Capture, Impoundment, and Shelter Operations
This domain covers the capture-to-outcome pipeline: safe capture, intake, housing, recordkeeping, and disposition. Capture concepts: species-appropriate equipment, humane traps (checked frequently, sheltered, labeled), catch poles used correctly (never as a noose to lift or drag), netting for birds, and reducing stress during transport. Understand intake procedures: identification, health screening, temperament assessment, vaccination, and documentation. Know housing standards: space, sanitation, temperature, ventilation, enrichment, and separation by species/health status.
Recordkeeping is a legal and ethical duty - intake/outcome records, hold periods (stray hold), owner notification, and disposition (reclaim, adoption, transfer, euthanasia). Understand stray hold laws and the difference between owner surrender and stray, and euthanasia standards (humane methods, trained personnel). Traps include skipping hold periods, improper trap checks, and assuming a microchip resolves ownership without verification. Shelter operations also require disease control (isolation of sick animals) and behavioral welfare (reducing kennel stress).
Rule of thumb: every animal has a documented identity, legal hold status, and outcome - if it isn't in the record, it didn't happen.
Worked example: A trapped stray cat has a microchip. Correct steps: scan, contact registry, attempt owner contact, hold per stray-hold law, and document all attempts - a chip is evidence, not automatic proof of current ownership.