Shelter Resources
Animal Care & Operations
Fear Free Shelters
A free online and in-person education on tools to look after both a pet’s physical and emotional wellbeing for veterinary professionals, the pet professional community, and pet owners.
Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters (ASV)
Comprehensive standardized information to help any animal welfare entity meet the physical, mental and behavioral needs of the animals in their care.
Asilomar Accords
A common set of rules and definitions to help shelters nationwide standardize their data and communications
Five Freedoms
A simple resource that creates a framework to help identify shelter capacity and define the minimum level of care expected for any animal in confinement
Wisconsin State Resources
Wisconsin Dog Sellers Permit
Information on applying for and receiving a license to sell dogs in Wisconsin. Required for any shelter or rescue that will adopt 25 or more dogs per year.
Wisconsin Controlled Substance Special Use Authorization
Information on applying for and receiving a license to hold and use controlled substances and euthanasia medication.
Wisconsin DNR Wildlife Rehabilitator Directory
A list of licensed wildlife rehabilitators for the care of sick or injured wildlife.
Wisconsin Veterinary Supply Catalog
A storefront for purchasing required state forms such as CVIs or vaccination records.
Animal Care Staff Education
Maddie's Pet Forum
A resource library and community network for animal care professionals.
Maddie's University
Online courses and presentations on topics in the animal care world.
ASPCA Pro
Online courses and resources on topics in the animal care world.
Best Friends Shelter Resources
Basic information resources on a host of topics in sheltering and animal care.
Conferences and Education Opportunities
WFHS Badger State Conference
The annual conference for Wisconsin and midwest sheltering and animal care leaders, staff, and volunteers. Held in the fall.
Best Friends
The national conference for the Best Friends network. Typically held in the summer.
HSUS Animal Expo
The national conference for the Humane Society of the United States. Typically held in the spring.
Prairie States Conference
The annual conference for the Illinois Animal Welfare Federation. Typically held late spring in the Chicago area.
Association for Animal Welfare Advancement Annual Conference
The annual conferences for the AAWA, focused on leaders in the animal care field. Held in the spring and fall.
Professional Development
Animal Shelter Management Program - University of the Pacific
A professional certificate program held each year.
Maddie's Fund Apprenticeships
Online and in-person apprenticeships to learn from Maddie's Fund programs and partner agencies.
Certified Animal Welfare Administrator (CAWA)
A nationally recognized credential program from the Association for Animal Welfare Advancement.
Shelter Medicine Programs
UW Shelter Medicine Program
The University of Wisconsin - Madison program and resources for shelter medicine.
UC Davis Koret School of Shelter Medicine
The University of California - Davis program and resources for shelter medicine.
Cornell University Maddie's Shelter Medicine Program
The Cornell University program and resources for shelter medicine.
UF Maddie's Shelter Medicine Program
The University of Florida program and resources for shelter medicine.
Fear Free Shelters
A free online and in-person education on tools to look after both a pet’s physical and emotional wellbeing for veterinary professionals, the pet professional community, and pet owners.
Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters (ASV)
Comprehensive standardized information to help any animal welfare entity meet the physical, mental and behavioral needs of the animals in their care.
Asilomar Accords
A common set of rules and definitions to help shelters nationwide standardize their data and communications
Five Freedoms
A simple resource that creates a framework to help identify shelter capacity and define the minimum level of care expected for any animal in confinement
Wisconsin State Resources
Wisconsin Dog Sellers Permit
Information on applying for and receiving a license to sell dogs in Wisconsin. Required for any shelter or rescue that will adopt 25 or more dogs per year.
Wisconsin Controlled Substance Special Use Authorization
Information on applying for and receiving a license to hold and use controlled substances and euthanasia medication.
Wisconsin DNR Wildlife Rehabilitator Directory
A list of licensed wildlife rehabilitators for the care of sick or injured wildlife.
Wisconsin Veterinary Supply Catalog
A storefront for purchasing required state forms such as CVIs or vaccination records.
Animal Care Staff Education
Maddie's Pet Forum
A resource library and community network for animal care professionals.
Maddie's University
Online courses and presentations on topics in the animal care world.
ASPCA Pro
Online courses and resources on topics in the animal care world.
Best Friends Shelter Resources
Basic information resources on a host of topics in sheltering and animal care.
Conferences and Education Opportunities
WFHS Badger State Conference
The annual conference for Wisconsin and midwest sheltering and animal care leaders, staff, and volunteers. Held in the fall.
Best Friends
The national conference for the Best Friends network. Typically held in the summer.
HSUS Animal Expo
The national conference for the Humane Society of the United States. Typically held in the spring.
Prairie States Conference
The annual conference for the Illinois Animal Welfare Federation. Typically held late spring in the Chicago area.
Association for Animal Welfare Advancement Annual Conference
The annual conferences for the AAWA, focused on leaders in the animal care field. Held in the spring and fall.
Professional Development
Animal Shelter Management Program - University of the Pacific
A professional certificate program held each year.
Maddie's Fund Apprenticeships
Online and in-person apprenticeships to learn from Maddie's Fund programs and partner agencies.
Certified Animal Welfare Administrator (CAWA)
A nationally recognized credential program from the Association for Animal Welfare Advancement.
Shelter Medicine Programs
UW Shelter Medicine Program
The University of Wisconsin - Madison program and resources for shelter medicine.
UC Davis Koret School of Shelter Medicine
The University of California - Davis program and resources for shelter medicine.
Cornell University Maddie's Shelter Medicine Program
The Cornell University program and resources for shelter medicine.
UF Maddie's Shelter Medicine Program
The University of Florida program and resources for shelter medicine.
