In 2018, Delaware became the first state in the nation to pass legislation requiring every brick and mortar animal shelter to achieve “no-kill” status for cats and dogs.
What this means is that all Delaware shelters must hold the standard to have at least 90% of its animals adopted, rather than euthanized when a suitable home can’t be found. In addition to the 2018 no-kill shelter law, the DE Office of Animal Welfare continually works with legislators and law enforcement to require shelters to follow best standards for disease control and feeding and sanitation conditions.
Establishment of Delaware’s no-kill mandate has been a monumental victory for animal advocates everywhere, and a model for tackling the issues of animal neglect and homelessness. Although several states have since passed similar legislation to Delaware’s, not all states follow these standards. Yet.
Animal rights advocacy group, Best Friends.org has often hailed Delaware’s Office of Animal Welfare for its collaborative efforts to work with the state’s shelters and their efforts towards public awareness. They predict that Delaware’s shelter standards will eventually become a national movement.
Faithful Friends Animal Society (FFAE), another adoption and animal welfare organization located in Delaware has also been cited by Best Friends and the American Society for Prevention Cruelty of Animals (ASPCA) for its part in reforming the state laws. For example, Faithful Friends has tirelessly advocated for homeless animals, such as the requirement that shelters provide immediate veterinary care and shelter for a minimum of 72 hours. They operate a shelter in New Castle that provides spaying/neutering and other services, and even a help line for pet owners. They also manage a network of foster volunteers and provide public education about the importance of tackling the issue of animal cruelty and abandonment.
In Sussex County, both the Brandywine Valley SPCA (BVSPCA, located in Georgetown) and Humane Animal Partners (HAP, Rehoboth Beach) provide services with a shared mission. In addition to nurturing pets that can no longer be cared for, both take in impounded or seized animals (from cruelty cases, for example). Internationally rescued animals are also taken in.
BVSPCA, originally established in Pennsylvania, expanded into two Delaware shelter locations in part due to Delaware’s high standards. Their adoption reach extends far beyond local lost or homeless animals. They are often called upon by a large national network of shelters during natural disasters, such as hurricanes or winter ice storms, when animals are stranded or local shelters are without power. They also graciously shelter many out of state pets from other overcrowded or overwhelmed shelters, where no-kill laws have not yet been enacted. This has saved countless animals’ lives.
The successful adoption rates for both BVSPCA and HAP are remarkable. Both are consistently well above the state standard of 90%.
(It is important to note that euthanasia is taken seriously, although in certain cases, due to a severe medical issue or when required by law – such as an extreme behavioral issue, a very small number of admitted animals must be euthanized.)
Animal shelters, of course, are always in need of volunteers and foster caretakers for animals who are not suited for the shelter – such as an elderly or medically compromised animal. Shelters rely on a combination of staff, private donations and volunteers.
They welcome dog walkers and more. HAP even has a program where people to take a dog out for the day to give them a break from the confines and cacophony of the shelter. Many surrendered animals are there – not because their owners don’t want them – but because their owners no longer can care for them, or their housing situation prohibits pet ownership.
Our local shelters welcome photographers, administrative help, public relations and adoption event volunteers.
If you have compassion for animals and feel inspired by the example Delaware continues to show for their humane treatment, consider volunteering for our local organizations.
After all, our shelter adoptees are our Delaware neighbors, too. No matter where they come from.
By Bridget FitzPatrick
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