No-Kill Policy Being Eyed By County

An estimated 14,500 animals are euthanized each year by Hillsborough County Animal Services.

Those numbers, according to The Tampa Tribune, have at least one commissioner concerned.

“I think we can do better,” Commissioner Ken Hagan told The Tampa Tribune.

To that end, Hagan is expected to ask commissioners to look into studying the possibility of adopting a no-kill policy in Hillsborough.  Under a no-kill policy, healthy animals that are deemed worthy of adoption are never euthanized to make room in a shelter.

Other communities around the country, including Manatee County, have adopted no-kill policies with some success. Austin, Texas, for example, has a 90 percent save rate, the Tribune reports. (Read the Tribune’s full story by clicking here.)

Potential pitfalls for the policy in Hillsborough include the likelihood of rising costs to house more animals. Even so, many county officials say something needs to be done to improve the numbers in Hillsborough.

About 21,000 animals enter Hillsborough County Animals Services each year. About 65 percent are euthanized.

Hagan’s efforts are , an activist organization that formed to help reduce Hillsborough’s euthanasia numbers. That group wants to see the county take steps to find homes for 90 percent of the animals that end up in its shelter.

Save90 meets at 6.30 p.m. every first Wednesday of the month at the Tampa Tribune building, 202 S. Parker St. For more information, visit save90.org.

What do you think needs to be done to reduce Hillsborough's animal euthanasia rate?