Why do people believe that NO-Kill shelters are so great?

Question

Are that many people blind to the truth behind these shelters?

The question is stated this way because I wanted to hear from people who realize how loosely the term No-kill is used at these 'shelters'


If you need expansion on what I mean by 'Truth behind these no-kill shelters' see these awnsers
Mutt Mommy, not a black saint bernard, and animal_artwork

For those asking:

No-kill shelters pick and choose their animals. Leaving the rest to the other shelters in the area. When the no-kill shelter cannot place an animal, they send it to the local shelter. No-kill shelters increase euthanasia at local shelters in communities, these shelters are left with the hard to adopt animals. Everyone goes to the no-kill shelter to adopt, and they donate there instead of the regular shelter. The truth is that these no kill shelters would not be no-kill if they didn't have local shelters handling the euthanasia work that they don't want to deal with. They also help people get rid of animals guilt free!

Anne B

Even if your no-kill shelter is truly no kill, and doesn't pass around animals. There is still no way, unless you live in such a small community that are not many animals, that this shelter takes every single animal in. Leaving animals for the other shelter, which is horrible in the public's eyes since they kill, and now there is a no kill shelter in the area. You're no kill shelter is not truly saving anyone. they are just making it harder for the other shelter in the area, by taking away adoptable animals and their donations/funding. wich causes them financial strain, less adoption resources, less money to keep animals extended periods = more death. You are wrong to assume that some no-kill shelters cause no damage. This was my thesis for my graduate degree, so I have researched no-kill shelters all over the country.

The only no-kill shelters that didn't do any of the things i mentioned where in tiny communities. where no-kill isn't really needed anyway

Answer 1

No, they do not know the truth. For those who don't know, the no-kill shelters often pass along dogs when they are full or less "desired" dogs to kill shelters.

Answer 2

Its because they don't understand they way the system works, and they don't want to realize the true extent of America's pet overpopulation problem. I have seen absolutely fabulous "kill" shelters that make every effort to get thier dogs into homes or rescue. They are clean, friendly, and the dogs are happy and well cared for. I have also seen a real nightmare of a "no-kill" shelter- they must have had several hundred dogs, many living outdoors in overcrowded pens, some with visible health problems- open sores, bald spots etc. Actually the dogs outside were lucky, the dogs inside lived in crates stacked on top of one another, or two and three to a small run and god only knows when they were exercised. It may not be typical- but it certainly happens- MANY animal hoarders, for instance, adopt from shelters and take in strays so they won't be killed. We had a rescue here recently that ended up having an animal hoarder as a foster parent, the conditions were not good, but I know all these people are well meaning.
True story- my little sister works for a "no kill" shelter, they were recently called to investigate a puppy mill situation, they ended up resolving it by paying the owner to take about a hundred of the dogs, and doing follow up visits- they PURPOSELY only took the "cute" breeds. I think she had dachsunds, pekes, jack russels and beagles. Well apparently dachsunds and pekes are "cuter" and more adoptable, so they took those and left all of the beagles and jack russels.
No kill shelters can be extremely poorly run, to the point of being un-ethical and abusive. And its much easier to blame the county shelter for being "mean" and "cruel" by euthanizing animals that there simply aren't enough homes for, than to admit that there is NO GOOD SOLUTION to the current pet problem, and that humans have created a system where these animals must either die humanely or live abused and neglected lives. -Neb

Answer 3

I work with a humane society and we don't use the term because we feel it is misleading.

County shelters by law have to accept every animal that comes through the door - the sick ones, the aggressive ones and the very old ones. They become overcrowded because people overbreed and abandon their animals and so they have to euthanize. The people that work in these places have a hard job and I respect them.

So called "no-kill" shelters can choose the animals that enter their shelters and many only take owner relinquishments. They can choose not to take older animals and usually don't take sick or aggressive animals. And sometimes they have to euthanize anyway if an animal gets sick or develops behavioral problems.

We are closer to the second category but we do take older healthy animals into our shelter and we help our local county shelter by taking adoptable animals when we have space. We feel like it's a partnership, not a competition.

We also have to euthanize occasionally when animals become very sick or develop behavioral problems that make them unadoptable. We don't want to be a hospice for animals - though we have no time limits, if unadoptable animals remain in our shelter, they don't have a very good life and they are taking a space away from an animal that could be saved.

Answer 4

I know this wont be a popular responce, but euthanasia is a necessary evil. There are just not enough homes.

At a no kill shelter, many of the dogs will sit in the shelter for months and years on end, which can cause major behavoiral and psychological problems... the shelter will be packed full and unable to take on any more strays or owner turn ins. The shelter may even resort to cramming multiple dogs in cages to try to make room for everyone.

Some "no kill" shelters just do not euthanise the animals themselves.. that doesnt mean that the animals are safe from euthanasia.. they haul the animals off to another shelter or animal control facility and then are eventually euthanized from there.


People are all for "no killing".. but the truth of the matter is killing or not killing doesnt solve the problem, even with euthanasia, there are still too many.. it wont end until people spay and neuter their pets!

Answer 5

TRUTH: The one I vol at has 150 dogs, 120+ are Pit or Bully mixes. Of them, 75+ are "good" sweet dogs that will never leave because nobody wants a "reject" pittie. (some haver been there 5 years since the opening) The other 50 or so are living in small solitary cages because they are owner suerrender "problem" dogs (surely MOST problems created by former human interaction. I know of only 2 that are just plain MEAN) who cannot be socially allowed into a group turnout or run.. They will never know freedom, love, companionship or family. It makes me sick when I see people at WalMart with a box of Pit(mix) puppies for $50. I wonder how many of them I will end up seeing at the shelter in a few months.

While we never let a dog go that comes on site, we have had to euthanize a few unsocial dogs. Sure we claim "no kill" but that goes for the other dogs too. If humans would do their part ( education, awareness and responsibility) FIRST, shelters would see an ease up.

Answer 6

No-Kill shelters are a fabulous idea in theory and most of them start off with noble hearts and great intentions.
Most people are blind to the down-side of many or these places because why would they be any other way. People want to see good in the world and they want to hope. And it isn't like there is much media (the only way most people find out about anything sadly) attention given to the dark side of many of these organizations.
Why not tone it down a little and try to show people the other side. But be prepared. Just showing someone the bad isn't good enough. When you educate people they want more education.... what I mean to say is that if you go and expose the truth, then people naturally want a VIABLE solution. And the PETAesque kill them all mentality wont get anyone anywhere.
Good luck professor. Teach well.
~Tyed~

Answer 7

Listen friend, I sure hope you add a detail which will enlighten the rest of us. If you don't then we will have to assume you're another Y/A troll just wasting time before getting down to business and doing your elementary school homework.
Where I live ther are several no kill shelters, that have indefinitely kept animals that no one wanted to adopt.. And really that's as much as you can ask of a "No-kill" shelter. What exactly are you expecting these shelters to do?? We are lucky to have no kill shelters. They are underfunded but yet do the best that they can under the circumstances. The No-Kill shelters in my area are completely depend ant on local contributions from their region . they are struggling to survive and many of their workers are volunteers.
These organizations should be praised for a the work they do. If YOU worked at one you would have gotten that.
Why don't you come down on some of the people responsible for putting these animals in these circumstances, instead of the people trying to make things better for the animasl?

Answer 8

I am sure there are some shelters out there who are operating in this manner, but please don't blast and label all no-kill shelters in this manner. I happen to know of one that I donate to that does NOT have this policy. First hand knowledge, by the way, as I am aquainted with the Director of the shelter and have done research on the founder of this shelter.
You may be angry about what you have found out, but it really does not apply to all no-kill shelters.
Generalization is a dangerous thing, as it creates negative public opinion. Unless you have your facts in place for all the no-kill shelters in this country, you are not doing a good thing here.

Answer 9

Because they don't know what these shelters really do.

In order to be a no-kill shelter, most of them refuse many animals. Animals that are sick, old, injured, or not "cute" enough to find new homes get REFUSED at the door, and they either get abandoned on the streets, or taken to shelters that will properly evaluate them, treat them, send them to foster, OR put them down if that is the most humane course of action. (sometimes a dog is so sick or injured, it will never heal, and euthanasia is actually a better solution for them) but the No-Kill shelters refuse to accept these pets.

Answer 10

The last time I went to a no-kill shelter I was looking for a dog. I told them I have a son and I was looking for a nice pit bull. They said that they wouldn't reccomend ANY of their dogs to me since I have a son.

The place was completely overcrowded and some of the dogs growled at me as I walked through. They had two dogs in one pen. A worker had to break up a fight between them, and I ended up holding onto the dog she was walking. That could have ended badly.

That was all it took for me to see how bad the no-kill shelter can be.

I found my dog at another shelter, and she is great.

Answer 11

It depends on what you mean by "the truth." I'm not sure I've heard of a No-kill "shelter," however, Iim familiar with no kil rescue groups and organizations. They are "so great" because they don't put a death-sentence on animals. They give them a JUST and FAIR chance to find the right home, and also keep them for however long it takes and however expensive. Everyone deserves a chance. Would it be different if children were killed whilst at an agency if they couldn't become adopted in two weeks?