SAFER® Aggression Assessment

The ASPCA SAFER® (Safety Assessment For Evaluating Rehoming) Assessment tool has helped animal-welfare professionals identify potential aggression in dogs--ultimately resulting in more adoptions through appropriate placement.

Articles

Mission: Keeping Dogs Safe at Home with Their Military Families

The ASPCA used the SAFER assessment to assess 85 dogs for potential aggression at a US Marine Corps base, saving them from a new breed ban.

SAFER FAQs 

Is SAFER intended for use only with bully breeds? How do we get the rawhide away from a dog who won’t let go? Your questions are answered here.

Press

Read about how the ASPCA and other organizations around the country are using SAFER.

Resources for Becoming SAFER Certified

Upcoming Trainings

Find out when SAFER workshops are scheduled in your area.

Handy Reference Tool: SAFER Glossary
Sharpen your skills at reading canine body postures. Each definition includes a video clip so you can see the body posture in action.

How-To Guide and DVD

Order these materials to get detailed instructions on how to conduct and score the SAFER assessment, plus information on how to support the dogs in your care with identified behavior issues.

Applying for SAFER Certification

Here’s how to record and submit assessments so that you can be certified to use the SAFER Assessment in your shelter.