Come on Virginia we can do better than this!!! I KNOW we can!!! For the year ending 2009 Virginia’s city & county shelters killed 93,285 dogs and cats. If the shelters were open 365 days a year that number would translate into 255 animals killed per day in the state of Virginia. Nationwide, it is estimated that 800 companion animals are killed in our nations shelters every HOUR.

Why should man expect his prayer for mercy to be heard by What is above him when he shows no mercy to what is under him?
~Pierre Troubetzkoy

Many,if not most, were killed simply because there was nowhere for them to go. We CAN change this by following Nathan Winograds no kill equation:

I. Feral Cat TNR Program

II. High-Volume, Low-Cost Spay/Neuter

III. Rescue Groups

IV. Foster Care

V. Comprehensive Adoption Programs

VI. Pet Retention

VII. Medical and Behavior Rehabilitation

VIII. Public Relations/Community Involvement

IX. Volunteers

X. Proactive Redemptions

XI. A Compassionate Director

for more on the no-kill equation please visit:  http://www.thenokillnation.com/

In our local shelters case, it wouldn’t hurt to open to the public for more than 13.5 hours a week for adoptions, the shelter could be posting animals on Pet finder. WE CAN AND MUST DO BETTER!
*** Stats courtesy of the Va Dept of Agriculture