A "no-kill" shelter is an animal shelter that does not kill healthy or treatable animals even when the shelter is full. It reserves euthanasia for terminally ill animals or those considered dangerous to the public.

By report from the City of San Angelo, 6,838 of the 9,125 cats and dogs that entered the city’s animal shelter last year were euthanized. These animals do not deserve to die because of irresponsible owners or breeders. They should be given a chance at life. Holding irresponsible people accountable for their actions should not be questionable. Our local animal shelter is a kill shelter and when citizens of San Angelo try to adopt, they refuse for minor reasons such as kennel cough. This should not be allowed. I've heard funding is an issue but maybe the city should look at how they are budgeting a little closer. With higher than average property taxes, the city could take a little more from the $4000.00-6000.00 many people pay and put that towards a no kill shelter! Another reasonable option is to add a few dollars to the water/trash service. There are ways to do this.

The San Angelo city council should contact the Austin city council and inquire how they have adopted a successful no kill shelter. The following information was reported from the Austin, Texas animal center. “Austin, Texas is the nation’s largest no kill animal shelter providing shelter to more than 18,000 animals each year. Their strategies include closing night animal drop-off boxes, adding a full-and part-time veterinarian, enhancing the foster care program, providing more opportunities for low-cost/free spay/neuter services, offering several adoption promotions, continuing to provide microchips to all animals leaving the shelter, increasing marketing and publicity efforts for adoption and animal services”. They have been a no kill shelter since 2010.

These animals only have our voices to stand up for what is right and killing them is not the answer!

A majority of the animals are worth saving. Many are young and will make great pets for those looking for a companion. If you have ever adopted, you know these animals are so appreciative if you give them a chance. Please join this fight to end euthanasia in our city, make our voices heard for these innocent animals!

I am writing this after visiting the shelter and seeing many adoptable dogs that would make very good pets but will likely get euthanized.