What is a "No-Kill" Shelter?
While there is no universal definition of “no-kill”, it is commonly meant to mean a 90% live release rate or “save rate”. Essentially, the benchmark recognizes 10% or less of the animals entering a shelter suffer from irreparable medical or behavioral issues which would compromise the quality of life of the animal or prevent them from being homed. Given this, the expectation is euthanasia is used only as an absolute last resort.
Over the past 3+ years, our Animal Services staff have been constantly working to improve the Live Release Rate at Saginaw Animal Services to move to become what is known as a “No Kill Shelter”.
Facts:
- No Kill Shelter Qualification is a 90% Live Release Rate.
- On February 1, 2018, the Live Release Rate at Saginaw Animal Services was under 60%.
- On September 30, 2019, the Live Release Rate at Saginaw Animal Services was 88%.
- On September 30, 2020, the Live Release Rate at Saginaw Animal was 92%.
- On May 13, 2021, the Live Release Rate at Saginaw Animal Services is 98%.
Over the past 3+ years, the Saginaw Animal Services staff have worked diligently to increase the LRR to over 98% and qualify as a "No-Kill-Shelter” which is a significant accomplishment.