We take particular pride in our advancement projects, because they further knowledge in areas where there are important gaps or new opportunities for development in the field of animal welfare. Field knowledge from working shelters is rare, so these projects are particularly valuable for other shelters and the industry as a whole. We work diligently to ensure our work is published within peer-reviewed journals to ensure that documented and strong data can help influence and improve animal welfare globally. Our published studies include: Examples of our publications and industry advancement work can be found below: Ringworm:This study was the first to compare a new, rapid PCR test with the old test. In our shelter alone, it has reduced length of stay and improved welfare for hundreds of negative cats with areas of hair loss, that would previously have been isolated and treated for 2 weeks. The study provided critical information to help shelters decide which test to use. Heartworm: We frequently import heartworm-positive dogs from the US and First Nations communities. Through analyzing our shelter data, we were able to objectively demonstrate, for the first time, that there are “hot-spots” of heartworm in under-resourced First Nations communities in Ontario. Hoarding: We published the first detailed clinical study detailing medical conditions in cats from hoarding environments. We showed that outcomes can be excellent, given appropriate resources; that chronic upper respiratory infections are much more likely in institutional hoarding environments; and that a harm reduction approach is appropriate for less severe hoarding situations. We were the first to define institutional hoarding.