No-Kill Cities in the United States

Dogs crowded together in a cage. Photo obtained from Canva. 

What is a No-Kill City?

Although some consider the term “no-kill city” controversial, it is a hallmark title many cities seek to achieve. A designated no-kill city means that all shelters have reported an animal save rate of 90%, meaning 90% or more of their yearly intake survive while 10% or less are euthanized for medical or behavioral reasons. While the name can be a bit misleading, this title signifies a city that makes the extra effort to support and fund animal shelters and ensure that no unnecessary euthanizations, such as those due to lack of shelter space and resources, are carried out. 

Across the United States, in 2023, 13,000 animals entered homeless shelters with a save rate of 83%. While that’s the highest the country has ever seen for a national average, it still means that roughly 415,000 animals couldn’t be saved. Of those 415,000, it is unclear how many euthanizations were carried out due to a lack of shelter space and resources. 

Luckily for the animal population in the United States, 62% of the country’s shelters claim a save rate of 90%. These numbers look great, but they don’t account for the disparity of no-kill city shelters compared to the rest of the country’s. As of 2021, Pennsylvania’s save rate is 82%, failing to meet the threshold of a no-kill state, while Philadelphia provides no figures on its official save rate. 

Existing No-Kill Cities in the United States 

What are some ways that Philadelphia can work to achieve a city-wide saving rate of 90%? A helpful start would be looking at four of the nation’s leading no-kill cities: 

1. Los Angeles, California 

While Los Angeles only recently gained its title in 2021, it is the largest no-kill city in the United States. They achieved this by teaming up with Best Friends Animal Society, the nation's leading non-profit in transitioning shelters to no-kill status. Starting in 2012, it took Los Angeles nine years to achieve a 90% save rate through intense collaboration between the city animal services and animal welfare organizations. 

2.  Austin, Texas

Austin was one of the first US cities to achieve no-kill status. Its title is credited to Austin Pets Alive!, an organization fighting to increase Austin's save rate since 1997. The organization provides a detailed timeline of its steps to bring this issue to the city. It notes the success of the city council’s ruling to pass the No Kill Implementation Plan in 2010. In 2011, Austin became the largest no-kill city in the United States, although Los Angeles later dethroned it in 2021. 

3. San Francisco, California 

San Francisco was another early adopter of the no-kill title, mainly due to Richard Avanzino of the San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA). In 1989, Avanzino revolutionized the no-kill movement by bringing attention to this issue, separating animal services from the animal control business, and building a new animal care and control agency. Some of his initiatives include building a foster network of 700 people, pay-to-neuter programs, offsite adoptions, and public relations strategies and promotions. 

4. Tompkins County, New York 

Tompkins County also achieved the no-kill status with the help of its local SPCA. In 2001, Tompkins County SPCA was able to accomplish a save rate of 100% and was officially designated as the safest community for pets in the United States. Revealed in a Q+A between the Best Friend Animal Society and Nathan Winograd, the director of Tompkins County SPCA, Winograd claims they did it without the big bucks. He noted that connecting with other organizations, applying for grants, and active neuter/spay programs were the key to their save rate success. 

Looking at these four previous examples, it’s clear that becoming a no-kill city takes a lot of coordinated effort and grassroots work. While one would hope for the no-kill movement to become a national, coordinated movement, this status currently relies on the heavy lifting of a few lifesaving organizations. 

Philadelphia and the Fight for No-Kill Status 

Philadelphia has many shelters that have paved the way to achieving no-kill status through restructuring programs and public education. The Philadelphia No Kill Coalition, the city’s leading no-kill movement, measures the city’s progress based on the number of animals that enter ACCT Philly and the number that survive. The last report published was for 2020 statistics, citing a live release rate for cats and dogs at 89%. The website has not been updated since, and no information is given on other shelters in Philadelphia. 

Philadelphians have a desire to mobilize the city and become no-kill, with the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) and other Philadelphia No Kill Coalition members serving as proof. We just need a bit of help and inspiration to kickstart a movement that many of our shelters are already on their way to achieving.