Areas of Study in Shelter Medicine
An Association of Shelter Veterinarians (ASV) task force defined the key areas of study for shelter medicine. These topics are essential to the work of the shelter veterinarian and are similar to the framework of content included for Board Certification in Shelter Medicine which is through the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP)
Animal Behavior
- General Principles
- Treatment Plans
- Behavioral Evaluations
- Enrichment
Business and Leadership
- Non profit management
- Understanding Budgeting
Epidemiology
- Outbreak Investigation and Response
- Population Management
- Capacity for Care
- Statistics to Assess Impacts of Policy
Euthanasia
- Technical Aspects
- Grief Counseling
- Compassion Fatigue
- Ethical, Legal and Policy Aspects
History and Philosophy of Animal Shelters
- Understanding of Different Shelter Models
- Adoption Programs
- Role of Rescues
- Resources for Personnel
- Shelter Management Software
- Public Relations
- Transport Programs
Humane Education
- Community Education about Pet Ownership, Preventative Health Care and Population Control
Legal and Policy Issues
- Anti-cruelty Laws
- National Statutes
- Veterinary Forensics
- Animal Welfare
Medicine
- Infectious Disease Pathogenesis and Prevention
- Quarantine Procedures
- Diagnosis and Treatment of individual animals
Preventative Care
- Vaccinations: General Principles
- Principles of Herd and Maternal Immunity
- Prophylactic Regimes
Public Health
- Rabies and Other Zoonotic Diseases
- Education and Outreach
- Animal Hoarding
- Disaster Planning
Reproductive Control and Surgical Expertise
- High-volume/High-quality Spay/Neuter Techniques
- Prepubertal Sterilization
- Feral Cat Sterilization
- Understanding of Developments in Immunocontraception and Chemical Contraception
Welfare in the Shelter Environment
- Role of Quality of Life
- Welfare Assessments for Shelters and Sanctuaries