By: Gigi Kraemer

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (UATV) —In 2016, Best Friends Animal Society set a goal of achieving “No Kill” status by 2025. At the time, only about 25% of animal shelters could be classified as no-kill.

Now, nearly 10 years later, about 60% of shelters across the U.S. have achieved no-kill status.

“No-kill” means that animal shelters save 90% of the animals that come in. Michelle Logan, Best Friends’ executive director, said the remaining 10% allows for animals that are too sick or aggressive to be put down when necessary.

For shelters that can limit intake, this system can be successful. But some city-run shelters don’t get to make those choices early on, leading to harder ones later.

Municipal shelters also face the added challenge of being required to help only those within their geographic region. Fayetteville Animal Services Superintendent Justine Lentz said, “It’s really hard sometimes when you get calls from people that their area just doesn’t really offer much, if anything in regards to animal services.”

For Best Friends, helping animals in these shelters is just as important. “We really do our best to work to support shelters that are at or are at risk of going over capacity,” Logan said.

While the narrative has put “no-kill” and “kill” shelters against each other, for Best Friends, it’s about working together.

“It’s really nice to work hand in hand with the municipal shelters, in particular that are in need of some assistance,” Logan said.

Beyond taking in animals from shelters that are nearing or over capacity, Best Friends also offers behavioral training and other resources to shelters that may have pets needing extra help.

Fayetteville Animal Services also works to limit intake where possible by helping those looking to rehome their pets find them a new home before they ever enter the shelter.

Lentz said this is not only better for the shelter, but it also reduces stress for the pets.

Both organizations work to make adoption and pet ownership accessible. Best Friends offers vaccine clinics and no-cost adoption weekends, and Fayetteville Animal Services offers low-cost spay and neuter procedures for those who qualify.

For those who want to help but can’t adopt, both Lentz and Logan said donations, volunteering and even just spreading the word can all help the animals.

Fayetteville Animal Services is currently looking for short-term fosters for the week of Thanksgiving, and adoption fees are waived for those who take in pets during the holiday.