Welcome to the SAWA Website

The Society of Animal Welfare Administrators (SAWA) is a non-profit individual membership organization of professionals in animal welfare, care & control, dedicated to the growth and prestige of our industry.

SAWA strives to advocate humane ideals through professional advancement of members. Animal welfare leaders network with peers, establish mentor relationships, share best practices, form successful collaborations, and advance the field.

SAWA members benefit from targeted education and professional certification. SAWA Certified Animal Welfare Administrators (CAWA) possess well rounded experience and unique animal welfare knowledge to support agency missions and long term growth.

SAWA is the only international society of leaders actively leading and managing community animal shelters/animal control agencies.

SAWA members collaborate to rescue, shelter, rehabilitate and find good homes for animals.

SAWA April 2012 E-News

Leaders Committed to Excellence Video
If you experience trouble with the video or audio playback, try clicking "360p"
button on the right (below the video), and change your resolution to "240p".

Upcoming Events

2012 Management Conference

Animal welfare senior managers gain tools to catapult their growth to top level executive positions.

June 13-15, 2012
St. Louis Union Station Marriott
St. Louis, MO

Click here for more information

2012 Annual Conference

Leaders gather to focus on critical issues that chief executive officers and senior level managers need in their knowledge base to advance the field.

November 4-6, 2012
Tradewinds Island Resorts
St. Petersburg, FL

Certification Program

The Certified Animal Welfare Administrators (CAWA) accreditation program has been designed to establish recognition for those of us who have gained a significant body of knowledge, achievements and abilities. The date for the 2012 Certified Animal Welfare Administrator (CAWA) exam will be November 4, 2012.