Learn. Heal. Save.
A program of innovative medical, surgical, and behavioral training to prepare practice-ready veterinarians for high-impact and rewarding careers in animal welfare. Our nationally known experts provide shelter consultation services, emergency response for disease outbreaks, and research to solve the most critical threats to successful animal sheltering.
Shelter Medicine Curriculum
Veterinary students at the University of Florida can choose from a variety of elective courses and clinical rotations, all included in their DVM tuition.
Professional Certificate in Shelter Medicine
Our 15-credit Certificate program exposes students to a cross‐section of opportunities in the field of shelter medicine.
Online Shelter Medicine Graduate Programs
Fully online master's and graduate certificate programs created for practicing and aspiring animal shelter professionals, including veterinarians, shelter leaders and managers, technicians, students, animal welfare professionals, and career changers.
Shelter Medicine Internship
A fully immersive program focusing on shelter best practices, community programs, disease diagnosis and outbreak management, disaster response for animals and so much more…
Continuing Education
Discover learning opportunities for veterinarians, veterinary students, shelter practitioners and staff.
Programs & Services
Maddie’s Million Pet Challenge
Dedicated to helping communities build programs to keep families and their pets together, improve outcomes for all shelter pets, and assure that pets who already have families will receive the care they need.
Shelter Consultations
Faculty, advanced trainees, and staff are here to help shelters optimize life-saving programs.
Disease Response in Animal Shelters
Get the help you need to prevent and succesfully manage disease outbreaks in your shelter.
Florida Shelter Emergency Response
Every year the University of Florida shelter emergency response team provides disaster assistance to shelters across the state.
Community Cat Resources
Shelters and communities working together to reduce the number of free-roaming cats in communities as well as better serving cats in shelters and those that enter the shelter.
Shelter Animal Health
Breakthroughs in disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
Recent News
November 2025 eNews
Happy Thanksgiving! — Maddie’s Million Pet Challenge Consulting Cooperative — Importance of foster-based rescue organizations
Strengthening Shelters, Together: The Maddie’s…
Made possible by a generous grant from Maddie’s Fund, the Consulting Cooperative unites four organizations to provide shelters with guidance.
October 2025 eNews
What happens at “Miami Shelter Camp”? — A license plate that saves lives — Take the BISSELL Pet Foundation Shelter Survey — New Cat Course
