ASPCA SAFER® (Safety Assessment for Evaluating Rehoming) is intended to be one tool used to help identify the risk of future aggression and individual behavioral support needed before adoption for each dog in a shelter.
The ASPCA’s work changes as new research and information comes to light. While formal assessments can be helpful, we want to thoughtfully review all elements of SAFER so shelters have the most up-to-the-minute material and approaches to gather the best information on dogs in their care.
In order to aid shelters in making educated decisions about how to focus their information-gathering efforts and weigh the information they receive, the ASPCA explores the benefits and limitations of various information sources, including previous owners, someone who found the dog, medical intake, daily care staff and volunteers, socialization sessions, walks, playgroups, foster homes and behavior assessments.
Match-Up II was developed at The Center for Shelter Dogs (CSD), formally a program of the Animal Rescue League of Boston. The assessment includes a behavior evaluation, automatic personality and triage scores, outcome reports and recommended trainings or further actions. The program is retired as of 2024.
This temperament test, created by Sue Sternberg, is a 15-minute evaluation process that is designed to hep inform decisions on safety, adoptability and euthanasia, matching dogs with new families, and surveying owners after return" for aggression in the new home.
