I am a volunteer at my local animal shelter. The shelter that I volunteer at does not utilize behavioral medications for animals that are struggling (other than the occasional CBD chew). After watching webcasts here on maddies' fund, reading shelter studies, and my own experience with my own pets and previous experience working as a vet assistant, I see the benefit they can provide to some animals to decrease their stress and anxiety and help prevent deterioration for long stay dogs. I haven't felt comfortable bringing this up to staff as a volunteer, but a long stay dog was recently euthanized for some escalating jumpy/mouthy behavior who I feel would have benefited from anxiolytics
(honestly, I feel like if they had tried her on trazodone and/or gabapentin and possibly fluoxetine in conjuction, she would still be alive).  I am compiling information to present to the shelter director recommending behavioral medications for appropriate dogs and cats. I have a number of shelter studies on the subject that I've printed out as well as some example protocols from other shelters and veterinarians. 

Can anyone provide me with advice for how to tactfully bring this up to shelter management as a volunteer? Or if you have integrated behavioral medications, how you integrated that into your shelter? I don't want to offend the shelter vet or the staff.

Thanks!

This is sort of a touchy one, isn't it? I'll be interested to see the various replies. I've read a bit of the current research, and intellectually understand the potential benefits; however, because of experiencing what a nearby shelter appeared to be doing (perhaps overusing gaba to calm and quiet dogs and cats) not disclosing the dosing to adopters who were expecting a calm seeming dog only to have it change radically when getting into a home with no Gabapentin being administered, I have real concerns. Just drugging the animals doesn't cure them - behavior mods and training need to be used and full transparency to the adopters effected. At least in my experience.

Hi,

Medications can certainly help to reduce the stress of staying in the shelter.  I recommend approaching mgmt with a question... i feel that that has better results than starting with sharing lots of info which might go well, but can also make people defensive.

So, i'd approach by saying... You watched 'x' webcast which seems to help improve welfare while waiting for a foster or adoptive home.  And that you learned that Dr. Sheila Segurson, a veterinary behaviorist at Maddie's Fund, is able to provide free consultation support to their shelter vets about individual cases. Here's a link to for them to submit an inquiry: https://www.maddiesfund.org/behavior-and-foster-care-consulting.htm

Sometimes vets aren't super confident with behavior meds cos they didn't receive training about it. I've found that my support can be helpful cos they have  someone they trust that they can ask questions.   

My consultations almost always end up being a collaborative effort with Kelly Duer (foster and marketing) and I.  I help on the behavior and welfare side of things, and help to get Kelly's foot in the door. Cos focusing on getting them out the door is just as if not more important than behavior meds. 

Sheila