Shelters United

What Shelters United does

Shelters United is a nonprofit cooperative buying program (GPO) and online marketplace serving 501(c)(3) animal welfare organizations and municipal animal shelters across the United States. Founded in 1981 and operated under the Institute for Nonprofit Excellence (INPEx) umbrella, the organization offers free membership to qualifying animal welfare groups, aggregating their purchasing volume to negotiate manufacturer and distributor discounts that individual shelters could not obtain independently. Its primary customer segments are nonprofit shelters/rescue groups, municipal shelters, and — through its pharmacy sub-brand — pet adopters, staff, and volunteers.

The platform is structured around five core programs: (1) the Vet Supplies Savings Program, a GPO partnership with MWI Animal Health offering up to 70% off flea, tick, and heartworm prevention; (2) the Vaccine Savings Program, a direct enrollment relationship with Boehringer Ingelheim offering up to 65% off rabies and 50% off core canine/feline vaccines with temperature-controlled shipping; (3) Shelters United Pharmacy, an online pet pharmacy operated through parent pharmacy Pet's Choice Pharmacy under Dr. Spencer Brown (licensed in 21 states, operations in all 50); (4) the Veterinarian of Record (VOR) Program, a free training and CE program co-developed with PetSmart Charities and University of Florida Shelter Medicine; and (5) the Pet Supplies Marketplace, an e-commerce storefront for food, litter, treats, and enrichment products currently rolling out in phases across certain U.S. zip codes. The technology stack is conventional e-commerce plus pharmacy fulfillment, augmented by 15+ trusted-partner brand integrations (Virbac, Canine Spectra, Antech, Wedgewood, PRN Pharmacal, Rescue Disinfectants, Neogen, Pet-Ag, VetOne, BLUE Natural Veterinary Diets, Trupanion, Clinic HQ, and others).

Shelters United's business model is transaction-driven rather than subscription-based: all programs are free for member organizations, and revenue is earned through three primary streams. First, the cooperative buying program generates marketplace-style commissions on aggregated purchasing volume routed through MWI Animal Health and direct manufacturer partners. Second, the Pharmacy Program earns margin on pet medication sales — with 5% of each purchase donated back to the member organization the buyer supports, and 10% discounts to staff/volunteers on personal pet medications. Third, special offers and promotional partnerships with brand vendors generate affiliate/referral revenue. The organization is led by Founder Mal Schwartz (also President of INPEx) and COO Tali Thomas, with a team of approximately 20 including a CTO, VP of Business Intelligence, directors of partnerships, membership, and B2B operations, and multiple member consultants. Revenue is not publicly disclosed.

Name

Shelters United

Legal name

Shelters United

Website

https://sheltersunited.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Shelters United is a nonprofit cooperative buying program and online marketplace, founded 1981, that gives free membership to U.S. animal shelters and rescue groups, aggregating their purchasing volume to negotiate discounts on veterinary supplies, vaccines, pharmacy products, and pet supplies through partners like MWI Animal Health and Boehringer Ingelheim.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Group Purchasing Organization (Animal Welfare)

NAICS

Pet and Pet Supplies Retailers (45991)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Animal Shelters & Adoption Services (BPAGAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Animal Shelters & Rescue Operations (AFAEALAB)

Keywords

• Cooperative buying program
• Animal welfare supplies
• Veterinary pharmacy services
• Group purchasing organization
• Shelter medication discounts

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Pharmacy Revenue Donation: When pet adopters, staff, and volunteers purchase through Shelters United Pharmacy, 5% of each purchase is donated back to the member animal welfare organization. This creates a recurring revenue stream for member organizations while Shelters United earns margin on pharmacy sales.
2. Cooperative Buying Program Fees: Through partnerships with MWI Animal Health and other distributors, Shelters United earns revenue by aggregating purchasing volume from member organizations and negotiating discounted pricing. The organization serves as a GPO (Group Purchasing Organization).
3. Special Offers and Promotional Revenue: Exclusive deals from trusted partners (Virbac, Antech, PRN Pharmacal, Wedgewood, etc.) generate revenue through increased volume and promotional partnerships.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Shelters United is a free cooperative buying program (GPO) for 501(c)(3) animal welfare organizations and municipal shelters that aggregates purchasing volume to negotiate discounted veterinary supplies, vaccines, and pet medications through distributor and pharmaceutical partnerships (MWI Animal Health, Boehringer Ingelheim, Virbac). The organization also operates the Shelters United Pharmacy, an online pet pharmacy that donates 5% of every purchase back to the adopter's member organization, while offering 10% staff and volunteer discounts on personal pet medications.

Product overview

Shelters United operates a multi-component platform for animal welfare organizations offering five core programs: the Vet Supplies Savings Program (GPO), Vaccine Savings Program, Shelters United Pharmacy, Veterinarian of Record (VOR) Program, and Pet Supplies Marketplace. The ecosystem connects animal welfare organizations with discounted veterinary supplies, vaccines, medications, and pet supplies through various supplier partnerships including MWI Animal Health, Boehringer Ingelheim, Virbac, Canine Spectra, Wedgewood Pharmacy, and Antech. The platform is structured as a free membership-based cooperative buying organization that generates revenue sharing for member organizations while providing staff discounts on personal pet supplies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Shelters United Pharmacy: Online pet pharmacy where members earn revenue when adopters, staff, and volunteers make purchases, with 5% donated back to their organization.
• Vet Supplies Savings Program
• Pet Vaccine Program
• Veterinarian of Record (VOR) Program

Products and services

• Vet Supplies Savings Program

Quantifiable outcome

• Save up to 65% on pet vaccines
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• MWI Animal HealthcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPreferred veterinary supplies distributor partner providing thousands of discounted pet health products to Shelters United members. Access to everyday low prices and frequent special offers on essential vet supplies including vaccines, medications, and equipment.
• Boehringer IngelheimcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor pharmaceutical partnership providing access to RECOMBITEK canine vaccines (50% off core), IMRAB rabies vaccines (65% off), and PUREVAX feline vaccines (50% off core, 25% off rabies). Direct tap into Boehringer Ingelheim's distribution system for reliable inventory and fast shipping.
• VirbacmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor15% discount on most Virbac products. Currently offering Buy 3 Get 1 Free on Iverhart Max heartworm prevention.
• Pet's Choice PharmacycoreTechnology or IntegrationParent pharmacy for Shelters United Pharmacy. Operates under Dr. Spencer Brown's oversight with licenses in 21 states and operations in all 50. Stocks thousands of FDA-approved medications.
• AntechminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSave up to 10% on trūRapid diagnostic tests through this diagnostic testing partner.
• PRN PharmacalminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEveryday offer: Buy 3 Get 1 Free on PRN Pharmacal products.
• Wedgewood PharmacyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor10% off compounded pet medications through Wedgewood Pharmacy partnership.
• Rescue DisinfectantsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLow everyday prices: Save up to 46% vs. online retailers on Rescue disinfectants. Also offers bundle deals.
• NeogenminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGreat value on quality health products, every day through Neogen partnership.
• Pet-AgminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorShelter discounts on milk replacers and related products through Pet-Ag partnership.
• Clinic HQminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNew customers get 20% off Clinic Software for shelter management.
• Give Them TenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFree Cat Adoptions Marketing Toolkit for member organizations.
• TrupanionmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership to help more adopted pets stay in their forever homes by embedding pet insurance protection and education into the adoption process.
• Canine SpectramajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSave up to 48% on dog & cat vaccines through Canine Spectra partnership.
• PetSmart CharitiesmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the Veterinarian of Record (VOR) Program, helping build profitable and impactful relationships between veterinarians and animal welfare organizations.
• University of Florida Shelter MedicinecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-sponsor of the VOR Program, providing expertise and resources for the free training program and toolkit.
• Dr. Spencer Brown, PharmDcoreOthersLicensed U.S. pharmacist who personally oversees Shelters United Pharmacy. Director of Pharmacy for Pet's Choice Pharmacy since 2011. Holds licenses in 21 states and oversees operations in all 50 states.
• Dr. Kwane StewartminorOthersKnown as 'The Street Vet', featured in VOR Program materials explaining the importance of Veterinarian of Record relationships for animal welfare organizations.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• PetSmart Charities: The largest funder of animal welfare in North America (sponsoring Shelters United's VOR Program). It operates its own shelter/adoption support programs and grants capital to rescues, overlapping with Shelters United's mission of resourcing animal welfare organizations, but at a grant-making and advocacy level rather than a procurement/cooperative level.
• The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS): The largest animal protection organization in the U.S., providing grants, training, and legislative support to shelters and rescues. Overlaps with Shelters United's mission of strengthening the animal welfare ecosystem via national-level resourcing of shelters.
• Best Friends Animal Society: Major animal welfare organization running sanctuary operations and nationwide adoption/partnership programs. Comparable in mission to expand shelter/rescue resources, with similar nonprofit positioning but a different operating model focused on advocacy and direct operations rather than procurement cooperative.
• Chewy: The largest online pet supplies retailer in the U.S., operating a 'Chewy for Shelters' program that offers discounts to rescue and shelter partners. Competes with Shelters United on pet supply assortment and pricing for the same shelter customer, but at vastly greater scale and as a for-profit rather than nonprofit.
• ASPCA: National animal welfare organization providing grants, rescue services, veterinary care, and adoption support to shelters. Overlaps with Shelters United's mission of resourcing the animal welfare ecosystem; much larger budget and broader remit but does not operate a GPO/cooperative procurement model.
• Petco Love (formerly Petco Foundation): Petco-affiliated nonprofit that funds animal welfare organizations, supports adoption initiatives, and partners with shelters and rescues nationally. Overlap with Shelters United in resourcing shelter/rescue operations; broader scope and corporate backing but lacks the cooperative-procurement structure.

Emerging players

• Maddie's Fund: Family foundation dedicated to achieving no-kill status in animal shelters, providing grants, training, and innovation funding. Comparable in operating within the same donor-funded shelter-support ecosystem; focused on capital and innovation rather than everyday supply procurement.
• BISSELL Pet Foundation: Foundation that supports pet adoption and shelter welfare through grant funding, adoption events, and partnerships. Comparable as a private foundation operating in the shelter-support ecosystem; similar donor-funded resourcing model but focused on adoption events and capital grants rather than procurement.

Direct peers

• Direct Relief: Nonprofit humanitarian aid organization operating a GPO-style model for medical supplies aggregation and distribution to safety-net providers. The closest structural analog to Shelters United's nonprofit cooperative-buying model, but operating in human health rather than animal health — directly comparable on operating mechanics.
• Greater Good Charities: Nonprofit that funds and supplies animal welfare, hunger, and humanitarian programs through aggregated giving and in-kind distribution. Closest comparability to Shelters United as a nonprofit that aggregates resources across donors/partners and distributes savings/in-kind value to animal welfare recipient organizations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Shelters_United
• Facebookfacebook.com/sheltersunited
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sheltersunited

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Shelters United