Research

ASPCA Research studies and implements lifesaving models, both internally and through work with other agencies, and then shares successful programs with the field. The team provides the latest data-backed information to help with food guarding, assessments, adoptions and many more crucial shelter subjects.

In this section

Adoption Ambassadors

Adoption Ambassadors is foster care taken to the next level: You supply simple training and a few tools, and foster parents take it from there.

SAFER®

The ASPCA’s SAFER tool is a predictive, consistent method for evaluating the probability of aggression in individual dogs.

Meet Your Match

The ASPCA’s Meet Your Match is a research-based adoptions program that’s proven to increase adoptions and decrease returns.

GIS

Read about the ASPCA’s research into Geographic Information Systems and how it can be a powerful lifesaving tool for shelters.

Feline Spectrum Assessment

FSA is a standardized and simple four-step process for assessing incoming cats that grew out of the ASPCA’s “Is This Cat Feral?” research.

Less is More on the Adoption Floor

Putting fewer cats on the adoption floor actually results in more cat adoptions, according to ASPCA research.

Fee-Waived Adoptions

Thinking about waiving fees? Research studies and individual experiences confirm that fee-waived cats are just as loved as ones with a price tag.

Retention of Pet ID Tags

If shelters provide ID tags and put them on adopted or found animals, the likelihood immediately improves that those pets, if lost, will return home.

Frequency of Lost Dogs and Cats in the United States

ASPCA research on lost pets shows that many stray dogs and cats in U.S. shelters may not have someone looking for them.

Food Guarding in Shelter Dogs

An ASPCA study provides a compelling argument against euthanizing dogs who display food guarding.

Pets As Gifts

ASPCA research debunks the myth that pets should not be given as gifts. Read more about the study and results.