The United States is approaching a historic milestone in animal welfare, with several states just a few hundred adoptions away from becoming no-kill. According to Best Friends Animal Society (BFAS), eight states—Connecticut, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Wyoming—each need to save fewer than 500 additional pets to reach the no-kill benchmark.
Julie Castle, CEO of BFAS, said this progress offers real hope. “Our data shows that millions of households will welcome a pet this year,” Castle said. “If just one in 17 of those families adopted from a shelter, we could become a no-kill nation.”
When BFAS was founded in 1984, an estimated 17 million pets were euthanized annually in shelters. That number dropped to 1 million by 2016 and is now down to approximately 425,000 in 2024.
A shelter is considered no-kill when it saves at least 90% of the animals it takes in. “This benchmark is now widely accepted and increasingly the norm,” Castle said, adding that nearly two out of three shelters are meeting that standard today.
Castle urged the public to support shelters through adoption, fostering, volunteering, donations, or even by sharing adoptable pets on social media. She highlighted the story of Nicky, a Malinois mix puppy in Los Angeles who was at risk of euthanasia due to a fractured jaw. An animal services worker contacted BFAS for help, calling Nicky “an awesome dog who is full of life.”
BFAS rescued Nicky, arranged for medical treatment, and he is now awaiting adoption. “This is the reality for many dogs like Nicky,” Castle said. “Shelters often lack the resources for special medical cases, which is why partnerships with rescue groups and communities are essential.”
While some states are close to reaching no-kill status, others still face a long road. Texas needs to save an additional 86,000 shelter animals, California 62,400, and North Carolina 35,300.
Still, Castle remains optimistic. “The progress we’ve made proves that achieving no-kill nationwide is possible,” she said.
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