Animal Welfare Professionals

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  • 1.  SOPs and protocols

    Posted 05-06-2025 07:34 AM

    I'm interested is seeing examples of SOPs and/or written protocols covering the following topics:

    • Animal Handling

    • Behavioral Assessment

    • Enrichment and Stress Reduction

    • Management of Bite/Scratch Cases

    • Sanitation

    • Nutrition and Feeding

    • Physical Examination

    • Emergency Veterinary Care 

    • Pain Management

    • Vaccinations

    • Parasite Control

    • Anesthesia and Surgery

    • Humane Euthanasia

    • Outbreak Management/Control of Infectious Diseases

    If you have SOPs/protocols that you are proud of and would like to share as editable files, I would greatly appreciate see them. You can submit links to Google docs here or send files to me directly at csfitz1972@gmail.com

    Thanks in advance,

    Chris Fitzgerald


    #AdmissionsandIntake(includingIntake-to-placement)
    #AdoptionsandAdoptionPrograms
    #Behavior,TrainingandEnrichment
    #CommunityCatManagement
    #FieldServicesandPublicSafety*
    #FosterPrograms
    #Medicine,SurgeryandSterilization
    #PetSupportServices*
    #Rehoming
    #ReturntoHome(LostPetReunification)
    #TransfersandTransport

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    Chris Fitzgerald
    Consultant
    Rochester NY
    cfitzgerald@animalsfirst.com
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  • 2.  RE: SOPs and protocols

    Posted 05-06-2025 10:29 AM

    I would be interested in seeing an example of an Emergency Veterinary Care and Pain Management SOP as well! 



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    Maria Putnam
    Founder/CEO
    All About the Animals Foundation
    CT
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: SOPs and protocols

    Posted 06-25-2025 06:16 AM

    I did not specifically look through the list in this spreadsheet (link below) but maybe it would be of use:

    American Pets Alive! Resource Table

    @Chris Fitzgerald



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    Michelle Grimes | CPDT-KA, LVT, CVT, Elite FFCP-V, FFCP-T

    Animal Control Officer #275
    Keene Police Department
    Bureau of Special Services
    400 Marlboro Street
    Keene, NH 03431
    P: 603.357.9815
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: SOPs and protocols

    Posted 06-30-2025 08:00 AM

    Thanks for sharing, Michelle!



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    Leah Collingwood
    President and ED
    Cavalli's Husky and Wolfdog Rescue
    CO
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: SOPs and protocols

    Posted 06-26-2025 07:56 AM

    I would be interested as well.



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    amber francisco
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: SOPs and protocols

    Posted 06-29-2025 09:07 AM

    Our protocol for animal handling safety! :)

    ANIMAL HANDLING SAFETY

    When handling animals, be sure to:

    • Take your time.

    • Don't over stimulate the animal.

    • Remember that the animal may perceive a threat even though you do not intend to threaten.  

    • If you do not feel comfortable handling an animal, DON'T! Get someone to help you-don't risk getting scratched or bitten! 

    CATS

     

    • When removing a cat from a cage, be sure to get the cat's attention before opening the gate.

    • Allow the cat to check out your fingers before you pick it up. The cat should come to you, not the other way around.

    • Talk to the cat calmly and softly to avoid over-stimulating the cat

    • When handling a cat, control the head and neck at all times.  Hold the cat firmly-left hand controlling the head and neck, right elbow supporting/gripping the hindquarters, right hand controlling the front paws.

    • Take a moment to readjust your grip if you need to.

    • Keep the cat's face away from other cats

    • Keep the cat's face away from your face.

    • Always use a carrier to transport the cat more than a few feet.

    • Watch for signs of stress/fear-enlarged pupils, thrashing tail, growling, hissing, and attempting to hide or escape.  If these signs appear, carefully remove the cat from the source of stress.

    • If a cat is fearful, do not make direct eye contact.

    • Approach the cat at his or her level.  Do not reach over the cat's head.

    • Move slowly because rushing the cat only adds more stress, leading to unpredictable behavior and increasing the likelihood of injury.

    DOGS

    • When removing a dog from a kennel, distract the dog and enter the kennel with your leash ready.

    • Attempting to "noose" a dog through the gap in the gate can lead to an escape be the dog.

    • Approach the dog from the side.  Do not attempt to "noose" it over the top of its head, as this will only intimidate the dog.

    • Talk calmly to the dog to avoid overstimulation

    • When moving the dog, keep the dog away from other kennels, and break his or her line of vision.

    • Keep the leash short and use both hands for better control.

    • Only small dogs and puppies should be carried, and then only as you carry a cat.  Carrying a dog like a baby is not permitted.

    • If the dog won't move on the leash, coax the dog by moving in front and down low.  Dragging a dog is never permitted.

    • Watch for signs of stress/fear: ears back, hackles raised, tail down, dilated pupils, lifted lip, submissive posture, growling, barking or lunging.



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    Animal Protection Society - Friday Harbor
    Private, Nonprofit Animal Welfare Organization
    Friday Harbor, Washington
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    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: SOPs and protocols

    Posted 06-30-2025 10:54 AM

    Thanks!



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    Chris Fitzgerald
    Director of Animal Services
    Greece, NY
    cfitzgerald@greeceny.gov
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    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: SOPs and protocols

    Posted 07-02-2025 02:15 PM

    Hi Chris! The Association of Shelter Veterinarians has peer-reviewed, regularly updated Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters &  Veterinary Medical Care Guidelines for Spay-Neuter Programs that are readily accessible.

    chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.sheltervet.org/assets/docs/SNGL.pdf

    https://jsmcah.org/index.php/jasv/issue/view/2

    These documents contain lots of useful information based on EBM (evidence-based medicine) and a robust body of peer-reviewed research and literature!

    The ASV is also getting ready to launch a "Repository of Protocols" that will be accessible to ASV member veterinarians, where shelter veterinarians from all types of animal welfare organizations will be able to share their specific protocols. I am on the ASV Board and am spearheading this project. We are hoping the repository will be active by the end of the year! Stay tuned...

    I would highly encourage all organizations working in the Community Animal Health, HQHVSN and Animal Shelter/Rescue spaces to encourage their veterinarians to be become ASV members if they are not already. ASV is not just for "shelter veterinarians" anymore!



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    Rachel Powell DVM
    Director of Surgery
    Greenhill Humane Society
    Eugene, OR
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    Original Message


  • 9.  RE: SOPs and protocols

    Posted 07-02-2025 06:05 PM

    A Repository of Protocols is a great idea! Thank you for spearheading that project!!



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    Mary Vargas
    Veterinarian
    Burlington County Animal Shelter
    NJ
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    Original Message


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