MMPC Learniverse - Managing Shelter Overcrowding : Strategies for Timely, Appropriate Outcomes and Harm Reduction (On Demand)

Webinar Overview

Veterinarians and veterinary technicians play critical roles in navigating the current crisis of shelter overcrowding. In many communities, the number of animals entering shelters far exceeds the capacity of staff, housing, and resources. This situation compromises animal welfare, increases staff stress, and delays decision-making. Operating within Capacity for Care (C4C) is the long-term solution, ensuring every animal receives an appropriate outcome in a timely manner. However, most shelters must also address how to mitigate harm while operating beyond their ideal capacity today.

This session provides practical strategies for veterinary professionals to influence both animal care and operational flow during crowding. Participants will examine how intake and outcome balance affects welfare, the role of daily monitoring and pathway planning, and the importance of timely euthanasia decisions when no safe live outcomes exist. The session emphasizes quick, realistic actions that reduce harm to animals, protect staff and volunteer well-being, and support sustainable practices even under pressure.

By linking operational principles with welfare-focused decision-making, this session equips DVMs and RVTs to support shelters in both immediate harm reduction and long-term capacity goals.

Learning Objectives: 

 • Define Capacity for Care (C4C) and explain its relevance to ensuring appropriate outcomes in a timely manner. 

• Identify common risks and consequences when shelters operate beyond capacity. 

• Describe operational strategies that reduce harm and protect welfare during overcrowding. 

• Recognize the role of veterinarians and technicians in guiding timely, appropriate outcome decisions. 

• Apply practical “quick wins” that support animal flow, staff sustainability, and timely outcomes.

Continuing Education Credits 

This webinar has been approved for 1.5 Certified Animal Welfare Administrator (CAWA) continuing education credits by The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement (AAWA) and by the National Animal Care and Control Association (NACA). 

This course has been approved for 1.5 hours of RACE continuing education credits until 9/8/27 in jurisdictions that recognize RACE approval. Upon completing the course and passing the quiz, upload your certificate to https://CEBroker.com. This is the broker used by the AAVSB to track your continuing education credits.

Keywords

MMPC, Shelter, Learniverse, shelter overcrowding, veterinary roles, Capacity for Care, animal welfare, operational flow, harm reduction, staff well-being, timely outcomes, shelter management, euthanasia decisions

Contact

Email us at help@shelterlearniverse.com if you have any questions or concerns about this webinar.

Maddie’s® Pet Forum Discussion Thread

You can also join the discussion about these concepts over on Maddie's Pet Forum in the discussion thread. CLICK HERE

Maddie’s® Million Pet Challenge

With the Maddie’s® Million Pet Challenge, the Five Key Initiatives of the Million Cat Challenge have expanded to include other species at risk in shelters and evolved into the Four Rights.  

Within the Four Rights, every element works in concert to support one another: animals and people are treated as individuals, empowering shelter staff to make the best decisions for everyone; community safety net services are in place and flourishing; and humane care within the shelter is provided, with appropriate outcomes for the animals that do come in, allowing shelters to deliver the Right Care, in the Right Place, at the Right Time, and to the Right Outcome

Learn more about  Shelter Learniverse at Maddie's® Million Pet Challenge.  #ThankstoMaddie