Not sure what parasites are a risk to shelter pets in your region? Wondering if climate change, an influx of pets from other areas, or if the effect of natural disasters has changed the local parasite profile? The Companion Animal Parasite Council has you covered.

The link between stress and disease in cats is well-established, and it’s hard to imagine a more stressful environment for a cat than an animal shelter. Researchers at the Koret Shelter Medicine Program found that stress-induced loss of appetite and weight may provide an early warning sign for impending URI in shelter cats.

Which antibiotic is your best bet for treating feline upper respiratory tract disease in shelter cats?

The presence of maternal antibodies can interfere with successful immunization of kittens even as late as 20 weeks of age. In two studies published this year, researchers concluded that vaccination of kittens should continue beyond 16 or even 20 weeks to ensure successful immunization.

Looking for yet another reason to practice strict vaccination on (or before!) intake at your shelter? A study done at a Florida animal shelter should give you one.

Did you know that at around 118 decibels, shelters are noisier than a passing subway train and even louder than a jackhammer? That’s tough on our puny human ears – in fact, OSHA regulations say we should be wearing ear protection at levels above 90 decibels – but it’s even worse for dogs, who hear three times better than we do.

Talk about a heartwarming story. Dr. Rachael Kreisler, a veterinary lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania, has launched a program to help save the eyesight – and lives – of shelter kittens by recycling partially used tubes of the antibiotic ointment used in the eyes of human newborns.

Ever wish you could make your shelter bigger? Doing that usually involves capital campaigns and architects, but keeping your facility’s pets health automatically creates greater capacity — no hardhats required.

Is that senior dog in your shelter just stressed out, or in pain? Is she not eating because she feels anxiety, or because she’s nauseated? Can she be helped to feel better and if so, how?

Wish there was a magic tool that could alert you that a foster puppy or kitten was in trouble, or reassure you that they’re not? That tool exists; it’s called a scale.