"Animal shelter medicine," or simply "shelter medicine," historically refers to veterinary practices used to manage the health of animal populations handled by municipal animal shelters (“pounds”) and private animal welfare or adoption agencies.
Since the term "shelter medicine" first came into use, the definition has expanded to include many activities in furtherance of animal welfare, public health, and the health of owned animals in the community that might not otherwise receive veterinary care, including the following:
outreach clinics that provide care for owned, at-risk animals
trap-neuter-vaccinate-return programs (also known as return-to-field or trap-neuter-release programs) for free-roaming community animals (both dogs and cats)
grassroots, foster-based rescue organizations
animal sanctuaries
support for pet owners via food banks and other services
assistance for domestic violence programs by including animals in safety planning for survivors
animal cruelty investigative support services (veterinary forensics)
Some animal-sheltering organizations also provide technical rescue services for imperiled animals (eg, animals stranded on thin ice or cats in trees) and rehabilitative care for orphaned, ill, or injured wildlife.
An animal shelter may exclusively serve a local population of animals, or shelters may develop partnership programs to move animals from geographical areas where available animals outstrip available adoptive homes to communities with a perceived shortage of adoptable animals.
Shelters may have in-house clinics to offer low-cost care to animals belonging to individuals in financial need, or they may have outreach mobile programs focused on spay and neuter services that visit various segments of the community.
Shelter medicine is a recognized discipline. The American Board of Veterinary Practitioners offers specialty accreditation for the motivated and dedicated shelter veterinarian, and the Association of Shelter Veterinarians publishes the Journal of Shelter Medicine and Community Animal Health.
Veterinarians may work in animal sheltering facilities, or they may offer services to animal shelters through their practice. Some veterinarians enter into a "veterinarian of record" relationship with a shelter, which benefits both parties. The shelter receives expert medical oversight, infectious disease prevention services, and surgical services; and the veterinarian enjoys additional income, client referrals, and the satisfaction of supporting community animal welfare.
Activities under the umbrella of shelter medicine vary widely, and no single organization can be all things to all animals and people. The focus of a shelter's programs may be guided by a municipal mandate or a board of directors with a mission defined by a strategic plan. The management of animal populations in brick-and-mortar shelter facilities requires the veterinarian—in collaboration with the facility management—to meet the health and behavioral needs of each individual animal while also monitoring and maintaining health at a population level.
Key Points
Shelter medicine has evolved to include a wide range of community-outreach animal welfare programs, including wellness and preventive medicine clinics, trap-neuter-vaccinate-return programs, disaster response planning, and support services for pet owners.
Shelter medicine is a recognized, distinct veterinary specialty accredited by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners.
The practice of shelter medicine requires balancing individual animal care with population-level health management, in accordance with available resources, organizational missions or mandates, and local community needs.
For More Information
Guidelines for standards of care in animal shelters, 2nd ed. Association of Shelter Veterinarians.
Certification in ABVP Shelter Medicine Practice. American Board of Veterinary Practitioners.
Journal of Shelter Medicine and Community Animal Health. Association of Shelter Veterinarians.
Free Veterinarian of Record (VOR) program. Shelters United.
