that makes and delivers pet beds to county shelters and humane societies in the San Diego area. So far, the group has produced nearly 4,700 free beds for shelters.

A Lost Pet is Not a Lost Cause

Searching to find a lost pet can be an agonizing and often fruitless experience. But The Center for Lost Pets website aims to fundamentally improve the way people look for their missing companion animals and increase the number of happy reunions.

Closer to the Magic Pill?

A groundbreaking symposium held in April in Dallas has the potential to bring the dream of nonsurgical sterilization for companion animals a little closer to reality.

Spay it Ain’t So
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All Roads Lead to Home

In Mississippi, a transport program administered by veterinary students is saving lives.

Book Review: Animal Control Management: A New Look at a Public Responsibility

Stephen Aronson's comprehensive new book, Animal Control Management: A New Look at a Public Responsibility, should serve as a valuable resource for many in the field, including animal control directors, ACOs, and city managers.

To the Rescue: Trial by Fire

George the cat survived a terrible ordeal, thanks to the skill and compassion of an Ohio shelter’s staff.

The "101" Department: Vetting Your Vets
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Shelter Medicine: Kittens: Coming Soon to a Shelter Near You
During the spring and summer—also known as "kitten season" to shelters and rescues—pregnant cats, nursing mothers, and kittens overwhelm facilities across the nation. Shelters have to take extra measures to protect young kittens from exposure to germs, and must provide them with a series of vaccinations, plus high-quality nutrition and proper deworming, to keep those mewing fuzz balls healthy. More...

Field Trip: Hidden Blessings

Despite facing Hurricane Katrina and an office fire, a Mississippi shelter survives and thrives enough to expand its spay/neuter efforts and other programs to benefit animals in its community.

Q & A: The Faces Behind the Numbers

A pair of recently published books makes a convincing case that farm animals—chickens, pigs, sheep, cows, and others—are intellectually and emotionally complex creatures with social skills and needs not so different from our own.

Off Leash: Bright is the New Black
Marti Houge’s bright bandanas give color-challenged pooches a better chance of catching someone’s eye. More...

Show Me the Money: Picturing an End to Animal Overpopulation

The annual Spay Day Online Pet Photo Contest supports the spay/neuter efforts of local organizations in the United States and abroad.

Coffee Break: Most Heartwarming Experience
In your space, you told us about the most heartwarming experience you’ve ever had in the animal welfare field. More...

The Truth about the Center for Consumer Freedom
The HSUS responds to attacks on its work for animals from The Center for Consumer Freedom, an industry front for tobacco, alcohol, and agribusiness interests. More...

Off Leash: Meet the REAL Slum Dogs of India
During a trip to India, British photographer Eloise Leyden stumbled upon Tree of Life for Animals, a nonprofit that cares for former street dogs at its sanctuary in Pushkar. The people (and canines) she met there played a role in the creation of her photography book, Slum Dogs of India. More...

Coffee Break: Naming Adoptable Animals
In your space, you told us how your organization handles naming adoptable animals, who does it, if any names are forbidden, and whether some names have more appeal to adopters. More...

Field Trip: Parting the Waters
The grand opening of the St. Bernard Animal Shelter in Louisiana is yet another affirmation that the hurricane-ravaged community is moving on. More...

Q & A: Unchained
Haunted by scenes of neglect and cruelty she’d witnessed as a result of pets being chained for long periods—sometimes until they starved to death—Paulette Dean, executive director of the Danville Area Humane Society, was determined to end the practice in her Virginia community. More...

Mouthpieces: What Would You Do if You Could Have 18 Children a Year?
This installment of Mouthpieces features a poster that is part of the extensive campaign materials developed by The HSUS in the wake of Hurricane Katrina to increase spay/neuter rates in Louisiana and Mississippi. More...

Survey Says ... Get a Cat!
The Morris Animal Foundation surveyed non-cat owners about their perceptions of cats to gain insight into what may be preventing them from finding those homes. The results show that the next wave of cat owners may come from unexpected segments of society. More...

An Unexpected Truth
When a new breed-specific ordinance in Omaha threatened to undo all the work the Nebraska Humane Society had put into trying to place some of the shelter’s pit bulls and pit bull mixes, the organization made the best of an unfortunate situation. More...

To the Rescue: Next Time, Use the Door
Sometimes raptors make house calls. Luckily, so does wildlife rehabilitator Victor Collazo. More...

A Tribute to Mutts
Once disparaged as “mongrels,” mixed-breed dogs are actually the ultimate hybrids—each one like a purebred unto itself. Shelters might do well to follow the example of boutique stores and let the public know that their available mutts are really something unique—a treat for true dog lovers. More...

Volunteer Management: Take Time for Training
Both inexperienced and expert volunteers can be helpful to your program, but the last thing you want to do is bring in “green” volunteers and fail to provide them the training they need. Learn how to match volunteers’ skill sets to the tasks that need to be done. More...

Reaching Out to the Senior Community
Older and wiser, the retirement set can be great resource for shelters—and vice versa. More...

Humane Law Forum: “Do Not Adopt”? More Like “Do Not Forward”
Animal welfare advocates and shelter staff may have the best of intentions when they forward an e-mailed “DNA” (Do Not Adopt) recommendation. But doing so can test the limits of free speech and even stray into illegality, possibly leading to claims of defamation, libel, or slander. More...

On the Road Again
In Washington state, a mobile spay/neuter clinic helps disadvantaged people and their pets. More...

The "101" Department: Risky Business
Finding insurance can be tough for shelters and rescue groups, but here’s how to convince companies that you’re a safe bet. More...

Show Me the Money: Bright Leashes, Big City
With the connection between rising home foreclosures and abandoned animals in mind, a New York resident organizes a dog walk acorss the Brooklyn Bridge to raise money and awareness for shelter pets. More...

Trotting on Empty
To some, horse-drawn carriage rides are a New York City tradition, an enjoyable way to experience the beauty of Central Park or the bustle of Times Square. Others, though, are decrying the horses’ “nose-to-tailpipe” existence and calling for the business to be discontinued. More...

The Soft Touch
Molding “hard” dogs into “soft” dogs may be easier than you think—and it also saves lives. More...

Scam in a Can?
The history of an elaborate con involving donation canisters left at local shops in Central and South Florida by a mysterious animal organization should serve as a warning to animal welfare groups nationwide. More...

Banking on Generosity to Feed Hungry Animals
In hard economic times, pet food pantries supply a lifeline to struggling pet owners and their furry companions. More...

To the Rescue: Saved from Slaughter
A Yonkers family saves a lamb from slaughter and shepherds him to safety at Farm Sanctuary in Watkins Glen, N.Y. More...

It's a Cat-Help-Cat World
When the lions and tigers at In-Sync Exotics sanctuary lent a paw by hosting an event to help their lap cat counterparts at a neighboring cat rescue, both groups benefited. More...

Q & A: Minds of Their Own
Two leading scientists in the growing field of animal ethology discuss their study of the complex emotional and moral lives of animals. More...

The Right Way to Transport
In order to help groups around the country achieve more uniform standards, the National Federation of Humane Societies (NFHS) recently released protocols that explore the best practices for animal transfer programs. More...

Mouthpieces: Hey, You! Yeah, I'm Talking to You.
In this issue, Mouthpieces uses a little humor to help you promote some of the smaller creatures you may have for adoption, such as hamsters, rabbits, ferrets, and mice. More...

People Power: Running on Sunshine
A socially conscious teenager helps a Colorado shelter go solar, and saves the shelter thousands of dollars a year on its electric bill. More...

Maintaining the Bond
Get the scoop on Pets for Life New York City, an HSUS pilot program dedicated to helping people resolve problems that otherwise could lead to surrender, abandonment, or neglect of their animals. More...

Canine Influenza Virus: Fact or Fiction?
Canine influenza virus, which first grabbed headlines in 2004, is back in the spotlight, thanks in part to the release of the first canine influenza vaccine. How concerned should shelters be? What preventive approaches should they take? Miranda Spindel, the ASPCA's director of veterinary outreach, helps separate fact from fiction. More...

The "101" Department: Helping Cats Find Their Happy Place
A cat adoption space should appeal to both felines and the people who come to see them. Learn how shelters are sprucing up their cat rooms with elements that keep cats engaged and please potential adopters, too. More...

Help Them While They’re Young
The Children and Animals Together program was developed to fight animal cruelty in Phoenix, and includes assessment, intervention, consultation, referral, and follow-up for children ages 6-17 who have a history of animal abuse. More...

Off Leash: Big Dogs, Little People
Shorty Rossi’s Pit Boss, a new reality show on Animal Planet, gives viewers a glimpse of pit bull rescue with a little difference. More...

Show Me the Money: Canvassing the Nation
A truly unique project, the Art for the Animals blog allows artists from around the world to come together to share their work, but more importantly, use that work to help local animal welfare groups. More...

Coffee Break: Staying Calm When You're About to Lose Your Cool
In your space, you told us about the times you’ve come close to losing your cool with a frustrating member of the public, but managed to save a difficult situation by staying calm and polite. More...

Behavior Department: Making Babies? First, Make Baby-Ready Pets
For a pet who’s used to being the center of attention, the arrival of a newborn child can be an upsetting experience. But some shelters are showing expectant parents how to adjust their routines beforehand to make their pets baby-ready—and prevent them from being relinquished unnecessarily. More...

Mouthpieces: It Takes a Long Time to Get This Sweet
This installment of Mouthpieces encourages potential adopters to take a second look at the senior cats and dogs in your care. More...

Show Me the Money: Spinning ’Round and ’Round to Help Animals
The Discs for Dogs program, which sells unwanted CDs and DVDs to benefit the SPCA Serving Erie County in upstate New York, generates a sizable contribution to the shelter—without any effort by the SPCA. More...

Get Smart—and Certified—at HSU
Humane Society University, an affiliate of The HSUS, has received a license as a higher education degree-granting institution by the District of Columbia Education Licensure Commission. What does that mean for you? Read on. More...

Making It Work
Amber Van Leuken, grant writer (and former assistant manager) at the Ark-Valley Humane Society in Buena Vista, Colo., recounts how the shelter revamped its volunteer program to fit its needs, rather than simply making do with whoever walked in the door that day. More...

Off Leash: Days of Wine and Rabbits
A rescue group based in Mill Valley, Calif. has released a limited run of a frisky new wine that not only raises money to support the group’s mission, but spreads the spay/ neuter message. More...

Volunteer Management: A Framework Allowing for Change
Our columnists—both of whom have recently made career transitions—discuss how the volunteer programs they directed were able to survive during periods of change. More...

Dealing with Death
A survey of animal shelter employees from 62 shelters in the United States identified coping strategies that euthanasia technicians recommend for dealing with euthanasia-related strain. More...

Humane Law Forum: Discrimination at the Adoption Counter
An attorney who specializes in animal law tackles the issue of discrimination, explaining how to make sure your adoption decisions don’t leave your organization vulnerable to legal threats. More...

Q & A: A Crisis in Customer Service? Not So Much
Is there a customer service crisis in the animal welfare field? Animal Sheltering editor Carrie Allan talks to staff of Maddie’s Fund and the Petfinder Foundation about the results of a “secret shopper” program they conducted last summer at a series of rescues and shelters. More...

Online Extra - Wider Horizons in Western Pennsylvania
A Western Pennsylvania Humane Society (WPHS) program broadens teens’ attitudes about animals and life. More...

More Details, Please …
Because the newly redesigned Form 990 requires nonprofits to provide significantly more information to the IRS, its completion requires more time and effort on the part of shelter administrators. More...

Chipping Away at an Old Problem
A recent study published in JAVMA suggests that microchipping and database registration should happen concurrently. More...

Family Values for a Different Kind of Family
The Wildlife Aid Brigade helps animal shelters and other agencies deal with wildlife-related calls by teaching their staff and volunteers how to handle the conflicts that arise when humans come face to face with the wild in their own yards and attics. More...

To the Rescue: Caws for Alarm
A humane officer in California branches out to attempt a daring, aerial rescue to free a trapped bird. More...

On the Inside, Looking Out
In 2005, inmates at San Quentin State Prison began working with dogs from a local shelter, helping to socialize and prepare the canines for new homes. It’s not a unique program: Dozens of prisons around the country have teamed up with area shelters and rescue groups. More...

Coffee Break: Gadget Most Wanted to Help Animals
In your space, you told us about what gadget—real or imagined—you would most like to have, and how it would help you help animals. More...

The "101" Department: Keys to a Cool Shelter Website
As more and more potential adopters use the Internet to seek a new pet, it’s become essential for shelters to have an online presence, and to ensure that presence contains some basic key elements. Learn about them here, and see if your site’s working for you! More...

Kicking Butt and Taking Puppies
Want to help The HSUS put puppy mills out of business and find good homes for dogs who have never known anything but a wire cage? Check out our new Placement Partners program. More...

People Power: Stemming the Tide of Pet Overpopulation in Alabama
Former ACO Donald Kendrick is a one-man band, spreading the word about spay/neuter and connecting pet owners to low-cost options in their area. More...

Better Options for Horses
The HSUS has developed a list of resources for those looking for humane end-of-life options for their equine companions. More...

A More Perfect Union
The experts weigh in on how to help adopters find a suitable bunny companion for their pet rabbit. More...

At Their Service … with a Smile
As the massive Shelter Pet Project campaign reaches out to communities nationwide, the potential for increased adoptions is huge. Many people will attempt to adopt a pet for the first time, and their experiences have the potential to impact shelters for years to come. More...

Coffee Break: Heroes and Mentors in the Field
In your space, you told us about your heroes and mentors in the animal welfare field—the people who inspired you, or showed you the ropes—and why they were so influential. More...

Wild Things: Black Bears
If your shelter ever receives calls from folks who are panicked at the prospect of seeing a black bear in their backyard, check out these tips for talking them through simple ways to discourage bears from entering their property. More...

Creature Feature: Coming Home to Roost
Chicken keeping is on the upswing as a hobby, and for some, caring for their own little flock of clucking pets has become a passion. But for others, the charm wears off quickly, and that’s caused an increase of surrender inquiries at some shelters and rescue groups. More...

Reach Kids with Humane Lessons and Earn Extra Funds
The KIND News Adopt-a-Classroom program from Humane Society Youth offers an effective way to start a communitywide youth education initiative—and raise some cash for your shelter. More...

A Fitting Solution
The HSUS's Shelter Services program now offers a Compact Evaluation, a more practical and affordable option for smaller agencies. More...

The Catnip Conundrum
While the subject of catnip has provoked the occasional heated discussion on shelter listservs over the years, the experts interviewed for this story agreed that, for the majority of cats, there’s nothing to ponder: Life is much more interesting with catnip. More...

To the Rescue: Mini-Marketers Make Matches
Fifth-grade students help their local humane society promote shelter animals seeking a forever home. More...

The Dollars and Sense of Spay/Neuter for Cats
A study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA) supports statistically what animal shelters know from experience—that households with higher incomes are more likely to spay or neuter their cats. More...

People Power: A Plane Solution
A raid in March 2009 rescued more than 300 dogs from the misery of a puppy mill in Arkansas, setting them on the road to new lives. But not all of them got on the road. Some took to the air, thanks to a retired pilot from Colorado. More...

Shelter Medicine: Scaredy Cat or Feral Cat?
In the shelter, it’s hard to tell the difference between truly feral cats and those who are tame but acting frightened and reactive. The way you handle these cats can make all the difference—with time and TLC, they will show their true colors. More...

Hounding Shelters
The tradition of hound hunting poses major problems for shelters in Virginia. Every year during—and especially after—hunting season, they are flooded with hounds who are either stray, abandoned, or relinquished by hunters who no longer want to take care of them. More...

Field Trip: Safe Haven for Donkeys in the Holy Land
Although most people in her part of the world consider donkeys to be "the lowest form of life," Lucy Fensom's Safe Haven for Donkeys in the Holy Land offers these often abused and neglected creatures a second chance. More...

The Behavior Department: Clicking with Shelter Cats
Did you know that clickers can be used to benefit cats as well as dogs? A handful of volunteers, armed with clickers, fresh treats, and a few simple instructions, can reduce feline stress and bring shelter cats out of their shells. More...

The "101" Department: Let's See Some ID
Although failing to identify animals properly in the shelter environment can have dire consequences, many agencies continue to overlook this crucial task. More...

Mouthpieces: Why Are the Kitties Sneezing?
This installment of Mouthpieces provides information on the prevalance and relative innocence of upper respiratory infections in shelter cats, and encourages potential adopters to look past the sniffles when seeking their perfect feline companion. More...

Creating Pro-Kitty Cities
Using new thoughtful and unique adoption campaigns, two shelters try to draw attention to and increase adoptions of their feline residents. More...

Show Me the Money: Using Saws to Make Room for Paws
A Portland house tour highlights pet-friendly home remodelings while raising funds for the local humane society. More...

Off Leash: Scooby Dooby Doo, Where Are You?
The Sacramento SPCA recently unveiled a series of ads using iconic animal cartoon characters—or, more precisely, their absence—to show that when pets aren’t around, there’s a void in our lives. More...

Looking at a Hoarder
The latest contribution to the growing perspective on hoarding is Inside Animal Hoarding: The Case of Barbara Erickson and Her 552 Dogs. The two-part narrative—the first written by a social worker, the second by a sociologist—is a compelling read. More...

Q & A: Singing for Their Supper
Animal welfare issues are just one of the passions of the Indigo Girls, the Grammy-winning, politically active folk-rock duo who’ve been making hearts and minds sing for more than 20 years. More...

Wild Neighbors
The HSUS Wild Neighbors™ program seeks to raise public awareness and understanding about urban wildlife and to promote humane resolution of human-wildlife conflicts. The program features a variety of educational resources for citizens and for the local animal groups to which citizens often turn for advice. More...

First Strike
The HSUS launched the First Strike campaign raises public and professional awareness about the connection between animal cruelty and human violence. More...

The Scoop
This free monthly e-newsletter from animalsheltering.org and Humane Society University, in partnership with the Humane Society of the United States, provides the latest news and training updates for the animal care community. More...

About Us
An overview of The Humane Society of the United States' resources for animal care professionals and volunteers. More...

Humane Society University
Humane Society University (HSU) provides professional development and training to the animal care and control community. More...

National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week 2006

Celebrate National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week 2005, November 6–12, 2005.

Spay/Neuter
Spay/neuter programs are key to protecting animal health and ending pet overpopulation. We have comprehensive spay/neuter resources to help you address this critical issue in your community. More...

Safe Cats
The HSUS Safe Cats™ campaign has a primary goal of convincing cat caregivers that there truly is no place like home for their cats. Safe Cats increases awareness about the threats cats face when allowed outdoors without supervision, shatters the myth that an indoor cat is an unhappy cat, and spreads the word that shelter professionals and veterinarians alike advocate against allowing pet cats to roam. More...

Spay Day
Spay Day is The Humane Society of the United States' annual campaign to inspire people to save animal lives by spaying or neutering pets and feral cats. More...

Feral Cat Management
From handbooks and guidelines to noteworthy studies and online courses, The Humane Society of the United States provides a wealth of resources for feral cat caretakers. More...

Shelter Diagnostic System
This is an assessment tool designed to help private and public animal shelters run better by surveying employees and making specific recommendations based on survey results. More...

Shelter Volunteer Management Discussion Group
This is a group for managers of volunteers (both paid and volunteer) who work with animal shelters, breed placement groups, and other animal welfare organizations. Join us in exploring issues related to staff-volunteer relations, volunteer recruitment, training, retention, and supervision. This is a great opportunity to share ideas and improve the experience for volunteers as well as discuss the benefits they provide to our organizations. More...

Humane Education
Whether you have an established youth education program or are looking to start one from the ground up, the National Association for Humane and Environmental Education (NAHEE), The HSUS’s youth education affiliate, can help. More...

humanesociety.org
Comprehensive news and information on animal issues from The Humane Society of the United States. More...

Spanish Language Information
Resources for outreach to Spanish-speaking communities, including reproducible pet behavior tip sheets, spay/neuter materials, and more. More...

Bring the Spay/Neuter Campaign to Your Community
The Humane Society of the United States provides these spay/neuter campaign materials to animal care organizations free of charge. More...

Animal Care Expo
The Humane Society of the United States, the world's largest animal protection organization, has developed a dynamic education conference designed for anyone and everyone who works or volunteers at the local level with dogs, cats, or other animals. More...

Euthanasia Information
Humane euthanasia can be one of the most critical responsibilities of those in the animal care and sheltering field. This collection of resources is designed to assist animal care workers with euthanasia-related information, training, and guidelines. More...

State Resources
A list of state Humane Federations, state Animal Control Associations, and spay/neuter referral services. More...

Help Your Community Prepare for the Unexpected
Join The Humane Society of the United States in promoting National Preparedness Month during September. More...

Shelter Design
An animal shelter is the physical nucleus of a community animal care and control program. Our comprehensive shelter design resources will help you plan and build a facility that meets the needs of both pets and people. More...

Adoption
Providing an effective, efficient adoption framework is critically important to your organization's animals, staff, and potential adopters. Use these resources to ensure that your adoption efforts make the grade. More...

Networking and Internet Groups
Want to connect with your colleagues in the animal care and control field? Check out these networking opportunities. More...

Emergency Services
The HSUS serves as a resource for animal-related and emergency management organizations and others concerned about the needs of animals before, during, and after disasters. More...

Shelter Evaluation Program
Through the HSUS's Shelter Evaluation program, we study and evaluate every aspect of your animal services agency. We then provide you with the tools to help streamline your operations and develop innovative, cost-effective programs that serve your community and protect its animals. More...

Animal Fighting
Get information about how The HSUS' animal fighting programs can help you in your work for animals. More...

State Animal Control Associations
List of State Animal Control Associations. More...

Financial Assistance Opportunities
The HSUS is here to help! Read about the various financial assistance programs and grants offered to animal shelters and other humane organizations. More...

Everyone Ready
In partnership with Energize, Inc., this free cutting-edge staff development training plan is designed to support you in your work with volunteers. More...

Financial Assistance Resources
Check out our directory of online financial assistance resources, including grant listings, guidelines for writing effective grant proposals, creative fundraising ideas, and more. More...

Wilde Puppy Mill Task Force
The HSUS's Wilde Puppy Mill Task Force works with law enforcement, animal shelters, and other agencies to investigate puppy mills, develop cases, execute raids/rescues on puppy mill operations, and ensure enforcement of any laws that are being broken. We are available to provide expert guidance to local, state, and federal agencies in the prosecution of animal abusers in relation to the operation of puppy mills. More...

Volunteer Management
The Humane Society of the United States has a wealth of programs and services to help you in your work with volunteers. More...

2010 Events Calendar
Don’t miss these important dates celebrated by many animal shelters and other humane organizations. More...

Emergency Services Placement Partner Program
The HSUS responds to animals in need many times a year and we rely upon our relationships with other organizations to provide ongoing care and/or find life-long loving homes for them. If your organization is interested in participating in the Emergency Services Placement Partner Program, please read more about the program and learn how you can apply. More...

Shelter Partners
Shelter Partners is designed to provide participating shelters with savings on products and services, discounts on HSUS publications, training events, and more. More...

Pets for Life
The HSUS Pets for Life® program has one very ambitious goal: to keep pets and their people together. Pets for Life recognizes that one of the greatest threats to pets is a lack of understanding on the part of caregivers—along with a lack of awareness of available resources. More...

Shelter Diagnostic System
This is an assessment tool designed to help private and public animal shelters run better by surveying employees and making specific recommendations based on survey results. More...

National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week
Join The HSUS in highlighting the truly lifesaving work done by animal shelters like yours around the country during National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week each November. More...

The Shelter Pet Project
The Shelter Pet Project is an unprecedented three-year media campaign aimed at boosting pet adoptions nationwide. A collaborative effort by The Humane Society of the United States, Maddie's Fund, and the Ad Council, in partnership with the entire animal welfare community, The Shelter Pet Project has the potental to change the lives of millions of animals. More...

Humane Society International
If your animal shelter or humane society is outside the United States and Canada, The HSUS international affiliate can help. More...

The Humane Society of the United States Euthanasia Training Manual
This step-by-step guide describes to all of those responsible for euthanasia the procedures, policies, and techniques needed to perform this important task. More...

Feral Cat Kit
This comprehensive kit provides a guide to addressing the issues surrounding feral cat management, a DVD on effectively managing feral cats, and brochures for public outreach. More...

Community Approaches to Feral Cats: Problems, Alternatives, and Recommendations
This resource helps animal shelters, animal control agencies, veterinarians, and feral cat caretakers to find common ground in their approaches to feral cats. More...

Profiting from Pets
By instituting a pets-allowed policy, rental managers and landlords can reap substantial financial rewards. Profiting from Pets outlines the many advantages of implementing a pets-allowed policy, highlights ways to address common concerns about allowing pets, and suggests ways to promote an open-door policy to the community. More...

Animal Hoarding: A Community Task Force Solution
This video offers an introduction to the hoarding phenomenon as well as a glimpse of the severe conditions that can result from hoarding. The video and accompanying brochure emphasize the necessity of cooperation and collaboration among local agencies to tackle the problem. More...

Disaster Preparedness for Pets
This brochure helps members of the public plan for the needs of their pets during an emergency. More...

Disaster Preparedness for Horses
This brochure helps members of the public plan for the needs of their horses during an emergency. More...

13 Steps to Finding Rental Housing That Accepts Pets
Walks responsible pet owners through the steps needed to find rental properties that will accept their pets. Contains information that will help pet owners conduct a successful search, move their pet safely, and help their companion settle comfortably into a new home. Perfect for humane society thrift shops and rental housing programs. More...

Volunteer Management for Animal Care Organizations (Free Download)
Download a PDF version of our popular volunteer management book. More...

Flyers—The Ultimate Handouts
Printed on both sides, these two-color, 4"x9" flyers on a variety of topics pack a lot of good information into a compact, easy-to-read format. They fit in a business-sized envelope and are perfect for information tables, counter displays, and shelter adoption packets. More...

Forensic Investigation of Animal Cruelty
What is the role of the veterinarian in a prosecution for cruelty to animals? This comprehensive introduction to the field is required reading for animal shelter, veterinary, investigative, and law enforcement professionals. More...

Shelter Pages 2010
Shelter Pages 2010 is full of valuable information. In addition to the extensive product and service listings, we have included listings of major grant foundations, national animal-related organizations, state humane federations, animal-related websites, and more! More...

"My Pet Saves Lives: He's Neutered" Bumper Sticker
Perfect for including in shelter adoption packets and for giving away at special events! One of two versions covering spaying of females and neutering of males. More...

Pet Behavior Tip Sheets CD-ROM
This CD-ROM contains 43 cat and dog behavior sheets on a variety of issues—from coping with litter box problems to using a head halter—that your organization can customize, print out, and distribute to your community. More...

Helping Homeless Cats: What Would You Do?
This brochure will help members of your community figure out whether a roaming cat is lost or feral and how they can help. More...

Cat Care Basics
A favorite of shelters for their adoption packets, this popular booklet covers adoption, health care, nutrition, introducing a cat to the home, and keeping cats safe. Newly revised as part of The HSUS Safe Cats™ campaign. More...

Effectively Managing Feral Cats
This CD/DVD contains a wealth of information on the issues surrounding feral cat management. More...

"My Pet Saves Lives: She's Spayed" Bumper Sticker
Perfect for including in shelter adoption packets and for giving away at special events! One of two versions covering spaying of females and neutering of males. More...

Coalition Building for Animal-Care Organizations
This book describes how coalition building can maximize the positive impact of animal-related organizations on their communities. More...

Compassion Fatigue in the Animal-Care Community
In this ground-breaking book, two prominent leaders in the field examine the causes of compassion fatigue and offer help to those who suffer from it. More...

Volunteer Management for Animal Care Organizations
Explore proven techniques for effective program design, recruitment, volunteer retention, and much more. More...

Disaster Preparedness for Livestock
This brochure helps members of the public plan for the needs of their livestock during an emergency. More...

Fund-Raising for Animal Care Organizations
This book demystifies the fund-raising process and breaks down this daunting task into practical, manageable steps. More...

Implementing a Community Trap-Neuter-Return Program
This book is a complete guide to addressing the issues surrounding feral cat management and offers practical suggestions for resolving them. More...

Put It In Writing: Creating Volunteer Management Materials
The volunteer manual is one of the most important pieces of a successful volunteer program. The manual serves as an invaluable resource that volunteers can refer to time and again during their service with your organization.  More...

General Staffing Recommendations for Kennel Caretaking
The HSUS estimated minimum staffing formula for kennel caretaking only. More...

One Year After Hurricane Katrina Hits, Pets Now Included in Disaster Plans
As we reflect on the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, Congress passes PETS Act to ensure no pets are left behind in future disasters. More...

HSUS Statement on Dangerous Dogs and Breed-Specific Legislation
The HSUS opposes legislation aimed at eradicating or strictly regulating dogs based solely on their breed for a number of reasons. More...

The HSUS Statement on the Use of Electro-Muscular Disruption Devices
The HSUS is opposed to the use of Electro-Muscular Disruption (EMD) devices in the capture, control, or handling of animals. The false implication that because they are "non-lethal" they are "safe" may lead humane and law enforcement agencies toward unnecessary reliance on EMD devices. We strongly discourage animal control and other law enforcement agents from the use of these devices as a substitute or supplement to current acceptable animal handling tools or techniques. More...

The HSUS Statement on Euthanasia Methods for Animals in Shelters
One of the most critical responsibilities of those in the animal care and sheltering field is to provide the most humane death possible for dogs and cats when euthanasia is necessary. To be humane, every euthanasia technique must result in painless unconsciousness, followed by respiratory, then cardiac arrest, and ultimately death. More...

The HSUS Statement on Basic Management of Animal Housing Areas
One of the basic goals of animal management should be to reduce stress and disease transmission. This statement provides basic guidelines you can use when designing and managing animal housing areas in your facility. More...

Facts about the West Nile Virus
West Nile virus has emerged in recent years in Europe and North America, presenting a threat to public health, equine health, and, since 1999, the health of bird populations.  More...

Providing Assistance to Pet Owners Reporting for Duty
Here's how those on the frontlines of animal protection can help those on the frontlines of U.S. military action.  More...

Animal Hoarders Fact Sheet
An animal hoarder is a person who amasses more animals than he/she can properly care for. Such individuals generally fail to recognize—or refuse to acknowledge—when the animals in their custody become victims of gross neglect. More...

North Carolina Accident Highlights Concerns About Carbon Monoxide Euthanasia
An electrical malfunction in an animal shelter's carbon monoxide gas euthanasia chamber further supports that euthanasia by injection, when properly performed, has been found to be the most humane, safest, least stressful, and most professional choice. More...

Virginia Shelters Making Carbon Monoxide Euthanasia a Thing of the Past
Surprisingly, more than half of the states in the United States still allow the use of carbon monoxide for the euthanasia of dogs and cats. Soon, however, there will be one less state. By the end of 2007, carbon monoxide will be completely eliminated as a form of euthanasia in Virginia animal shelters. More...

HSUS Guidelines for the Operation of an Animal Shelter
The HSUS's guidelines for the operation of an animal shelter. More...

Handling Animal Collectors, Part 1: Interventions That Work
For investigators and their humane agencies, a collector case is one of the toughest to resolve. Four characteristics in particular set collector cases apart from other cruelty and neglect cases.  More...

Handling Animal Collectors, Part 2: Managing a Large-scale Rescue Operation
For staff and volunteers of animal care and control agencies, the rescue operation is the most intense and emotional part of any animal collector case. Alleviating the suffering of the animals at hand becomes the immediate focus.  More...

The HSUS Disaster Planning Manual: Profile
Through the years, The HSUS has determined its efforts should go beyond assisting animals already impacted by disasters. A major focus should be on the development of proactive animal disaster plans on local, state, and national levels. More...

The Use of Mace and/or "Pepper" Spray in Animal Control
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) recognizes that animal-control officers are often in challenging and physically dangerous situations when restraining fractious animals. This statement explains our policy on the use of mace and "pepper" spray in animal control. More...

Providing Assistance to Pet Owners Affected by the Foreclosure Crisis

Here's how animal welfare organizations can help pets and their people affected by the foreclosure crisis. 

Special Design Considerations for Animal Shelters
Building an animal shelter requires making a series of decisions unique to animal housing facilities. This list includes guidance on what to plan for and what to watch out for. More...

Sample Job Descriptions
Job descriptions help clarify organizational responsibilities. Effective job descriptions should be detailed yet concise and easily understandable. Please use these samples to get ideas and inspiration for your organization's job descriptions. More...

The HSUS Statement on Proper Use of the Guillotine Door
Many dog runs are designed with a guillotine door that typically divides the run in half. Inappropriate use of this door can create safety hazards for animals and shelter staff. This statement provides guidelines on the appropriate use of guillotine doors. More...

The Real Scoop on Reptile Poop for Animal Control Officers and Shelter Workers
About 93,000 cases of reptile-associated salmonella are documented each year in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Should you be worried? More...

Statement on Companion Animals: Pound Seizure
The HSUS's statement on the use of shelter animals for research. More...

HSUS Guidelines for Standard Operating Procedures for Animal Shelters
Written standard operating procedures (SOPs) are an important foundation for any professional organization. This resource was designed to help professionals within the animal care and control field gain a clearer understanding of the development and implementation of standard operating procedures. More...

HSUS Position Statement: Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR)
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) believes that feral cat overpopulation is a community-generated problem and that every community has a responsibility to work toward a solution. The HSUS is concerned about feral cat populations, the welfare of individual cats, and the welfare of wild animals. More...

HSUS Guidelines for Animal Shelter Policies
The HSUS's guidelines for animal shelter polices.  More...

Instructions for Sharing Sodium Pentobarbital
If it is legal in your state, it is essential that you follow this protocol for sharing sodium pentobarbital during a shortage to be in compliance with Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) regulations.  More...

The HSUS Disaster Planning Manual: Animal Facilities
The following guidelines will help determine how vulnerable an animal facility may be to a variety of disasters. More...

Migratory Bird Treaty Act: How It Affects Shelters
Many animal care and control agencies are called upon to assist birds as part of their mission to prevent animal suffering. The need for a Federal permit to handle migratory birds has not been widely known; as a result, many agencies are inadvertently operating outside of the law. More...

Proper use of Remote Chemical Immobilization Systems
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) supports the appropriate use of remote chemical-delivery systems for animal immobilization, provided an informed decision has been made that this method is superior to other live-capture alternatives. More...

Pet Animal Welfare Statute (PAWS) and its Effect on Rescue Organizations and Animal Shelters
What the Pet Animal Welfare Statute (PAWS) legislation, aiming to strengthen existing law covering commercial breeding facilities, means for animals and for you. More...

The HSUS Disaster Planning Manual: Forms
The following forms are templates for your use in developing and implementing a disaster plan for animals. More...

Direct Licensing Laws for Euthanasia in Animal Shelters
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) continues to work at the legislative level to encourage all states to implement a law, often called “direct licensing,” that allows animal care and control agencies to have, hold, and administer controlled substances to provide for euthanasia of shelter animals when needed. More...

Model Dangerous Dog Legislation
Grappling with dangerous dog problems? This document, created by companion animal and legislative experts at The HSUS, provides an excellent outline for non-breed-specific dangerous dog law. More...

Myths and Facts about Canine Parvovirus '2c'
This article explores the facts and myths about Canine Parvovirus (CPV) strain 2c. More...

Shelter Floor Plan Samples
View sample floor plans that incorporate many essential elements in animal shelter design. More...

The HSUS Disaster Planning Manual: Community Planning
By considering the issues involving animals in disasters and taking a proactive approach to planning on the community level, instead of a reactive approach after the damage is done, there is a greater chance that animals and their owners will survive a disaster. More...

The HSUS's Recommendations for Shelters Dealing with Monkeypox
The outbreak of monkeypox virus in the United States in 2003 serves as a grave and clear reminder of the dangers of keeping wild animals as companion animals. More...

Infection Control Today
Written for the human healthcare field, this publication nonetheless contains a wealth of information helpful to animal care and control professionals. While not all of the information applies to animal care, much of it can be extrapolated for the purposes of shelter cleaning. The site is educational and helpful in understanding the reasons behind certain disinfection practices. More...

Humane Career Toolbox
Humane Society University's Humane Career Toolbox will be of interest to people of all ages who seek to professionally assist animals. The toolbox contains resources for both beginning and enhancing a career helping animals. More...

StopPuppyMills.org
That pooch in the pet-store window may be may alluring but buyer beware: you may be supporting a puppy mill. More...

AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup Tool
The free Internet-based resource is designed to help veterinary hospitals, animal control facilities and shelter staff members reunite lost pets with their owners by checking participating pet recovery services' registries to determine which registry should be contacted. Participating companies include the American Kennel Club Companion Animal Recovery, HomeAgain by Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health, Petlink by Datamars and resQ by Bayer Animal Health. More...

Declawing Cats: Far Worse Than a Manicure
An article for the public on why declawing can be harmful to cats. More...

Feline Vaccine Advisory Panel Report
From the Vaccinations, Animals section of the Resource Library:
The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) Vaccine Advisory Panel Report provides information on vaccines for cats. More...

HSUS Pet Overpopulation Estimates
Estimated statistics on pet overpopulation from the Humane Society of the United States. More...

Ethical Concerns Related to the Transfer of Animals to Veterinary Schools
The Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association addresses ethical concerns about the transfer of live and euthanized shelter animals to veterinary and veterinary technician schools. More...

The Use of Euthanized Shelter Animals in Research
This Q&A addresses the conditions under which euthanized animals can be transfered to educational and research institutions. More...

Asilomar Accords
A job worth doing is worth doing together. That's the basic idea of a groundbreaking new document designed to impact communities and animals around the country. The Asilomar Accords symbolizes the end of suspicion and distrust between animal care and control organizations and sets forth a new agenda—one of collaboration. More...

A Dog's Life: Chaining and Your Community
Download a free copy of "A Dog's Life: Chaining and Your Community"—a comprehensive, step-by-step guide from The Humane Society of the United States on how to pass an anti-chaining ordinance in your area. More...

Microchipping and Scanning Companion Animals
This free, one-hour, online course from the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) is designed for staff at companion animal veterinary clinics and animal shelter organizations in the United States. More...

A Guide to Using Local Ordinances to Stop Puppy Mills
This downloadable guide is designed to help you work for the passage of local laws in your own community that will improve the lives of dogs in puppy mills. More...

RentWithPets.org
"Moving" and "landlord won't allow" are among the top reasons given by pet owners when relinquishing their dogs or cats to animal shelters. More...

Dumb Friends League Targeted Cat Adoption Video
A video from the Dumb Friends League promoting cats as great pets. More...

Pets Used in Experiments
Information from The HSUS about animals used in research experiments. More...

Animal Cruelty and Fighting Campaign
Comprehensive information from The Humane Society of the United States on fighting animal cruelty for the public, activists, and law enforcement personnel. More...

Alliance for Contraception in Cats and Dogs
This organization is dedicated solely to furthering the development of non-surgical methods of pet population control. More...

Hoarding of Animals Research Consortium
The site aims to bring together the work of HARC as well as credible resources from throughout the U.S. to help you better understand the phenomenon of animal hoarding, its impact on individuals and communities, and its sentinel role for elder abuse and neglect, child abuse and neglect, and adult self-neglect. More...

UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program
The shelter medicine program at the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine has a wealth of information on disease control in the shelter. More...

National Council on Pet Population Study & Policy
The Council, which is a coalition of America's ten foremost animal protection organizations, including The HSUS, promotes responsible stewardship of companion animals through research and program development. More...

Pit Bull Resources
As the breed of choice for dogfighters, pit bulls attract many people who want them for all the wrong reasons. As a result, they are often abused and misunderstood—comprising a large number of dogs housed and euthanized in urban animal shelter systems. This page provides resources to tackle the problem from every angle. More...

2006 AAHA Canine Vaccine Guidelines
From the Vaccinations, Animals section of the Resource Library:
The American Animal Hospital Association has released its 2006 Revised Canine Vaccine Guidelines. More...

Tufts Animal Care and Condition Scales
The Tufts Animal Care and Condition (TACC) Scales were developed in 1997 by Dr. Gary Patronek, with assistance from Lori Donley, MS '97, the Fort Wayne Dept. of Animal Care and Control, and the Law Enforcement Division of the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to help cruelty investigators and veterinarians assess cases of animal abuse or neglect that are primarily related to husbandry, as opposed to deliberate acts of cruelty. More...

Job Descriptions and Fact Sheets from Humane Society University
The essential purposes, duties, tasks, responsibilities, and salary information for a variety of animal care and control positions. More...

Where to Find Materials Safety Data Sheets on the Internet
At this site you’ll find links to many databases containing Materials Safety Data Sheets, which must be kept in an accessible spot in the workplace. If you are trying to research products, these sheets will provide information helpful to your search. More...

Eye on the Opposition
Learn more about the organizations that campaign against The HSUS's mission to end cruelty to animals. More...

Interpreting Animal Behavior for Safe Handling
This self-paced online course will teach you to learn to interpret the meaning of a wide variety of animal signals to improve and increase the safety of your animal-handling skills. More...

Simon Says, "Let's be kind to animals!"
No longer the "terrible twos," preschoolers (ages 3 to 5) are ready to listen, share, identify with others, and lend a hand. What a great time to teach compassion, respect, and responsibility for animals!  This self-paced online course is part of the Certified Humane Education Specialist (CHES) program. More...

Executive Leadership Certificate
Humane Society University presents the Executive Leadership Certificate Program. Build your management skills, excel in your career, and more effectively help the animals you serve. Take four online courses and earn your Certificate. More...

Introduction to Social Marketing
This self-paced online course will give animal advocates new insight and improved abilities on how their organizations can work with community members, donors, alliance partners, and the media to achieve greater success affecting behavior change to help animals. Course developed by Humane Society University Faculty of the Year Caryn Ginsberg. More...

Building an Effective Campaign: Research and Planning
From new activist to experienced campaign manager, you’re sure to discover new ideas for improving your advocacy. This online course includes how-to, tips, and examples from a variety of animal protection organizations. More...

Better Information for Better Decisions: Statistics, Surveys, and Scorecards
This four-week online course is part of the HSU Executive Leadership Certificate Program. Discover how statistics, surveys and scorecards can help you make better decisions and manager your programs better and more cost-effectively.  More...

Reach a Teacher: Arranging and Conducting In-Service Workshops
This self-paced how-to course will instruct participants in the development and presentation of workshops designed to introduce classroom teachers to humane education. Developed by Lisa Cushing, Outreach Coordinator, National Association for Humane and Environmental Education (NAHEE) — the youth education affiliate of The HSUS. More...

Graduate Certificate in Organizational Leadership
Humane Society University and Duquesne University's School of Leadership and Professional Advancement have developed an online Graduate Certificate in Organizational Leadership. The accelerated online program is designed for individuals working in animal care and control facilities across the United States. The coursework is intended to develop management skills that are directly transferable to leadership positions within one's animal care and control organization. More...

Guide to Effective Staff Selection
To become more productive and efficient, we must consistently hire top performers. This self-paced online course will review employee recruitment and staff selection best practices. Topics include analyzing resumes, conducting legally defensible interviews, and identifying job competencies. More...

Masters Degree in Community Leadership
The 18 credit hours earned in the Humane Society University/Duquesne University online Graduate Certificate in Organizational Leadership may be applied towards the completion of a Master of Science in Community Leadership (MSCL). The MSCL is a 36-credit degree. Certificate students electing to earn the degree would need to complete the additional 18 credits (6 courses). Students can earn the 36-credit degree in two years entirely through online study. More...

Standard Operating Procedures
Through this self-paced online course, learn about written guidelines to communicate policies and appropriate procedures. Download templates to use at your organization. Discover how to use these valuable communication tools to consistently and efficiently run operations at your animal care facility. More...

Animals in Disaster - Awareness and Preparedness
View a Humane Society University infomercial for an online independent study course created by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) with the support and cooperation of The Humane Society of the United States Field & Disaster Services Department. The Animals in Disaster course is not affiliated with Humane Society University. Information about the course is provided as a complimentary service. More...

Finding Foundation Support for Your Education
Humane Society University presents a free online infomercial for a free e-learning tutorial from The Foundation Center. Finding Foundation Support is designed for U.S. students seeking financial support in the form of undergraduate scholarships or fellowships, residencies, internships, or other awards in order to pursue their education. More...

Humane Animal Euthanasia Online Training
This online course,produced by Animal Care Training (ACT) in collaboration with Humane Society University and The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), is designed to orient shelter staff and ACO's to safely and humanely euthanize an animal when this becomes necessary. More...

The Character Connection
This online course will show you to how to bring humane education to classrooms through already established character education curriculums. Part of the Certified Humane Education Specialist (CHES) program. More...

Animals in Disaster - Community Planning
View a Humane Society University infomercial for an online independent study course created by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) with the support and cooperation of The Humane Society of the United States Field & Disaster Services Department. The Animals in Disaster course is not affiliated with Humane Society University. Information about the course is provided as a complimentary service. More...

First Strike: Cruelty to Animals and Interpersonal Violence
This self-paced, online course is designed for educators, investigators, animal care and control personnel, law enforcement officials, protective service professionals, and other anti-violence workers looking to gain a fundamental knowledge of the relationship between cruelty to animals and interpersonal violence. More...

Pets for Life Online Courses
This series of four online courses is designed for both the supervisor and front-line staff to learn the latest information and techniques available to establish a behavior evaluation program, improve animal handling, reduce the level of stress for animals, and make more informed decisions regarding adoption matches. Agencies that implement the techniques in these courses increase the likelihood that their adoptions will be successful. Earn a Pets for Life Behavior Certificate from Humane Society University or take the courses individually. More...

Undergraduate and Graduate Degrees from Humane Society University
Humane Society University's School of Arts and Sciences offers undergraduate degrees and graduate certificates in Animal Studies, Animal Policy and Advocacy, and Humane Leadership. Courses are 8-weeks in duration. In all courses, students start on the same date and progress through the course together, submitting assignments on the date set by the instructor. Successful completion of each course will receive 3 academic credits. Courses are taught in online, hybrid, and classroom formats. More...

Evaluating Your Shelter: Are You Ready to Implement a Behavior Program?
This 2- to 5-hour, self-paced online course will assist you in evaluating your organization’s readiness to implement a behavior program. Course topics include basic work processes, mission and strategic planning concepts, staffing, and facility use. Once you have read through the text and completed the learning activities found in this short course, you will be able to assess if you and your organization are ready to complete the remaining three courses in the Pets for Life 4-course series. More...

Certified Humane Education Specialist
The National Association for Humane and Environmental Education (NAHEE) and Humane Society University are proud to offer the Certified Humane Education Specialist (CHES). The CHES program will help animal care and control administrators, board members, humane education specialists, and humane law enforcement officers enhance their credentials and use their limited time and resources in the most effective ways possible. Take four online courses plus an exam to earn your certification from NAHEE. More...

Rebels with a Cause: Reaching Teens through Service-Learning
Teens care, and this self-paced online course will show participants how young people can contribute to humane organizations in ways that don't have to involve handling animals or working at shelters. This online course will focus on service-learning, a component of school reform that mingles community service with academics. Part of the Certified Humane Education Specialist (CHES) program. More...

Humane Education and the Magic of Stories
Participants in this self-paced online course will learn ways of using narrative to make lessons in respect, responsibility, kindness, and caring come alive—and stick—using lively activities and ready-to-use materials that can be incorporated into humane education programs and presentations. Part of the Certified Humane Education Specialist (CHES) program. More...

Guide to Interviewing
This free, self-paced online course will review employee interviewing best practices. More...

Trap-Neuter-Return: How to Manage a Feral Cat Colony
This self-paced online course will describe each step in the trap-neuter-return (TNR) process in detail, including working with neighbors and the community at large, feeding, setting up adequate shelter, arranging for spay/neuter, trapping (including preparations, equipment, and techniques), caring for the cats while they’re confined, and other feral cat issues like rabies, wildlife, and relocation. In addition, the course will discuss why TNR works to reduce feral cat numbers and why other methods, such as trap and remove, have failed. More...

Dog Bite Prevention for Law Enforcement and Other First Responders
This self-paced online course will enable personnel to recognize and respond to hazardous situations associated with dangerous or potentially dangerous dogs. Developed by Randall Lockwood, Ph.D. More...

Animals in Disaster - Livestock in Disasters
View a Humane Society University infomercial for an online independent-study course created by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) with the support and cooperation of The Humane Society of the United States Field & Disaster Services Department. The Animals in Disaster course is not affiliated with Humane Society University. Information about the course is provided as a complimentary service. More...