one thing that i need to point out is that some no-kill shelters get government funding, which means that they have to give animals up to RESEARCH FACILITIES if they are required to do so. when choosing a no-kill shelter (if that is important to you), you may want to ask if they ever, EVER give animals up for research.
also, i do need to point out that kill shelters aren't as bad as some people think they are. often times, the no-kill shelters have to turn away hundreds of animals becuase they simply do not have the space, meaning that those animals are abandoned on the streets, given away to someone who might not be suitable as a family, or worse. also, shelters are not ideal situations for any animal, but if one has been there for years and years (at a no-kill in IL, i met a dog who had been there for 9 years), you have to ask the question of how happy that animal really can be. not that i'm saying that euthanasia is the answer, but until pets are spayed and neutered, puppy mills etc are put out of business, and people learn to honor the relationship between an human and an animal for as long as that relationship lasts (rather than just while it's convenient), then euthanasia will be something that has to be accepted.
finally, some no-kill shelters won't take strays - they'll only take animals that are being relinquished by their owners - so the strays are out of luck (and strays are a big part of the problem).
i just wanted to put my 2 cents in for non-no-kill shelters. they are worth visiting - if you choose the right one, you'll find that they do care about the animals a great deal and that they do not euthanize unless absolutely necessary. for example, at the kill shelter (such a bad way to put it) i volunteer at, they have a 90% dog adoption rate (HUGE!!) and a 60% cat adoption rate...now, i know that sounds poor, but it's one of the highest in the country.
i just wanted to say that there are a lot of mediocre no-kill shelters out there, and a lot of wonderful non-no-kill ones.
also, i do need to point out that kill shelters aren't as bad as some people think they are. often times, the no-kill shelters have to turn away hundreds of animals becuase they simply do not have the space, meaning that those animals are abandoned on the streets, given away to someone who might not be suitable as a family, or worse. also, shelters are not ideal situations for any animal, but if one has been there for years and years (at a no-kill in IL, i met a dog who had been there for 9 years), you have to ask the question of how happy that animal really can be. not that i'm saying that euthanasia is the answer, but until pets are spayed and neutered, puppy mills etc are put out of business, and people learn to honor the relationship between an human and an animal for as long as that relationship lasts (rather than just while it's convenient), then euthanasia will be something that has to be accepted.
finally, some no-kill shelters won't take strays - they'll only take animals that are being relinquished by their owners - so the strays are out of luck (and strays are a big part of the problem).
i just wanted to put my 2 cents in for non-no-kill shelters. they are worth visiting - if you choose the right one, you'll find that they do care about the animals a great deal and that they do not euthanize unless absolutely necessary. for example, at the kill shelter (such a bad way to put it) i volunteer at, they have a 90% dog adoption rate (HUGE!!) and a 60% cat adoption rate...now, i know that sounds poor, but it's one of the highest in the country.
i just wanted to say that there are a lot of mediocre no-kill shelters out there, and a lot of wonderful non-no-kill ones.