No-kill vs. Kill shelters

I think it depends on the individual situation. In most cases, I think everything that can be done to give an animal the best life possible should be done. But there are those few situations in which you really have to decide if trying to do that would even be worth it for the animal. You know, is there a certain point where the animal would be horribly miserable no matter what you do for it? I think you have to try to do the most merciful thing...which is pretty much always helping it live a better life, but every so often I think there are cases in which killing them is the only way to really end their suffering.

chrissysweet, the only thing that's obvious is you don't know me! I've worked with animals in different capacities most of my life! I've gone undercover to gather criminal evidence against puppy mills, dog training, and ran my own rescue out of my own pocket for more than 10 yrs just to name a FEW of the ways I've worked with and helped animals. Right now I own a great dane we bought for AKC competition, rescued lab/pei, rescued 3 cats, 2 saltwater reef aqauariums, rescued pink toe tarantula, 2 umbrella cockatoo rescues, 4 rescued chickens, and a rainbow boa! I do feel very sad that animals are put down and I'm very angry with people for putting them in that kind of situation. The sad fact is that we have a ton more animals than we have homes for! Should ANY of these animals have to live their whole lives in a shelter with no home, no family to love, just overworked, under appreciated shelter caregivers? I can tell you from working with animals that were given up that people do not usually adopt adults or larger breeds, forget elderly or special needs animals the great majority of the time! They mostly want small, cute, younger animals that are healthy. One german shepherd has been at our shelter forever! He is such a sweet older dog but he's been in that tiny, damp pen for so long you have to really coax him to get him out of it! He's been adopted twice and both times they brought him back saying that he just stays where they put him shivering. He's older, a large dog, and has some sociaization/confidence issues but would make a fantastic pet for anyone willing to give him a good home and time to adjust. Is it really fair to him to keep him living a life like this?? In the time he's been there that kennel and resources could've saved a dozen more adoptible animals!! I love him dearly, he's such a good sweet dog, and it hurts to think of him being euthanized without ever having the kind of love and a good home he deserves. But it would still be better to put him down, for him and all the others waiting for their chance.

If there were enough homes for all of them I'd say give them every chance at a life they deserve to live! As things stand right now, though, I have to say that putting down a really great number of them would really ease some of the burden on animal welfare agencies.