We ran across this and thought it was worth a read as it had some basic no-kill information as well as data that shows shelters can helps save animals’ lives by in effect trying harder: http://www.nokilladvocacycenter.org/pdf/redemptioncliffnotes.pdf
The data is very compelling and shows the number of animals euthanized can be dramatically reduced in commuities who make the effort to chagne. The article makes sense, and communities need to do a better job increasing awareness and managing shelters to end euthanasia. When we got Maverick, we had no idea of how large of problem this was and how many animals were being put to sleep. In fact, a year or so after getting Maverick we almost purchased another dog from a pet store in Manhattan. The issue is most people are unaware of the magnitude of the euthanasia issue, so taking steps toward creating greater awareness is a dramatic MUST.
I still do not agree that we can just have a no kill nation without focuing more resources on the spaying and neutering problem at the same time. I think if there were a light at the end of the tunnel, many families could take in one more pet for a year or two and absorb the excess population of animals but if more animals are born each year then people then the math doesn’t work. This is not a crutch shelters should be able to use to justify euthanasia; it just meands we need to work harder.