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Welcome to the Shelter Adoption Academy

Helping shelters increase their local adoption rates, so more animals find their forever home.

About the Course


The Shelter Adoption Academy is developed for shelters and organisations with limited resources looking to increase the number of adoptions and build local adoption culture.


The Shelter Adoption Academy consists of eight modules, providing learners with the knowledge and tools to support the journey of dogs from a shelter to a permanent responsible home. The course should take approximately 10 hours to complete.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the course, you will be able to:


  • Promote Animal Welfare and the 'Five Domains Model'
  • Meet dogs' nutritional, environmental and health needs
  • Develop appropriate dog behaviour 
  • Reduce stress and pain and promote positive experiences
  • Understand basic dog body language 
  • Facilitate successful dog adoption 
  • Apply basic marketing concepts to promote shelter adoption
  • Conduct basic dog training 
  • Deal with problem behaviour  
  • Promote Animal Welfare and the 'Five Domains Model'
  • Meet dogs' nutritional, environmental and health needs
  • Develop appropriate dog behaviour 
  • Reduce stress and pain and promote positive experiences
  • Understand basic dog body language 
  • Facilitate successful dog adoption 
  • Apply basic marketing concepts to promote shelter adoption
  • Conduct basic dog training 
  • Deal with problem behaviour  

What do you get?

Upon completion of the course, you will receive:

Completion Certificate


Acknowledging the completion of the Shelter Adoption Academy course 

Adoption Success Kit


Includes a printed copy of all additional materials and tools from the course 

Promotional Leaflets


100 customised leaflets designed to promote your shelter in your local language 

*The Adoption Success Kit and Customised Promotional Leaflets will be available upon request via SAPonline@four-paws.org.

Please note, we offer one Adoption Success Kit and 100 Promotional leaflets per shelter/organisation. 


VIER PFOTEN International - gemeinnützige Privatstiftung
Linke Wienzeile 236, A-1150 Vienna
Email: office@four-paws.org         
Tel: +43-1-545 50 20-0


© 2022  www.four-paws.org 
All rights reserved by VIER PFOTEN International – gemeinnützige Privatstiftung 
VIER PFOTEN International - gemeinnützige Privatstiftung
Linke Wienzeile 236, A-1150 Vienna
Email: office@four-paws.org         
Tel: +43-1-545 50 20-0


© 2022  www.four-paws.org 
All rights reserved by VIER PFOTEN International – gemeinnützige Privatstiftung