From Vision to Victory:
We envision a national sheltering system where no animal is killed for lack of space, capacity, or planning.
Mission Statement
The No Kill ACSMM Institute exists to reduce shelter euthanasia and improve animal welfare outcomes by helping organizations assess, benchmark, and strengthen their operations through the Animal Care Shelter Maturity Model (ACSMM™). We provide structure, strategy, and systems thinking to support sustainable no-kill transformation.
Vision Statement
We envision a national sheltering system where no animal is killed for lack of space, capacity, or planning. Through the ACSMM, shelters of all sizes can move from crisis response to sustainable, lifesaving operations—guided by data, empowered by leadership, and aligned with community values.
The No Kill ACSMM Institute is a registered 501(c)(3) public charity. Contributions are tax-deductible as allowed by law.
The No Kill ACSMM™ Institute is a nonprofit organization recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. EIN: 39-311-6363. Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
Scope of Work
The No Kill ACSMM Institute:
Develops and maintains the ACSMM™ as a structured, evidence-based roadmap for operational maturity in animal care shelters
Supports shelter teams and partners with surveys, tools, facilitation guidance, and strategic coaching to drive measurable improvements
Offers pilot programs, educational outreach, and facilitator certification to scale no-kill practices across varied shelter environments
Acts as a neutral, nonpartisan organization, committed to advancing humane, accountable care without endorsing or competing with existing vendors or philosophies
Founder: Marv Serhan
Marv Serhan is the founder of The No Kill ACSMM™ Institute, a nonprofit initiative dedicated to transforming animal sheltering through structured assessment, collaboration, and compassion. Drawing from a distinguished career in military leadership, corporate innovation, and ethical instruction, Marv created the Animal Care Shelter Maturity Model (ACSMM™) to help shelters move beyond survival and toward sustainable, lifesaving success.
Before launching this effort, Marv served as a Navy Captain holding command at sea and ashore. Following his service, he supported business development and sales initiatives at Motorola Utility Solutions, IBM, and Hewlett Packard. At IBM he was a member of the Intelligent Utility Network team and supported utilities in navigating the rollout of Smart Grid systems using structured models of operational maturity. That work laid the foundation for the ACSMM—a framework built not for power grids, but for the people, animals, and the shelters that serve them.
A published thought leader in ethical leadership and a former professor at the University of San Diego, Marv remains committed to empowering organizations to lead with vision, integrity, and measurable results. He lives with his family in Camas, Washington, and continues to mentor, speak, and serve.
A Tribute, A Mission
This model is dedicated to the thousands of animals whose lives were lost not because they were untreatable or unwanted—but because the system failed to evolve. And it’s named in spirit for one who never saw a shelter cage:
Missy, a loyal Labrador who shared life with the model’s creator for 14 years, reminds us that every animal deserves the dignity of care, the safety of structure, and the chance to live.