New Content Series: Unlocking Animal Data Series - Shelter Animals Count
19May’25
Introducing the Unlocking Animal Data Series: Insights to Power the Future of Data in Animal Welfare
Shelter Animals Count is proud to announce the launch of the Unlocking Animal Data Series, a year-long collaboration with Hill’s Pet Nutrition designed to take your organization beyond the basics and into the next generation of data-informed decision-making.
In an industry where every number tells a story—and every story has the power to drive change—understanding how to capture, interpret, and act on data is essential.
What Is the Unlocking Animal Data Series?
Throughout 2025, Shelter Animals Count will bring you expert-led webinars and in-depth blog posts that dive into the most pressing trends in animal sheltering today. Think of this series as your field guide to the data behind the work you do—designed to be practical, digestible, and directly relevant to your daily challenges.
Whether you’re managing a shelter, supporting a rescue, or leading programs and outreach in your community, this series is built to help you:
- + Better understand your own numbers
- + Compare trends across the country
- + Translate data into decisions that improve outcomes for animals and people
The Unlocking Animal Data Series will include:
Blog Posts
Our blog series will explore timely and relevant topics throughout the year, including kitten intake data, analyzing foster program data, trends in large dog populations and increasing length of stay, and much more. Each post will break down what the numbers mean, why they matter, and how your organization can use these insights to inform decisions and improve outcomes.
Webinars
Join live conversations with national experts and Shelter Animals Count data analysts as they dive into analysis of kitten data, mid-year sheltering trends and forecasting, foster and community support programs, and more. These sessions will also explore the gap between public perception and what the data shows. You’ll leave with practical tools, visualizations, and strategies you can put into action right away.
Data Basics Workbook
Download the Data Basics Workbook – a valuable resource for animal welfare organizations of all sizes. Whether you’re just getting started with data collection or need a refresher on key terms and reporting standards, this guide offers clear explanations, practical tips, and a comprehensive glossary to help you build a strong foundation. Download it anytime to support your team’s understanding and use of data in daily operations and decision-making.
Why Now?
Shelters and rescues are facing sustained capacity pressures. For the fourth straight year, more animals are coming in than going out. By understanding what’s really happening and why, we can better advocate for resources, build stronger community programs, and improve the lives of animals in our care.
WEBINAR: Making Kittens Count: Kitten-Focused Data Insights and Opportunities
Wednesday, May 28th, 2025 2PM EST / 11AM PST
Join us for this exciting conversation with Hannah Shaw, aka "The Kitten Lady". This session explores how better data-keeping for pre-adoption age kittens can drive lifesaving outcomes for the tiniest felines. Hannah will share fascinating new national insights from SAC's animal-level data, uncover the challenges and opportunities of tracking kittens, and offer practical strategies to improve how we record, understand, and act on kitten-focused data.