Modern Sheltering Foundations

Future Sessions of this Course: 

Winter 2026: 1/5/26 - 2/16/26 (with early access to course platform tutorials on 12/29/26)

Spring 2026: 4/6/26 - 5/18/26

Summer 2026: 7/13/26 - 8/24/26

Fall 2026: 10/5/26 - 11/16/26

Note: This course will be offered approximately every two months.

Enrollment Requirements:  Completed application for Shelter Care Specialist Certification and acceptance into the program during the application period.  

Prerequisites:  This is the first course in the Shelter Care Specialist Certification Program. 

Coach:  Cindi Delany, DVM, KPA-CPT, FFCP - cddelany@ucdavis.edu

Co-Coach:  Chrissy Teuscher, R.V.T. - cteuscher@ucdavis.edu

Learning Coordinator: help@shelterlearniverse.com

Approximate Course Schedule:

• Week 1 - Learniverse Control Room: From Log-In to Lift-Off

• Week 2 - Behind the Scenes: Exploring Shelter Identity

• Week 3 - Maps & Milestones: Making Shelter Stays Strategic

• Week 4 - Tailored Care, Happy Spaces, Better Endings

• Week 5 - First Impressions Matter: Intake with Intention

• Week 6 - The Full Shelter Scoop: Skills, Smarts & Heart

Live Meetings: 

There will be live meetings during this course each session. Dates will be provided to learners at the time of enrollment.

To continue on to the next session of the program:

• Course Completion Deadline: 3 weeks after Week 6 content goes live.

Extensions:

• Extraordinary Circumstances With Extension Approval from Learning Coordinator ONLY: deadline can be extended to 4 weeks after Week 6 content goes live.

• If you need an extension, you must have completed at least 50% of the content before the Final Course Completion Deadline to be eligible for an extension. You must finish the remaining course content and assignments within the 30 days after the extended deadline for the current session. 

• If you’ve completed less than 50% of the content and assignments during the session (before the course completion deadline), you will have to restart MSF with a new group. We will reach out to you about rejoining the next session.

Course Overview: Designed specifically for frontline shelter staff, "Modern Sheltering Foundations" provides a practical introduction to the essential principles of animal shelter management. This course equips you with the foundational knowledge needed to enhance your day-to-day operations and prepare for deeper learning in specialized areas of the Shelter Care Specialist Certification Program.

What You Will Learn:

• Evolution of Modern Sheltering: Learn about why shelters were originally created and how their role in our communities has changed over time.

• The 4 Rights of Animal Sheltering: Learn about the concepts of the Right Place, Right Time, Right Care, and Right Outcome in animal sheltering.

• Capacity for Care: Learn what Capacity for Care is and how important it is in the animal sheltering industry.

• Legal Basics: Get introduced to the fundamental legal standards and ethical considerations that impact your work.

• Fear Free^® Basics: Learn or review these concepts of how to reduce fear, anxiety, and stress in sheltered animals.

• Core Shelter Practices: From daily care routines to understanding medical and behavioral needs, this module covers the essentials.

• SCS Program Overview: This first course will cover the basics of the remaining courses in the program, preparing you for deeper dives in those future courses.

Course Features:

• Accessible Anytime, On-Demand Content

• Mobile Friendly - Learn on Your Preferred Device

• Hands-on Learning Activities

• Practical Tips and Techniques

• Scenario-Based Discussions

• Interactions and Support of Your Classmates

• Direct Applications to Daily Tasks

• Assignments and Feedback to Ensure Your Mastery and Comfort with Course Content

• Coaching and Mentoring from Your Course Coach and Team

Why This Course Matters:

As a frontline shelter staff member, you are vital to the health and well-being of the animals in your care. This course provides you with the tools to make immediate improvements in your work environment and prepares you for further professional development in specialized areas of animal care, shelter operations, and best practices.

Questions? Contact Us

If you have any questions or need further information, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at help@shelterlearniverse.com.