Friday, June 10, 2005
"no kill"
I talked with a volunteer today who thought we are "no kill." We're not. Surprised?Oh, it might just be semantics but we don't use the phrase, "no kill." We go so far as to call its use irresponsible. But like other humane organizations in our area, we don't euthanize for space or for time. No animal will be killed because its been here too long, or because we have run out of room. But don't call us "no kill."
"No kill" implies that an animal -- healthy, unhealthy, sane, not sane -- is kept alive, perhaps kenneled , forever. Even at the expense of other, healthy, behaviorally sound pets. The phrase is also used as a battering ram sometimes in donor communications. We'd be a much more wealthy organization if we catered to no-kill language.
This volunteer had witnessed many, many dogs who arrived untrained and homeless. Some showed up nervous, some were fabulous from the first day. Some needed extra work before they could be made available for adoption. Some were just such easy, fun dogs, they were made available after our basic evaluation.
But he saw all of these go home, to great homes. The one that doesn't, however, is the one that sticks with you.
