Maddie's® Shelter Lab - Subsidized Diagnostics for Animal Shelters
*Please note: At this time, we are pausing any future shelter lab registrations. We hope to allow new registrations in the coming months.
Maddie’s® Shelter Lab provides registered 501(c)3 and municipal sheltering organizations, with an operating budget of less than $50 million, within our consultation area (see map below), with subsidized diagnostic testing for shelter and rescue-owned dogs, cats, and small mammals at a rate of 50% off testing fees and supplies using free shipping labels via UPS Ground. Additionally, phone and email consultation services are available to provide assistance to veterinarians regarding test submission, result interpretation, and outbreak management through the Maddie’s® Shelter Medicine Program at Cornell and the AHDC’s Veterinary Support Services.
Consultation area for MSMP who are eligible to apply: New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Ohio and Maine.
To be eligible for subsidized diagnostic testing through Maddie's® Shelter lab, a shelter or rescue organization must:
be a brick-and-mortar organization
be 501(c)3 status or equivalent non-profit status, and provide relevant proof
have a licensed veterinarian who signs submission forms and to whom results will be transmitted
Once your registration is verified and approved, you will be contacted with an account number and pre-populated submission form that you must use when submitting samples for a discounted rate. If you have any questions, please email Maddie's® Shelter Medicine Program at Cornell at sheltermedicine@cornell.edu .
*Funding for this program is made possible by a grant from Maddie’s Fund®. Maddie’s Fund® is the fulfillment of a promise to an inspirational dog, investing its resources to create a no-kill nation where every dog and cat is guaranteed a healthy home or habitat. #ThanksToMaddie.
Frequently Asked Questions
*Click on a question you would like answered from the list below.
How do I register?
You may register online through our website. Click on the Maddie’s® Shelter Lab tab on the main menu bar and then click where it says "CLICK HERE TO REGISTER". Follow the directions as indicated.
Who is eligible?
Nonprofit brick-and-mortar humane organizations with a licensed veterinarian of record from the following states are eligible to apply: New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Ohio and Maine.
**Please note, if your state is not listed and you are currently experiencing an outbreak, please contact us at sheltermedicine@cornell.edu; we may be able to help and/or provide additional resources.
Why do we need to have a veterinarian of record?
A veterinarian of record is necessary for release of diagnostic results and for communication purposes with our diagnostic consultants.
Where do I get instructions for how to submit samples?
https://ahdc.vet.cornell.edu/samples/ Please note: you will need a special shelter-specific form with your given Maddie’s® Shelter Lab account number in order to receive the subsidized fee.
Instant Shipping Labels
Maddie’s Diagnostic Program participants can get free shipping labels (UPS or FedEx) in one of two ways:
Contact the Diagnostic Lab at 607.253.3900 and request free labels as a Maddie’s Shelter Lab member or
Be registered for online account access through the AHDC Online Portal.
Registration can be completed under the “My Account” tab. If you are already registered, go to your Account Portal.
For new clients, the link for instant shipping labels will not be available on the account portal until your registration has been completed. This can take up to one business day, and is not immediate! You will receive a notification email when your account access is ready. Important information on how to ship specimens can be found at: How to Ship Specimens to the AHDC
Questions about shipping
*Click on a question you would like answered from the list below.
Can I get advice on what tests to run?
Yes, we provide consultation as part of our service. Please call 607-253-3900.
To find out the specific tests available through Maddie’s® Shelter Lab, please go to the Animal Health Diagnostic Center (AHDC) website at https://ahdc.vet.cornell.edu.
Can my veterinarian get advice on how to interpret test results?
Yes. Please call 607-253-3900. They will connect you with either a Veterinary Support Services (VSS) consultant, or a faculty member from the Maddie’s Shelter Medicine Program depending on the nature of your question.
What are the specific discounts offered to shelters?
Shelters receive 50% off testing fees and supplies as well as free shipping labels via USPS Ground.
Which type of shipping should I choose?
Most zip codes qualify for UPS Ground next day delivery service. Please call to confirm the zip code or visit https://wwwapps.ups.com/ctc to calculate the time and transit from your zip code to:
Shipping Services
College of Veterinary Medicine
Cornell University
240 Farrier Rd.
Ithaca, NY 14853
If you are shipping from the New York City area, you may need to use UPS Next Day Air for next day delivery. Click on the link below to order shipping labels online. https://ahdc.vet.cornell.edu/news/elabels.cfm
How do I appropriately categorize and label patient specimens?
How long will it be before we can request service from?
Expect it to be 1-2 weeks before you receive your shelter-specific account number and service request pdf by email. Once you receive this information, your registration will be confirmed and you can begin submitting requests to our diagnostic service.
