Over the years, municipal shelters all across the country have taken heat for euthanizing too many animals. Yet, more often than not, it’s a question of resources. Partnerships with the community’s private humane societies and animal rescue groups can extend those resources to save animal lives.

More and more municipal shelters are transferring animals they can’t place themselves to groups with a better chance of getting them into new homes and, as a result, those shelters are seeing their euthanasia figures drop.

To be successful, transfer programs must respect the needs and concerns of both the municipal shelters and their rescue partners.

TLAC Placement Partners Program
This carefully crafted program manages transfers of animals from the Town Lake Animal Center municipal facility in Austin, TX, to some 85 pre-approved partners.

Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals
In the innovative New Hope program, over 140 animal rescue and sheltering agencies have a “distribution partnership” that finds homes for animals from New York City’s Animal Care & Control.