Getting a Grip on Infectious Diseases
A new manual helps shelters battle the common problem of infection control. More...

These Boots are Made for Protectin'
When OSHA charged a New York shelter with violations, Executive Director Kathy Contino-Turner got a crash course in safety compliance. More...

Shelter Medicine: Hands Down, Feet First, Clean Clothing Not Optional
You may be vaccinating by the book, but dirty hands, feet, and clothing can negate all that hard work. Dr. Kate Hurley offers tips on how to clean up your act. More...

Disinfection Connection
Our disinfection primer will help you choose the right disinfectants for your facility and implement an effective disease control program. More...

Salmonella Outbreaks Traced to Vet Clinics and Animal Shelters
Incidents demonstrate need for better sanitation and more crossreporting between animal and public health communities More...

Spot-Cleaning a Cat Cage
For years shelter experts and veterinarians have emphasized the importance of daily disinfection of cat cages—and for good reason. With the constant arrivals and departures of seemingly half the animal kingdom, shelters are busier than international airports. More...

Learning to Cope With Big Bad Bugs
Vaccine study finds coughing increases with longer kennel stays. Disease study finds shelters aren’t the root source of viruses—but certainly help them along. More...

Virulent Systemic Feline Calicivirus: A Case Study
Researchers trace origins of the disease in one California community and recommend effective prevention strategies. More...

How to Clean Kennel Items
It’s important to clean not only the kennel itself but everything inside: the litter box, the toys, the food bowls, and the blankets, all of which can be cozy breeding grounds for the formidable microenemies that lead to harmful and sometimes life-threatening diseases. More...

ShelterSpeak: Kitty Litter
What kind of kitty litter do you use? Where do you get it, and do you mix donated litters? What kind do the cats in your shelter seem to like best, and which is the cleanest? More...

Safety Check: Tips for Avoiding Poisonous Potions
Animal caretakers need to be aware of what chemicals commonly used in the shelter can be poisonous when mixed together. 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...

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...

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...