The Definition of No-Kill
No-Kill is a term describing the philosophy of eliminating euthanasia of healthy and treatable (medically and behaviorally) companion animals. It is a commitment to ensuring that every healthy and treatable companion animal has the opportunity to live in a safe, loving home for his/her lifetime. No healthy & treatable animals will be killed simply because there is a lack of cage space or as a means of population control. See the jurisdictions in Virginia and throughout the country saving at least 90% Saving 90. Many jurisdictions in Virginia have already achieved such success or are well on their way. Check out our local statistics page here which lists private and public shelters as well as open admission and limited admission shelters, all each playing equally important roles in Hampton Roads becoming a no kill community.
Not enough homes? It is a myth!
Naysayers of No-Kill suggest that there are not enough homes or that no-kill shelters warehouse animals but those myths are quickly being debunked. Study after study reports that a shortage of homes is not the problem; rather it is inadequate outreach to the public to raise awareness about shelter pets, most of whom are loving animals. One only has to visit the Norfolk SPCA or Portsmouth Humane Society to see how well cared for sheltered animals are in a no-kill facility.
A revealing Associated Press-Petside Poll reported that 71 % of pet owners feel that shelters should only be allowed to euthanize animals when they are too sick to be treated or too aggressive to be adopted. It is time for citizens to demand that policy makers embrace No-Kill for every Hampton Roads community and implement the components of the No Kill Equation.
