Dogs and cats who go up for adoption—and while there are no time limits on how long they can stay up for adoption, it will depend on the health, temperament and availability of kennel space for safe housing.

However, there are animals that come to a shelter sick, severely injured, or too aggressive or behaviorally unsound to be placed up for adoption at that time. While open admission shelters will give at least temporary refuge to these animals, many limited admission shelters—which sometimes call themselves “no-kill”—do not have the resources to dedicate to such animals. These shelters must make a decision as to which dogs or cats will receive their care and attention, and therefore they limit the number of animals they will accept. As a result, some limited admission shelters may choose not to help the animals that come to them with health and/or behavioral issues. It is WAHS belief that no animal should be turned away. Sometimes, these animals can be rehabilitated but sometimes they cannot. In this case, we strongly believe that euthanasia is the most humane alternative to an existence of suffering and pain or being limited to life in a cage.

While the phrase “no-kill” can stir many emotions in people, it can also be very confusing and misunderstood. There are many good shelters that call themselves “no-kill,” just as there are many fine shelters that are “open admission.” Ultimately, much of the confusion about “no-kill” stems from the fact that there is no universally accepted definition of the term. One organization’s idea of no-kill can vary widely from another’s. Therefore, it is important to look into the issues surrounding the idea of no-kill in order to understand the ways in which organizations help animals.

WAHS believes in helping the greatest number of animals with our available resources. As such, we will accept any animal that comes to our doors. We attempt to place healthy, or treatable animals into new homes. We provide rehabilitation for those animals that may need some extra care and attention before they are adoptable. We utilize the services of rescue groups and foster parents. The reality is that due to the overwhelming volume of animals coming into our two shelters, healthy adoptable animals may be euthanized due to space constraints In fact, many “no-kill” shelters also euthanize animals because of severe health or behavioral issues.

Population studies of companion animals suggest that approximately 4-5 million animals are euthanized in the U.S. each year. Ten years ago, the number was believed to be a staggering 12-15 million! Today, nearly 64% of all shelter animals lose their lives in animal sheltering facilities across the US. Dogs fare better than cats — 56% of shelter dogs are euthanized; 71% of cats are euthanized.

The problem of euthanasia doesn’t lie within the definition or philosophy of the animal shelter. Whether open-admission or limited admission, the fact is that there are still more unwanted animals than homes. The ultimate responsibility for the numbers of euthanized animals lies at the hands of the public. Lack of commitment, lack of education, lack of investment in the animal all contribute to a community’s euthanasia rate. No animal shelter is the ’cause’ of euthanasia, but rather the sad ‘result.’

In the end, it is not words or phrases that help animals but actual efforts, programs, and initiatives.

Why don’t you rehabilitate EVERY animal and simply end euthanasia?. Unfortunately the reality is that some animals are unhealthy and untreatable. This means they are suffering from a disease, injury, or congenital or hereditary condition that adversely affects the animal’s health either now or in the future. Some may have a behavioral or temperamental characteristic that poses a health or safety risk. The seriously ill animals are not likely to become healthy even if provided with care and treatment and dangerous animals must not be released back into the community; these are the animals who should be euthanized to minimize suffering or for the safety of the public.