In a victory for animal welfare, the state of Michigan has succeeded in earning “no-kill” status. To reach this status, a state must successfully transfer, adopt or reunite at least 90% of its shelter animals to homes or other rescue organizations. Michigan is the second state after Delaware to achieve such a feat.
Only animals deemed medically untreatable may be euthanized.
The 174 animal shelters in Michigan teamed up to place the vast majority of shelter animals in homes, rescue organizations, and foster care and to reunite lost animals with their caretakers.
The Michigan Pet Fund Alliance, a key no-kill advocate organization, provided needed funding, assistance, and training to Michigan animal shelters in an effort to stop unnecessary euthanasia.
Nationwide, over half of the animals that enter animal shelters each year are tragically killed. Statistics are difficult to track, but experts estimate that 3.7 million animals were euthanized in 2008. Cats are particularly difficult to place and are euthanized at higher rates than dogs.
Shelters have limited space and resources and are often overwhelmed and overcrowded. They resort to euthanasia to free up kennels or use resources more efficiently, especially in cases of injured, sick, or difficult animals.
No-kill shelters incorporate a variety of methods to prevent unnecessary animal deaths. Through foster homes, medical and behavioral rehabilitation, community partnerships, and other tactics, shelters can improve an animal’s chances of adoption.
Thanks to the collaborative efforts of animal advocates, shelters and rescue organizations in Michigan, more animals will now be given a second chance at life.
What’s New…
Wonderful news!
All USA should be no-kill. New proper legislation for pet keeping also needed. Pet keeping on serious grounds and licenses to a very chosen few only. With good education on animal behaviour included.
All USA should be no-kill. Some proper legislation about pet keeping should be applied also. Pets only to a very chosen few and only on some serious grounds and licenses.
Savage evil demonic barbarians. Feed them to lions or crocs to stop these horrific crimes once and for all!!!!
God Bless Michigan and Delaware for their humane treatment of their animals!! Every state should emulate this great feat!!
Glad the state of michigan has a no kill shelter. It should be in all states. Hope the pups find owners that will not abuse them.
kudos
They have done no wrong. They should not be put to sleep!!
Phyl, here in the UK no healthy animal is ever put down. Shameful that this happens in a modern country like America.
THANK YOU, MICHIGAN. HOPE THE WORLD FOLLOWS.
This is good news!
Good for Michigan! now let’s get the other 49 states to do likewise.
Delaware was actually the first state to enact a similar law, so now we only have 48 states to go.
Let’s get together and work this out. We can achieve great things.
Thank You Michigan for a step in the right direction in saving so many lives of these poor animals. It would be great to see the next step involve the neutering and spaying of these animals as well so that when they are adopted out we are able to stop the breeding that just increases the number of animals that will require homes in the future. But to this point no – Thank You for doing what so many other states still need to do as well.
Ms Cyphers
Before praising NO Kill just be informed of all the animals killed by pit bulls and other bully breeds (see Animals 24/7 annual statistics). Be aware of all the people and children mauled and killed (see Dogsbite.org). These children suffer with PTSD and depression because they are now ugly and live with the frightful memory of the mauling. The families will never have enough money to pay for years and years of plastic surgery, Medicaid doesn’t pay for these surgeries. When I read a story of precious miniature horses being mauled to death I’m very saddened of the horror they must have gone through, I have only one conclusion, these bully breed animals need to be neutered and it is not safe for animals or people for them to continue to exist among us once they have committed these crimes. So the no kill policy is a travesty for other living things.
Forgive me i am half asleep I may not say this perfect but i have heard no kill shelters for the most part are not a good thing because now animals will be turned away and suffer a worse fate, thrown in the street to starve and some have been thrown out windows when they find out they cant turn them into shelters to be humanely euthanized. The biggest prob will always be ppl. To the lady that spoke on pit bulls i hear you sort of, but so many kids that are mauled these days it was the owners fault the parents dont watch the kids and the kids harass the animals. Just had it happen to a nephew & they got rid of their other dog just because the pitbull bit the kid…..
Your comment is gibberish, Who are all these “kids getting mauled”? Got any stats? any actual backup for your generalizations?
Well done Michigan. Why not start neutering and spaying???
Good news Michigan. Now let’s talk about sterilisation.
Thank you, Michigan. This is a big-hearted commitment. I applaud you for taking this step.
Fantastic News. Well done to everyone, for fighting to making this change happen.
Hopefully other states will not be long to follow. No healthy, loving animal should be put down. Fingers crossed they will soon all find forever homes.
This is amazing news! It shows that it is possible because every life is important.
Way to go Michigan….you’re awesome.
Well done Michigan!