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In 2016, the Lynchburg Humane Society took the pledge and decided to lead the charge in creating a No-Kill Virginia (NKVA). “No-kill” means every healthy and treatable pet is saved. It is estimated that 15,000 pets were needlessly euthanized prior to 2016 throughout Virginia.

This life-saving goal of saving all healthy and treatable pets in the state of Virginia is becoming reality. Since the Lynchburg Humane Society started focusing their efforts on saving pets from at-risk
shelters, mentoring and training other shelters in the state, and helping make spay/neuter accessible in
communities that didn’t have the resources, 10,850 fewer pets were euthanized in Virginia. Virginia has raised their save rate from 80% in 2016 to 86% in 2018. The goal is to reach a save rate of 90% by 2020.

Virginia is making great strides in saving healthy and treatable pets. The Lynchburg Humane Society transferred in over 300 cats from Amherst and Campbell Counties. Amherst County raised their save rate for cats by 20% and Campbell County raised their save rate for cats by 7% in 2018 compared to 2017. The Pittsylvania Pet Center, operated by the Lynchburg Humane Society, saved 976 more pets in 2018 compared to 2017. The Pittsylvania Pet Center, as well as, life-saving partners such as Homeward trails, had an impact on surrounding shelters like Danville Area Humane Society (DAHS). In 2018, DAHS had 628 less pets coming into their shelter, euthanized 823 fewer pets and raised their save rate by 16% compared to 2017.

The Lynchburg Humane Society saved 1,399 pets from at-risk shelters and their spay/neuter clinic has fixed 13,372 cats and dogs since 2017, helping to significantly control the homeless pet population. With the help of partnerships around the state and the Petco Foundation, 942 pets were fixed in Southwest Virginia and 296 community cats were fixed in Amherst County, Pittsylvania County and Danville areas.

The success of the NKVA program is made possible by the Petco Foundation, in partnership with the Virginia Federation of Humane Societies, Best Friends Animal Society, Angels of Assisi and Homeward Trails, as well as, communities and animal sheltering partners throughout the state.

We need to make 2019 another life-saving year and keep this momentum going. This is just the beginning of changing the way Virginia pets are regarded. Help make Virginia No-Kill by donating and be a part of saving pets lives.

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