No-kill proclamation list
A proclamation, like a no-kill resolution, is an official declaration of importance. It brings awareness to an issue that can be used to build public support.
No-kill is a philosophy and community-supported commitment to saving every dog and cat who can be saved. Nearly 2 out of 3 U.S. shelters have already reached the no-kill benchmark, and we're working to help the rest follow.
As part of this effort, we've asked governors, state legislators, and city leaders to bring awareness to their local shelters through official no-kill proclamations (sometimes called resolutions or declarations).
Since 2024, elected officials across the country have signed the following proclamations calling for their communities to work together toward no-kill.
Existing no-kill proclamations are linked below, with more to come throughout 2025!
See how your community is doing
The ultimate goal of no-kill is to ensure that all shelters, like the ones in your community, have the resources to save every dog and cat possible. Our commitment is to help make every shelter and every community no-kill.
We've seen tremendous momentum and success so far, and we are so close to achieving no-kill around the entire country. Knowing where each shelter and community stands not only helps determine the best way to move forward, but it also helps track the progress we’re making together.
Help your local animal shelter or rescue group
At Best Friends, our goal is to get more dogs and cats out of shelters and into homes and make every shelter in America no-kill. Each and every one of these shelters needs caring people like you to adopt, foster, donate, volunteer, and advocate to help save the lives of pets in your community.
Find an animal shelter or rescue group near you today:
About Best Friends Animal Society
Best Friends is working to end the killing of dogs and cats in U.S. shelters in part by getting more pets out of shelters and into loving homes.
