Currently, ONE out of THREE animals who enter our county shelter, Winnebago County Animal Services, DOES NOT COME OUT ALIVE.  It is way past time, that citizens of Winnebago County DEMAND the unnecessary killing of our community animals to STOP!!!  Over 200 shelters, similar to WCAS ("Open Admission" shelters), are NO KILL!  We must demand of our leaders, that they too do the "RIGHT THING", and make our county shelter a NO KILL shelter!

The NO KILL equation consists of 11 steps, each of which has to be accomplished, in order to achieve a NO KILL shelter.  If these steps are executed, there should be no additional cost to operate the shelter.  Studies have proven, in fact, there is an increase in revenue.  More people volunteer at shelters that are NO KILL....more people donate to shelters that are NO KILL...more people hold fundraisers...for shelters that are NO KILL.  In addition, revenue is realized, from the adoption of animals that would have been otherwise euthanized.  But most importantly...it's just "THE RIGHT THING TO DO"!

NO KILL does not mean, that euthanasia does not take place.  Approximately 10% of animals may have to be euthanized for the following 2 reasons:  1) Behavioral issues that cannot be corrected, making them a danger to our community, or 2) Medical issues, that there is no hope for.  NO KILL shelters may range from 0-10% euthanasia rates.  

NO KILL is a community effort, which requires everyone working together.  "Out of the box" thinking is needed, by shelter staff, management, volunteers, and fosters, to do everything possible, to save lives.  It certainly does not mean maintaining the status quo. 

Some people are uncomfortable with change and will resist it, and even fight against it, but for all the wrong reasons.  This IS the right thing to do.  No animal should be euthanized due to lack of space, contracting kennel cough or heart worms, or after receiving an injury, which is treatable.  Feral cats should not be euthanized, because they do not "belong" to a "human".  They belong to their individual cat colonies, and it is our responsibility, to protect them as well.  TNR, (Trap-Neuter-Return), is a very important element of the NO KILL program.  

Winnebago County is a GREAT community, but not such a great community, if you are a stray or feral animal, or a lost animal, or an injured animal, who ends up at our county shelter.  WE can change this...TOGETHER!!!  Please join us in this "fight" for life, knowing that you have given our animals the GREATEST gift of all...LIFE!

I cannot thank you enough, on behalf of the animals, for your support, in this most noble of noble causes.  LET'S DO THIS....TOGETHER!!!