Just before the holidays, the Association of Shelter Veterinarians (ASV) shared big news and a big gift that we can turn to 2023 and beyond: the second edition of the Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters is here!

Three years in the making, the new edition incorporates updates based on the growing body of animal sheltering science and recommendations rooted in practical experience. Ultimately, the Guidelines seek to provide:

• a set of common standards for the care and welfare of companion animals in shelters based on scientific evidence and expert consensus.
• guidance that helps animal welfare organizations reduce overcrowding, stress, disease, and improve safety.
• a tool for animal welfare organizations and communities to assess and improve their shelters.
• references for creating regulations and statutes around sheltering, and benchmarks for organizational change.
• guidance for animal housing in existing facilities and priorities for the design of new construction.
• a living document that responds to developments in shelter medicine and animal care research and practice.

While retaining the core goals of the Guidelines and emphasizing standards of care within shelter walls, the authorship task force also recognized the need to incorporate a broader, community-centered perspective.

“We worked hard to consider implications on community well-being, other stakeholders and staff,” Chumkee Aziz, DVM, said. “Our hope is that the Guidelines provide shelters with updated standards in animal sheltering, while encouraging shelters to also focus on equitably supporting their community and keeping pets in homes.”