Animal Welfare Professionals

I am in start up for doing a shelter/adoption program for cats with feline leukemia (FeLV).  I am looking at different software programs available and have read posts here about different types of recordkeeping.  Are there currently any programs that capture animals for recordkeeping for their medical (to include conditions, records of when came to the shelter and where they came from, etc) as well as also offers a side that you can track your donations and financials?  Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated!!! 

#DataandTechnology

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Leigh-Anna Bailey
Forest City, NC
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We just looked into updating our shelter software to move from an ancient, custom Microsoft Access Database to a modern shelter management cloud software.

These are the different programs we looked at

Petstablished	Free Gold Account	petstablished.com
Shelter Buddy	Fixed plus monthly support fee	shelterbuddy.com
Shelterluv	$2 per adoption	shelterluv.com/
Shelter Pro	$1000+/year	shelterpro.com
PetPoint	1 Time Onboarding Fee + Microchip purchase	petpoint.com
AnimalsFirst	Not listed	animalsfirst.com
SAINT	Free w/microchip purchase	getsaint.com
Animal Shelter Manager	$350/year	sheltermanager.com
RescueGroups	$175/year	rescuegroups.org

Most of the programs have the ability to enter people (I.E. donors) but do not have the ability to properly track donations and donor records/reports.  If you just want to list your donor's name and contact info, and segment them into a donor list, some of them can do that.  If you want to be on top of recording donations, how they are allocated, tying donors and donations to specific events or funds, tracking thank yous and notifications, etc. none of these databases will do that, you're better off going with a separate donor database like Little Green Light.

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Jeff Okazaki
Humane Society of Jefferson County
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Awesome - thank you!!!

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Leigh-Anna Bailey
Forest City, NC
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-15-2023 09:35 AM
From: Jeff Okazaki
Subject: Looking for software for new shelter

We just looked into updating our shelter software to move from an ancient, custom Microsoft Access Database to a modern shelter management cloud software.

These are the different programs we looked at

Petstablished	Free Gold Account	petstablished.com
Shelter Buddy	Fixed plus monthly support fee	shelterbuddy.com
Shelterluv	$2 per adoption	shelterluv.com/
Shelter Pro	$1000+/year	shelterpro.com
PetPoint	1 Time Onboarding Fee + Microchip purchase	petpoint.com
AnimalsFirst	Not listed	animalsfirst.com
SAINT	Free w/microchip purchase	getsaint.com
Animal Shelter Manager	$350/year	sheltermanager.com
RescueGroups	$175/year	rescuegroups.org

Most of the programs have the ability to enter people (I.E. donors) but do not have the ability to properly track donations and donor records/reports.  If you just want to list your donor's name and contact info, and segment them into a donor list, some of them can do that.  If you want to be on top of recording donations, how they are allocated, tying donors and donations to specific events or funds, tracking thank yous and notifications, etc. none of these databases will do that, you're better off going with a separate donor database like Little Green Light.

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Jeff Okazaki
Humane Society of Jefferson County
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Jeff, did you switch to a new system?  If so, were you able to transfer your Access records over?  I'm asking because we use Access too and are looking to switch to something different.  Thank you. 

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Toni Naeser
Volunteer/Board Member
Northern Chautauqua Canine Rescue
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 02-15-2023 09:35 AM
From: Jeff Okazaki
Subject: Looking for software for new shelter

We just looked into updating our shelter software to move from an ancient, custom Microsoft Access Database to a modern shelter management cloud software.

These are the different programs we looked at

Petstablished	Free Gold Account	petstablished.com
Shelter Buddy	Fixed plus monthly support fee	shelterbuddy.com
Shelterluv	$2 per adoption	shelterluv.com/
Shelter Pro	$1000+/year	shelterpro.com
PetPoint	1 Time Onboarding Fee + Microchip purchase	petpoint.com
AnimalsFirst	Not listed	animalsfirst.com
SAINT	Free w/microchip purchase	getsaint.com
Animal Shelter Manager	$350/year	sheltermanager.com
RescueGroups	$175/year	rescuegroups.org

Most of the programs have the ability to enter people (I.E. donors) but do not have the ability to properly track donations and donor records/reports.  If you just want to list your donor's name and contact info, and segment them into a donor list, some of them can do that.  If you want to be on top of recording donations, how they are allocated, tying donors and donations to specific events or funds, tracking thank yous and notifications, etc. none of these databases will do that, you're better off going with a separate donor database like Little Green Light.

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Jeff Okazaki
Humane Society of Jefferson County
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RescueOps is a newer software with donations and donor tracking as a first class item in the program.  😊

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Jessica Potting
Founder
RescueOps
OH
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 02-15-2023 09:35 AM
From: Jeff Okazaki
Subject: Looking for software for new shelter

We just looked into updating our shelter software to move from an ancient, custom Microsoft Access Database to a modern shelter management cloud software.

These are the different programs we looked at

Petstablished	Free Gold Account	petstablished.com
Shelter Buddy	Fixed plus monthly support fee	shelterbuddy.com
Shelterluv	$2 per adoption	shelterluv.com/
Shelter Pro	$1000+/year	shelterpro.com
PetPoint	1 Time Onboarding Fee + Microchip purchase	petpoint.com
AnimalsFirst	Not listed	animalsfirst.com
SAINT	Free w/microchip purchase	getsaint.com
Animal Shelter Manager	$350/year	sheltermanager.com
RescueGroups	$175/year	rescuegroups.org

Most of the programs have the ability to enter people (I.E. donors) but do not have the ability to properly track donations and donor records/reports.  If you just want to list your donor's name and contact info, and segment them into a donor list, some of them can do that.  If you want to be on top of recording donations, how they are allocated, tying donors and donations to specific events or funds, tracking thank yous and notifications, etc. none of these databases will do that, you're better off going with a separate donor database like Little Green Light.

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Jeff Okazaki
Humane Society of Jefferson County
------------------------------

We use ShelterLuv. It's easy, inexpensive, and we've received over $4000 in donations since we implemented their payment program ShelterPay. It tracks everything we need for the animals and the people (surrenders, adopters, donors, volunteers, fosters, transport partners). It could be better at providing the amount of total donations each person makes. We have several recurring donors and we have to total up their amounts each year rather than the software just giving a total amount. 

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Renee Milner
Facebook page volunteer
Animal shelter alliance of Rhea
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Hi, we are in the process of building a new shelter in Uvalde, Texas.  We will house both our non profit rescue and the City Animal Control.  I'm interested in following this thread as we have no software at the moment.  We will need something that supports our nonprofit side (intake, adoptions, fosters, donations) and Animal Control (intake, reclaim, rescue, etc).  Would love to hear everyone's thoughts.  Remember we are a small shelter.  The new shelter will house about 50 dogs and 30 cats. 

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Kelley Kimble
President
Briscoe Animal Resource Center
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 02-22-2023 02:37 PM
From: Renee Milner
Subject: Looking for software for new shelter

We use ShelterLuv. It's easy, inexpensive, and we've received over $4000 in donations since we implemented their payment program ShelterPay. It tracks everything we need for the animals and the people (surrenders, adopters, donors, volunteers, fosters, transport partners). It could be better at providing the amount of total donations each person makes. We have several recurring donors and we have to total up their amounts each year rather than the software just giving a total amount. 

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Renee Milner
Facebook page volunteer
Animal shelter alliance of Rhea
------------------------------

Hey Kelley, 

I hope you find my response to Leigh-Anna's post beneficial for your new shelter as well. We have the functionality to help support both your nonfit side as well as the Animal Control side. We have different modules built into one system that can be used together if needed. These modules include FosterSpace, a Companion Case Management module that can be used to help track adoptions, organize intake forms, etc. We also just launched our Doobert Forward store and when you sign up your organization on Doobert you will be added to the list of organizations consumers can donate 5% of their purchases. 

I hope this helps and if you have any questions, please let me know! 

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Kimberly Ruiz
Project Coordinator
Doobert
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 02-23-2023 06:51 AM
From: Kelley Kimble
Subject: Looking for software for new shelter

Hi, we are in the process of building a new shelter in Uvalde, Texas.  We will house both our non profit rescue and the City Animal Control.  I'm interested in following this thread as we have no software at the moment.  We will need something that supports our nonprofit side (intake, adoptions, fosters, donations) and Animal Control (intake, reclaim, rescue, etc).  Would love to hear everyone's thoughts.  Remember we are a small shelter.  The new shelter will house about 50 dogs and 30 cats. 

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Kelley Kimble
President
Briscoe Animal Resource Center
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 02-22-2023 02:37 PM
From: Renee Milner
Subject: Looking for software for new shelter

We use ShelterLuv. It's easy, inexpensive, and we've received over $4000 in donations since we implemented their payment program ShelterPay. It tracks everything we need for the animals and the people (surrenders, adopters, donors, volunteers, fosters, transport partners). It could be better at providing the amount of total donations each person makes. We have several recurring donors and we have to total up their amounts each year rather than the software just giving a total amount. 

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Renee Milner
Facebook page volunteer
Animal shelter alliance of Rhea

Hi, Kelley,

You should also take a look at AnimalsFirst, the most flexible, customizable animal data management software in the industry. It offers complete data management of intakes, adoptions, fosters, donations, as well as medical, community support, lost and found and more. They offer a module for Animal Control that allows you to keep case information private from other users and intake the animal to the non-profit if that's the result. 

I volunteer for a rescue in Colorado, and we switched to AnimalsFirst two years ago, and it has given us better data accuracy, an improved adopter experience, reduced workload, increase adopter communications and brought in remarkable donations! I joined the AnimalsFirst team after being a client, so I'd be happy to show you how we use it.

Linda

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Linda Lea
Big Bones Canine Rescue
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-27-2023 08:37 AM
From: Kimberly Ruiz
Subject: Looking for software for new shelter

Hey Kelley, 

I hope you find my response to Leigh-Anna's post beneficial for your new shelter as well. We have the functionality to help support both your nonfit side as well as the Animal Control side. We have different modules built into one system that can be used together if needed. These modules include FosterSpace, a Companion Case Management module that can be used to help track adoptions, organize intake forms, etc. We also just launched our Doobert Forward store and when you sign up your organization on Doobert you will be added to the list of organizations consumers can donate 5% of their purchases. 

I hope this helps and if you have any questions, please let me know! 

------------------------------
Kimberly Ruiz
Project Coordinator
Doobert
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 02-23-2023 06:51 AM
From: Kelley Kimble
Subject: Looking for software for new shelter

Hi, we are in the process of building a new shelter in Uvalde, Texas.  We will house both our non profit rescue and the City Animal Control.  I'm interested in following this thread as we have no software at the moment.  We will need something that supports our nonprofit side (intake, adoptions, fosters, donations) and Animal Control (intake, reclaim, rescue, etc).  Would love to hear everyone's thoughts.  Remember we are a small shelter.  The new shelter will house about 50 dogs and 30 cats. 

------------------------------
Kelley Kimble
President
Briscoe Animal Resource Center


Original Message:
Sent: 02-22-2023 02:37 PM
From: Renee Milner
Subject: Looking for software for new shelter

We use ShelterLuv. It's easy, inexpensive, and we've received over $4000 in donations since we implemented their payment program ShelterPay. It tracks everything we need for the animals and the people (surrenders, adopters, donors, volunteers, fosters, transport partners). It could be better at providing the amount of total donations each person makes. We have several recurring donors and we have to total up their amounts each year rather than the software just giving a total amount. 

------------------------------
Renee Milner
Facebook page volunteer
Animal shelter alliance of Rhea

Hi Leigh-Anna,
Firstly, congrats on the new program! That is wonderful news. 

Secondly, there are a ton of great programs out there that you can use but if you are looking for a program with more benefits and tools than just recordkeeping, Doobert's Companion Case Management module would be a great fit. Not only can you track the number of cats with FeLV within your program by having individual profiles but you can create different forms for potential adopters to fill out that would automatically create a case within the account, you can then do a number of different things from a specific case (text/email case contact directly from the dashboard, set up workflows to do the work for you, assign specific cats to cases and more). There is also a great reporting feature as well! The greatest part about CCM is you can do the majority of it on a Forever Free plan.  I'd be happy to jump on a demo with you to learn more about your program and how Doobert could potentially help make things a little easier for you. 

Feel free to schedule some time on my calendar or if you'd like to check out some of our CCM videos first I have linked a few below. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to let me know. We are excited for you and those sweet kitties to get your new program up and running!

Videos:
How to Manually Create a Case
How to Set Up Workflows
How to Transfer Cases

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Kimberly Ruiz
Project Coordinator
Doobert
------------------------------

Hello Leigh-Anna -  I'm Ryan, founder and CEO of GetBuddy.

Before starting the company, I spent years volunteering with rescues, fostering animals, and adopting pets myself. Like many of you, I became frustrated with rescue software that was expensive, outdated, and created more work than it eliminated.

That's why we built GetBuddy Pro.

GetBuddy Pro is a completely free rescue and shelter management platform that helps organizations manage the entire adoption process from a single system.

Features include:

• Adoption listings and syndication
• Custom adoption applications
• Applicant messaging and live chat
• Unified inbox for adopter communication
• Medical records and vaccination tracking
• Mobile app access for staff and volunteers
• AI-powered pet description writing
• AI pet-to-adopter matching
• AI veterinarian and trainer tools for post-adoption support
• Social media sharing tools

Unlike most rescue software, GetBuddy Pro is connected directly to GetBuddy.com, one of the largest pet adoption platforms in the country, helping rescues increase visibility and attract more qualified adopters.

A few things that make us different:

• Completely free forever
• No contracts or per-user fees
• Full migration and setup assistance
• Built specifically for rescues and shelters
• Independent Benefit Corporation, not owned by Mars, Nestlé, private equity, or a large conglomerate
• End-to-end platform supporting intake, adoption, and lifelong adopter support

We're currently working with thousands of rescues across the country and would be happy to provide a demo or help evaluate whether GetBuddy Pro could be a fit for your organization.

You can see how we compare to others here: Buddy Pro - Free Shelter Management Software for Rescues and Shelter

You can see a full walkthrough here: GetBuddy Pro Walkthrough - The Completely FREE Rescue and Shelter Management System  

You can book time here: GetBuddy Pro Walk-Through | GetBuddy Pro | Cal.com 

Feel free to reply here or reach out directly.

Ryan Howard
Founder & CEO, GetBuddy
GetBuddy.com

At the previous shelter I worked at, I really enjoyed using Shelterluv. You could put in medical information, vaccination due dates, etc. and you could put attribute tags on animals i.e. friendly, shy, FeLV+, etc. It allows you to put in behavioral notes on animals too. It's really organized and it can connect to websites too, so if you update photos on Shelterluv, it'll update it on the website. I recommend it 100%.

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Braelyn Nores
Foster Coordinator
Nashville Humane Association
TN
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Original Message:
Sent: 9/8/2025 12:25:00 PM
From: Braelyn Nores
Subject: RE: Looking for software for new shelter

At the previous shelter I worked at, I really enjoyed using Shelterluv. You could put in medical information, vaccination due dates, etc. and you could put attribute tags on animals i.e. friendly, shy, FeLV+, etc. It allows you to put in behavioral notes on animals too. It's really organized and it can connect to websites too, so if you update photos on Shelterluv, it'll update it on the website. I recommend it 100%.

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Braelyn Nores
Foster Coordinator
Nashville Humane Association
TN
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yes "Shelterluv" software is the absolute best.  Tracks everything from intake, medical, behavioral, adoption, outcome, foster homes, volunteer tracking etc

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Brooke Crozier
Executive Director
Justin Bartlett Animal Rescue
FL
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Hey there!  I realize this is an old thread - but I'm curious if you found any software to suit your needs?   
We have built some workflows into RescueOps which is a newer software for animal shelters and I'm looking for some beta testers if you'd be interested!    The plan is to keep the software free to use with some more advanced features (ie SMS messaging) being pay to upgrade eventually.  But everything you mentioned is available within the program and would not be extra.  

Please reach out if you have any questions! 

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Jessica Potting
Founder
RescueOps
OH
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ShelterLuv is the way to go.  I am the webmaster for a humane society, and I really like it because it is easy to set up to show all the dogs, and to then allow the breakdown of males, females, and puppies.

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Bruce Sklar
Web Developer
Sentry Shepherds
AR
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-12-2026 09:27 AM
From: Jessica Potting
Subject: Looking for software for new shelter

Hey there!  I realize this is an old thread - but I'm curious if you found any software to suit your needs?   
We have built some workflows into RescueOps which is a newer software for animal shelters and I'm looking for some beta testers if you'd be interested!    The plan is to keep the software free to use with some more advanced features (ie SMS messaging) being pay to upgrade eventually.  But everything you mentioned is available within the program and would not be extra.  

Please reach out if you have any questions! 

------------------------------
Jessica Potting
Founder
RescueOps
OH
------------------------------