The following:

1. A compassionate, well-trained, and dedicated staff

2. A clean, bright environment in which animals are provided with fresh litter and bedding (cats), dry resting platforms (dogs), clean water in clean containers, two nutritious meals a day (three or four for puppies and kittens), and special care for elderly or especially stressed or frightened animals (a hiding place, canned food for picky eaters, etc.)

3. A policy of accepting every animal brought in at no charge.

4. A spay-and-neuter program that ensures that all animals are sterilized prior to adoption and that guarantees that all adopted animals who cannot be spayed or neutered (on the advice of a veterinarian) are later sterilized

5. A thorough screening procedure for prospective adopters (a pre adoption home check and follow-up program are ideal), as well as a legally binding adoption contract prohibiting irresponsible and inhumane practices such as the declawing of cats, using cats as “barn cats” or “mousers,” allowing cats to roam freely outside, and keeping dogs outdoors or as guard dogs.

6. A humane method of euthanasia for animals who are not adopted (usually an intravenous injection of sodium pentobarbital) administered by well-trained, gentle staff members

7. A policy against giving or selling animals to Laboratories

8. A sick ward and isolation area for animals who are or may be ill

9. A veterinarian or animal hospital on call 24 hours a day

10. A policy of holding lost and stray animals for a minimum of five operating days, including at least one Saturday, Cruelty investigators (sometimes called “humane Officers”)

11. A quiet room for potential adopters to meet and get to know animals

12. An active public education program to teach children and adults to care for animals properly

13. A solid and active volunteer network

Info taken from PETA.ORG