ASV Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters
In 2010, the ASV published the Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters. Its impact has been enormous. The guidelines cover physical, medical and behavioural needs of shelter animals, and are an essential resource for every animal shelter. The ASPCA and ASV have created a series of webinars, each highlighting a section of the guidelines.
Rescue Group Best Practices Guide
An exciting milestone for 2015 was the publication of the Rescue Group Best Practices Guide by the HSUS and PetSmart Charities® . This comprehensive document covers:
- Organizational standards
- Animal care standards
- Operational standards
- Community building
Like other Standards and Guides, this guide provides a compass and a benchmark, and will lead to improvements in rescue practices and accountability.
ASPCA Position Statement on Responsibilities of Animal Shelters
Also in 2015, the ASPCA released a new Position Statement on Responsibilities of Animal Shelters . The statement outlines best practices as well as those that “are or should be mandated by law”. Main topics:
- Providing necessary and appropriate animal care in shelters
- Expanding adoption and live release opportunities
- Optimizing return to owner
- Transparency in sheltering
- Minimizing euthanasia
Alberta VMA Best Management Practices for Animal Shelter and Rescue
The Alberta Veterinary Medical Association created a Best Management Practices for Animal Shelter and Rescue in the Province of Alberta. This is really more of a policy statement, and has the advantage of being brief and accessible.