Interesting Article

I think I am allowed to post links from a public site like msnbc?

Below is an interesting article about a couple of large metro areas in the US that are making great strides in becoming "no-kill" shelters.


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31555018/ns/us_news/

Thanks for that -- really interesting!

Interesting article. I personally have mixed feelings about no-kill shelters. It sounds like such a great concept, but I don't see how they could possibly accept ALL animals regardless. I guarantee they pick and choose which animals they accept, and then the sick and old, or ones with behavioral issues end up at the Government level (i.e; animal control high-kill shelters), thereby raising the euthanization rate.

I work closely with my local Humane Society and although they are not a no-kill shelter, they give every animal a chance. They thoroughly test for behavioral issues, they have a public on-site Vet, they have a foster program where dogs who (for example) have heartworms, would go and stay while they are being rehab'd. If an animal comes in that is adoptable (and they determine this after doing extensive testing) the animal stays on the floor until it is adopted, period. They *finally* adopted a cat who has been there since June of last year!

I just feel that if you are looking to adopt an animal from a shelter, look at the other shelters FIRST.

I also wanted to add that although I LOVE animals...in some cases I do feel it is best for them to be eauthanized. I don't want to live in a world where ALL animals are saved regardless. Sometimes these places have to do what no one else wants to, although they know it's in the best interest of the animal or people in general (aggression, etc). I would hate to be the person who has to make those decisions on a daily basis.

Chloe92 -

I agree with you on many points...fortunately it sounds like the shelter that you work with has implemented many of the tests, etc that the ones in the article are working on. I just think that is wonderful that any shelter is working to decrease their euthanization rate. A completely "no-kill" shelter in a large metropolitan area may not be a very realistic thing but to hear that some have decreased their rate to under 20% and have implemented behavior testing and positive training, etc is just at least some positive news in this arena.

I wish more shelters and local Humane Socieities would take action like these and the one near you!

duncans_ma said:

Chloe92 -
A completely "no-kill" shelter in a large metropolitan area may not be a very realistic thing but to hear that some have decreased their rate to under 20% and have implemented behavior testing and positive training, etc is just at least some positive news in this arena.

I wish more shelters and local Humane Socieities would take action like these and the one near you!

Click to expand...

I usually just read on this site, as I have yet to find a Cavalier, but this is a topic that I am passionate about mostly because I have seen no-kill work.

I don't know what is considered "large" in regards to a metropolitan area, but the city of Calgary, Alberta has been fully open admission and has maintained less than a 10% kill rate (that is considered no-kill as there will always be some too unhealthy) for over a decade now.

It is a very realistic idea and if it can happen and be sustained in Calgary, there is no reason it can't happen else where.

These links describe how Calgary has done it. Please take a look. You can also google "Bill Bruce". He is the AC director there and he tours in an effort to spread the message.

http://www.calgary.ca/docgallery/bu/animalservices/what_happens_to_our_impounded_dogs.pdf

http://content.calgary.ca/CCA/City+...mal+Services/Statistics/Animal+Statistics.htm

http://caveat.blogware.com/blog/_archives/2007/1/29/2694938.html

http://calsun.canoe.ca/News/Columnists/Platt_Michael/2008/09/01/6627046-sun.php

http://btoellner.typepad.com/kcdogb...d-low-number-of-aggressive-dog-incidents.html

Calgary is one of two large cities in Alberta, Canada with a population of about 1 million people. The other large city, Edmonton, also does not euthanize any healthy or adoptable canines, but their rate of euthanization is higher due to stricter temperament testing. The city has also not persued the same licensing strategy that Bill Bruce of Calgary has shown to be so effective.

This site as well has some information about similar success stories in the USA. It promotes a different way of going about no-kill, but I'll embrace good ideas of all kinds.

http://www.nokilladvocacycenter.org/

Bobby, with Oreo forever in my heart.

Bobby- thanks for all the links. I'll read them when I have a little more time although I quickly looked at all of them.

What I find most interesting is they have such a high rate of micro-chipped and registered dogs that the rate of owner return is huge! That in itself is a major goal to work toward and would definitely reduce the number of animals in shelters and therefore overcrowding, and thereby decreasing the number of animals that have to be destroyed. All in all, a system that appears to be working! Thanks for the info.