Why Go No Kill?

“Whether we realize, appreciate, or believe it, as history marches toward greater compassion toward
non-human animals, No Kill’s conquest of the status quo is inevitable. If we remain silent at this moment, however, an opportunity will be lost to speed that process along. Our silence, therefore, has a
body count. The price to be paid for our refusal to seize this opportunity will be the lives of millions of dogs and cats needlessly killed in shelters next year. And the year after that.”

Nathan Winograd – Redemption.

In April of 2017 Target Zero did a Shelter Assessment in Bartow. They made a number of great recommendations that would reduce or eliminate space killing at Bartow. At the time, they were looking at the 2016 data of 3942 intakes, 1216 killed. 949 of those cats, 267 dogs. 70% live release.
47% of the cats being killed and 16% of dogs.

The Shelter Assessment gave recommendations of “Best Practices” that would assist Bartow. And in the meeting where they presented their findings, it was agreed that “Euthanasia as population control is no longer acceptable “. The recommendations were made to decrease shelter intake by helping constituents and pets and increase the live outcome in excess of 90%. They included but were not limited to: subsidized targeted spay/neuter, Managed Intake, Community Cat Diversion, and consideration of a direct adoption program. Common sense, PROVEN steps towards No Kill.

Now, we are meeting again, a little over 2 years later. In 2018 Bartow processed 4057 pets. There was actually an increase in intakes. Of those, 1152 lost their lives or 28%. 907 of those being cats at 42%
and 245 being dogs at 13%. Very little difference. The body count for our silence in 2018 is 1152. The body count for our silence in 2017 was 1182.
Now we are into 2019, and the numbers are tracking close to the same for the 1 st quarter. 26% already killed. 87 cats, 71 dogs. 158 lives lost. And the spring influx is just starting.

Bartow is no closer to being No Kill than they were in April of 2017 when they agreed that euthanasia for population control was no longer acceptable. Except, apparently it is. There is still not a Community Cat Program in place. Since April 2017, 1627 cats have lost their lives in
Bartow. The body count for the delay. Even now, cats are urgent every week, with a handful of dedicated networkers trying to save them, facing deadlines, illness, and being banned for speaking out. There is still not a managed intake program, and a recent push to divert owner surrenders to qualified rescues was squashed right as it was taking off. So as rescuers push every week to move these pets to safety, they cannot plan for how many pets will be taken in each day. Adding more to an urgent kill list as they scramble for help. While they wait in the lobby or the parking lot – Per the Code of Conduct Contract. Very little of the assessment was heeded. And thus, Bartow is maintaining their status quo of about 70%, at risk for not even doing that, if rescuers and networkers continue to be banned and discouraged. The massive amount of live-saving they are currently doing is not sustainable forever.

The 26-29% that Etowah Valley Humane rescues will not be enough to get Bartow County to a No Kill status. To avoid a higher body count than has already been suffered, we must speak. We must continue to speak and never stop until the Steps of No Kill are in place in Bartow. Until Bartow Animal Control is a safety net for homeless pets until it is something its citizens are proud of until it is a shining example to other animal control facilities. Lifesaving must become a priority at Bartow Animal Control. It is estimated that over 10 million people live in communities saving between 90-99% of dogs and cats in their shelter, it is time Bartow citizens joined that number!

There are 11 Steps to No Kill, and to begin to change the Status Quo, we must begin to implement them all. So, let’s review them now.

1. Trap, Neuter, Return. Currently, cats are brought into animal control and if deemed feral, they have historically just been killed. This often includes cats that are just scared and not actually feral. Some have recently been released to rescue, but the best alternative for these cats is the Community Cat Program detailed by Best Friends. Spay/Neuter/Vaccinate and return these cats to their outdoor homes. This is a program that has been implemented in just a few months at
   many other counties, but for some reason has been on the table at Bartow for 2 years.
2. High-Volume, Low-Cost Spay Neuter. Target Zero recommended subsidized spay/neuter for low-income residents. Heavy Spay Neuter will reduce intakes in the future. Invest in this step and reap the cost back in all the litters that will not come into the shelter.
3. Rescue Group Involvement. As mentioned, Etowah Valley Humane can only rescue less than 30% of the pets that come into Bartow. It takes more than 1 rescue to save more lives. Stop hindering them with Code of Conduct forms and red tape. Welcome them in with open arms,
   an open facility and better hours. Rescuers work jobs and have lives, help them save more by working with them. Appreciate them for the valuable resource they are.
4. A foster care program is called for in the Etowah contract. But, more fosters are needed to save the neonatal, the sick and injured. This would also open up more space, save cost and reduce spreading of disease and shelter stress.
5. Comprehensive adoption programs – currently NO pets are adopted directly from Bartow Animal Control. This is unheard of in surrounding counties. Why are the doors closed to
   Bartow? One local county adopts out about 1000 pets a year, this is almost as many as Bartow kills. Why not give the pets a chance at being adopted?
6. Pet Retention Programs – The Target Zero Assessment had much to say on this issue. What is being done to keep pets in their homes? Per the assessment, a 2015 study done by the ASPCA
   showed that 30 to 40% of pet owners surrendering to shelters would have kept their pets if they had temporary assistance. Other local shelters keep a food pantry to assist residents and help network to meet the needs of pet owners who need support.
7. Medical and Behavioral Programs must be in place to keep pets healthy physically and mentally so they can move efficiently through the system. Also needed are rehabilitate procedures for
   those that come in sick, injured, unweaned or traumatized.
8. Public Relations/Community Development. If the community is aware of the needs and successes of the shelter, they will be able to successfully get involved. They can increase adoptions, donations, and recruit volunteers. This is not possible unless the shelter is opened to the public. This shelter belongs to the citizens of Bartow – make them feel that way. Include them in making it great! Open the doors!
9. Volunteers make the difference between success and failure, and in this case, life or death.
   Volunteers work out of love and compassion and No Kill is not possible without them.
10. Proactive Redemptions or owner reclaims. Be proactive in advertising found pets, and instituting ways for owners and lost pets to be reconnected. Weekend/evening hours would help.
11. A compassionate director who is unwilling to continue with the old way of saving a few and killing the rest. We must put aside the excuses of public irresponsibility and overpopulation.
    While those situations may exist, we must do what needs to be done to overcome them. The director must be determined to rigorously implement all steps of No Kill. Mr. Gentry is new to this post, I’m hoping he will see the immense value of this equation.

I hear Bartow citizens asking for No Kill and asking for a dog park. They do not find it acceptable that 72 dogs were killed in the 1 st quarter of this year. Their tax dollars fund this shelter, their voices should be heard. It’s time for a change. Open the doors. I see rescuers networking and pushing so hard every week to save. They are tired and worn out. It’s time for a change. Open the doors!

I see successful pet supply businesses in Bartow, they are excited about more business and would love to supply the needs of the pets in Bartow, let the citizens adopt them. Killing only costs the community money, adoptions bring in funds and allow for years of spending on these pets in Bartow and bringing revenue into the community. No Kill is cost-effective, fiscally responsible, and a great economic boon to local communities. Saving lives is more cost-effective than killing. Open the doors!

2 years is too long to delay making these lifesaving changes. 2182 the body count of 2 years of silence while we waited. It’s too much. We want to see all the Steps of the No Kill Equation in place in Bartow. Not in 2 more years, but now. Open adoptions, friendly hours, volunteers, valuable partnerships with rescues, spay/neuter, and a community cat program. These are all proven best practices that work in surrounding shelters and WILL work in Bartow. To deny them even one more day is to embrace the Status Quo to continue saving a few and killing the rest. It’s time for a change. Open the doors!

Definition of Euthanasia:
The act or practice or permitting the death of hopelessly sick or injured individuals (such as persons or domestic animals) in a relatively painless way for reasons of mercy.