Animal Shelter Intake and Health Screening Checklist
This comprehensive animal shelter intake and health screening checklist ensures regulatory compliance with ASV, HSUS, State Animal Control Authority, AVMA. Standardized animal intake protocol for shelters covering health screening, vaccination, parasite treatment, behavioral assessment, and infectious disease triage per ASV Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters. Proper intake screening prevents disease outbreaks that can overwhelm shelter resources and compromise animal welfare. Co
- Industry: Veterinary & Animal Care
- Frequency: Daily / Per Procedure
- Estimated Time: 25 minutes
- Role: Veterinarian / Clinic Manager / Animal Care Lead
- Total Items: 20
- Compliance: ASV, HSUS, State Animal Control Authority, AVMA
Physical Examination at Intake
Complete physical exam per ASV intake standards.
- Has body condition score been assessed and documented on intake form?
- Has animal been assessed for respiratory signs (nasal discharge, coughing, sneezing) indicating URI risk?
- Has gastrointestinal condition (diarrhea, vomiting) been assessed and documented?
- Has skin been examined for external parasites (fleas, ticks, mange) requiring treatment?
- Has animal been scanned for microchip and national registries checked for owner identification?
- Has intake photo been taken and identification record created in shelter management software?
Vaccination and Preventive Treatment
Verify preventive medical care per ASV guidelines.
- Have core vaccines (DAPP for dogs, FVRCP for cats) been administered at intake per ASV protocols?
- Has rabies vaccination been administered or documented per state law requirements?
- Has approved flea preventive been applied to all animals at intake?
- Has broad-spectrum dewormer been administered per shelter protocol?
- Has complete intake medical record been created documenting all treatments administered?
Infectious Disease Triage and Isolation
Triage for contagious disease per ASV infectious disease management.
- Are dogs showing signs of parvovirus or distemper immediately isolated and veterinarian notified?
- Are animals with suspected ringworm isolated and Wood's lamp or culture performed?
- Are cats with URI signs triaged to isolation housing to prevent respiratory disease outbreak?
- Is intake examination area disinfected with appropriate product after each animal per disease prevention protocol?
- Are stray animals held for required legal stray hold period before adoption per state law?
Behavioral Assessment
Conduct behavioral screening per shelter protocol.
- Has basic handling assessment been completed to identify animal safety for volunteer handling?
- Has bite history or aggression history been obtained from owner/finder and documented?
- Have enrichment and housing needs been assessed to support animal welfare during shelter stay?
- Has initial disposition plan (adoption, rescue transfer, return to owner) been noted?
Related Veterinary Animal Care Checklists
- Equine Facility Safety and Biosecurity Inspection Checklist
- Kennel and Pet Boarding Facility Audit Checklist
- Veterinary Controlled Substance Inventory and Compliance Checklist
- Veterinary Surgical Suite Sterility and Safety Checklist
Why Use This Animal Shelter Intake and Health Screening Checklist?
This animal shelter intake and health screening checklist helps veterinary & animal care teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for veterinarian / clinic manager / animal care lead professionals, this checklist covers 20 critical inspection points across 4 sections. Recommended frequency: daily / per procedure.
Ensures compliance with ASV, HSUS, State Animal Control Authority, AVMA. Regulatory-aligned for audit readiness and inspection documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Animal Shelter Intake and Health Screening Checklist cover?
This checklist covers 20 inspection items across 4 sections: Physical Examination at Intake, Vaccination and Preventive Treatment, Infectious Disease Triage and Isolation, Behavioral Assessment. It is designed for veterinary & animal care operations and compliance.
How often should this checklist be completed?
This checklist should be completed daily / per procedure. Each completion takes approximately 25 minutes.
Who should use this Animal Shelter Intake and Health Screening Checklist?
This checklist is designed for Veterinarian / Clinic Manager / Animal Care Lead professionals in the veterinary & animal care industry. It can be used for self-assessments, team audits, and regulatory compliance documentation.
Can I download this checklist as a PDF?
Yes, this checklist is available as a free PDF download. You can also use it digitally in the POPProbe mobile app for real-time data capture, photo documentation, and automatic reporting.