Question
In our area, we have several animal shelters. I have heard some described as "Open Door" shelters and others as "Limited Access" shelters. What do these terms mean, and what is the difference?
Answer
Most communities have at least one "open door" or open admission shelter. This usually means they accept all lost and stray animals, regardless of breed, age or health. Many communities also have limited admission shelters which usually describe themselves as "no kill" because it sounds better.
Most no kill shelters can be no kill because they limit admission. They pick and choose which animals they allow in. They only accept easily adoptable, healthy animals of desirable breeds. They only take in as many as they have space for.
Open door shelters must accept all lost and stray animals, no matter how full they are. No kill does not necessarily mean no kill. A 90% save rate is considered no kill. Some open door shelters have save rates almost this high.
The save rate of community shelters depend largely on how responsible the citizens are with regard to spaying/neutering, breeding, and animal care. Most people who work in shelters do so because they care about animals. They would like to see all animals have loving homes. But someone has to be the bad guy in every community, to clean up the mess made by irresponsible pet owners.
Answered By - Anna Nimus
