Veterinary expertise. Shelter results.

Our Capacity Action Team (CAT) includes board-certified vets and seasoned shelter leaders, with a track record of transformation. Backed by UC Davis and decades of shelter data, our animal-centered approach helps you solve problems.

Every consultation is rooted in Capacity for Care (C4C). C4C is a proven model that improves health and well-being, reduces euthanasia, and balances community need with community and shelter capacity and services to ensure that all animals receive the care that is right for them, while prioritizing Right Care and wellness for teams too.

Shelter Medicine Skill-Building

Setting Up Veterinarians and Shelters for Success in Four Foundational Areas

HQHVSN Team Support: High-quality, high-volume spay/neuter is a vital part of any community’s approach to improving animal health and protecting public health, particularly when it comes to community cats. When provided consistently and strategically, it reduces disease risk, overpopulation and shelter intake. We will work with you to optimize or jumpstart HQHVSN at your shelter.

Facility Use/Housing Concepts: Layout, ventilation, housing–We will help you get these right so your facility will be set up to provide a shelter experience that minimizes stress for animals and people, enhancing health and well-being.

Capacity for Care (C4C)/Pathway Planning: Find the fastest route to the Right Outcome for every animal, every time. We will work with your team to assess animal flow, remove bottlenecks, and improve decision-making and cross-team communication–all to reduce length of stay at your shelter and get animals where they need to go faster.  

Shelter Medicine Protocols: We will work with you to create protocols that allow your team to provide consistent humane care every day, and to respond to emergencies or difficult situations by defaulting to the best process with confidence. 

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We start by listening. Then we co-create strategies tailored to your goals, your staff, your community, and your reality.

[The Outreach team] has 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

Connect with Us in the Wild

KSMP “Shelter Medicine Times” Newsletter: sign up here

Conference Appearances

Upcoming conference appearances

Recent appearances:

• Pacific Northwest Veterinary Conference
• Australian Getting to Zero Summit
• New Mexico Humane Conference
• AVMA American Veterinary Medical Association
• CVMA Pacific Veterinary Conference (PacVet)
• UGA Shelter Symposium
• Humane Canada
• HSUS Expo
• Colorado Animal Welfare Conference

Webinars/Shelter Med Live

Upcoming Online Events

Recordings of recent webinars/Shelter Med Live events:

Before Four Weeks: Updated Vaccination Recommendations for Neonatal Puppies and Kittens – Dr. Sandra Newbury and Dr. Kate Hurley

Effective, Efficient, Economical: How to Step Up Your Sanitation Game – Cynthia Karsten, DVM, and Dave Hachey

Breathing Space: Controlling Canine Respiratory Disease Amid Shelter Crowding – Chumkee Aziz, DVM, DABVP (Shelter Medicine Practice)

Community Cat Programs: Legally Upheld, Vet-Approved, and the
Most Humane Option for Free-Roaming Cats (07/10/2025) – Dr. Kate Hurley, Julianna Tetlow, Bruce Wagman (Requires registration)

Redefining the Gold Standard: Making Veterinary Care Accessible for All – Dr. Jennifer Bennett, Dr. Sarah Mantovani and Kelly Bremken, MSSW (Shelter Learniverse)

Find out about upcoming webinars and Shelter Med Live events on our Shelter Learniverse site

Social Media/Email Listservs we contribute to

• California Shelter Veterinarians Facebook group: tinyurl.com/fb-cal-vet-group
• CalAnimals email list: calanimals@googlegroups.com
• CalVets email list: casheltervets@googlegroups.com