Start Here > What is a Gap Analysis? > How a Gap Analysis Works > Sample Gap Analysis > Summary & Takeaways > Try it Yourself!
Try it Yourself!
Your name:
Enter your shelter's numbers below.
For single-species organizations, fill out only the fields that apply; the tool ignores the rest.
Adult Dogs
Puppies
Adult Cats
Neonatal Kittens
Gap Analysis Results
Results for:
Date:
To save your results, press Ctrl+P (Windows) or Cmd+P (Mac) and choose “Save as PDF.” Upload that PDF to the assignment.
Your Biggest Gap: Adult Dogs
Based on your numbers, adult dogs have the lowest save rate of the groups you entered. That suggests they may be facing barriers to positive outcomes in your shelter.
Here are a few programs and strategies to consider:
• Expand foster options for adult dogs, especially large breeds and long-stay dogs
• Add or strengthen basic behavior support, such as enrichment and simple training plans
• Review your adoption process for adult dogs and reduce friction where possible
• Add targeted marketing for overlooked dogs
These examples are meant to get you thinking about ways to support adult dogs more effectively.
Your Biggest Gap: Puppies
Your data shows that puppies have the lowest save rate among the groups you entered. This can point to issues with disease management, housing, or support for young dogs.
Here are a few helpful program ideas:
• Create or expand a foster program for puppies and litters
• Review vaccination and intake processes to limit disease spread
• Develop simple protocols for common puppy illnesses
• Offer basic training and socialization guidance to adopters and fosters
These examples are meant to help you think about where puppies may need additional support.
Your Biggest Gap: Adult Cats
Adult cats appear to have the lowest save rate in your shelter. This often points to barriers in adoption, housing, or length of stay.
Consider exploring:
• Better housing and enrichment to reduce stress
• Simplifying the adoption process where safe and appropriate
• Focused marketing for adult cats, such as spotlight features
• Exploring TNR or return-to-field if appropriate and legal
These ideas can help identify where adult cats may need extra support.
Your Biggest Gap: Neonatal Kittens
Neonatal kittens have the lowest save rate in your data. This is common because very young kittens have needs that are hard to meet in a traditional shelter setting.
You might consider:
• Creating or expanding a neonatal kitten foster program
• Developing clear intake and triage guidelines for under-8-week kittens
• Setting up a simple supply system for fosters (formula, bottles, heat sources)
• Offering basic training for volunteers who want to help bottle-feed kittens
These examples highlight ways a targeted program can support your highest-risk population.
You have more than one similar gap
Your save rates suggest that more than one group is struggling at a similar level. This can happen when multiple populations compete for the same limited resources.
A few next steps you might consider:
• Start with the group that has the highest intake and lowest save rate
• Choose one population you feel most ready to support first
• Look for shared causes like housing, intake flow, or lack of foster capacity
You don’t need to fix everything at once. Pick one place to begin.
No data to analyze
It looks like you did not enter any intake and live outcome numbers.
Please add data for at least one group (for example, adult dogs or adult cats) and click “Analyze My Gaps” again.
This tool is for instructional use only. The calculations and recommendations shown here are simplified examples designed to help students understand the basic concepts of gap analysis in animal sheltering. They may not reflect the full complexity of real shelter operations. Do not use this tool as a substitute for professional evaluation, shelter software, or operational decision-making.