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It was 1984, and some said we were crazy. That it wasn’t possible to change the future for homeless dogs and cats or to reduce the killing in America’s shelters. |
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And it wouldn’t have been, if not for people like you. |
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At the time, over 17 million pets were killed in shelters every year. Three decades later, with hard work from so many organizations and individuals, that number is down to about two million. |
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Momentum is with us like never before, and today, we have the knowledge, experience and unshakeable dedication to ensure that no dog or cat is killed, simply for not having a safe place to call home.
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So how do we get there? |
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Collaboration and innovation remain our road map, showing where we’ve been — and guiding us on the path to 2025. |
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A national steering committee, led by Best Friends and made up of animal welfare experts driving no-kill in their own communities, is already facilitating coalition-building at local levels and helping put practices in place that will make the biggest impacts on lifesaving. Together, we can end the killing once and for all. |
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| More than 1,900 Best Friends network partners, representing every single state, are on the ground in their communities working every day to save lives. |
| In 2012, Best Friends' NKLA (No-Kill Los Angeles) initiative was launched. The NKLA Coalition now comprises 117 organizations and the save rate has increased by 45% in five years. L.A. is currently on track to becoming a no-kill city by the end of 2017. |
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| Best Friends’ NKUT (No-Kill Utah) initiative began in 2014, joining together 58 shelters from across the state. The save rate went from 43% in 1999 to 86% today and Utah is on track to become a no-kill state by 2019. |
| On the technology front, we’re reimagining the adoption process and creating new lifesaving solutions. Helping pets find homes before ever entering a shelter is just one example. |
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| Addressing the root causes of pet homelessness helps prevent it, so we’re fighting puppy mills and breed-discriminatory legislation as well as bringing trap-neuter-return programs for community (feral) cats to regions in need, and much more. |
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| We’re helping local communities implement key programs proven to reduce shelter deaths, like low- and no-cost spay/neuter services, low- and no-cost medical care, and programs that address common pet behavior issues. |
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With the tools to transform the way our country views and cares for homeless pets, indeed, it’s within our reach to bring the entire nation to no-kill by 2025. |
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And together, we will. Please pledge today to help end the killing. |
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