Achieving a no-kill state begins at the local community or county level.  It is not only a moral decision to stop euthanizing healthy and treatable animals it is a commitment to change practices that are “bad government”.  Euthanizing the animals is not solving the animal overpopulation problem and any tax payer dollars that continues to feed a practice that does not lead to a solution is bad government and wasteful tax spending. 
 
It can be started by the municipal shelter, a rescue group or a resident.  Certainly it will involve changes at the municipal shelter.  If your municipal shelter (often referred to as Animal Control) is considering such a move, rescue organizations, volunteers and residents are all critical in helping the shelter achieve the goal.  We recommend that a support committee be formed to help in the process.  The purpose of a support committee is to bring resources to the effort that have typically been outside the realm of government activities.

The Michigan Pet Fund Alliance is available to provide technical assistance to local efforts and will act as a clearinghouse to sign up volunteers to help.  The first step in the process is to perform an assessment and prepare a strategic plan.

If the local effort does not begin with the shelter, then a rescue group and/or petloving resident(s) will need to lead the charge.  However, shelter collaboration and cooperation is critical to success.  The shelter administration should be the first one approached about the idea however since no one enjoys being either told how to do their job or run their operation, it is important that the approach be one with an offer to assist or provide resources.  Many shelters are understaffed and under budgeted and the last thing they need to hear is that someone from the outside has some ideas they need them to implement.

If shelter staff are unwilling to engage in a dialogue, we recommend that you establish a group of like minded people.  Find a half a dozen folks that can help with the effort.  They should be animal lovers of course but it also helps if you can find one or two community leaders - mayors, ex-mayor, council person, ex-county commissioner, business owners, school teachers/principles, etc to be part of your group.  You will want to have a representative from a rescue organization in the county or neighboring county if there are no rescue organizations in your county/community.  You can find a list of rescue organizations for your area at www.petfinder.com and look under shelters.  The purpose of this group is to help the county change it's animal welfare practices - this will be the lobbying/coordinating group.  Animal welfare is a VERY EMOTIONAL issue and when folks get emotional they often say and do things that are not helpful.  So the group needs to be passionate but conduct all efforts in a very business-like manner.

Once you have a group established, the Michigan Pet Fund Alliance will meet with you to develop a plan of action.