Shelters United
Veterinarian of Record (VOR) Toolkit
A FREE Toolkit for
Animal Welfare Organizations
and Veterinarians
About the Toolkit
The FREE Shelters United VOR Toolkit is a collaborative project of Shelters United and the University of Florida’s Online Shelter Medicine Program, made possible through funding by PetSmart Charities.
Our goal with this toolkit is to provide a blueprint for animal welfare organizations (AWOs) and veterinarians to build strong, mutually beneficial collaborations that improve animal welfare and positively impact the community.
Why Do We Need a Toolkit?
No matter the extent to which animal welfare organizations (AWOs) and veterinarians partner, there are many mutual benefits.
Benefits for Veterinarians:
Financial
Benefits.
Veterinarians gain additional revenue for their services. Partnership also builds a list of potential clients for the vet clinic – animals adopted from the shelter and their new families.
Participation in Altruistic Activities.
Presents opportunities to help the public and to keep animals healthy and happy.
Expanding their Areas of Expertise.
Learning opportunity for vets interested in shelter medicine, broadening the species they take care of, and playing a role in public health concerns related to animals.
Benefits for AWOs:
Thriving Shelter
Animals.
Shelters gain access to expert care for vaccinations, diagnoses, treatment, and medical recordkeeping.
Improved Customer Satisfaction.
People are much more likely to have an enjoyable experience at a shelter or rescue — as well as adopt, volunteer, or donate — if the kennels and cages are clean and the animals are healthy.
Operational
Efficiency.
AWOs often face resource constraints, including limited staff and budgets. Focusing on preventive care to reduce the number of animals needing extensive medical treatment can significantly improve operational efficiency and resource allocation.
This FREE resource aims to equip AWOs and veterinarians with the tools and knowledge needed to build successful partnerships so that they can create a positive impact on animal welfare and contribute to a healthier community overall.
Toolkit Contents
The Purpose
Covers why Shelters United created the toolkit; delves into the benefits of collaboration for AWOs and vets; and reviews common challenges in these partnerships.
The Partnership
Defines the types of AWOs and the roles they play within communities; discusses the differences between shelter medicine and private practice; introduces the topic of the veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR); and offers tips on finding the perfect partner.
Building the Relationship
Reviews the foundations of successful communication; highlights the importance of respect; shares budgeting tips for AWOs, including payment and purchasing processes; discusses the importance of formalizing the partnership in a written agreement; includes a template for a memorandum of understanding (MOU); and covers various legalities.
Maintaining the Relationship
Outlines common sources of communication challenges; provides guidelines for managing disagreements constructively; and addresses what to do if/ when the relationship is struggling.
Growing the Relationship
Shares the basics of developing a joint marketing plan as well as specific ideas for AWOs/vets to promote their partnership and grow their businesses; offers tips on successful social media strategies, working with traditional media, and harnessing the power of storytelling.
Resources
Includes references, glossary, videos, toolkit PDFs, veterinarian connect with AWO, and special thanks.
Access the FREE Toolkit Today!
Click the “Access the Toolkit” button below and you can register for FREE access to the toolkit.
This toolkit is FREE due to funding from PetSmart Charities.
