Last week, I noted two shelters that had seen dramatic reductions in shelter killing after implementing the No Kill Equation -- and then followed that up in the weekly roundup with a great blog post from the Lynchburg (VA) Humane Society on the arguments they got about how what they were planning to do wouldn't work (even though it has).
This is all, of course, excellent news.
But wait, there's more.
Last week, Austin, TX announced that its February save rate was 92%. This is the first time in the 60 year history of the Town Lake Animal Shelter has ever had such an impressive save rate as an open-admission shelter for the city.
In March of 2010, the Austin City Council passed a resolution to make the city shelter into a no kill facility. Just over a year ago, in 2009, the city killed more than 7,000 animals (down from 12,000 in 2008). Now, after finding a new shelter director, and providing for all of the initiatives for no kill, they have had 3 consecutive months of being above 90% save rates. While things will get tougher as they move into the spring and summer months, this is HUGE progress for a city with a population of nearly 800,000 people and an amazing drop in killing in just 2 years.
But wait, there's more.
Also last week, the Allegany County Animal Shelter (MD) announced that since November 29th, only 19 of the 311 animals taken in by the shelter have been euthanized -- a 93.9% save rate. This is an amazing turnaround as under previous shelter "management" the shelter reported an 85% kill rate.
What a difference leadership makes.
The Queen City Animal Rescue president Jodi Sweitzer notes that it hasn't been easy. And the Vice President of the Animal Welfare Society of Allegany County, John McDaniel agrees:
"The idea of no-kill at a county-owned open admission facility is almost physically and monetarily impossible," said McDaniel. "Just because you don't have the space. You're going to come to the point where all of your rescues can't take any in, all of your foster families are going to be full. Then you're going to have to tow loads of kittens and puppies come in. What are you going to do then?"
However, as success has grown, so has the number of volunteers and foster homes -- which Sweitzer says is growing by the day.
Again, success was achieved not by calling the public irresponsible and blaming them for the 85% kill rate, but by embracing the public's ability to help them achieve their goals of killing fewer animals. This has all also happened without the support of the County Animal Control Board -- which voted 4-0 two months ago to not go no kill. And while the current volunteer groups are pleading with the county to embrace the no kill initiatives they've achieved, and for the county to hire a new shelter director that embraces No Kill, there is some doubt on what direction the county will decide to go.
Congrats to the success in these communities. Thanks for serving as a model and inspiration of what can be done when entire communities put their minds to becoming no kill, get the proper shelter management in place (both of these cities had major changes in shelter management before their goals were achieved), and may both continue your success well into the future.
You can read more about Austin's success here.
AWESOME No Kill news from around the country. :-)
Posted by: Nokillhouston | March 08, 2011 at 06:32 PM
I just read this blog on the Allegany County Animal Shelter and the transformations that have been taking place. Thank you so much for giving the shelter some publicity and recognition. It is so greatly needed right now. Every time the volunteers see these types of articles, their hopes perk up more and more. It has been a struggle for us, and I wanted to make sure there was no misconception about my quote in the article on the PhDispatch. I just want to say that John McDaniel and I don't agree on anything. The reason it's been so hard for us (the volunteers who are pushing for No Kill) is because of John McDaniel and other "animal advocates" who go out and skew the image of what No Kill truly is.
I've studied and read up on Nathan Winograd and the No Kill philosophy for years now, and when I actually compare what's going on in Allegany County to some of the other struggles that have taken place in other communities, I can't say that it's been all that hard... Of course other than dealing with the naysayers. Things have actually fallen into place since the first outcry of abuse within the shelter walls took place during Thanksgiving. The director resigned and the Chief of the Emergency Division took the helm while they have been in search for a new Director. Thankfully, Chief Devore has a heart and gave us the chance to show him what No Kill can do inside the shelter, and he's been pleased with the results.
We all look forward to the Commissioner's meeting that is to be held this coming Thursday evening. This is when they are to announce who will be awarded the new position, and when we are going to start finding out exactly where we stand. Chief Devore has stated that as long as he has oversight of the shelter, the killing will not begin again. This makes me very hopeful!
Thank you again for shining a spotlight on Allegany County's shelter. You have no idea the morale boost it is for those of us who have blood, sweat and tears involved in this effort. It's appreciated more than you know!
Posted by: Jodi Sweitzer | March 08, 2011 at 08:32 PM
Thanks Jodi for the comment.
I tip my hat to those of you who have worked hard to make positive change happen at the shelter -- in spite of a lot of opposition to the idea. Kudos to you and all of the volunteers. It just shows the power of the idea of making no kill happen.
I will keep my hopes, thoughts and prayers out for your group later this week....and I hope you will be rewarded for showing them what is possible when you have the will to make it happen.
Posted by: Brent | March 08, 2011 at 09:08 PM
"Thank you so much for giving the shelter some publicity and recognition. It is so greatly needed right now. Every time the volunteers see these types of articles, their hopes perk up more and more. "
Thank YOU for all of your work that shows that No Kill is truly possible...because it shows others that they can achieve it too, even in an environment that isn't (yet) truly open to the opportunities.
Posted by: MichelleD - Director KCDA | March 08, 2011 at 10:02 PM
No Kill is absolutely possible! There is no way that it can't be!
Posted by: Jodi Sweitzer | March 08, 2011 at 10:18 PM