Reducing Fear to Improve Care: Why Fear Free® Matters in Animal Welfare
Are we not inherently programmed with a fight or flee response when cornered by danger? Flight-or fight is felt across the animal kingdom – even in situations where we are trying to help. When fear takes hold, the most well-intentioned caregiving can become more difficult, more painful, and less effective. Anxiety creates barriers to trust, healing, and a meaningful connection. Creating a comfortable environment with suitable techniques – at the shelter, veterinarian, daycare, groomer, or in the home – can reduce nervousness and make the experience safer and more effective for everyone.
UGS Is Fear Free® Certified
The team at UGS is proud to be certified through the Fear Free® Certification Program, a nationally recognized initiative dedicated to mitigating fear, anxiety, and stress in animals. Fear Free provides science-based education and practical tools for animal care professionals and pet owners alike to better understand and support the emotional well-being of the animals in their care.
Founded by Dr. Marty Becker, DVM, Fear Free courses are developed and written by the most respected experts in animal care including, specialty boarded veterinarians, experts in shelter medicine, animal training, grooming, and boarding. The result is some of the most innovative educational programs in the history of the veterinary, pet professional, and animal welfare industries. As one of the most comprehensive educational programs in veterinary medicine and animal welfare, Fear Free plays a vital role in strengthening the human–animal bond.
Better Care Begins With Calm
For veterinarians, working with calm animals allows for more accurate vital signs, clearer assessments, and better diagnoses and treatment outcomes. Clients are reassured when their pets have less anxiety and are not acting out, and will be more satisfied with the care and more ready to bring an animal in for care earlier and more often.
In boarding facilities, daycare settings, and rescue organizations, calmer animals also create a safer and more satisfying working environment. These group settings rely heavily on social interactions, and a relaxed animal is easier to assess and appropriately socialize. A calm animal that has been able to socialize will have a better chance at finding a forever home.
Fear Free in Shelter Environments
Animal shelters are uniquely high-stress environments. Many animals arrive after experiencing physical trauma, emotional neglect, homelessness, or prolonged anxiety. This history can place them in a constant state of high alert, making traditional care and handling especially challenging.
That is where the Fear Free Shelter Program makes a critical difference.
In the first half of 2025, 2.8 million dogs and cats entered shelters and rescues in the US, spread across over 13,000 shelters.[1] Some animals spend only days in a shelter, while others remain for months or even years. Inconsistent daily interactions and limited opportunities to build trust can further compound stress.
Fear Free training teaches staff and volunteers how to recognize the subtle signs of anxiety, stress, and frustration. By understanding safe handling techniques and low-stress care protocols, teams can reduce fear not only in the animals, but within the entire shelter environment. When animals are calm, caregivers can develop more accurate behavioral profiles, greatly increasing the chance of a successful transfer.
Additional Benefits for Shelters
Fear Free also offers member benefits tailored specifically for shelters, including:
Free registration for all staff and volunteers
Ongoing education and CE courses
Guidance on intake, admission, and optimal housing
Training videos and staff resources
Marketing and promotional materials
Educational handouts for pet adopters and guardians
A Commitment to Compassionate Care
Fear doesn’t have to be part of animal care.
Embracing Fear Free principles can reduce stress, improve safety, and transform the experience for pets, professionals, and pet owners alike. At UGS, we are proud of our Fear Free® certification and our commitment to compassionate, safe animal care.
Ready to be at ease with the Fear Free approach? You can learn more at https://www.fearfree.com/ and https://fearfreeshelters.com/. Want to hear more about how UGS partners with the best in animal health products and equipment here or drop us an email at marketing@ugsmedical.com.
[1] https://www.shelteranimalscount.org/explore-the-data/2025-mid-year-report