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...

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...

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...

2006 Feline Vaccine Advisory Panel Report Now Available
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...

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...

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...

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

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

People Care Starts with You
Shelter staff experience a stressor that those in other helping professions do not: Some are asked to end the lives of the very creatures they have saved and nurtured. It’s little wonder that the stress can reach a boiling point—but there are ways to cope. 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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Coffee Break: Most Creative, Funny, or Effective Adoption Promotion
In your space, you told us about the most creative, funny, or effective adoption promotion your organization has ever done. More...

Stepping into the Wild
Some nuisance wildlife control firms have a reputation for mistreating animals, but shelters can spur the industry to raise its standards. More...

Q & A: Seeking Higher Ground for Animals in Disasters
In her recently released Filling the Ark, author and sociologist Leslie Irvine argues for better catastrophe planning and a new view of animals. She discusses her work and her on-the-ground experiences following Hurricane Katrina. More...

Show Me the Money: Putting on the Dog
Cute canines don finery and strut beside human models to raise funds for a Maryland shelter. More...

Field Trip: United Against Puppy Mills
Just four years after its inception, United Against Puppy Mills, a group that focuses on public awareness, legislation, and zoning, has had a significant impact on the lives of dogs in Pennsylvania. More...

Wild Things: Tree Squirrels
Our wildlife expert offers tips you can pass on to homeowners who call you for advice about how to get rid of squirrels who have taken up residence in their attics and chimneys. More...

Volunteer Management: Leading Change at Your Shelter
Changes to a volunteer program require thoughtful and deliberate planning and action. A common mistake is to rush into making multiple changes without laying the groundwork to ensure success. Here’s how to avoid that error by moving forward in stages. More...

Creature Feature: The Long Way Home
A series of three-day demonstrations of Pat Parelli’s kinder, gentler approach to equines are at the heart of an HSUS initiative to improve the care of horses, who all too often end up abandoned, neglected, or sent to slaughter. More...

People Power: Sheltering the Defenseless
A civilian spouse partners with The HSUS to help homeless pets on an Air Force base in South Korea. More...

Mouthpieces: Whose Cat is That?
This installment of MouthPieces offers valuable information that you can pass along to the public about feral cats and trap-neuter-return (TNR) programs. More...

Don’t Forget About Us
Shelter staffs use special events, savvy marketing, and social networking to promote small-animal adoption. More...

Seeking Many Happy Returns (To Owners)
Missing pets pose a daunting challenge for animal welfare workers: Frantic owners want nothing less than peace of mind, and ideally they’d like a miraculously returned family companion. There’s plenty that shelters can do to aid searches and refer owners to effective resources. More...

Off Leash: Putting the 'Fun' in Fundraiser
In tough economic times, it’s more important than ever for shelters to keep the money coming in. One strategy is to kick the creativity level up a notch. Here’s a smattering of the wacky and wonderful events that shelters have devised to beat those recession blues. More...

Fire & Ice
The season that brought the worst ice storm in decades to Massachusetts brought the worst bushfires in history to the Australian state of Victoria. In this double feature, two shelter staff who worked through the disasters tell their stories, and emphasize the value of being prepared. More...

To the Rescue: 3 Strikes, You’re Out
Animal welfare groups rescue more than 200 starving and neglected wild horses from a Nebraska ranch that promoted itself as a sanctuary. More...

Shelter Medicine: For the Long Haul
All shelters, regardless of the length of time they’re able to hold animals, should strive for high-quality care. But it’s doubly important in facilities where animals will be held for weeks or even months. Veterinarian Lila Miller outlines steps to keep longtimers healthy and happy. More...

Out of the Mall, Into the Shelter
Autumn is in the air, and with it, some fall-themed adoption ideas. More...

The "101" Department: Grant Us This Day
While grant money can be used for all sorts of lifesaving projects at shelters and rescues, the process for applying for foundation funds can be intimidating and time consuming. Fortunately, there’s a lot of great information available to grant writing newbies. More...

Getting the Drop on After-Hours Abandonments
Whether people seeking to drop off pets after hours are driven by convenience or shame, the result at many shelters is the same: Dogs and cats are frequently left during times when no staff member is there for intake. More...

Wild Things: Skunks
While close encounters with skunks can stink, our wildlife expert offers tips (and a surefire recipe for odor removal) for helping people and their pets live in harmony with these creatures. More...

The Behavior Department: Dealing with a Small Problem
Most shelters weren’t built with the needs of little dogs in mind, but there are steps that staff and volunteers can take that will make the environment much better for them. One shelter director created a special area just for the little guys—Smallville—that resulted in remarkable behavior improvements. More...

For the Comfort of Canines
A new DVD shows and tells shelters how to keep their dogs comfortable, healthy, and stimulated—with an eye toward encouraging the positive behaviors the dogs will need to be accepted in their new families. More...

Creature Feature: Prowling the Divide
After years of debate about the place of feral cats in our society, bird lovers and feline advocates are making peace for the sake of the animals. More...

Coffee Break: Most Unusual Donation Ever Received
In your space, you told us about the most unusual or interesting donation you’ve ever received. More...

Field Trip: Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine and the Brazos Animal Shelter
The Brazos Animal Shelter does not have a staff veterinarian, but through a partnership with Texas A&M University, veterinary students provide crucial medical care to shelter animals during all four years of their professional training. More...

Off Leash: Letting the Cat Out of the Bag
Taking after the incredibly popular PostSecret.com, Nikki Moustaki has created a website where pets (and their owners) can spill their juiciest secrets. More...

The "101" Department: Tooling Around
High-tech gear is changing the face of animal control, but is it just “boys and their toys”? More...

People Power: Solving a Multiplication Problem
Find out how one nonprofit group is making a difference in the lives of feral cats in West Virginia. More...

The Few, the Proud, the Animal Control Officers
While it hasn't always had the prettiest history, the animal control field has become far more professional, progressive, and humane over the years. More...

Feeling the Pinch
With budgets falling victim to the “perfect storm” of the bad economy, animal shelter directors are scrambling to survive the fallout. More...

Mouthpieces: Take a Closer Look at That Doggie in the Window
This installment of MouthPieces offers valuable information that you can pass along to the public about puppy mills. More...

Saving Lives in the Gulf Coast
A groundbreaking spay/neuter initiative spells hope for homeless animals nationwide. More...

Shelter Medicine: The Best Medicine
Upper respiratory infections in cats are an ongoing challenge for shelter staff seeking to keep their kitties healthy and adoptable. Brenda Griffin, D.V.M., lays the groundwork for an approach to keep cats wheeze-free. More...

Out of Control, Into Compassion
Progressive agencies are changing the way animal control does business, reconciling the need to protect the public with the goal of saving animals’ lives. More...

To the Rescue: Back from the Brink
A severely neglected mare whose condition upon being discovered was "not compatible with life" shows amazing spirit and makes an incredible recovery. More...

Show Me the Money: Making the Most of the Dog Days of Summer
Find out how a Michigan shelter tees up a profitable annual golf outing fundraiser. More...

Show Me the Money: The Art of the Matter
California fundraiser aims to grow a more humane community. More...

Climbing the Ladder
Animal shelters have come a long way, largely due to the ever-increasing professional experience and qualifications of the folks who run them. If you want to make a lifelong career of sheltering, if you hope to gradually climb the ladder from scooping poop and walking dogs to guiding the direction of an organization, it’s not enough to simply love animals—you must develop your skills. Here’s how to do it. More...

People Power: Sheila and Mike Luff
A Mississippi couple work to root out dogfighting in their neighborhood. More...

Field Trip: Animal Kind International
Animal Kind International is a nonprofit organization that raises money and distributes it to animal welfare organizations in developing countries. More...

A Big New Voice for Shelter Animals
The Ad Council partners with The HSUS and Maddie’s Fund in an unprecedented national campaign to spotlight shelter adoption. More...

Off Leash: Is "Bird" the Word?
Good with words? Enjoy brain teasers? Have a dictionary (or Google) handy? Then you're going to enjoy matching wits with our animal welfare-themed crossword puzzle. More...

Wild Things: Woodpeckers
Learn more about these industrious arboreal birds. More...

Q & A: Marketing Change
Mike Arms draws on the experience of a nearly 40-year career in animal welfare to talk about how shelters can better promote their pets. More...

The Chips on Our Shoulders
Study indicates ongoing issues with microchipping— but some scanners do better than others More...

To the Rescue: Facing the Flames
Wildfires don't deter animal control supervisor from saving hundreds of pets, livestock More...

And Then What Happened?
Study examines animal health and behavior post-adoption. More...

Coffee Break: Your Most Difficult Field Rescue Operation
In your space, you told us about your most difficult and interesting field rescues. Many of you mentioned animals trapped in unusual places, some of you mentioned hoarding incidents, others dealt with unusual species. More...

Creature Feature: Too Cute for the Room?
Chinchillas are insanely cute—and that can prove to be a problem if infatuated new owners fail to research the exotic rodents’ substantial care needs. Learn what’s out and what’s in when it comes to advising someone on adopting a chin. More...

Better with Age
Shelters match senior animals to the similarly well-seasoned More...

Volunteer Management: Building a Successful Volunteer Program
Animal shelters are often so desperate for volunteers to offset their small budgets that their volunteer programs are developed quickly, with very little structure or planning. A more successful approach is to step back, slow down, and plan a volunteer program in a series of building blocks, in order to prevent major problems and support healthy growth. More...

The "101" Department: Strength in Numbers
The idea of animal welfare organizations working together harmoniously might seem like a pipe dream, but groups around the country are forming coalitions to work toward the common goal of saving animals’ lives. Learn what these alliances have achieved, and how the groups in your community can lay down their arms and join hands. More...

MouthPieces: What's With All the Questions?
This installment of MouthPieces offers valuable information that you can pass along to the public about the adoption process. More...

Shelter Medicine: Handling Large Scale Raids
Animals brought to shelters in mass numbers don't just come from animal hoarders. They may also arrive from raids on puppy mills, pet shops, or illegal animal shipments, or be victims of natural or manmade disasters. All shelters should have a plan in place for handling the influx when such situations occur. More...

Feline Good
There's a growing movement in shelters around the country to provide innovative enrichment programs to their feline residents, putting kitties on par—for the first time, in many cases—with dogs and the quality of care they’ve long received. Want to get in on the trend? It starts with shelter staff, volunteers, and potential pet adopters changing their overall understanding of cats. More...

Shelter Population Index Survey
More...

Creature Feature: Turtle Trackers
When highway construction and development threaten to wipe out box turtle populations, The HSUS and other advocates help these slowpokes stay one step ahead of the bulldozers. More...

Helping Workplaces Go To the Dogs
Dogs at Work: A Practical Guide to Creating Dog-Friendly Workplaces, a new book published by The HSUS, explains why dogs at work can be good for employees’ souls as well as the organization’s bottom line. More...

Coffee Break: Your Favorite Service or Program Provided to the Public
In your space, you told us about your favorite service or program that your organization provides to the public, and why you think it’s important. More...

Nominate a Dog for a Valor Award
Did a dog from your shelter act heroically to save a person in need? Have you heard about a dog who gallantly rose to action in the face of danger? Help us recognize these courageous canines by nominating a heroic dog for a Dog of Valor Award. More...

MouthPieces: You see a Teflon pan. Your bird sees Hannibal Lecter.
This installment of MouthPieces offers valuable information that you can pass along to the public about common household dangers for pet birds. More...

The Behavior Department: Enriching a Shelter Dog’s Experience
Making a shelter dog’s life richer can be as simple as smearing some peanut butter on a rubber toy. Even if you’re pressed for time, there are easy ways to spice up your dogs’ daily routines through environmental enrichment. More...

The "101" Department: Shiny Happy Pooches
Dogs don’t ask for a lot of grooming, but the potential adopters visiting your shelter probably prefer a well-tended pooch to a matted stinkball. Here are some basic tips for making your pups look presentable. More...

Field Trip: Washington Animal Rescue League
Learn about the Washington Animal Rescue League's newly renovated facility, beneficial partnerships with other animal welfare groups, bustling medical center, and more. More...

Working for Change in the Caribbean
The tourists’ dream of sun-filled beaches in Puerto Rico masks the harsh reality of neglect and abuse for many of the island’s animals. More...

Wild Things: Moles
To the consternation of many homeowners, the tunneling handiwork of moles disrupts the sight lines of lawns manicured to perfection and can make mowing a trial. Our wildlife expert offers tips on dealing with these creatues effectively and humanely. More...

People Power: Operation Roger
Inspired by a desire to help pets stranded by Hurricane Kartrina, truck driver Sue Wiese founded Operation Roger, a nonprofit initiative that uses truck drivers to move pets from animal shelters and rescue groups to new permanent homes. More...

Q & A: The March of His Penguin
Berkeley Breathed, the cartoonist and children’s book author who gave us Bloom County, chats about the animals in his life, his support for Proposition 2 and other animal welfare causes, and the recent retirement of Opus the Penguin. More...

Show Me the Money: Cruising Cockers
A cocker spaniel rescue group finds its annual "canine cruise" to be a successful fundraiser that is easy to plan and boosts the morale of the organization's volunteers. 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...

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...

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.

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...

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...

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

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...

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...

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

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 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...

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...

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...

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

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...

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

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...

Animal Control Management: A Guide for Local Governments
This book offers information about funding, structuring, and running an effective animal care and control program that protects both citizens and animals. 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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

2006 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 is now available. More...

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

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Bachelor's Degree in Humane Leadership
Humane Society University and Duquesne University's School of Leadership and Professional Advancement have developed an online Bachelor of Science degree program with a major in Humane Leadership. The accelerated program is designed for individuals working in animal care and control facilities across the United States and is intended to provide targeted, specific knowledge that will support their career goals in animal advocacy and shelter management. Duquesne Univeristy is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. 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...

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...