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Starfish Sanctuary
Animal shelters have many names...Humane Society, SPCA, sanctuary, pound...the list goes on.  They all have one thing in common, and that's the commitment to caring for certain, specific animals that have come to them under less than advantageous circumstances.  For companion animals, these are often a stop on their way to their Forever Home.  For most, it's their final stop.  All of these shelters can be divided into two distinct types.  The first is the limited intake, or "no-kill" shelter.  The second is the open intake, or "kill" shelter.  Is one better than the other?  Let's debunk the myth.

Limited Intake, or "No-Kill"

First of all, at this time, "no-kill" is a farce.  It's simply a standard or guideline that an organization stands on.  With that, let's define "no-kill".  "No-kill", or "limited intake" means that no "adoptable" animal will be euthanized by that shelter.  This is a wonderful idea, goal and plan.  Problem is, this means that there are only so many spaces for animals in that shelter.  Once those spaces are filled, where are the homeless and abandoned animals to turn?  If you guessed the local government Animal Services or Animal Control, you'd be right.  Most no-kill shelters have an agreement with these groups such that they will come and pick up the animals taken in that don't have space.  This simply means that another entity is doing the killing.  Sure, the no-kill takes the animals in, but they don't all get a spot in that shelter.  Sadly, the city or county run animal service has usually been so maligned that nobody will go there to adopt.  Many no-kill organizations should simply change their names to "Someone Else Does The Killing Society". 

This revelation does NOT, however, mean that these shelters are doing something wrong.  They've made a decision, and are sticking by it.  They are also providing a much-needed service in the community, and are committed to their animals.  The problem arises when "no-kill" shelters point the finger at open intake ("kill") shelters, and call them "killers". 

Some of these shelters wave the "no-kill" flag a little too hard, and in turn hurt the animals in other shelters without such a standard.  Sadly, when one organization states that they "pick up where others leave off" or make other statements that directly insult a shelter that does euthanize, they can often be responsible for the deaths of the animals at that other shelter.  By drawing such an ugly picture of another shelter, while purporting to stand on some self-righteous pedestal, they cause the public to view these shelters as a place NOT to go for the adoption of a companionand more animals die.  Now whose hands is the blood on?  Only by working with and promoting open intake shelters, fostering good, working relationships, and dismissing the competitive streak so many have, can these shelters truly be "no-kill".   A shelter can choose to not euthanize animals and be "no-kill" while promoting and helping a shelter that hasn't made that choice.  That's the key.  You point the finger at them, and we'll point the finger at you.  How does it feel?  We have to work together.  Animals are not only counting on us, but they've  bet their lives on us.

Open Intake, or "Kill"

What an ugly way to establish what type of shelter one is.  So many of these open intake (meaning that they take every animal that comes through their door seeking sanctuary, and turn none away nor ferret them off to another agency) shelters do absolutely everything in their power to responsibly educate the public and promote the adoption of a companion animal.  These shelters certainly do not deserve to have their organizations looked down upon by the egocentric leaders of other supposed no-kill establishments.  Fact is, the shelter doesn't really matter, as it will still be standing tomorrow.  It does, however, matter to the animals in that shelter's care.  They are the ones who will ultimately pay with their lives.  Sadly, some of these organizations are little more than fundraising machines that happen to warehouse some adoptable animals. 

VOCAL believes that both formats of sheltering should work together on ending the homeless animal problem, and not worry about fundraising and adoption numbers in comparison with each other.  VOCAL believes that once an animal becomes unloved, unwanted, surplus or otherwise without a home or family, it is the job, duty and responsibility of the entire sheltering community to work together to find that animal a home.  Yes, that means all shelters, breed rescues, volunteers and fosters working together.  All for one, and one for all.  When an animal dies due to space constraints in one building, it's everyone's faulteven ours.  This is the main reason why VOCAL is committed to working with each and every shelter or rescue to meet a goal of "no more homeless pets".  It's no-kill nation or nothing.

Therefore, VOCAL puts it to you, the shelters and your respective Boards of Directors, Executives, Managers and other leadership members:

*work together, and foster good relationships across organizational boundaries;

*embrace and support the city or county agencies that are part of the sheltering of homeless animals.  Work with them, not against them;

*utilize your collective promotional dollars and manpower to foster the idea of adoption over purchase;

*promote in unity the spaying and neutering of companion animals;

*relish in collective success, rather than competing and comparing fundraising dollars and number of animals adopted.  Each life lost is lost by us all;

*pool resources, foster homes, breed rescues and contacts;

*do everything you possibly can.  Lives are on the line here, and it matters to each and every single one of them equally;

*invite cooperation, foster good will and leave your egos at the front door...
because, quite frankly, the animals don't need your crap.  Remember, this is all about those animals that you've committed to helping.  Human ego has no place in this initiative.


We at VOCAL applaud the men and women working towards these goals, who work together without human ego and the interference it brings.  You are the model we should all strive to embody.