ASV Guidelines & Shelter Checklists

The Association of Shelter Veterinarians (ASV) has published the second edition of the Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters, helping those working in or with shelters to meet the housing, husbandry, medical, and behavioral needs of animals in their care.  Like the original, the Second Edition is written for all personnel caring for shelter animals in a variety of settings, including foster-based organizations, nonprofit humane societies and SPCAs, municipal animal services facilities, and sanctuaries. 

The ASV has also created a supplementary checklist tool to help shelters measure themselves against items recommended (or not recommended) in the 2022 edition of the guidelines. This checklist will help shelters to prioritize and advocate for needed changes, when identified.