The purpose of SCASV is to promote the importance of the specialty of shelter medicine in veterinary medicine and to raise student awareness of issues pertaining to homeless animals and pet overpopulation, which may include:
o the mission of animal control and humane shelters and the role of the shelter veterinarian o prevention, management and control of infectious disease and trauma in the shelter setting
o shelter animal behavioral evaluation, prevention and management of confinement related behavioral disorders, stress management, training and rehabilitation of shelter animals
o high volume and early age spay/neuter, trap-neuter-release and other pet sterilization methods o the veterinarian’s role in animal cruelty recognition and reporting
o To encourage camaraderie among veterinary students with an interest in animal shelter medicine
o To provide educational opportunities for veterinary students related to the practice of shelter medicine through guest speakers, wet labs and other formats
o To assist students in participating in externships with practicing shelter veterinarians
o To provide a venue for veterinary students to support local shelters or other programs designed to help homeless animals
o To create and maintain an affiliation between the Student Chapter members and members of the Association of Shelter Veterinarians (ASV)
o To act as a communication link between practicing shelter veterinarians and veterinary students via the ASV newsletter and the ASV list serve
o To allow mention of SCASV membership on curriculum vitae to demonstrate interest in shelter medicine to prospective veterinary employers