I learned a little reading this article. Thank you. And certainly agree with others who propose that working root cause issues would have positive impact on overall outcomes.
This explanation provided some good insight. While I believe every shelter should strive to be no kill, I also fear that once they are formally identified as such, they will feel pressured to focus more on the numbers than upon the animals' best interests. Hopefully, we have good operators out there.
Hi Annoula, yes, that's exactly my position as well. I describe it as "leaning into" no-kill. It's more of a journey than a destination, although, one day I suspect and hope that every shelter will arrive. In the meantime, I am proposing a national "measurement" that will allow us to better understand all the dynamics affecting all of our journeys to no-kill. The Per Capita calculation is an important first step on this journey.
I think we all need to work harder and figure out ways to stop puppy mills, pet stores that sell animals, harsher punishments for illegal breeding, dog fighting, animal abuse and neglect, etc. These are the animals that are euthanized first.
This may not be popular, but I would love to work in a “no kill” shelter surrounded by animals. Unfortunately, as an employee, the pay is unsustainable for most living expenses.
Shelters need more money!
Shelters need expansion and upgrades! Shelters need to be able to offer higher wages to attract more animal lovers, animal trainers, dog walkers, kitty cuddlers, dog beds, toys, etc. We need to socialize as many animals as possible and make the shelter a more inviting place to frequent; and ultimately adopt.
This article was hard for me to read…
I applaud the successes, but the thought of any healthy animal being executed sickens me.
Personally, I would not be able to work in a shelter that euthanized any healthy animal...
Ed, I wish you ran every animal shelter across all nations. You would make the world a better place. I really mean that.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful and heartfelt response. I completely agree that addressing the root causes such as puppy mills, illegal breeding, and animal abuse is crucial for making lasting change. Your passion for creating a better environment for shelter animals is truly inspiring.
You’re right—shelters do need more funding, expansion, and resources to attract dedicated staff and provide the best care for the animals. It's essential to create a more inviting and supportive environment for both the animals and the people who care for them.
Your dedication to the no-kill ethic and the well-being of animals is evident, and it’s voices like yours that drive the movement forward. Let's continue to work together to advocate for the changes needed to make all shelters compassionate and sustainable.
Thank you again for your kind words and support. They mean a lot to me.
Excellent essay on the euthanasia numbers in perspective. No mention of numbers of animals euthanized for illness or injury. That would be useful metric as well.
Hi Judith, yes, there is value in tracking illness and injury metrics. In fact, the closer to achieving "no-kill" that a shelter gets they will find that these are the only animals being euthanized.
Interesting article today - I believe I know the substack to which you are referring because I received it yesterday also. I can't get too immersed in the numbers because I don't agree with the pressure to get animals out of the ACC as quickly as possible -- i.e. live release rate -- seemingly to anyone with a pulse.
I want to know what criteria (interview questions) is being used since I see so many failed adoptions -sometimes in a short period of time - sometimes in a year or longer. For example - how could a cat be legitimately adopted to someone with a child planning to go off to college -- when the cat was intended for her. Then she does go to college and the cat is returned several months later. Is this right? Cats have feelings too. Or are we slowly but surely returning to the days of Descartes. The cat may well become stressed, less trusting and less likely to be adopted a second or a third time. Or the adoption of a young cat - maybe two years old - who was returned in a very short time because - wait for it. The cat acted like a crazy kitten and was too active.
I know there is a focus on the live release rate around the country - but not on quality adoptions.
We need low cost spay/neuter facilities in NYC - not crazy, temporary irresponsible adoptions. We must keep pressuring the government to do something since animal control is their responsibility.
In the meantime - the ACC should consider educating potential adopters instead of pushing animals at them. Or just give them a stuffed animal
Thank you, Elizabeth! I think your concerns confirm the point of my article. The closer a community gets to "no-kill" the greater the ratio of difficult to place animals for both medical and behavioral reasons. When a shelter/community gets to this place, it is time to "kick it up a notch" and develop more creative rehabilitation and adoption counseling programs designed to help these most misfortunate animals and their potential adopters.
I learned a little reading this article. Thank you. And certainly agree with others who propose that working root cause issues would have positive impact on overall outcomes.
This explanation provided some good insight. While I believe every shelter should strive to be no kill, I also fear that once they are formally identified as such, they will feel pressured to focus more on the numbers than upon the animals' best interests. Hopefully, we have good operators out there.
Hi Annoula, yes, that's exactly my position as well. I describe it as "leaning into" no-kill. It's more of a journey than a destination, although, one day I suspect and hope that every shelter will arrive. In the meantime, I am proposing a national "measurement" that will allow us to better understand all the dynamics affecting all of our journeys to no-kill. The Per Capita calculation is an important first step on this journey.
I think we all need to work harder and figure out ways to stop puppy mills, pet stores that sell animals, harsher punishments for illegal breeding, dog fighting, animal abuse and neglect, etc. These are the animals that are euthanized first.
This may not be popular, but I would love to work in a “no kill” shelter surrounded by animals. Unfortunately, as an employee, the pay is unsustainable for most living expenses.
Shelters need more money!
Shelters need expansion and upgrades! Shelters need to be able to offer higher wages to attract more animal lovers, animal trainers, dog walkers, kitty cuddlers, dog beds, toys, etc. We need to socialize as many animals as possible and make the shelter a more inviting place to frequent; and ultimately adopt.
This article was hard for me to read…
I applaud the successes, but the thought of any healthy animal being executed sickens me.
Personally, I would not be able to work in a shelter that euthanized any healthy animal...
Ed, I wish you ran every animal shelter across all nations. You would make the world a better place. I really mean that.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful and heartfelt response. I completely agree that addressing the root causes such as puppy mills, illegal breeding, and animal abuse is crucial for making lasting change. Your passion for creating a better environment for shelter animals is truly inspiring.
You’re right—shelters do need more funding, expansion, and resources to attract dedicated staff and provide the best care for the animals. It's essential to create a more inviting and supportive environment for both the animals and the people who care for them.
Your dedication to the no-kill ethic and the well-being of animals is evident, and it’s voices like yours that drive the movement forward. Let's continue to work together to advocate for the changes needed to make all shelters compassionate and sustainable.
Thank you again for your kind words and support. They mean a lot to me.
Excellent essay on the euthanasia numbers in perspective. No mention of numbers of animals euthanized for illness or injury. That would be useful metric as well.
Hi Judith, yes, there is value in tracking illness and injury metrics. In fact, the closer to achieving "no-kill" that a shelter gets they will find that these are the only animals being euthanized.
Interesting article today - I believe I know the substack to which you are referring because I received it yesterday also. I can't get too immersed in the numbers because I don't agree with the pressure to get animals out of the ACC as quickly as possible -- i.e. live release rate -- seemingly to anyone with a pulse.
I want to know what criteria (interview questions) is being used since I see so many failed adoptions -sometimes in a short period of time - sometimes in a year or longer. For example - how could a cat be legitimately adopted to someone with a child planning to go off to college -- when the cat was intended for her. Then she does go to college and the cat is returned several months later. Is this right? Cats have feelings too. Or are we slowly but surely returning to the days of Descartes. The cat may well become stressed, less trusting and less likely to be adopted a second or a third time. Or the adoption of a young cat - maybe two years old - who was returned in a very short time because - wait for it. The cat acted like a crazy kitten and was too active.
I know there is a focus on the live release rate around the country - but not on quality adoptions.
We need low cost spay/neuter facilities in NYC - not crazy, temporary irresponsible adoptions. We must keep pressuring the government to do something since animal control is their responsibility.
In the meantime - the ACC should consider educating potential adopters instead of pushing animals at them. Or just give them a stuffed animal
Thank you, Elizabeth! I think your concerns confirm the point of my article. The closer a community gets to "no-kill" the greater the ratio of difficult to place animals for both medical and behavioral reasons. When a shelter/community gets to this place, it is time to "kick it up a notch" and develop more creative rehabilitation and adoption counseling programs designed to help these most misfortunate animals and their potential adopters.