Introducing the Animal Care Shelter Maturity Model (ACSMM™)
Your Pathway to Sustainable No-Kill Operations
The Animal Care Shelter Maturity Model (ACSMM™) is the first framework of its kind designed exclusively for the animal care sheltering industry. Its mission is simple but powerful:
Provide a roadmap to reduce—and ultimately eliminate—euthanasia as an operational practice.
Why a Maturity Model?
Maturity models are proven tools for driving continuous improvement. In the shelter context, ACSMM™ helps leaders:
Identify their current level of practice.
Prioritize the right initiatives.
Foster innovation and accountability.
Build public trust and strengthen community ties.
By breaking complex shelter operations into manageable stages, ACSMM™ gives teams a clear pathway to progress, ensuring that every decision supports both operational excellence and lifesaving outcomes.
How the ACSMM™ Works
The ACSMM™ is a behavior-based, structured framework that maps a shelter’s journey through six maturity levels from ad-hoc practices to fully optimized No-Kill operations.
It defines six maturity levels across eight key domains, guiding organizations at any starting point.
The Eight ACSMM™ Domains
Governance, Risk & Compliance – Operating within legal, regulatory, and ethical frameworks.
Intake & Outflow Management – Managing intake, flow-through, and outcomes with lifesaving alternatives.
Medical & Behavioral Care – Providing treatment, rehabilitation, and humane decision-making.
Community Engagement & Volunteerism – Building public support and mobilizing volunteers.
Rescue, Transport & Partner Networks – Collaborating with external partners for maximum live outcomes.
Staffing, Training & Culture – Attracting, training, and retaining qualified staff and volunteers.
Data Management & Operational Transparency – Collecting, analyzing, and sharing operational data.
Innovation & Knowledge Sharing – Fostering continuous learning and industry collaboration.
Deep Dive: Medical & Behavioral Care
Objective: Ensure all animals receive appropriate, life-affirming services whenever possible.
Example of Maturity Levels in this Domain:
Level 5: Regional leader; integrated clinical & behavioral teams; trauma-informed care; shares best practices.
Level 3: Regular rounds; documented treatment plans; foster-based rehab programs in place.
Level 0: Minimal or no medical attention; no behavioral assessments; euthanasia without review.
Key Practices Include:
Standardized medical intake protocols.
Behavioral screening and interventions.
Treatment planning linked to outcome pathways.
Thorough documentation and ethical oversight.
Why This Matters
In every shelter, during every shift, leadership is the hinge between life and death.
The ACSMM™ doesn’t replace leadership—it sustains it, codifying lifesaving behaviors and protecting progress from staff turnover. By adopting ACSMM™, shelters create a shared language, a clear plan, and a lasting commitment to No-Kill excellence.
Contact Us Today
Ready to explore how the ACSMM™ can help your shelter thrive? Complete our Inquiry Form for more information today.