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Modern Sheltering Foundations


Course
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This first foundational required course for the Shelter Care Specialist Certification Program covers the basics of modern sheltering operations and best practices.

Please visit our “Certification” information pages to learn more about the Shelter Care Specialist Certification program.

Enrollment in the program is by application.

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Shelter Care Specialist Certification Program

Modern Sheltering Foundations

Build a practical foundation in modern animal sheltering, including capacity for care, pathway planning, humane care, legal basics, and the core practices that shape effective shelter work.
COURSE CATALOG COACH-GUIDED REQUIRED COURSE #1
Fall 2026
October 5–November 16
Early access begins September 28
Winter 2027
January 18–March 1
Early access one week before session
Typical Availability
Offered every term
SCS Program acceptance required
Welcome
What to expect
Designed specifically for frontline shelter staff, Modern Sheltering Foundations provides a practical introduction to the essential principles of animal sheltering. This first course builds the foundational knowledge you will use throughout the Shelter Care Specialist Certification Program.
You’ll explore how shelters function within their communities, how thoughtful pathway planning and capacity for care support better outcomes, and how legal, welfare, and daily-care principles shape modern shelter work.
COURSE LENGTH
6 weeks
FORMAT
Online, coach-guided
PREREQUISITE
None — this is Course #1
Modern Sheltering Foundations course image
Your weekly rhythm
1
Learn
Work through each week's module and supporting resources.
2
Apply
Complete hands-on activities and connect ideas to your shelter.
3
Connect
Join live learning opportunities and connect course concepts to shelter practice.
Early access begins one week before the course
Before Week 1 begins, learners receive access to pre-launch content with Learniverse platform tutorials, course information, and other resources to help them get comfortable and ready for the session.
Enrollment requirement: Learners must apply to and be accepted into the Shelter Care Specialist Certification Program during an application period.
Foundational knowledge
What this course helps you understand
Understand the system
Explore the evolution of modern sheltering and the changing role shelters play in their communities.
Plan better care
Use the Four Rights, capacity for care, pathway planning, and humane care principles to support better shelter stays.
Build your foundation
Learn legal basics, Fear Free® concepts, daily care practices, and the key ideas you'll revisit in later SCS courses.
View course topics
  • Early Access: Platform Tutorials and Course Information.
  • Evolution of Modern Sheltering: Learn why shelters were originally created and how their role in communities has changed over time.
  • The Four Rights of Animal Sheltering: Explore the concepts of the Right Place, Right Time, Right Care, and Right Outcome.
  • Capacity for Care: Understand capacity for care and why it is so important in animal sheltering.
  • Legal Basics: Get introduced to fundamental legal standards and ethical considerations that affect shelter work.
  • Fear Free® Basics: Learn or review concepts for reducing fear, anxiety, and stress in sheltered animals.
  • Core Shelter Practices: Explore daily-care essentials and introductory medical and behavioral considerations.
  • Shelter Care Specialist Program Overview: Build familiarity with the concepts and specialty areas explored more deeply in later SCS courses.
Your path through MSF
Sample course schedule
MSF begins with an early-access period followed by six weekly instructional modules. The schedule below shows the typical progression of course topics; exact calendar dates depend on the session in which you enroll.
Early Access · Platform Tutorials and Course Information
Opens approximately one week before Week 1
WEEKS 1–3
Week 1 · Behind the Scenes
Exploring Shelter Identity
Week 2 · Maps & Milestones
Making Shelter Stays Strategic
Week 3 · Tailored Care, Happy Spaces, Better Endings
WEEKS 4–6
Week 4 · First Impressions Matter
Intake with Intention
Week 5 · Keeping Care Legal
Community Cat Programs and Who Can Do What
Week 6 · The Full Shelter Scoop
Skills, Smarts & Heart
Live learning
Three live sessions during each course
Welcome and orientation
Connect with the SCS team and other learners as you begin the course and certification program.
Deeper learning
Explore important sheltering topics with instructors and guest speakers and connect course concepts to real-world practice.
Dates vary by session
Exact live-meeting dates, times, topics, and speakers are provided to learners for the session in which they enroll.
Completion policy
Complete MSF before moving forward
  • The final course-completion deadline is generally one calendar month after the course ends.
  • There is one final completion deadline and no extensions.
  • MSF is the first required course in the program and must be completed before moving on to Animal Care Foundations.
  • If MSF is not completed, learners may re-enroll during a future session. A maximum of three total attempts is available to complete the course.
Designed for working shelter professionals
Course features
Flexible online learning
Access on-demand course content using your preferred device.
Hands-on application
Use activities, practical tools, and course concepts in your day-to-day shelter work.
Learning with others
Participate in discussions and learn alongside shelter professionals from other organizations.
Coaching and feedback
Receive guidance and support from the course coaching team throughout the session.
Why this course matters
Start with a strong foundation
Frontline shelter staff play an essential role in the health, welfare, and experience of animals in their care. MSF provides practical tools and shared concepts that can strengthen daily shelter operations right away while preparing learners for deeper development in animal care, medical care, shelter operations, population management, behavior, training, enrichment, and other areas explored throughout the Shelter Care Specialist Certification Program.
Program, enrollment, or technical questions
Learning Coordinator
Contact the Learning Coordinator at help@shelterlearniverse.com for questions about the program, enrollment, course access, navigation, or technical support.
Course coaching team
Modern Sheltering Foundations
Chrissy Teuscher, R.V.T.
Cindi Delany, DVM, KPA-CTP, FFCP

Completion

The following certificates are awarded when the course is completed:

MSF Certificate
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