What does “no-kill” really mean?
You may hear a shelter or rescue group describe themselves as “no-kill” and other people comment that “no-kill” is unrealistic - - - after all, we have animals that are very ill or aggressive and the kindest thing you can do is to put them out of their misery or protect the public by euthanizing the animal.
“No-kill” is a rallying cry; a slogan that defines a movement. The term “no-kill” clearly and powerfully protests the status quo - - -that being the killing of savable animals. At the same time, it describes a new approach to animal sheltering and a new commitment to saving lives within animal welfare organizations and communities. So what does the Michigan Pet Alliance mean by the term “no-kill”? We use the Maddie’s Fund definition which is saving both healthy and treatable dogs and cats, reserving euthanasia only for unhealthy and untreatable animals. You can find the full definition on our website.
Some organizations call themselves “no-kill” while at the same time they “select” which homeless animals they take into their care or close their doors when they are full. These rescues and shelters are more accurately Adoption Guarantee organizations.
Other shelters, either by law or charter have no choice in what animals come through their doors - they must accept them all - - - whether there is room for them or not. These are the organizations which should rightly wear the moniker of “no-kill” if they can meet the litmus test. With an overpopulation of companion animals in Michigan it takes a real commitment to work towards a “no-kill” status and a REAL ACHIEVEMENT to meet the criteria.
Status quo is not only an ethical question - - - it is just bad government for those municipal shelters that euthanize as a solution to overpopulation. We have been euthanizing animals in shelters for over 60 years and have not solved the over population problem. Einstein described insanity as doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. We must hold our governments accountable in solving the pet overpopulation problem with solutions that work.
The Michigan Pet Fund Alliance has worked with the Oakland Pet Adoption Center (Oakland County Animal Control) for the last 5 years. The county committed to working to become a “no-kill” shelter. It has not been easy and it has not happened overnight but they are just about there and will be there by our established goal of 2010.
We as an animal welfare community and pet lovers need to commit to changing the status quo. We need to commit to collaborating with each other. We need to keep focused on a vision where no healthy or treatable animal is euthanized and pour our energies into achieving the goal of a “no-kill” state by holding our governments responsible for solutions that work.
We welcome your comments in creating a “no-kill” state for Michigan and encourage all shelters to adopt Maddie’s definitions, so we can begin to speak the same language.