There is actually a big no-kill movement going on right now in the shelter community. I went to a seminar about it last year, it was very interesting.
First of all, in the shelter community, "No Kill" means that less than 10% of animals are put to sleep. They acknowledge that about 10% of animals will need to be humanely euthanized due to health or behaviorial problems.
Also, "euthanize" means to put to sleep an animal who is suffering, due to health or behaviorial problems. In the no kill community, "euthanize" does not mean to put to sleep a healthy and happy animal simply because of lack of resources; they call this "killing." Hence, "no kill" means that they only euthanize animals who are suffering and cannot reasonably be cured; about 10% of the population that comes into a shelter.
The leaders of this movement are proving that the 90% adoption rate can be achieved in basically every type of shelter environment and community. Through increased adoption efforts, rescue group outreach, spay/neuter programs, etc., shelters are learning that it can be done. Two very large, open-admission shelters in my area have recently achieved a monthly 90% success rate, after having been at about 60% at this time last year. I honestly didn't think it could be done at these two particular shelters, but I'm proud to say that they've done it.
Nathan Winograd is probably the biggest leader of the no kill movement, his website would be a good place to start if you're interested in this topic.
First of all, in the shelter community, "No Kill" means that less than 10% of animals are put to sleep. They acknowledge that about 10% of animals will need to be humanely euthanized due to health or behaviorial problems.
Also, "euthanize" means to put to sleep an animal who is suffering, due to health or behaviorial problems. In the no kill community, "euthanize" does not mean to put to sleep a healthy and happy animal simply because of lack of resources; they call this "killing." Hence, "no kill" means that they only euthanize animals who are suffering and cannot reasonably be cured; about 10% of the population that comes into a shelter.
The leaders of this movement are proving that the 90% adoption rate can be achieved in basically every type of shelter environment and community. Through increased adoption efforts, rescue group outreach, spay/neuter programs, etc., shelters are learning that it can be done. Two very large, open-admission shelters in my area have recently achieved a monthly 90% success rate, after having been at about 60% at this time last year. I honestly didn't think it could be done at these two particular shelters, but I'm proud to say that they've done it.
Nathan Winograd is probably the biggest leader of the no kill movement, his website would be a good place to start if you're interested in this topic.