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Anticipating a shortage of staff and limited operations, shelters called on their communities for support, and those communities stepped up to help on an unprecedented level. For example, many shelters saw significant increases in the number of foster volunteers, allowing them to move most animals out of shelter during the crisis. Some of these COVID-related changes resulted in increased positive outcomes for animals, prompting many in the animal sheltering sector to suggest these changes become permanent.

This document, based on and inspired by a policy platform first written by National Animal Care and Control Association and Best Friends Animal Society, outlines suggested policies and practices for shelters, humane societies, SPCAs, communities, and governments to implement that would enable them to maintain and enhance the gains made during the pandemic and rethink animal welfare and sheltering in a post-COVID world.