"No Kill Nation"- a feasible option?

Question

I have heard plenty of people talking about the "No Kill Nation" movement, always hand in hand with the "myth" of pet overpopulation. After hearing about it i decided to look into it because it would be a dream come true if there really was such a simple solution to all the pain and horror of dog rescue.   Unfortunetly, I have yet to read a single sentence on their website that is in the least bit practicle. It reads more like a 4th graders school project on an animal-rescue utopia. Has anyone done any research on this group! 
 6 out of the 10 steps to reform that this group suggests for a "no kill nation" rely on the public caring...even just a little. I don't know what planet they live on but I drive coast to coast for work at least 5 times a year, I know this country better than most politicians and, though I wish it weren't true, the vast majority of this nation could not possibly care less about shelter dogs. Their own dogs? They love them to death, but dogs in need? Someone else's problem. 
The other 4 suggestions rely heavily on resources and funds that are already spread far too thin but would be minuscule if they took in and kept every single animal that the public dumps on them. 
Does this group really expect every single shelter to keep every single animal? They want a staff of 10 to care for 20,000 animals at a time? Our small town SPCA gets on average 20,000 dogs and cats each year (this does not count small animals or livestock) It's really more humane to expect 20,000 animals to live in 75 kennels and be cared for by 10 people? Obviously this isnt what this group was picturing but it's the reality of what they are lobbying for. Please go to their website and tell me what you think. 
An I understanding the entire purpose of this group wrong?

Ama · Accepted Answer

There are multiple groups out there trying to change kill shelters to no kill shelters.

I don't know if you've ever been in a kill shelter before, but it's heartbreaking. Seeing those dogs in there with a limited time frame to get adopted. I went into one with a rescue I know of a few weeks ago and it completely broke my heart.

Getting all shelters to become no kill won't happen overnight. Ecspecially while there are people out there saying shelters make them "sad" and then they go and buy from a back yard breeder/puppy mill.

I think for the no kill shelter thing to happen-it will require educating others. Not forcing information on them, but giving them information on it, maybe having them take a walk through a kill shelter, to really get it through people's heads what they are doing is causing all the animals to be euthanized in shelters.

I'll be honest, seeing and hearing the numbers of the dogs being put to sleep every day in shelter and actually going into a shelter and seeing the dogs that will be added to those numbers are completely different things. Aside from getting that harsh reality lesson, I think to make this 'no kill' thing happen-people NEED to stop supporting back yard breeders and puppy mills. Again, it won't happen overnight and but if people are educated on this, if they stop supporting those things, then the shelters won't be so overwhelmed with animals.

I am  a person who does want all shelters to become no kill but it won't happen anytime soon. Not while people are cushioned from reality, not until people stop being selfish and stop supporting bad breeding/bad breeders(I fully support reputable breeders)

The other reality is-not all dogs should be kept alive. Some should be euthanized for health/behavioral issues. But I don't think that really ties in with this subject.On shelters becoming no kill.

Things can change-but it takes time. I mean look at it this way, in the 1980s there was roughly 17 million dogs and cats being euthanized every year. Now it is around 5 million euthanized a year. Still a large number, but the numbers have changed.

My apologies if this didn't really answer your question , just thought I'd give my input on it.

ADD: I think we are pretty much on the same page for this. I honestly haven't heard of 'no kill nation' all I know of is that there are multiple groups trying to make all shelters no kill. But as I mentioned before in my answer-that in order for the no kill shelters to happen is for people to become educated and stop supporting puppy mills and back yard breeders.

Claire · Answer

I am familiar with this program and I agree with much of the points they make and the work they're doing, although yes, much of it may not seem or even be feasible to many shelters, but think about this--who is more likely to have the power to end the suffering of animals in shelters--the shelters themselves that are already on the front lines, or the "vast majority" of this nation that as you say "doesn't care?" The pet lovers of this world are already doing their part by spaying and neutering their animals. The shelters have to do their part by giving up tactics that don't work and looking for new solutions. I believe no-kill can be that solution.

ARE YOUR NEWFS GELLIN&#39;? · Answer

No kill shelters are not the answer either.  They end up warehousing animals, many of whom will not be adopted.  What then?  They have to stop taking animals in at some point, so then where do other animals go?  Without getting control of the number of pets being born and the number being surrendered by stupid owners, nothing can change.  The change has to start there.

akluis · Answer

you are correct that they are a group that is disconnected from reality.

There are tons of things that could be paid for 'if everyone would just donate one dollar a month...that's not too much to ask, is it?'

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"No Kill Nation"- a feasible option?

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