Gov. Kelly proclaims August as No-Kill Shelter Month

KANSAS (KSNT) – Governor Laura Kelly has signed a proclamation declaring August as No-Kill Shelter Month in an effort to save animal lives and make every shelter in the state no-kill.

Many Kansas shelters have programs and policies to avoid unnecessarily killing dogs and cats, according to the proclamation. The proclamation aims to ensure that at least 90% of companion animals that enter shelters leave them alive.

The Best Friends Animal Society, a national animal welfare organization, commended the action on July 31.

“Governor Kelly’s declaration significantly propels the no-kill movement, encouraging the community to actively participate in helping save the lives of pets throughout the state’s shelters,” said Julie Castle, CEO, Best Friends Animal Society. “We commend Governor Kelly for leading this lifesaving initiative to help safeguard the lives of Kansas’ dogs and cats.”  

The Best Friends Animal Society reported that in Kansas, 53 of the state’s 71 shelters had or maintained no-kill policies in 2024. The organization reported that of the 18 Kansas shelters that are not yet no-kill, 14 of them had fewer than 100 pets to save to achieve this milestone.  

“Kansas is making substantial progress in pet lifesaving, but requires a collaborative approach among community members, elected officials, and animal welfare organizations to achieve no-kill,” Castle said. “In 2024, Kansas saved 86% of pets in shelters across the state, higher than the national average. However, 2,400 dogs and cats were still killed in Kansas simply because they didn’t have a safe place to call home. We are urging Kansans to work together and adopt, foster, volunteer, advocate, and generate awareness for homeless pets in their communities to help take the state no-kill in 2025.”  

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