Shelter Care Specialist Certification Program

Click here for - General Info for Shelter Leaders - at the bottom of this page

Are You a Shelter Team Member on the Frontlines?

Transform Your Passion for Animals into Professional Excellence with the Shelter Care Specialist Certification!

Are you ready to elevate your skills and deepen your impact in the animal care field? Consider our Shelter Care Specialist Certification program, designed exclusively for individuals dedicated to improving the lives of shelter animals.

What This Program Offers:

  • Expert-Led Training: Dive into comprehensive courses crafted by experts in the field of animal sheltering. Our blended learning approach combines convenient online learning with hands-on practical assignments and feedback, ensuring you gain both knowledge and real-world skills.
  • Dynamic Curriculum: Our modules cover everything from basic intake and medical assessments to advanced behavioral care and enrichment techniques. You’ll learn how to manage daily shelter operations effectively while providing the highest standard of care to every animal.
  • Professional Certification: Complete our rigorous training and assessments to earn your "Shelter Care Specialist" certification—a mark of trust and excellence that will set you apart in the field of animal welfare.  Each course in this program offers 10.0 continuing education (CE) units through CAWA and NACA.

Why Choose SCS Certification with Shelter Learniverse?

  • Industry Expertise: The Koret Shelter Medicine Program at the University of California, Davis was the first ever shelter medicine program created as part of a School of Veterinary Medicine more than 20 years ago. Based out of one of the country’s top-ranked veterinary schools, our team has a long-standing reputation for excellence and innovation in the industry. We have pioneered critical aspects of animal shelter best practices, including focusing on not just the care and welfare of animals in shelters, but also the community served by the shelter AND the shelter team providing that care.
  • Build a Fulfilling Career: This certification is more than just training—it's your pathway to making significant, positive changes in the lives of animals and boosting your professional credibility and career prospects in animal welfare.
  • Connect with Experts: Learn from the best and connect with a network of professionals who are as passionate as you are.
  • Support and Resources: Gain exclusive access to our rich reservoir of resources, ongoing mentorship, and a supportive community via our online forums, helping you thrive during and after your certification process.
  • Flexible Learning that Works for You:  Expect to spend 1-2 hours a week learning during each 6-week course.  Most weeks about 1 hour of content plus three 1 hour meetings over the 6 weeks (all available for watching on-demand if you can't attend live).  Learn where and when it's best for you, with engaging content available 24/7 once the course begins PLUS the program is mobile-friendly so you can learn on any device at any time. 

Take the Next Step:

Whether you’re a new recruit eager to start on the right foot or an experienced shelter team member aiming to refresh and enhance your skills, our Shelter Care Specialist Certification program is tailored to help you succeed. Learn more today and begin the journey to being the change you wish to see in the vibrant world of animal shelters. Let's work together to ensure every animal receives the care and love they deserve.

Learn more about becoming a certified Shelter Care Specialist
- a title that represents knowledge, compassion, and commitment to animal welfare.

 

More Info for Learners

 

Shelter Care Program

Interested in Applying for the Shelter Care Specialist Certification Program?

If you would like to be considered for the summer Shelter Care Specialist Certificate Program session beginning August 4, 2025, please complete this application by July 4, 2025.

We have had a great deal of interest in this program since it was first offered to applicants in October, 2024. We do have to limit enrollments so that we can provide appropriate coaching to our learners.

Due to these program enrollment limitations applications are reviewed for each session based on each session's group/cohort goals.

Summer 2025 Session Cohort Priorities:

  • Shelter Type: Public or Private Shelter with Stray Intake Contracts
  • Shelter Intakes: Shelters must take in both dogs and cats.
  • Shelter Size: This group will prioritize medium to larger shelters (typically 4,000 intakes or more)
  • Shelter Location: We will review all applications and select learners to include shelters in approximately 4–8 states/geographic areas to help us better answer questions about specific areas of the country.

NOTE: If your shelter does not meet these criteria you may still apply, but please be aware that your application will likely be saved for a future cohort with priorities that better match your situation. If you are not currently working in a shelter or not accepted into the next cohort, check out our online, self-paced, on-demand offerings: View Our On-Demand Catalog - Here.

If you previously submitted an application for past sessions, please indicate that in your response so you do not have to fill out the entire application again.

If you check the "Add to Mailing List" option at the end of this form, we will keep you up to date on SCS happenings and future session start dates.

Review information about the SCS program on our "Learner Certification Info" page.

Are You a Shelter Leader Considering Pursuing Training for Your Shelter Team Members?

Introducing the Shelter Care Specialist Certification

The Koret Shelter Medicine Program and Maddie’s Fund recognize the significant access to care challenges in animal shelters due to limited resources and shortages of veterinarians (DVMs) and registered veterinary technicians (RVTs). We know many shelters operate with minimal or no licensed veterinary professionals.

Our new certification program aims to bridge this gap by empowering shelter staff with comprehensive training in medical care, best practices in shelter operations, population management, and behavioral enrichment.

Comprehensive Training for Comprehensive Care

  • Foundational Shelter Best Practices: Focuses on enhancing health, welfare, and management of shelter populations, forming a crucial foundation for sustainable practices that improve overall shelter function and animal welfare.
  • Medical and Behavioral Care: Trains participants in essential medical and behavioral care and behavior enrichment.
  • Support for Veterinary Professionals: Shelter Care Specialists support existing veterinary staff - improving attraction and retention of veterinary team members by reducing burnout and turnover.
  • Professional Development for Staff: Promotes career advancement and raises care standards by grounding staff in best practices of shelter operations and providing medical and behavioral expertise.
  • Addressing Systemic Issues: Expands shelter staff skills to tackle limited access to medical and behavioral care, improving overall animal welfare and outcomes in shelters.
  • Flexible Learning that Works for Your Staff:  Expect your staff to spend 1-2 hours on coursework each week during each 6-week course.  Students can learn where and when it's best for them, with engaging content available 24/7 once the course begins PLUS the program is mobile-friendly so they can learn on any device at any time.

Learn more about the benefits of pursuing Shelter Care Specialist certification for your shelter team members.

 

More Info for Leaders