Are “no-kill” policies really what they seem? PETA’s senior vice president of cruelty investigations, Daphna Nachminovitch, was invited to be a guest on an episode of The Animal Welfare Junction podcast recently. The host of The Animal Welfare Junction and Daphna unpacked the divisive term and broke down the reality of “no-kill.” They explained the dangerous consequences of such policies for animals, like those whose guardians depend on animal shelters for end-of-life services and those who can’t be safely or humanely placed for adoption.

Why Would a Shelter Turn Away an Animal in Need?

Shelters with “no-kill” policies turn animals away, often refusing to accept sick, elderly, or unsocialized dogs—or any cats at all—because taking them in would lower the facilities’ “save rates.” Shelters that require admission fees or have waiting lists or other obstacles to surrendering animals are often responsible for animal suffering.

Animals rejected by shelters often meet a violent fate, such as getting hit by a car, being shot or poisoned, or being mauled by another animal.

Take Action to End the ‘Shelters Not Sheltering’ Crisis 

Animal shelters were designed and created to serve as safe havens. There should be no waiting lists, no admission fees, and no excuses to keep animals out.

If your local shelter has harmful policies and turns away animals, please speak up and encourage humane, responsible “socially conscious sheltering.” The basic steps are simple: Document your experiences, gather support, and make your case. 

Your involvement could make a world of difference to the companion animals in your community who need you the most. Click the button below to learn how you can help, and follow the links in each section for useful sample statements and letters.