Should shelters be able to refer to themselves as “kill free” if they put down feral cats, aggressive animals, etc?

Question

I was reading about an issue some of the community had with our local animal shelter-
Our community animal shelter is “kill free”, however they put down feral cats, and other animals if they have aggressive tendencies.
Some of the commentary I was reading stated that the shelter should not be able to have the “kill free” name if they put down these animals.
What are your thoughts?

Accepted Answer

No, especially since they put down feral cats. I KIND OF understand putting down aggressive animals and still referring to themselves as “kill free,” but not if they put down feral cats🤷🏻‍♀️

Answer

I’m torn. 
They advertise as kill free to be a safe place for surrenders. They don’t put down the dogs who are there for an extended period of time. 
They are probably required to put animals down that are a safety risk, especially if it is a state funded facility. Vets don’t put the standard aggressive pet down as they wont receive the funding or payment for it, which is why shelters have to. 
I dont agree with putting feral cats town. Spay / neuter and move on.

Answer

No, at that point they are still euthanizing animals. Animals are often labeled as aggressive to justify euthanasia when it isn’t true. Feral cats are still cats and they are being unnecessarily euthanized when they can be fixed and released to live the remaineder of their lives. Euthanizing them is wrong IMO.

Answer

Shelters have to follow the city bylaws, even if they don't agree with them. 
Our bylaw states that if the animal has a contagious disease, and after the mandatory 21 days of treatment/quarantine if the animal still tests positive, it has to be put down. 
As for aggressive animals, there are tests and hoops to jump through before they even consider putting the animal down. More often than not, the animal can be rehabilitated, only a very small percent of "aggressive" animals get put down. Most of the ones that have been had distemper or rabies.

Answer

I think shelters are too quick to label cats as feral. I adopted two feral kittens from our local shelter for cheap...they were so happy to be rid of these horrible little monsters...in a week they were loving little purrballs. They keep the critters off our property and come to greet me every morning and evening when I go out to do barn chores. Dogs also get labeled as aggressive when they are just terrified of the shelter environment. Unfortunately shelters don't have the time, money or man power to save all the animals...so I can see why they spend their resources on the ones they can help...but because of that maybe they shouldn't claim to be no kill. Putting an injured or ill animal out of misery is a different story.

Answer

No. You identify as kill free then you better be kill free. Not just “sometimes we kill animals”

Answer

I'm pretty sure feral cats are bad for wildlife and I think like some one pointed out it's probably so people know that they can surrender a pet to them and they won't be euthanized so not technically no kill but I'm not bothered by it

Answer

No because the one in my town will label any animal as aggressive to make more room and I wouldn’t want people to drop off animals there not knowing the facts

Answer

Shelters would be held liable for adopting out an animal they know is a huge safety liability, one that has severe food aggression, dog aggressive etc. Feral cats are also a risk to adopt out. Shelters do their best to network with rescues who have experienced fosters to work in rehabilitating them. That is why you see many dogs/cats like that with rescue only tags. These are often ones with extensive behavioral or medical needs that the shelter cannot afford to care for and are unsafe to adopt out.

Answer

“Kill free” is a phrase they use to make you feel better. If the animal is terminally ill, old or aggressive they still euthanize them.. stop looking at the catch phrase the world gives us and seek the truth.

Should shelters be able to refer to themselves as “kill free” if they put down feral cats, aggressive animals, etc?

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