Broward County Takes Historic Step Forward for Animals, Board of County Commissioners Unanimously Passes No Kill Resolution

BROWARD COUNTY, Fla., April 4, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Board of County Commissioners of Broward County voted unanimously yesterday to approve a resolution with the goal of becoming a No Kill community.

Many communities, including Manatee County, Florida, which passed a No Kill resolution and No Kill action plan last year, have already proven that No Kill animal control is cost-effective, saves municipalities expenses associated with killing, and brings badly needed revenues into public coffers and community businesses.  In just one community, a No Kill initiative yielded $250,000 in increased revenues at a time the shelter also significantly reduced expenditures.  In addition, the positive economic impact to businesses due to subsequent spending by adopters on those animals totaled over $12,000,000 in sales annually.  Over the course of the lifetime of those animals and subsequent adoptions, it is estimated that these animals will generate $300 million, bringing in over $20,000,000 in sales tax revenues.

There are now approximately 30 No Kill communities across the country.  These communities have achieved at least 90 percent save rates in their open-admission shelters by implementing the programs and services of the No Kill Equation––the only shelter model that has been successful in creating a No Kill community.  Broward County is now the second and largest county in Florida to embrace this new animal shelter model.

"Staff and the volunteers at Broward County's two animal shelters are very encouraged the Board approved Resolution 2012-271 affirming their continued support to incorporate the lifesaving programs and services of the No Kill Equation into our strategic plan.  With the help of our awesome rescue partners and an energized media campaign, we are confident we can make progress toward this worthy goal to become a No Kill Community.  We are thankful to have Debi Day and her No Kill Nation team at the ready to help us along the way!"

The next step is putting in place the infrastructure to save lives, and Broward County Animal Care & Adoption has already undertaken this process, and is currently conducting interviews for a permanent Director committed to the goal of becoming a No Kill community.

The measure of how much Broward County Animal Care & Adoption succeeds, however, is as much a function of what happens in the community-at-large, as it is about the protocols and procedures within the shelter.  By working with the public, implementing lifesaving programs, and treating each life as precious, Broward County Animal Care & Adoption will transform the community.  To meet that challenge Broward County leadership needs to get the community excited, to energize the public for the task at hand.  And the task at hand requires a forward-looking perspective that keeps the animals first.  The Board of County Commissioners has signaled that commitment by formally adopting the goal of becoming a No Kill community.

SOURCE No Kill Nation