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.
Hello! I’m very excited that you are committed to making Michigan a “no-kill” state! As the owner of a small cat rescue, I know the pain I feel when I hear that the counties near me (Saginaw and Genesee) have animal controls with very high kill rates. There is a better solution, but they are set in their ways and very hard to change! The time is coming and with each A.C. that accomplishes such a goal, it will hopefully put pressure on the others to change their ways!
We have called ourselves a “No-kill” facility and are also a limited intake facility. Once we are filled we cannot take in new cats until some are adopted. Under your above discussion, you mention maybe we shouldn’t call our selves “No-kill”, but if we didn’t people may not want to place their cat in need with us. Daily people call and ask if we can take their cat, because they don’t want it PTS, also people want to adopt from a place with such ethics. If we didn’t call ourselves a “no-kill” cat rescue, how would we get that information across to the public?
Keep up the great work and I’d love to see you do a seminar at the MPAW annual animal welfare confereance!
Comment by Nancy — March 12, 2009 @ 9:45 am
Nancy:
If you tell people you are an Adoption Guarantee organization doesn’t that imply you find the cat a home?
Comment by Deborah — March 12, 2009 @ 10:24 am
We are a “no kill” dog rescue, we take in all breeds of dogs, we take in the sick, the blind, the older dogs, the undesirables, and we find them the homes in which they deserve to have.
We are small but our hearts are large.
I have been in animal rescue and welfare for well over 25 years, and to make a state a “no kill” state will be some feat if it can be accomplished at all.
While some counties and areas have great intentions, others will not be that enthusiastic to get on the band wagon, there are many real problems with being a no kill area.
I am not against it, but instead all for it, but it is a long and hard mountain to climb and it will not be accomplished in a year, but it will take a number of years.
I am more than willing to help achieve this, but it will also take the help of many more rescues and well intentioned folks.
Sharon
Comment by Sharon/K9 Resque — March 12, 2009 @ 10:50 pm
Maybe, but what about the cats that stay with us because of special needs or other reasons (I have one shy girl that has been with us for several years). Where is their guaranteed home?
I guess I see problems with both names, “No Kill” to some implies we never PTS, not even terminarlly ill animals, and Adoption Guaranteed doesn’t work in all circumstances either!
Comment by Nancy — March 13, 2009 @ 6:22 am
Every journey begins with a single step and it is heartening to see that the journey is begun. Here is Ohio many of us rally around the mantra that until no animal who is healthy, adoptable, treatable is euthanized because of space then NO ONE in this state is “no kill”. We stand together. Where an animal ends up is often decided on what side of the street they are on. One side could be “no kill”, the other not. While I applaud those who have shelters and rescues that are closed admissions for the valuable and important work they do, the real work is with government leaders and in those open admission shelters, with having mandatory spay/neuter laws and with educating the public. It can be done. And it must be done.
Comment by Cindy — March 13, 2009 @ 8:57 am
THX for the site ! I volunteer at Lifeline for Pound Buddies in Muskegon Co. We are not the best or the worst in the state ( according to michigan animal news) but in 10 yrs our kill rate has gone from 90% to 30%. Vector Control has turned the adoption process over to us. We have a bunch of dedicated fosters, but I don’t think this is a problem we can adopt or foster our way out of. Not when I see 30 or more ads for puppies for sale on a daily basis, including Pit Bulls which we are prohibited from adopting into the county.
With hundreds of rescues and thousands of people actively seeking a solution to thia crisis I have to believe we will find an answer. A site like this can only help.
Comment by Marcia — March 15, 2009 @ 4:46 pm
When I first got involved with animal rescue, I was with a group that claimed to be a no kill group, in reality they were not. After searching for a true no kill group, with no luck, I started my own. Guardian Angel Animal Rescue. Although we Euthanize only if we are told by a vet that that there is nothing that can be done. We get 2nd and 3rd opinions before making that decsion. We have taken in animals where vets have told us “with only an miracle will this animal pull through”. We will try and do what ever it takes to save the animal until there is no medical possiblies left. We have a very high survival rate which means lots of miracles. Within our group we have many unadoptable animals due to age, deformaties, feral cats, dogs that have not be properly socialized, animals with special needs, some need to be on medication for life and so on and so on… A true no-kill group will have more unadoptable animals than adoptables ones. We are a small group and have many wonderful volunteers, 3 which dedicate their homes and lives directly to the unadoptable animals, these volunteers work hard at trying to make them adopable or let them live out what life they have left until they get a home or not. They have warm beds to sleep in and all the love and care they need.
We have adopted out terminal ill animals and we just adopted out a cat that was in rescue for 10 years. We never give up trying to place our unadoptables with loving families, even if it means paying for the medication or special diet or whatever it takes to give an animal a loving home enviroment.
I know of assembly line groups that call themselves no-kill rescue but, when you ask them how many unadoptable animals they have, it is very few or none. They may be no kill, but only take in what they can adopt out. Which is fine as long as they are saving lives.
Sandy
GAAR
Comment by Sandra Mezza — March 15, 2009 @ 9:41 pm
This is a wonderful thing that is happening here in Michigan! As a feral cat advocate, I just want to make sure they never get lost under terms such as “treatable and adoptable”. We have much work to do with the adoptable pets but in the process lets keep the ferals in mind and working towards a more educted community on the plight of these animals.
Edith
Pawsabilities, Inc.
Comment by Edith — March 21, 2009 @ 3:47 pm
We promise that each pet we take will not be pts based on just being homeless. It also states in our surrender form that if we deem the animal is ill beyond help we would humanely euthanize. We give a courtesy call to the person that had surrendered the pet and let them know in case they had objections, or wanted a 2nd opinion. It is rare..maybe 1 percent. But because we have to close down due to over population at the shelter should not be deemed a bad thing. We want to assure each and every animal that is here is able to receive adequate medical care, food and space. We feel it would be hoarding to pile animal upon animal here without such a plan. Criteria on age and condition is an important factor for each rescue center. It would be unfair to put an older dog where it may be a bit more uncomfortable due to temperature, or living accommodations..we would rather put a picture on the website and leave the animal where it is in its comfort zone until it gets a new home rather than moving and traumatizing the poor thing, or perhaps there are specialty rescues that would be a better fit for the pet. We try and put the pieces together the best we can. The animal control centers are not rescues. They are not in the business to adopt unless the lost pet is not able to be reunited with it’s original owners. Lets all just keep doing the very best we can and work together. There is no worse plan than to start nit picking the over stressed, under budget people working their tails off to get these babes new families. Today and forever we are calling our mission a no kill facility because that is our mission and our passion. Thanks
Comment by Nancy K — March 25, 2009 @ 11:06 am
Oh, and yes..I forgot to mention that we have many rescue horses that will be living their lives out with us because of health/age issues and we love them all the same. Each is different as their needs. They are up for adoption, but if that special person comes along, we will be willing to let them go so that we can help the next in line, as with all of our pets here.Thanks
Comment by Nancy K — March 25, 2009 @ 11:15 am
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Comment by layessiff — April 5, 2009 @ 1:10 am
Michigan as well as entire country are long overdue for where they stand with treatment of homeless shelter animals. The number of killed homeless pets that takes place just in one human life span is beyond imagination.
It is time to change the standards and make ourselves a truly humane society. This will in my opinion take tough legislative actions like mandatory spaying/neutering as well as banning “no pet” apartments. These two changes alone can save millions of lives each year. Education within communities is another extremely important factor.
Lets follow Germany which has no unwanted shelter animals. Germany does not kill their homeless pets. Moreover, they frequently import them from other countries. In Germany there are MORE families that want to adopt than animals to be adopted. How about such high standard? Can we get there too?
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http://adoptpet.info
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