Shelter medicine
What is shelter medicine?
Shelter medicine is simply the concept that when pets come in dozens and hundreds as well as ones and twos, their needs are different. This can provide challenges when managing their husbandry, health and welfare.
Our research focuses on exploring these differences, with the aim of producing practical information which can be used by vets and other animal welfare professionals working in rescue shelters, rehoming centres and charity hospitals. As part of this, we are involved in the newly-formed Association of Charity Vets, of which Rachel Dean is the current Chair.
The shelter medicine team includes Dr Rachel Dean, Dr Jenny Stavisky and Kate White, and two DVM (Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine) students, Gemma Clark and Emily Newbury. In addition to performing clinical work and teaching students at the Dogs Trust Loughborough Rehoming Centre, Gemma and Emily are each carrying out a shelter medicine research project as part of their studies. We also have the very valued support of other specialist clinicians at the vet school who help with our tricky cases.
We are very grateful to all of the shelters, rescues and rehoming centres who generously help us with our research.
Link to Dogs Trust Loughborough "Happy 2nd Birthday" video