For a state to be deemed “no-kill,” it must achieve at least a 90% save rate for all cats and dogs entering its shelters.
Best Friends also says, “We recognize that, for some animals, euthanasia is the most compassionate choice.”
The Delaware news was announced at Best Friends’ recent annual conference.
“The Brandywine Valley SPCA has a live release rate of 95% for the more than 14,000 animals a year we intake,” said Linda Torelli, marketing director of Brandywine Valley SPCA.
“Within Delaware, we intake more than 60% of the animals entering shelters and more than four times the next largest shelter, so our policies have had a significant impact on the state becoming no-kill,” Torelli said.
Torelli says that some of the programs that have helped Delaware become a no-kill state include mega adoption events, trap/neuter/spay programs for cats that otherwise wouldn’t be adoptable, low-cost veterinary clinics, education programs and behavioral programs for dogs who need a little more support.