Shelters can face an array of interconnected challenges in trying to move animals most swiftly to the best outcome: too many animals in the shelter at once, disease outbreaks, low staff morale and high turnover, communication breakdowns, outdated and inequitable policies, and more.

Our Outreach Team (OT) includes dedicated shelter veterinarians with years of consulting experience and an RVT and former shelter manager whose resume includes leading a remarkable turnaround at a California municipal animal services department. We can help you evaluate your symptoms, craft a treatment plan, and act with purpose and intention in uncertain times.

Our approach starts with listening and asking questions to get to the heart of shelter team goals—and what’s standing in the way. What are your challenges? Who are the stakeholders? What have you tried already and how did it go?

Every day, our coaches work alongside shelters to maximize resources and implement protocols and practices that achieve the changes they want to see: better care for every animal, workplace culture that builds staff well-being, more support for keeping animals and people together, and stronger relationships with community members and partners.

[The Outreach team] have been the reason why we are able to be successful…Their knowledge and experience is helping us craft the appropriate policies and processes that mirror the diversity of our community and allow us to tailor our programs for that diversity.

Alma Torres, Director, Fresno Animal Center

In addition to working directly with shelters, mostly in California, members of the Outreach Team participate in the University of Wisconsin Shelter Medicine Fellowship, serve on the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners, speak at conferences, lead workshops, participate in panel discussions, and serve as advisory committee members and high-volume, high quality spay/neuter and community clinic practitioners in their communities.

2024 OT speaking engagements include presentations at University of Georgia Shelter Medicine Symposium, Humane Canada’s Summit for Animals, HSUS Animal Care Expo, and the Colorado Animal Welfare Conference.

Partial list of shelters we’ve worked with