Helpful Links
Welcome to our helpful links page, where you’ll find a curated collection of valuable resources for animal welfare professionals. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or just starting out in the field, these links cover a wide range of topics to support your work in making a difference for animals.
- Online Courses: Access a variety of online courses covering topics such as animal behavior, shelter management, and veterinary care.
- Webinars: Attend live or recorded webinars on relevant animal welfare topics presented by experts in the field.
- Certifications: Explore certification programs in animal care, shelter management, and other specialized areas.
- Industry Standards: Stay updated on industry standards and best practices for animal care, adoption procedures, and shelter operations.
- Association of Shelter Veterinarians: Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters
- American Veterinary Medical Association: Animal Welfare Principles
- National Animal Care & Control Association: Guidelines
- Humane Society of the United States: Animal Sheltering Best Practices
- ASPCApro: ASV Guidelines & Shelter Checklists
- Guidelines: Access guidelines and protocols for animal handling, veterinary care, and disaster response.
- Toolkits: Download toolkits and resources for implementing programs such as foster care, trap-neuter-return, and community outreach initiatives.
- Advocacy Resources: Find resources for grassroots advocacy, including templates for contacting legislators and guidance on effective advocacy strategies.
- Legislative Updates: Stay informed about animal welfare legislation at the local, state, and federal levels, and learn how to advocate for positive change.
- ASPCA: State Animal Welfare Legislation
- Humane Society Legislative Fund
- Animal Legal Defense Fund: Laws that Protect Animals
- American Veterinary Medical Association: Legislative Updates
- Professional Associations: Connect with professional associations for animal welfare professionals, and explore opportunities for networking and collaboration.
- Community Forums: Join online forums and discussion groups to share ideas, ask questions, and collaborate with colleagues in the field.
- Grant Opportunities: Explore funding opportunities and grants available for animal welfare organizations, including application guidelines and deadlines.
- ASPCA Grants
- Banfield Foundation
- BISSELL Pet Foundation
- Animal Welfare Institute (AWI)
- Petco Love
- HSUS Grants
- Grey Muzzle Organization
- PetSmart Charities
- National Animal Care & Control Association (NACA) Grant Opportunities
- The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement Grant Database
- Pedigree Foundation Grants
- Maine Community Foundation – Animal Welfare Grants
- Morris Animal Foundation Grants
- Kenneth A. Scott Charitable Trust Grants
- Athletes for Animals Grants
- Fundraising Resources: Access resources and tips for successful fundraising campaigns, donor outreach, and grant writing.
- Animal Health Resources: Find resources for promoting the health and well-being of animals in your care, including information on nutrition, enrichment, and behavior management.
- Merck Veterinary Manual: A comprehensive resource offering detailed information on animal diseases, treatments, and preventive care.
- PetMD: Provides a wide range of articles on pet health, nutrition, and behavior, catering to both pet owners and veterinary professionals.
- American Veterinary Medical Association: Pet Owners Resources: Offers information on various animal health topics, including preventive care and wellness.
- Veterinary Partner: A resource for veterinarians and pet owners, providing information on animal health, medications, and therapies.
- Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine: Pet Health Topics: Features articles on various pet health issues, written by veterinary experts.
- National Agricultural Library: Behavioral Management of Animals
- Association of Zoos and Aquariums: Animal Wellbeing Resources
- VCA Hospitals: Enriching Your Pet’s Environment with Their Food
- Today’s Veterinary Nurse: Food and Enrichment: It Can Be a Puzzle
- Wild Welfare: Enrichment & Animal Welfare
- Self-Care: Take care of yourself with resources for managing stress, preventing burnout, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
- Not One More Vet (NOMV): A leading organization dedicated to supporting veterinary professionals’ mental health through outreach, peer support, and educational resources.
- AVMA Wellbeing Resources: Provides tools and learning opportunities to build a culture of wellbeing in the veterinary workplace
- Compassion Fatigue: Shielding and Healing Yourself: An article discussing strategies to manage compassion fatigue among veterinary professionals.
- NOMV’s Resource List: A database of peer-submitted resources curated for the veterinary community.
- Wellness for Veterinary Professionals – AAHA: Offers wellness resources to help veterinary professionals take care of themselves and their workforce.
- Research Articles: Access research articles and publications on topics such as animal behavior, welfare assessment, and shelter medicine.
- Journals and Magazines: Subscribe to animal welfare journals and magazines for the latest research findings and industry news.
- Training Manuals: Download training manuals and guides for staff and volunteers covering topics such as animal handling, customer service, and emergency response.
- Standard Operating Procedures: Access templates and examples of standard operating procedures for shelter operations, volunteer management, and more.
- Resource Libraries: Explore comprehensive resource libraries curated by leading animal welfare organizations.
- Tool Sharing: Share tools and resources developed by your organization with the wider animal welfare community.
Shelters and Rescue Groups by State:
For shelter medicine information, including housing and care, UCDavis’ Koret Shelter Medicine Program: https://www.sheltermedicine.com/
SAWA’s best practices for transport: https://www.aspcapro.org/sites/default/files/sawa_campanion_animal_transport_best_practice_june_2016.pdf
To see a list of the approved shelters & rescues in Massachusetts: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/approved-shelter-and-rescue-organizations.
Places to talk with colleagues across the country, learn about exciting things they’re doing at their organizations, and ask questions:
- Million Cat Challenge: https://www.millioncatchallenge.org/
- Maddie’s Pet Forum: https://maddiespetforum.org/
Have a Resource to Share?
If you have a resource that you believe would benefit animal welfare professionals, please contact us to have it considered for inclusion on our resources page.
Disclaimer
Please note that the inclusion of resources on this page does not imply endorsement by our organization. Users are encouraged to conduct their own research and evaluation to determine the suitability of resources for their specific needs.
We hope you find these resources helpful in your work to improve the lives of animals. Let’s continue working together to make a positive impact in the field of animal welfare!