What does no-kill really mean?
Every time I am in a group of animal advocates, this subject comes up. Actually, it comes up when I am just in a group of people who want to talk to me about the animals.
You see, most people don't really want to know the truth. They don't want to know that no-kill doesn't really mean animals aren't killed. It means "adoptable" animals aren't killed.
Then the really sticky discussion come up. What is adoptable? Who makes those decisions? Is a ten year old dog adoptable? What about a fifteen year old cat? Should they be killed to make room for the ten week old kittens or the year old Labrador mix?
Do you kill pitbulls because they may take up space longer or because they are less adoptable than a collie mix?
I have heard arguments on both sides. In fact, both my dogs were on the euthanasia list. Both of them. They have turned out to be a couple of the best dogs I have ever owned. They were lucky. They were lucky someone saw the potential in them and decided they were worth saving. How many dogs and cats don't have the special person speaking up for them? How many older dogs or dogs with bad legs (like my Betty) are killed daily because there is someone making that decision?
The organization I volounteer with is a sanctuary. This means none of our animals leave this earth until it is their time. Does this restrict a shelter from being able to move dogs out? I don't believe so. We have space for x number of dogs. When we have x number of dogs, we don't have anyplace to put ten or fifteen more animals which may come in. Especially during this time of year.
I can't tell you how many times I have heard from potential adopters about bringing the animal back. Well, if you begin your life with a new pet and are already worried about bringing them back, we do have a problem.It means to me you are already looking for a reason to return the pet and you haven't even made it out the door yet.
The same hold true for all of the posts I receive on Facebook. "URGENT" Will die tomorrow. Well, the truth is they probably will die tomorrow. The truth is there are simply not enough homes for the animals we have. Couple that with insurance regulations, which prohibits ownership of many different breeds like pitbulls, rottweilers, German Shepherds, etc.
So if you are looking for a new pet, look no further than your own backyard.Visit your local county shelter. Check to the north and south of you.
I believe there is a home for every animal. It is just finding the right human for the right dog or cat. I also believe there are some shelters who hide behind the no-kill tag . Then the excuse can be used that the Asilomar Accords were followed so they can be listed as a no-kill. According to the Assilomar Accords, puppies and kittens under 8 weeks can be killed. Are you okay with that? I'm not.
The Asilomar participants hope that these definitions are applied as a standard for categorizing dogs and cats in each organization. The definitions, however, are not meant to define the outcome for each animal entrusted to our care. Read the complete Accord here.
So, if your rescue or human society is a no-kill, ask them what that means. Ask to see their euthanasia numbers. Ask if they kill old animals. Ask who makes the decision: One person or a group of shelter advisors.
And then stop labeling shelters. If they don't have sanctuary in their name or mission statement, they euthanize. Simple, easy to understand. And...if you are still having difficulty understanding, write me. I will be more than happy to speak to you on this subject.
You see, most people don't really want to know the truth. They don't want to know that no-kill doesn't really mean animals aren't killed. It means "adoptable" animals aren't killed.
Then the really sticky discussion come up. What is adoptable? Who makes those decisions? Is a ten year old dog adoptable? What about a fifteen year old cat? Should they be killed to make room for the ten week old kittens or the year old Labrador mix?
Do you kill pitbulls because they may take up space longer or because they are less adoptable than a collie mix?
I have heard arguments on both sides. In fact, both my dogs were on the euthanasia list. Both of them. They have turned out to be a couple of the best dogs I have ever owned. They were lucky. They were lucky someone saw the potential in them and decided they were worth saving. How many dogs and cats don't have the special person speaking up for them? How many older dogs or dogs with bad legs (like my Betty) are killed daily because there is someone making that decision?
The organization I volounteer with is a sanctuary. This means none of our animals leave this earth until it is their time. Does this restrict a shelter from being able to move dogs out? I don't believe so. We have space for x number of dogs. When we have x number of dogs, we don't have anyplace to put ten or fifteen more animals which may come in. Especially during this time of year.
I can't tell you how many times I have heard from potential adopters about bringing the animal back. Well, if you begin your life with a new pet and are already worried about bringing them back, we do have a problem.It means to me you are already looking for a reason to return the pet and you haven't even made it out the door yet.
The same hold true for all of the posts I receive on Facebook. "URGENT" Will die tomorrow. Well, the truth is they probably will die tomorrow. The truth is there are simply not enough homes for the animals we have. Couple that with insurance regulations, which prohibits ownership of many different breeds like pitbulls, rottweilers, German Shepherds, etc.
So if you are looking for a new pet, look no further than your own backyard.Visit your local county shelter. Check to the north and south of you.
I believe there is a home for every animal. It is just finding the right human for the right dog or cat. I also believe there are some shelters who hide behind the no-kill tag . Then the excuse can be used that the Asilomar Accords were followed so they can be listed as a no-kill. According to the Assilomar Accords, puppies and kittens under 8 weeks can be killed. Are you okay with that? I'm not.
The Asilomar participants hope that these definitions are applied as a standard for categorizing dogs and cats in each organization. The definitions, however, are not meant to define the outcome for each animal entrusted to our care. Read the complete Accord here.
So, if your rescue or human society is a no-kill, ask them what that means. Ask to see their euthanasia numbers. Ask if they kill old animals. Ask who makes the decision: One person or a group of shelter advisors.
And then stop labeling shelters. If they don't have sanctuary in their name or mission statement, they euthanize. Simple, easy to understand. And...if you are still having difficulty understanding, write me. I will be more than happy to speak to you on this subject.
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