On February 27, Utah Governor Spencer Cox declared 2024 a “No-Kill Shelter Year” for the state’s animal shelters, expressing his intentions to help Utah become the largest no-kill state in the United States and the first such state in the West. Although the gesture is more symbolic than legislative, it’s a big step toward educating the general public about where Utah stands in its fight toward no-kill status. And it’s far from hot air — Utah’s total save rate is 87.8%, only 2.2% away from the no-kill mark.
However, the issues preventing the state from clearing its final hurdles are the same ones that have persisted for years. The needle hasn’t moved much, but 2024 might be the year that changes. Along with Gov. Cox’s strong public statement and the tireless work of shelters, you too can help the state achieve no-kill status — especially if you live in Utah County.
What does it mean to have no-kill status?
It’s reasonable to hear “no-kill” and assume that it means eliminating the practice of animal euthanasia altogether. But shelter employees recognize that some of the animals they take in have medical and behavioral issues that would significantly hinder their quality of life. That’s why the save rate for no-kill status is set at 90%.
Make no mistake, Utah’s mark of 87.8% should be celebrated. As recently as 1998, over 43,000 pets were losing their lives in Utah shelters each year. To put that number in context, that’s almost the same number of pets that are now saved in Utah every year (47,000, according to Best Friends Animal Society). That kind of progress doesn’t come without a lot of hard work, but the work isn’t finished. No-kill status is just around the corner.
What’s standing between Utah and no-kill status?
If you’re an animal lover in Utah Valley, your voice matters more than most. That’s because two-thirds of all the animals being killed in the state come from Utah County. Why is this exactly? According to Holly Sizemore, the Chief Mission Officer at Best Friends Animal Society, the biggest hurdle toward no-kill status is the overpopulation of cats. Feral cats are much more common than feral dogs, so many more are found and brought to shelters. It’s also common for cats to live in a neighborhood but not have any particular owners. Community cats, as animal rights groups call them, may end up in shelters despite being a beloved part of their neighborhood.
Utah County experiences the same influx of feral and community cats as other counties, but unlike other counties, it has no program to safely return these cats to the outdoors. So unless these cats are adopted within five days of being admitted to the shelter, they are euthanized.
An outdoor cat stakes its claim on a piece of prime real estate.
A different approach
Many areas across the state, including Salt Lake County, have instituted trap-neuter-vaccinate-release programs in which feral cats are humanely trapped, taken in to be vaccinated and neutered/spayed, then returned to where they were found. Since the cat is both sterile and vaccinated, its effect on future cat populations is eliminated, and its effect on public health is significantly reduced. Proponents of TNVR programs see the method as a more humane alternative to euthanasia that gets at the root cause of cat overpopulation, rather than removing cats one by one.
It has also been proven to be more cost effective. Estimates put the cost of TNVR at $20-$97 per cat and euthanasia at about $52-$123 per cat. In 2014, Cook County, Illinois, found that it had saved county taxpayers over $1.5 million in six years by switching to a TNVR program.
And while some might be concerned about stray cats remaining in their community, TNVR has been shown to reduce behaviors that are often associated with nuisance complaints, like vocalizing, urine spraying, aggression and roaming. Male cats are less prone to fighting and aggression, while female cats no longer suffer from painful births (one female cat can have up to 100 kittens in her lifetime, according to the Lynchburg Humane Society). Meanwhile, these programs reduce shelter admissions and free up space for more adoptable cats.
Of course, TNVR isn’t perfect, and it takes time to see its effect on the overall cat population. But its only true alternative is euthanasia, which has not proven to be a more effective, human or economic solution.
Public support for TNVR programs
According to research conducted by Best Friends Animal Society, public support in Utah County favors TNVR programs. A May 2023 study of 836 Utah County voters showed that 72% supported a TNVR program in their community (30% Somewhat Support, 42% Strongly Support). When the same voters were told that TNVR programs could reduce the number of cats killed in shelters by as much as 75%, the majority (77%) indicated stronger support than before.
Before participants were even told about the issue of cat overpopulation, 67% said they wanted their local shelters to strive for no-kill status. The fact that voters indicated even more support after learning about TNVR programs indicates that such programs are far from unpopular with the average Utah County resident.
A local volunteer carries a community cat over his shoulder.
What can you do to help?
If you live in a county without TNVR programs and want to help Utah achieve no-kill status, let your elected officials know that you support such programs in your community. There is already a statewide policy in place — the Community Cat Act — which allows shelters across the state to supersede stray hold policies for unowned cats. But this ordinance requires an opt-in by city or county leaders. By letting local lawmakers know that you want your town or county to adopt this state policy, you can keep the issue on their radar.
If your community already has TNVR programs, there are still plenty of ways you can help. The most direct is to adopt, not shop. There are always pets in shelters, and by choosing to rescue one rather than going to a breeder, you can provide a loving home for a pet in need.
Cats aren’t the only pets in need right now. Although overcrowding is not as much of an issue for dogs, dog adoptions have been slowing in the past few years. If you’re looking for a friendly Fido in your life, your new best friend may be waiting for you at your local shelter.
You can also volunteer to foster cats and dogs until they find a permanent home. Fostering is an easy way to reduce crowding in shelters while making new furry friends along the way. Holly at Best Friends said she’s seen some families make a “Foster Scrapbook” filled with memories they made with the dogs and cats that passed through their doors. You may become a “Foster Failure,” (adopting your foster pet) but that just means it was meant to be.
Finally, you can help the cat overpopulation problem by finding out whether your community shelter has a TNVR program before bringing in stray cats. In communities that don't have TNVR programs, cats are at much greater risk of being killed in shelters. (Keep in mind they only have five days to be adopted.) Many stray cats have pseudo-homes in their communities and neighborhoods, and even some outdoor cats may be away from home for days at a time. These cats are 16-times more likely to find their way back to their home or living area than they are to leave a shelter once admitted. Questions about TNVR near you? Best Friends has you covered with all the resources you need.
Utah’s voters and top-elected officials have stated that no-kill status is a top priority. This goal is right around the corner, and by making your voice heard, fostering pets and adopting when possible, you can help make it possible.
