Beginning with the new year, East Ridge Animal Services is adopting the "No Kill Equation" as operational policy at East Ridge Animal Shelter.
The "No Kill Equation", which was developed by the No Kill Advocacy Center and is supported by national animal welfare groups such as Maddie's Fund and ASPCA, includes implementing a combination of lifesaving strategies at the shelter. Some elements of this initiative include rescue partnerships, foster care for shelter animals, active volunteers, a comprehensive adoption program, medical prevention and treatment, proactive pet redemptions, and compassionate, progressive leadership.
Officials said, "While the term 'no kill' can be misleading, what it means in practice, is that no healthy, adoptable animals will be euthanized for space or arbitrary reasons. Only dangerous animals that pose a threat to public safety and injured or sick animals whose required treatment is beyond reasonable care will be humanely euthanized. A commonly accepted benchmark that helps define 'no kill' agencies is a euthanasia rate consistently at or below 10% of animals in custody. East Ridge Animal Services consistently maintained a rate of 10% or less in the final months of 2012, and will continue this initiative as shelter policy in 2013."
ERAS will officially kick off its no kill initiative by offering free pet adoptions for the entire month of February, and starting Saturday, the shelter will be open to the public for adoptions from noon until 4 p.m. every Saturday.
If you are interested in adopting a new companion, becoming an animal foster parent, or volunteering at East Ridge Animal Shelter, please call 423 664-0271 or email shelter staff at eras@eastridgetn.org.