Two More No-Kill Shelters

Kudos to Healdsburgh, California and Harbison, South Carolina!

Go here and here to read more.

The tide has changed. According to this article, 7 out of 10 people are not happy with the fact of pets being euthanized just for space.

But each place that wants to go no-kill, or upgrade its facility, needs to bring together private enterprise, public representatives, and people with checkbooks. It's hard work. It doesn't happen overnight. You can be sure that each of these efforts took countless hours on the part of dedicated people who overcame a lot of frustration.



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No-Kill Now

There is a man named Nathan Winograd, author of the book Redemption, who has made it his life's mission to help shelters across the country become no-kill. He advocates tirelessly and gets results. His group is called the No-Kill Advocacy Center. 

Here is a page from his website that highlights numerous issues involved in reforming shelters and areas where you can join the fight. His group runs workshops, has an annual no-kill conference, he and others speak publicly on the subject, and consult with local shelter directors to update their practices.

Here is a recent interview Mr. Winograd conducted with Judge Rusty Newton in Shelby County, Kentucky, which is now no-kill and just celebrated their third year as such. (I would point out, "enlightened" New York City is not yet no-kill!)

The Toledo Blade recently covered Winograd.

No-Kill Advocacy Center hosted a conference this past weekend for about 400 activists from around the country. A small band of people in the scheme of things but they are getting results and those are showing up in unlikely places. Below is a quote from the Toledo Blade article, which summarizes the excellent results nicely. (They also mention Animal Farm Foundation, a favorite group of mine in the Hudson Valley -- and the makers of the most excellent shelter dog note cards!)

These shelters are found in the North, South, East, and West. They are found in rural and metropolitan communities. The secret to transforming a high kill shelter to a No Kill shelter virtually overnight is to follow a series of eleven steps known as the No Kill equation. No Kill shelters are defined as shelters where 90% or more of animals leave the shelter alive. In such a model, shelters only euthanize irredeemably suffering animals, or truly vicious animals that threaten the community.

I'm compiling a list of no-kill shelter success stories and will share those soon.



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Great Job, Austin Texas!

Remember this story? There's hope (and now accomplishment!) in Austin, Texas.

Abandoned dog adopted from Town Lake Animal Center

Achieving 90% no-kill is doable.  The Town Lake Animal Shelter shows how.

“This is truly an accomplishment and it shows that the hard work of the staff, partners and volunteers is paying off,” said Abigail Smith, chief animal services officer. “Despite the busy season and an influx of kittens and cats, we were able to overcome some serious challenges and continue to lead the nation’s largest cities in live outcomes. It’s a testament to Austin’s commitment to the no-kill goal, and an example of what success looks like when the whole community comes together. We are very grateful that Austin cares about its animals. This is no-kill in action.”

The Animal Center continues to work on the Austin City Council-approved 34-point No-Kill Implementation Plan, which focuses on programs, services and partnerships to reduce animal intake and increase live animal outcomes.

TLAC's rescue partners are a significant contributing factor in reaching the no-kill status, according to Smith. Austin Pets Alive! and the Austin Humane Society, the top two rescue partners, save hundreds of animals from the shelter each month. In June, APA! saved 350 pets and the humane society rescued 90.

The article goes on to mention how fostering has helped. Many times, a dog gets to a shelter and they are stressed and might misbehave. They don't know what's going on, they might have been lost, given up/abandoned, and their world has turned upside down. A foster family gives the dog a sense of security again, which is the main thing they want. They re-learn, or learn for the first time that they are safe, secure, and will be getting regular meals. Dogs are so adaptable and they respond extremely well to a regular routine.   Dogs that have been successfully fostered have a much higher rate of a successful adoption. And it allows the shelter to take in another dog and not have to make room by euthanizing.

It's not as hard as you may think to give up a dog you've fostered, especially when you take the time to get to know his/her new family. It actually gives you a sense of real accomplishment. I say this from experience.

Kudos to Abigail Smith, Town Lake's director, and to the City of Austin, who took very seriously the need for a dedicated, driven, and enthusiastic shelter director, and found the right woman for the job.



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Well Done Chippewa County Animal Shelter!

Thank you for this work you have done.

Shelter Manager Holly Henderson said the 2010 numbers were very similar. Of the 966 animals — 523 dogs and 443 cats — brought in last year, only 29 had to be euthanized for very specific reasons. The remaining animals were primarily returned to their owners or adopted out to good homes.

“We have worked very hard to ensure no healthy adoptable animal is euthanized at our shelter,” said Henderson.

This wonderful shelter is in Michigan.

Soo Evening News.com has the story.




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