Defining humane societies, SPCAs and no-kill shelters

Many people think that humane societies and SPCAs are connected with or governed by larger national groups. People often think that we are connected with the other humane organizations in the area, but the truth is that we aren’t.

State and national humane societies and SPCAs each have boards of directors and their own individualized policies, programs and procedures. If you donate money to a national organization like ASPCA or HSUS, those funds stay with that organization. Unless we qualify for a grant that organization is offering, none of that money is funneled down to the humane organizations in our area. Please give locally.

With all the many types of organizations, how is the public supposed to know what it all means and how the humane organization works in their area?

What is no kill?

There are many types of no kill organizations, and it is important to know the differences.

The most recent movement in this field is for the creation of a no kill community, which is what Lynchburg Humane Society is attempting to accomplish by 2015. While maintaining pound services and remaining an open admissions facility, we will find homes for all savable pets in our community and euthanize only the unhealthy or untreatable animals.

No kill communities are communities where the humane societies and government shelters work together. Examples of such communities include San Francisco, Calif., Jacksonville, Fla., and Richmond. In these models, typically the pound or government-run shelter accepts all strays while the humane society accepts owner surrenders by appointment and also pulls healthy and treatable animals from the government shelters. Although Charlottesville works out of one shelter, it also falls under this category since it is both the pound and the humane society for that community.

A sanctuary is a no kill organization that does not euthanize except in extreme cases. There are well-run sanctuaries like Best Friends Animal Society in Utah. However, there are other some no kill sanctuaries that become overwhelmed and unable to properly care for the animals they take in. Often these beleaguered sanctuaries refuse to euthanize aggressive animals or those with major illnesses. Sometimes the sanctuaries and the animals there suffer from crowding and lack of resources as a result. It is important that the needs of the animals are being met and that they don’t end up depressed or even going cage crazy.

A traditional no kill organization is an individual humane society that limits its admissions and euthanizes only those animals that cannot be treated behaviorally or medically. Some are non-euthanizing as well, but don’t consider themselves “sanctuaries.” These organizations can operate a shelter or out of foster homes.

Other important definitions one might hear in regards to animal organizations:

An adoption guarantee is an organization that does not euthanize healthy animals and also guarantees the placement of all healthy animals. Treatable animals may possibly be placed, but there is no guarantee.

A pound is a facility operated by the Commonwealth of Virginia, or any locality, for the purpose of impounding or harboring seized, stray, homeless, abandoned or unwanted animals; or a facility operated for the same purpose under a contract with any locality or incorporated society for the prevention of cruelty to animals.

A humane society is any incorporated, nonprofit organization created for the purposes of preventing cruelty to animals and promoting humane care, treatment and/or adoptions of animals.

A foster-based humane society is a humane group that does not have a physical shelter or facility, and therefore uses a foster network of homes to house their animals.

Yarbrough is the executive director for the Lynchburg Humane Society.