Shelters to the Rescue

There is constantly talk about animals being euthanized due to lack of space, and it happens more often than it should. On average, there are 5,500 dogs euthanized every day in the United States. Thankfully, there are many great shelters working to fight this statistic and make a change for pets everywhere.

The 10 no-kill shelters I have chosen are just a handful of so many successful groups that have increased adoptions, foster networks, facilities and conditions, and services to decrease euthanasia of healthy pets.

1. Austin Pets Alive! – Texas

With Dr. Ellen Jefferson as Executive Director, APA has become a nationwide leader in the no-kill movement. Dr. Jefferson used years of data to find a solution to Austin’s shelter euthanasia rate. They created a more efficient system by targeting animals on the Austin Animal Center’s euthanasia list, and using that data to save more and more animals. Some of the solutions included Parvo ICU, more off site adoption events, and larger foster programs. This data operation allowed them to reach a 90% live outcome rate in 2011. Their success not only benefitted those animals but has pushed them to helping more animals with their guide to get a no-kill mission started in any shelter.

2. Multnomah County Animal Services – Oregon

Multnomah has become a model of what it takes to reduce euthanasia rate because of their connection to the Animal Shelter Alliance of Portland (ASAP). ASAP is a coalition of the largest animal welfare organizations serving the four-county Portland metropolitan area.

Multnomah’s website states that their save for dogs is now “up to over 90% and [they’ve] recently implemented several new programs to increase the save rate for cats.” Their most helpful tool in reducing euthanasia rates is their transfer of dogs and cats to community partners. Relying on private shelters, rescue groups, and private foster homes for high-needs animals have been Multnomah’s important asset.

3. Members of the Metro Denver Shelter Alliance – Colorado

The members of this Alliance include over 25 different shelters and organizations who dedicate themselves to reducing euthanasia rates and increasing live outcomes. The 2012 collective live outcome rate was 85%. The Alliance is paving the way for a successful model because of their common, nonjudgmental language that’s clearly defined and consistently used, and statistical transparency.

4. Richmond SPCA – Virginia

The Richmond SPCA began their no-kill shelter in 2002 and has saved over 34,000 lives since then. They were able to successfully save lives by partnering with Richmond Animal Care and Control, the city’s shelter. By limiting the animals they accepted, opened a spay/neuter clinic, creating a foster program, and talking more about what it means to be a great pet caretaker, the two worked toward the joint goal of ending the killing of healthy, homeless animals in the community.

5. Tompkins County SPCA – New York

The Tompkins County SPCA began their journey to a no-kill mission in 1999 and had a fully realized vision by the end of 2001. In the spring of 2004, the SPCA debuted the Dorothy and Roy Park Pet Adoption Center. This sheltering facility provides dogs, cats, and other companion animals with comfortable, healthy, home-like settings.

In 2013, the shelter received a grant from the ASPCA for transporting animals to and from spay/neuter clinics. The funds also went toward hiring additional staff to target cat overpopulation.

The shelter was also the nation’s first “green” animal shelter for its environmentally minded and sustainable design. The Tompkins County SPCA has worked in the benefit of people, animals, and the plant, while becoming more effective in their mission.

6. Nevada Humane Society – Nevada

The Nevada Humane Society (NHS) attributes their success to a ten-step process that includes goals like, establishing priorities and aligning actions to save lives, and more simple goals that include staying flexible. One way they did this was establishing a help desk. The help desk works to encourage people and give them tips related to keeping their animals at home, rather than relinquishing them to shelters. Their focus on an individual level helped them reach a 94% save rate in 2012.

7. Dane County Humane Society – Wisconsin

Dane County is an open admission shelter and they guarantee that all healthy cats and dogs, and those with treatable medical/behavioral conditions will find new homes. This Humane Society is part of a coalition with Dane County Friends of Ferals. This partnership has been successful through joint adoption events, transferring animals among partner members for the best care and placement, as well as providing mutual support for each organization.

8. Arizona Animal Welfare League – Arizona

The Arizona Animal Welfare League (AAWL) is the oldest and largest no-kill shelter in Arizona. AAWL began saving animals from euthanasia in the 1990s, and rehabilitated them until they could be adopted. Today the organization has become a full service animal welfare organization and leader in innovative behavior training, medical care, adoption, education and community outreach programs. They also have an onsite veterinary clinic, kennels with a separate cattery, a training center, and a freestanding infirmary.

9. Best Friends Animal Society – Utah

The Best Friends Animal Society (BFAS)  is most likely the most well-known shelter in the no-kill movement. BFAS has been making an impact across the United States through their No More Homeless Pets Network Partner program. Their national programs are focused on keeping community cats safe and out of shelters with trap-neuter-return services. They have also battled commercial breeding operations and fought discrimination against pit bull terriers.

10. PAWS – Chicago

PAWS Chicago has two fully operational No-Kill Adoption Centers and an innovative off-site adoption events in high-traffic locations around Chicagoland. In 2016, PAWS has found over 5,000 animals new homes. They have also united more than 48,000 cats and dogs with new families since they opened their doors in. 98% of animals that entered their program in 2016 were saved. Pets with viruses and lifelong conditions are treated with state-of-the-art veterinary care and protocols.

PAWS works to fight animal cruel by teaching communities and children about how to care for animals while sponsoring legislation to eliminate inhumane and outdated care in shelters.