Just as a physical examination includes an evaluation of all body systems in the context of the animal's history and the owner's goals and expectations, a complete shelter health assessment should include information about the shelter’s mission and specific goals for the assessment. The goal of the evaluation should be to improve the shelter’s ability to achieve their overall mission as well as improving shelter animal health and well being. In this context, systems to be evaluated would potentially include:

• Statistical analysis and tracking
• Population management
• Isolation and segregation
• Intake process
• Parasite control
• Vaccination
• Veterinary services
  • On-site veterinary services vs. dependency on community clinics
  • Adequacy of hours/services
  • Standard surgical practices
  • Disease recognition and diagnosis
  • Treatment for common diseases
• Nutrition/feeding
• Euthanasia (process and procedure)
• Kennel cleaning
• Cleaning other areas (common areas, vehicles, dishes, etc.)
• Cat and dog housing
• Cat and dog enrichment/stress management
• Behavior evaluation

Some shelters may require a very focused analysis based on solving a specific challenge or responding to a particular opportunity, from controlling an outbreak of ringworm to developing new housing for cats. Shelters may specifically request assistance with facility design as they plan for a new or expanded structure. Some shelters may request a full shelter health evaluation encompassing all of the above areas. Sometimes this happens in response to external or internal criticism, or following a disaster or some kind, but increasingly this is also requested in response to a major opportunity for change (e.g. a shelter has funding opportunity and would like to spend it to best effect) or “prophylactically” to ensure best policies and practices. Formal shelter health consultations are a powerful tool to change the outcome for literally thousands of animals that pass through the shelters benefitting from this service. In addition, much is learned from each consultation: shelter staff and management learn from our report and recommendations; veterinary students and residents learn about shelter operations and needs; and we at the shelter medicine program learn with each consultation how to make this service more effective. A focus of our shelter medicine program will include shelter health assessments. The scope of these assessments may vary and may include:

• Review of written protocols or shelter design plans
• Self-assessment for shelters via a web-based tool
• Extensive site visit and observations