To practice more effective shelter medicine, we need competence, confidence, and community. The new UC Davis KSMP California Shelter Medicine Fellowship is a year-long collaborative engagement opportunity designed to strengthen all three. If you’re a California veterinarian who’s been working in or with an animal shelter for five years or less, this program will help you:

• Gain practical tools for immediate impact: You’ll receive hands-on resources and guides–including sample pathway planning and disease prevention and treatment protocols–that prepare you to tackle pressing challenges and improve care delivery in your shelter.
• Activate essential relationship-building skills: You’ll deepen your communication, conflict resolution, and resilience within a shelter medicine context.
• Join a supportive community and invest in your career at no cost: This professional development program is free for you and your shelter, removing barriers to growing your skillset.

When and where:

The Fellowship year will kick off September 9-12, 2025, in Davis with an in-person workshop and orientation event. Weekly one-hour virtual meetings and regional field trips will follow. 

Thanks to generous support from KSMP donors, the UC Davis KSMP California Shelter Medicine Fellowship is completely free to you and your shelter. All program costs and travel expenses will be covered.

This fellowship might be for you if:

• You’re a California veterinarian who’s been working in or with an animal shelter for five years or less.
• You’re ready to collaborate with a small group of peers who share your commitment to shelter medicine, curiosity, and compassion for humans and animals.
• You want practical tools to expand your shelter medicine expertise and navigate challenging situations while exploring what holds you—and your shelter—back from achieving shared goals.
• You’re ready to dig into critical topics at the heart of shelter medicine, like the pros and cons of euthanasia decision-making models.
• You believe that meaningful change is possible. The focus of this fellowship isn’t to solve every challenge facing your shelter, but to guide you in identifying your sphere of influence and an area of focus that speaks to you.

How to apply: 

Complete this short application by July 18. Email clkarsten@ucdavis.edu with any questions.