10 Amazing No-Kill Animal Shelters in the U.S. | OnroidHelps

We love our companion animals, and so many of us are now finding our new best friends through adoption at a shelter, rather than buying from a pet store.

It’s no secret that pets are being euthanized due to lack of space, and it’s happening at an alarming rate. There are 5,500 dogs euthanized each day in the United States, and thankfully, so many great shelters are working to fight that statistic. The no-kill movement in particular is dedicated to reducing the euthanasia of healthy pets, and creating more effective shelter systems.

These chosen ten no-kill shelters are just a handful of so many successful groups that have increased adoptions, foster networks, facilities, and services to decrease euthanasia of healthy pets. What we need now is cooperation among communities and animal facilities to see the common goal of reducing population-control euthanasia, so that we can have the most effective shelters for animals!

1. Austin Pets Alive! – Texas


Under the direction of Dr. Ellen Jefferson, APA has become a nationwide leader in the no-kill revolution. She used years of data to find a solution to Austin’s shelter euthanasia rate. They began by targeting their help to animals on the Austin Animal Center’s (AAC) euthanasia list, and using the data from animals they saved to create a more efficient system. The entire report can be found here, some of the solutions included: more off site adoption events, larger foster program, and Parvo ICU and isolation unit for sick animals. The APA continues to operate off of data and best practices – in 2011 their live outcome rate reached 90 percent, meaning 90 percent of animals were saved! They have a great guide to getting no-kill started in any shelter.

2. City of San Jose Animal Care & Services – California

Utilizing a program known as “Feral Freedom”, a trap neuter return program modeled after the pioneering effort launched in Jacksonville, the city of San Jose Animal Care and Services was able to reduce their euthanasia rate for cats by an impressive forty percent. Deputy Director Jon Cicirelli and Beth Ward, chief operating officer of the Humane Society of Silicon Valley formed We Care, a coalition of six shelters in the San Jose area dedicated to reducing euthanasia rates.

3. Multnomah County Animal Services – Oregon

As a member of the Animal Shelter Alliance of Portland (ASAP), a coalition of the largest animal welfare organizations serving the four-county Portland metropolitan area, Multnomah has become a model of what it takes to reduce euthanasia rates.
According to their website, “Our save rate for dogs is now up to over 90% and we’ve recently implemented several new programs to increase the save rate for cats. In 2012, ASAP member shelters collectively achieved an 85% live release rate. This is amongst the top in the nation for populations over two million people. Detailed, annual agency statistics for our shelter are available.”

What’s been most helpful in reducing euthanasia rates? Multnomah says that “transfers of dogs and cats to community partners such as private shelters, rescue groups and private foster homes for high-needs animals” have been incredibly important.

4. Members of the Metro Denver Shelter Alliance – Colorado

These members include over 25 different shelters and organizations who are dedicated to reducing euthanasia rates and increasing live outcomes. The collective live outcome rate in 2012 for the Metro Denver Shelter Alliance was 85 percent (up from 72 percent in 2005).


According to an article published in Animal Sheltering, “MDSA is able to track its collective live-release rate thanks to two central principles that its members have agreed on: a common, nonjudgmental language that’s clearly defined and consistently used, and statistical transparency.”

It’s great to see communities coming together for the animals, and the Metro Denver Shelter Alliance is paving the way for a successful model.

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