Build practical shelter management skills through an immersive week of in-person learning.
The Shelter Management Residential Week is designed for people who have completed Foundations of Shelter Management and want to deepen their knowledge in a real-world setting.
Over five days, you'll learn from Battersea specialists, explore key shelter management challenges and connect with others working in animal welfare. You'll take part in workshops, discussions, practical activities and observations across Battersea's London and Old Windsor centres.
The programme combines human and organisational learning with specialist animal welfare training. You'll choose either a dog or cat pathway and leave with practical ideas you can apply in your own organisation.
Key details
Date: Monday 7th to Friday 11th September 2026
Format: In-person
Duration: Five days
Location: Battersea London and Old Windsor centres
Eligibility: Completion of Foundations of Shelter Management
What you'll get out of it
- Greater confidence in shelter management
- Practical insights from Battersea's operational teams.
- A deeper understanding of animal welfare and behaviour.
- New approaches to leadership and decision-making.
- Ideas you can apply in your own organisation.
- Connections with peers from across the animal welfare sector.
- A personal action plan to support your next steps.
How the programme works
- Three days of shared learning for all participants at our London site.
- Two days in either the Dog or Cat pathway.
- Learning through workshops, observation and discussion.
- Opportunities to reflect on your own practice.
- Action planning to support implementation back at work.
Who it's for
- People who have completed Foundations of Shelter Management.
- Staff and volunteers working in shelters and rehoming organisations.
- Those looking to develop their practical shelter management skills.
- Anyone wanting to improve outcomes for animals in their care.
FAQs
Yes. The Residential Week is only available to people who have completed Foundations of Shelter Management.
Yes. You'll choose either the Dog Pathway or Cat Pathway.
Learning takes place across Battersea's London and Old Windsor centres.
The programme runs over five days.
Bursaries are available for eligible organisations. These may cover any or all of the following: course fees, accommodation, travel to and from London and meals.
You'll leave with an action plan to help apply your learning in your own organisation.
