Humane Society University

Shelter Adoption Success Specialist Courses

Formerly known as Pets For Life Certificate Program
It is important to Humane Society University that shelter staff and volunteers receive the information and training needed to help increase adoptions and improve the level of care provided to animals.

This series of courses -- designed for supervisors, staff, and volunteers -- provides training in establishing a behavior evaluation program, improving animal handling, reducing the level of stress for animals in shelters, and making more informed decisions regarding adoption matches. Agencies that implement the techniques in these courses increase the likelihood that their adoptions will be successful.

Four courses are required to earn the Shelter Adoption Success Specialist designation. Courses may be taken in isolation without signing up for the entire program.

Since the inception of the Pets for Life Training Centers in March 2000, the involvement of the Kenneth A. Scott Charitable Trust, a KeyBank Trust, Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc., and the Dumb Friends League has been critical to the success of the classes. HSU is very pleased that the involvement of these organizations continues in this online course series and certificate program.

Courses in the Shelter Adoption Success Specialist program are: