The Humane Society of Central Texas is celebrating its one year anniversary of reaching no-kill status. No-kill status is achieved when a shelter has a 90 percent live exit rate for its animals.
Last October, the shelter reached no-kill status for the first time with a 91 percent live exit rate. As 2017 comes to a close, the Humane Society of Central Texas is continuing to make stride with almost a 95 percent live exit rate.
Hunter Koerth brought home a new member of the family today. He and his grandparents are now the proud owners of 'Spunky-Doo', a one-year-old Chihuahua who couldn't stop kissing his rescuers.
"We have a new little companion now, someone we can call our little friend," said Koerth. "I couldn't think of a better way to bring in a dog, someone who's in a cage all day that sees people walk by."
"To get to no-kill status was a big task and it was a big, hard job," said Don Bland, executive director of the Humane Society of Central Texas. "They said 'once you get there, it's even harder to maintain it.' I thought 'oh, that can't be true.' It is. I can tell you it is."
Bland said it would've been impossible to maintain this status without help from the entire community.
"Part of the no-kill equation is to have an active foster program and we have one of the best," said Bland.
He added that volunteers, charitable donors and rescues help the shelter's life-saving efforts. Facebook groups geared toward connecting owners with their lost pets also help to keep intake numbers low.
"It took the whole village and look what we, as a village, did," said Bland. "So we, as a village, need to celebrate it and continue to support it."
Bland said this team effort makes the long way home a smoother journey for every creature that walks through their doors.
"He's looking for a void to be filled, kind of like we are," said Koerth. "So, it's a good feeling."
If you can't adopt, there are several other ways you can help the Humane Society of Central Texas. You can sponsor, foster and volunteer. For more information, click here.
Copyright 2016 KXXV. All rights reserved.
