No-kill shelters emerged as part of a movement that began in the 1980s in response to the high number of healthy, adoptable animals being euthanized in shelters across the country. The “no kill” campaign worked, leading to more adoptions, increased funding for shelters, and a decrease in the number of animals euthanized. However, the “no kill” label has become controversial within the animal welfare industry, as it can be manipulated by shelters trying to stay in the “no kill” category. It’s an attractive label, but in practice it has multiple flaws. As a result, many animal shelters with very low euthanasia rates discard it as a label.
The common meaning of “no kill” describes an animal shelter that has a elimination rate of live animals in its care of at least 90%. This rate is based on an estimate that 10% of all dogs and cats entering a shelter have irreparable medical or behavioral problems that compromise their quality of life and prevent them from being adopted. However, there is no government authority or national standard defining what “no-kill” means, and standards and reporting on these rates vary widely among shelters. For example, some shelters base their “no-kill” rate by starting with a “no-kill” standard only for “adoptable animals.” These shelters then often consider all dogs of a certain breed, for example Pitbulls, Rottweilers and German Shepherds, as unadoptable, thereby excluding them from the calculation to report a higher live abandonment rate. Comparing prices between shelters is therefore very difficult, because published prices are subject to various types of distortions. In addition to placement statistics, it is more meaningful to have an overview of a shelter, including the number of animals cared for, the level of care they receive, and the programs offered.
By each of these criteria, Sammie’s Friends programs are comprehensive, especially for a small rural community. Our shelter never euthanizes animals for reasons of space, and we do everything we can to promote their adoptability. Dogs admitted to our shelter are evaluated by our in-house dog trainer, who then works with them on behavioral and socialization issues. Once adopted, our trainer offers additional training services to help adopted dogs settle into their new homes. We provide veterinary care to shelter animals, and all dogs and cats are spayed or neutered and microchipped before adoption. The dogs are walked twice a day and the cats are cuddled, thanks to our wonderful group of volunteers. The number of feral cat colonies in Nevada County is exploding and we are offering funding for feral cat neutering to help manage their numbers. We also work closely with Nevada County Animal Control and other local animal welfare groups to help improve the lives of community and shelter animals.
Of the more than 10,000 dogs and puppies welcomed to the shelter since its creation more than twenty years ago, only 7 dogs have been euthanized for behavioral reasons, and these dogs were very dangerous, some having caused serious injuries to people. We do everything humanly possible to make dogs adoptable, but the sad reality is that a small percentage of dogs carry an unacceptable and unavoidable risk to staff and the public. The noisy and overcrowded environment of shelters, especially now that we are operating at over 130% capacity, often leads to an increase in behavioral problems, and it is not considered humane to keep them imprisoned in shelters. cages for the rest of their lives.
As pet owners know, euthanasia is heartbreaking, but it is often an act of compassion for animals with serious, incurable illnesses and those who pose a serious risk to the public. The decision to euthanize an animal is a last resort and is heartbreaking for our dedicated staff and volunteers. If you work or volunteer for an animal welfare organization, and we have many excellent ones locally, you are doing it for the animals, not the money.
When a dog poses a serious risk to the public and is unadoptable, we first try to find a sanctuary that will provide the dog with a humane remaining life. However, due to the current crisis caused by the overwhelming number of animals in shelters across the country, it is very difficult to find a reputable sanctuary willing to take in additional animals. We also notify local non-profit animal rescue groups and give them the opportunity to provide shelter for the dog. However, local nonprofits suffer from the same capacity issues as Sammie’s.
Keep in mind that when you hear an animal shelter call itself “no kill,” this may or may not reflect their actual practices. Ask shelters what their no-kill policy really means and learn about their values, programs and operations.
The topics I’ve covered in this column and last month’s column (shelter overcrowding) are difficult, but they reflect the real problems animal shelters face today. It’s time for me to move on to a more optimistic story. Next month’s column will happily recount how our local veterinary community and the public came together to support a successful heart surgery for an adorable puppy named Mather.