North America's No Kill Sanctuaries
Best Friends Animal Sanctuary was founded in 1991 and from the beginning has been known as a No Kill animal sanctuary. Best Friends and other organizations purposefully describe themselves as dedicated to no-kill. No-kill organizations euthanize animals who are suffering irremediably; They do not kill healthy or treatable animals and label it “euthanasia” to make it more palatable (”Best Friends Animal Society”). In order for a shelter to be considered a No Kill shelter the shelter or sanctuary must be dedicated to saving at least 90 percent of the animals it takes in. While Best Friends Animal Sanctuary is the nation’s largest animal sanctuary there are many others that work with the No Kill mission, across the nation more and more facilities are starting to show their support for animal welfare.
Austin Pets Alive!- Texas
Dr. Ellen Jefferson, APA directs the Austin Pets Alive Clinic and has been developing new and improved ways to help any shelter become a No Kill shelter. Wanting to help reduce Austin’s shelter euthanasia rate, she got her start by targeting animals on the Austin Animal Center’s (AAC) euthanasia list, using the data from the lives they were able to save they were able to create a more efficient system. Some of the solutions included fostering programs, Parvo ICU/isolation units for sick animals and off site adoption events. So far percent of the animals that have come into their care have been saved.
City of San Jose Animal Care & Services – California
Feral Freedom is a program that is designed to help reduce euthanasia rates for cats. This is a trap neuter return program that helps reduce the number of homeless cats by preventing feral pregnancies, this program is currently being practiced by the city of San Jose Animal Care & services and has helped reduce their euthanasia rate for cats by percent.
Multnomah County Animal Services – Oregon
The Animal Shelter Alliance of Portland (ASAP) which is a coalition of the largest animal welfare organizations in the Portland metropolitan area, Multnomah is leading by example on what it takes to reduce euthanasia rates. While their save rate for dogs is now over 90 percent the staff at Multnomah promote the idea that transfers of dogs and cats to community partners such as private shelters, rescue groups and private foster homes for high-needs animals have been incredibly important.
Members of the Metro Denver Shelter Alliance – Colorado
The Metro Denver Shelter Alliance is a group of many other shelters (25 to be exact) who are working towards reducing their euthanasia rates. The Alliance has raised their collective live outcome rate from 72 percent to 85 percent since 2005. With the Metro Denver Shelter Alliance helping pave a path for other shelters and alliances, it is wonderful to see how communities can come together for the animals.
Richmond SPCA – Virginia
Established in 2002 as a No Kill shelter the Richmond SPCA has saved 34,457 lives and counting. In order to become so successful they partnered with the Richmond Animal Care and Control and opened a spay/neuter clinic, created a foster program, and promoted what it means to be a great pet caretaker. In 2006 they were ahead of their goal and had an adoption rate of 75 percent or more.
Tompkins Country SPCA – New York
In 1999 the Tompkins County SPCA was built and in 2004 the SPCA opened the Dorothy and Roy Park Pet Adoption Center. This sheltering facility provides animals with comfortable healthy, home-like settings and was registered as the nation’s first “green” animal shelter for its environmentally minded facility.
Nevada Humane Society – Nevada
The NHS attributes their success to their 10 step process which promotes establishing priorities, aligning actions to save lives, and staying flexible. They also try to provide one on one support for owners who struggle with their pets and try to give tips and resources to help the pet owners keep their pets at home rather than relinquish them to a shelter. Their save rate in 2012 was an amazing 94 percent.
Dane County Humane Society – Wisconsin
This shelter is considered as an open admission shelter, this means that they accept any animal. Impressively they also guarantee that all healthy cats and dogs and those treatable with medical/behavioral conditions will find new home. The Dane County Humane Society works with other organizations in order to host joint adoption events, and transferring animals among partner member for the best care and placement.
Arizona Animal Welfare League - Arizona
Arizona’s oldest and largest no kill shelter was formed in 1971 and has been doing as much as they can for companion animals ever since. They are now a full service animal welfare organization and leader innovative behavior training, medical care, adoption, and community outreach programs.
Supporting No Kill Sanctuaries
There are many ways to support No Kill animal sanctuaries, this includes rescuing an animal from any No Kill animal sanctuary. However if you cannot afford to rescue a cat or dog somethings you can do to support a sanctuary are:
1. Volunteering
2. Donating
3. Spay and Neuter your pets
When you volunteer at a shelter you are provided love and attention to many animals who are in need of affection and may have never been shown kindness in their lives. By spending time with these animals you are socializing them and preparing them for a forever home. Donating to your local No Kill shelter also helps the shelter provide more food and warm blankets to their residents to help make their stay as comfortable as possible. Lastly by spaying and neutering your pets you are helping prevent more homeless pets, also participating in Trap-neuter-release programs you help prevent feral or stray animals from breeding and producing more homeless pets.
For a plotted map of these listed shelters click here
Best Friends Animal Sanctuary was founded in 1991 and from the beginning has been known as a No Kill animal sanctuary. Best Friends and other organizations purposefully describe themselves as dedicated to no-kill. No-kill organizations euthanize animals who are suffering irremediably; They do not kill healthy or treatable animals and label it “euthanasia” to make it more palatable (”Best Friends Animal Society”). In order for a shelter to be considered a No Kill shelter the shelter or sanctuary must be dedicated to saving at least 90 percent of the animals it takes in. While Best Friends Animal Sanctuary is the nation’s largest animal sanctuary there are many others that work with the No Kill mission, across the nation more and more facilities are starting to show their support for animal welfare.
Austin Pets Alive!- Texas
Dr. Ellen Jefferson, APA directs the Austin Pets Alive Clinic and has been developing new and improved ways to help any shelter become a No Kill shelter. Wanting to help reduce Austin’s shelter euthanasia rate, she got her start by targeting animals on the Austin Animal Center’s (AAC) euthanasia list, using the data from the lives they were able to save they were able to create a more efficient system. Some of the solutions included fostering programs, Parvo ICU/isolation units for sick animals and off site adoption events. So far percent of the animals that have come into their care have been saved.
City of San Jose Animal Care & Services – California
Feral Freedom is a program that is designed to help reduce euthanasia rates for cats. This is a trap neuter return program that helps reduce the number of homeless cats by preventing feral pregnancies, this program is currently being practiced by the city of San Jose Animal Care & services and has helped reduce their euthanasia rate for cats by percent.
Multnomah County Animal Services – Oregon
The Animal Shelter Alliance of Portland (ASAP) which is a coalition of the largest animal welfare organizations in the Portland metropolitan area, Multnomah is leading by example on what it takes to reduce euthanasia rates. While their save rate for dogs is now over 90 percent the staff at Multnomah promote the idea that transfers of dogs and cats to community partners such as private shelters, rescue groups and private foster homes for high-needs animals have been incredibly important.
Members of the Metro Denver Shelter Alliance – Colorado
The Metro Denver Shelter Alliance is a group of many other shelters (25 to be exact) who are working towards reducing their euthanasia rates. The Alliance has raised their collective live outcome rate from 72 percent to 85 percent since 2005. With the Metro Denver Shelter Alliance helping pave a path for other shelters and alliances, it is wonderful to see how communities can come together for the animals.
Richmond SPCA – Virginia
Established in 2002 as a No Kill shelter the Richmond SPCA has saved 34,457 lives and counting. In order to become so successful they partnered with the Richmond Animal Care and Control and opened a spay/neuter clinic, created a foster program, and promoted what it means to be a great pet caretaker. In 2006 they were ahead of their goal and had an adoption rate of 75 percent or more.
Tompkins Country SPCA – New York
In 1999 the Tompkins County SPCA was built and in 2004 the SPCA opened the Dorothy and Roy Park Pet Adoption Center. This sheltering facility provides animals with comfortable healthy, home-like settings and was registered as the nation’s first “green” animal shelter for its environmentally minded facility.
Nevada Humane Society – Nevada
The NHS attributes their success to their 10 step process which promotes establishing priorities, aligning actions to save lives, and staying flexible. They also try to provide one on one support for owners who struggle with their pets and try to give tips and resources to help the pet owners keep their pets at home rather than relinquish them to a shelter. Their save rate in 2012 was an amazing 94 percent.
Dane County Humane Society – Wisconsin
This shelter is considered as an open admission shelter, this means that they accept any animal. Impressively they also guarantee that all healthy cats and dogs and those treatable with medical/behavioral conditions will find new home. The Dane County Humane Society works with other organizations in order to host joint adoption events, and transferring animals among partner member for the best care and placement.
Arizona Animal Welfare League - Arizona
Arizona’s oldest and largest no kill shelter was formed in 1971 and has been doing as much as they can for companion animals ever since. They are now a full service animal welfare organization and leader innovative behavior training, medical care, adoption, and community outreach programs.
Supporting No Kill Sanctuaries
There are many ways to support No Kill animal sanctuaries, this includes rescuing an animal from any No Kill animal sanctuary. However if you cannot afford to rescue a cat or dog somethings you can do to support a sanctuary are:
1. Volunteering
2. Donating
3. Spay and Neuter your pets
When you volunteer at a shelter you are provided love and attention to many animals who are in need of affection and may have never been shown kindness in their lives. By spending time with these animals you are socializing them and preparing them for a forever home. Donating to your local No Kill shelter also helps the shelter provide more food and warm blankets to their residents to help make their stay as comfortable as possible. Lastly by spaying and neutering your pets you are helping prevent more homeless pets, also participating in Trap-neuter-release programs you help prevent feral or stray animals from breeding and producing more homeless pets.
For a plotted map of these listed shelters click here