Cross Breeds

How long do animals rescue shelters keep the rescue animals before Euthanasia?

Just curious how many months before Animal rescue shelter Euthanase the animals? Does it depend on its breed? I have two adult rescue cats-both were in the shelter for over a month! Both my cats are adults. Former strays. 1 is 2yrs, the other 18months!

Public Comments

1. Rescue shelters typically do not euthanize.
2. your cats were lucky!! Dogs in our shelter have weeks, if even that!
3. Depending on the shelter... From 3 days to several years.
4. If its of the (pitbull)breed Its put down in the state of indiana with in 2 days..
5. there are alot of variables... the policy of the shelter, the population of the shelter, the age of the dog incidentally, some counties have a no-kill policy
6. It sepends on the type of shelter/rescue. An no-kill shelter or rescue generally will hold onto an animal forever, but most shelters will euthanize in about 10 days. They give 3 days for the owner to show up and reclaim and then an additional 7 days to find it a home. Some animals with a really awesome temperment are kept longer or if a shelter worker gets really attached they might "hide" the animal for longer as well.
7. It depends on the shelter or rescue - they all have different policies. It usually depends on the shelter's policies - if they pick and choose animals they accept, they may not euthanize at all. If it is a county shelter, it depends on policy, level of overcrowding, and the health and behavior of a particular animal.
8. It depends on the shelter. It also depends on the age of the animal. Young kittens, puppies etc. will stay longer than older cats, dogs, etc. The older the pet, the sooner they become Euthanized. As you know, more people will take a 4 month old puppy than a 4 year old dog, so shelters will keep the young ones around longer. Also, a friendly animal will stay longer than a vicious one.
9. Municipal animal controls (dog pounds) and city-run shelters in large cities, often only hold animals for 5 days before euthanasia. These are financed by taxpayer/city funds. Humane Societies often take in "owner-released" animals. They tend to euthanize hard-to-adopt, and excess animals. No-kill shelters and foster groups only euthanize when it's in the best interest of the animal. Most stay until they find a new home.
10. well mine only gives five days but it depends on which shelter it is.
11. not months more like days the older the animal is the quicker hes on death row or the harder he is to place in a home
12. Two days where I live. Go to you-tube and type in Pawhuska and listen to the song "Pawhuska Police department will shoot your dog"!!!!
13. For as long as the pet gets a new home.
14. Each shelter/rescue is run independently and has their own set of rules. It will vary from day to day with each new situation that arises. I would hope that their goal is not to euthanize too quickly...but there is never a shortage of animals and for each lucky animal in a no-kill shelter there is another waiting to get in...those waiting are usually the animals that will be destroyed. It is a no win situation. The only solution is a mandatory spay and neuter across the country. My personal opinion of course.
15. Most shelters that I know of dont euthanize until they run out of cage space or if for whatever reason a given animal proves itself to be 'unadoptable' (such as over aggression or being feral). Bear in mind Im in Virginia. Things may be different where you are.
16. It depends on the shelter. Depends on which state your in. And it depends on (if it's a dog) the breed. Most shelters keep animals until it's obvious that they will not be adopted. Many shelters will keep cats for their whole lives. And in some states, if a shelter gets a certain breed of dog (usually pitbulls) they are put to sleep immediately, because of laws.
17. it varies, you would have to as the place that has the animal