Understanding "No Kill"
No-kill does not equal no euthanasia.
To be considered no-kill, organizations need to have a placement rate of 90% or higher. So what about the other 10% of animals?
Due to severe or untreatable illnesses or behavior issues, animal welfare organizations (ECAS included) sometimes face the difficult decision to euthanize an animal, but only when we’ve exhausted all other options.
At ECAS, every animal receives a medical and behavioral evaluation when they arrive at our shelter. While many can be placed in our adoption program immediately, others need more time for medical treatment, foster care, or behavior rehabilitation. Some are even transferred to foster-based shelters if that’s what’s right for that animal. Our programs and community partnerships ensure all animals have a chance to be placed in an environment where they can thrive.
Animals who are candidates for adoption have no time limit in our shelters ― they can stay as long as they need to find their happy new beginning (Grace being a prime example; having waited over 1000 days)
We pour our hearts into caring for each and every animal, but if an animal’s health continues to decline or it’s deemed a danger to the community, humane euthanasia may be the best outcome for that animal. Euthanasia, while difficult, can be an act of compassion for animals who are suffering.
ECAS isn’t alone in making these tough decisions. They’re decisions all shelters and rescues must face, even if they call themselves no-kill.
The takeaway:
Humane euthanasia still exists in no-kill shelters. While difficult, it can be an act of compassion for an animal with a severe or untreatable illness or behavior issues.
