Best Practices for Shelters

When the Association of Shelter Veterinarians (ASV) developed the Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters in 2010 as research-based guidelines to provide sheltering operations standards to meet the physical, medical, and behavioral needs of the animals in their care, it was controversial. Prior to this publication there was no comprehensive guidance or standards. We have since learned that these standards, though revolutionary when introduced, are accepted now as minimum standards. Research-based improvements are being developed at an exceptional rate that build upon these minimum standards and are published in professional journals or are often communicated to shelter staff through webinars.

Shelters in Michigan are licensed and inspected by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. Regulations and standards for inspection are minimal.