How to Determine Capacity for Care (C4C) in Animal Shelters?

After understanding that determining Capacity for Care (C4C) is an essential aspect often overlooked by shelter managers in Indonesia, the next question is: How do we determine it in a practical and responsible way?

Capacity for Care is not just about how many animals can be accommodated, but how many can be cared for properly, consistently, and responsibly.
It is not merely about “enough food,” but whether they are receiving all aspects of welfare—physical, mental, social, and medical.

Steps to Determine Capacity for Care (C4C)

Here are the steps recommended by the ASV Guidelines and supported by RSPCA Australia, which can be directly applied in Indonesian shelters:

1. Count the Number of Adequate Kennels

• Kennels must be spacious enough, clean, protected from heat/rain, and allow animals to stand, lie down, and move around.
  Ideally, one animal per kennel, or one family per space.
  Example: You have 10 proper kennels → the shelter’s basic capacity is 10 animals.

2. Consider the Number of Active Staff/Volunteers

According to ASV, caring for one dog requires a minimum of 15 minutes per day, including cleaning the kennel, feeding, health observation, and interaction.
Example: You have 2 active volunteers working 3 hours/day (total 360 minutes).
Effective time per day = 360 minutes ÷ 15 minutes = maximum 24 animals.
(However, this must still be cross-checked with kennel availability and budget.)

3. Calculate Daily/Monthly Budget Availability

• Food, litter, vitamins, vaccinations, sterilization, and emergency costs must be included.
  Do not rely solely on inconsistent donations.
  Example: Daily cost per animal = Rp 15,000 (food + hygiene).
  If daily budget = Rp 300,000 → capacity = 20 animals.

4. Evaluate Access to Medical Care

• Does your shelter collaborate with a veterinarian or clinic?
• Is there a quarantine system for new arrivals?
• How many isolation spaces are available for sick animals?

If even one sick animal cannot be treated, the shelter has already exceeded safe capacity.

5. Combine All Factors Realistically

Capacity for Care = the lowest number from all factors above (kennels, staff, budget, medical).

Example:

Maximum C4C Capacity = 10 animals

Do not take the highest number. Always take the lowest.

When Should Capacity Be Re-evaluated?

• When volunteers leave or join

• When there are budget changes

• During a disease outbreak

• When adding or losing space

• At least every 3 months

Common Mistakes by Shelter Managers in Determining Capacity :

1. Relying on “feelings” or pity, not data

2. Ignoring sick or hidden animals

3. Thinking: “There will surely be a donor/adopter later”

4. Not calculating volunteer workload

5. Equating housing capacity with care capacity

Simple but Strong Capacity for Care Checklist

Use this list before accepting new animals:
☑ There is an empty, proper kennel
☑ Additional budget for food and medical care is available
☑ Time and energy for daily care are sufficient
☑ Quarantine space is available if needed
☑ There is a long-term plan for this animal (sterilization, adoption, etc.)

Closing

Determining Capacity for Care is not about limiting good intentions, but about ensuring those good intentions do not turn into new suffering.

By calculating capacity honestly and responsibly, your shelter does not just save animals, but truly gives them a better life.

It is better to care properly for 10 animals than to let 50 suffer in silence.

References:

1. The Association of Shelter Veterinarians (ASV). (2010). Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters. https://www.sheltervet.org/assets/docs/shelter-standards-oct2011-wforward.pdf
2. RSPCA Australia. (2018). Guidelines for the Operation of Animal Shelters.
   https://www.rspca.org.au