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Looking for software for new shelter

  • 1.  Looking for software for new shelter

    Posted 02-15-2023 08:27 AM

    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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  • 2.  RE: Looking for software for new shelter

    Posted 02-15-2023 09:35 AM

    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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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Looking for software for new shelter

    Posted 02-15-2023 10:45 AM

    Awesome - thank you!!!



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    Leigh-Anna Bailey
    Forest City, NC
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Looking for software for new shelter

    Posted 02-16-2023 06:42 AM

    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
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Looking for software for new shelter

    Posted 02-22-2023 02:38 PM

    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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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Looking for software for new shelter

    Posted 02-23-2023 08:09 AM

    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
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    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Looking for software for new shelter

    Posted 02-27-2023 08:37 AM

    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
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    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: Looking for software for new shelter

    Posted 02-27-2023 01:00 PM

    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


  • 9.  RE: Looking for software for new shelter

    Posted 02-27-2023 07:39 AM

    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
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    Original Message


  • 10.  RE: Looking for software for new shelter

    Posted 08-28-2025 11:34 AM

    Hello Leigh-Anna -  Buddy has officially rolled out a brand-new Rescue and Shelter Management platform-it's completely free to use. Below, I've outlined how it stands apart from other solutions, and you can check out a demo here. If you'd like a personalized walk-through, just let me know!

    • Always Free – As a Benefit Corporation, Buddy is committed to offering every tool and service at no cost-permanently.

    • Ready to Go – No downloads, setup, or configuration needed. Your animals are already in Buddy, so you can begin matching them with families right away.

    • Reach More Adopters – Each pet is highlighted on the homepage of getbuddy.com and distributed through our partner network, giving you exposure to more than 7 million potential adopters.

    • Support After Adoption – Our built-in virtual Trainer and Veterinarian are available around the clock to help adopters with health, training, and behavior-reducing the likelihood of returns.

    Ryan
    Founder, Buddy



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    Ryan Howard
    CEO
    GetBuddy.com
    NY
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    Original Message


  • 11.  RE: Looking for software for new shelter

    Posted 09-08-2025 01:34 PM

    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


  • 12.  RE: Looking for software for new shelter

    Posted 09-08-2025 01:42 PM
    We use Shelterluv and I agree with you about the functionality. I quite like it.
    Sent from my iPad

    On Sep 8, 2025, at 1:36 PM, Braelyn Nores via Maddie's Pet Forum <Mail@maddiesfund.org> wrote:

    
    At the previous shelter I worked at, I really enjoyed using Shelterluv. You could put in medical information, vaccination due dates, etc. and you... -posted to the "Animal Welfare Professionals" community



    Original Message


  • 13.  RE: Looking for software for new shelter

    Posted 09-10-2025 09:18 AM

    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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    Original Message


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