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What is a Gap Analysis?
A gap analysis is a way for shelters to compare what’s happening in their care with the outcomes they want to see. It helps identify which animals are most at risk and shines a light on why they’re struggling. Once you know where the gaps are, you can build programs that directly support those animals.
Why shelters use it:
Shelters use gap analysis to:
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Understand which animals are facing the highest risk
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Spot problems that might be hidden in day-to-day work
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Use limited staff, time, and resources where they matter most
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Build programs that improve outcomes for specific groups of animals
Example:
If your shelter takes in 500 animals a year and most are doing well, but neonatal kittens are dying in care at a higher rate, that’s a "gap." A foster program for bottle babies can close that gap and raise your overall save rate.
Gap analysis works because it replaces guesswork with clarity. Instead of spreading your time and resources evenly across every challenge, it shows you exactly where focused effort will save the most lives. The problems become clearer, the decisions get easier, and the results are measurable.