What it all comes down to is animals, people and the facility itself.
Your animal shelter should be looking at priorities in all three areas:
Animal Care:
* Humane Living Conditions
* Humane Euthanasia by Injection
* Aggressive Spay/Neuter Policies and Programs
* Mandatory Sterilization of Animals Leaving Shelter
* Medical Standard Operating Procedures, Comprehensive Animal Health Care
* Shelter Disease Prevention and Control
* Kenneling Capability According to Community Needs, Staffing Limitations
* Preventing Animal Suffering
* Reducing Stress of Animals by Grooming, Exercise, Enrichment, Species Separation
* Animal Behavioral Assessments
* Customized, Quality Adoption Programs
People Care:
* Humane Education on Care of Companion Animals, Behavior Issues, Overpopulation
* Standard Operating Procedures for Working with Rescue Groups
* Employee Training and Professional Development
* Board of Directors or Public Entity Oversight
* Transparency and Accountability
* Professional Public Service and Accessibility
* Community Visibility and Partnerships
* Volunteer Opportunities and Training
* Good Relationships with Animal Control Officers
* Good Relationships with City and County Management
Facility Care:
* Maintenance and Growth Issues
* Budgeting and Fundraising
* Addressing Capital Improvement Needs
Shelter Board