Why are kill shelters bad?

Many aren't. But you have to differentiate euthanizing an unadoptable or sick animal as opposed to just one that no one wants at a moment in time.

So let's start with some definitions:
Kill Shelter - a shelter that has less than a 90% live release rate with live release being defined as return to owner, adopted, or transferred to a rescue.

No Kill Shelter - a shelter that has greater than a 90% live release rate. Animals may be killed for space, medical, or behavioral reasons.

Never Kill Shelter - a shelter that will solely euthanize for medical reasons and never for space or behavioral reasons.

So what makes a No Kill or Never Kill bad?

  • The fact that some game the numbers by transferring un-adoptable dogs to Kills to keep their numbers up.
  • The fact that some animals have been so badly abused or have such medical issues that they will never be adoptable even to experienced owners much less inexperienced ones.
  • Leaving an animal in a crate/kennel/pen with minimal contact (because few people can safely handle that animal) to live a miserable existence could be argued as torturing the poor animal. Sanctuaries that can safely handle those animals are few and far between.

Also, see my answer to u/cubbiegthrow about the reality of shelters in parts of Texas.

Pet Overpopulation is geographic. Some states/cultures are good about spay/neuter and care. Others are less so. Hence some states (Pacific Northwest, Northeast) need to import animals while other states (Texas, California, to name the 2 worst for euthanasia) have a huge surplus and rescues work to move the animals.

The sad reality of animal control/shelter/rescue, is that we deal with all of the mistakes others have made with their animals. We would prefer to save every single one. But we don't have the resources to do so, and those that work at kill shelters burn out and develop PTSD at insane rates because society as a whole doesn't put forth the resources. Instead, shelter employees are called killers, murderers, and spat upon. They take their own lives after having had to put down too many adoptable animals, much less the ones that have no adoption prospects.

I have been in dog rescue for 9 years. 396+ dogs have come through my house, I have helped transport hundreds more. I am knocked out of rescue for the moment as my last rescues developed distemper (likely exposed in the shelter, one which does not have funding for medical care). So I have to wait until mid July until my home and yard are considered safe again.

/r/Pets Thread