Katherine Polak, DVM, MPH, MS, DACVPM, DABVP (Shelter Medicine Practice)
Dr. Katherine Polak is a board-certified specialist in Shelter Medicine and Preventive Medicine with a global career dedicated to animal welfare. She serves as Vice President of Companion Animals and Engagement for Humane World for Animals, leading initiatives across Latin America, Africa, Europe, and Asia. Her work includes large-scale spay/neuter programs, access-to-care interventions, and efforts to end the dog and cat meat trade.
A veterinary graduate of Iowa State University, Dr. Polak completed a Shelter Medicine residency at the University of Florida and has held leadership roles in Southeast Asia, directing high-volume dog population management programs and shaping policy change. She serves on the World Small Animal Veterinary Association’s Welfare Committee and the international advisory board for the Alliance for Contraception in Cats and Dogs.
Dr. Polak is a co-editor of Field Manual for Small Animal Medicine and regularly leads global workshops and trainings, bringing real-world expertise to the next generation of veterinarians.
Publications:
- Polak, K: Dog Transport and Infectious Disease Risk – An International Perspective. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice, 2019 DOI: 10.1016/j.cvsm.2019.02.003
- Polak, K. & Kommedal, T. (July, 2018) Field Manual for Small Animal Medicine. Wiley, Ames ISBN: 978-1-119-24327-4
- Polak, K and Blackmore, M: Animal shelters: Managing heartworm in resource-scarce environments. Veterinary Parasitology, 2014 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2014.03.023
- Polak, K, Levy, J, Crawford, C: Prevalence of infectious disease in cats rescued from large-scale hoarding cases, The Veterinary Journal, 2014 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2014.05.020.
Courses taught: