Sometimes shelters reach a crossroads: knowing what needs to change, but not how to make it happen. At that moment, the difference between progress and burnout often comes down to one thing: support.
Support is where the Maddie’s Million Pet Challenge Consulting Cooperative steps in.
Made possible by a generous grant from Maddie’s Fund, the Consulting Cooperative unites four organizations with deep roots in shelter medicine and animal welfare innovation. Together, they provide shelters with hands-on, customized guidance to help turn strategic recommendations into sustainable, lifesaving results.
“Shelters are full of dedicated, hardworking people who care deeply about animals,” said Dr. Julie Levy, co-founder of the Maddie’s Million Pet Challenge and the University of Florida’s Shelter Medicine Program. “But too often, they lack the resources or real-time support to bring transformative ideas to life. The Consulting Cooperative is designed to change that by pairing shelters with the specialized experts who can help them succeed.”
Bridging the Gap Between Vision and Action
Over the past several years, the Maddie’s Million Pet Challenge (MMPC) has helped shelters nationwide create more efficient, compassionate systems through high-impact on-site consultations led by the UF Shelter Medicine team. But as the work evolved, one persistent need became clear: after a consultation, shelters often required hands-on implementation support to move from planning to action.
The Consulting Cooperative was built to fill that gap.
Each of its modular consulting teams brings a specific area of expertise, whether that’s expanding spay/neuter capacity, improving kitten survival, or optimizing shelter operations. The Consulting Cooperative teams are deployed when a UF consultation identifies operations with high-impact potential that are stalled at the implementation phase. These specialized teams work on-site directly with shelter staff to develop and implement customized solutions that fit each organization’s specific situation.
Meet the Consulting Cooperative
be. Spay-Neuter Consulting
Led by Elsa Kohlbus and veterinarian Dr. Mike Greenberg, this team focuses on helping organizations improve surgical access, efficiency, and quality of care through compassionate, data-informed workflow optimization. Their approach empowers clinics to expand capacity without sacrificing well-being for pets or people.
National Kitten College
Founded by Marnie Russ, this module helps shelters strengthen neonatal and foster programs by building the systems and training needed for sustainable, high-quality, high-volume (HQHV) kitten care.
By improving early intervention and caregiver support, National Kitten College helps shelters improve outcomes for even the smallest kittens, who currently suffer the highest rate of non-live outcomes of any animal subset in shelters
M&M Veterinary and Shelter Strategies
Led by Meredith Hippert and Dr. Maria Serrano, this module works with shelters to streamline operations, strengthen staff capacity, and improve efficiency across departments. From intake protocols to community-based prevention programs, their work promotes sustainability and live outcomes while reducing burnout and barriers to care.
Investing in the Future of Shelter Consulting
The Consulting Cooperative also supports the next generation of shelter medicine professionals through an enhanced Shelter Consultation Mentorship Module. This program offers travel stipends and hands-on learning opportunities for qualified candidates to join experienced consultants in the field, expanding the pipeline of skilled, diverse professionals trained to conduct evidence-based shelter consultations.
A Shared Vision for Lifesaving Change
Thanks to the support of Maddie’s Fund, the Consulting Cooperative reflects what’s possible when innovation, collaboration, and compassion come together.
Maddie’s Fund is a family foundation established by Dave and Cheryl Duffield to revolutionize the status and well-being of companion animals through innovation, education, and grantmaking. Their continued investment in programs like the Maddie’s Million Pet Challenge ensures that shelters have access to the expertise and partnerships they need to thrive.
For shelters, the message is simple: you don’t have to do it alone. With the Consulting Cooperative’s tailored support, every organization, no matter its size or resources, can build the systems and culture that make sustainable lifesaving possible.
To learn more about the Maddie’s Million Pet Challenge Consulting Cooperative and how it supports shelters nationwide, visit https://maddiesmillionpetchallenge.org/consultations/.