Before diving into this topic, I want to make it clear that what follows comes from both my professional experiences and personal perspective in rescue work. It’s a controversial subject , and rightfully so. But one that deserves more honest discussion This is a response to the controversial discussion post earlier this week. However, I'm starting to see a lot of similar posts from other rescues which tells me there's a big shift already happening. ---🐾 The No-Kill Movement began with a powerful and necessary goal to end unnecessary euthanasia and give every adoptable animal a chance at life. The heart behind it was good as it was filled with compassion, accountability, and reform. It's no secret shelters euthanize healthy, adoptable animals simply because of space, breed, or even appearance. Change was needed. However, as with many movements rooted in passion, misunderstanding and extremism crept in. Somewhere along the way, “save every adoptable animal” turned into “save every animal, no matter what.” The distinction may sound small, but the consequences have been massive. In practice, this mindset has fueled severe overcrowding, dangerous public pressure, and rising distrust between animal welfare workers and the communities they serve. Shelters that make the difficult decision to euthanize [whether for aggression, severe illness, or lack of space ] are often condemned by people who have never stood inside a full kennel on intake day. The very professionals fighting to save lives are being vilified for making heartbreaking, necessary calls. The result? A growing divide between shelters and the public, with “no-kill” becoming both a badge of honor and a source of shame. Workers are burning out under impossible expectations, while the public clings to the idea that any euthanasia equals failure. ---🐾 The Reality Behind the Ideal Is the No-Kill Movement a positive step forward? Yes, absolutely. It’s forced many shelters to reconsider outdated practices and challenge needless killing. In places like Alabama, there are still facilities euthanizing entire breeds like Rottweilers, for example, simply because a warden “doesn’t like them.” The movement’s push for reform and transparency has saved countless lives.

Have you ever used a "Buddy System" in a shelter environment or perhaps at a workplace? What were some of the goals of your "Buddy System" and what were your thoughts on the usage of it? What were some things you liked and did not like about the "Buddy System"?

Wow! Look at this amazing platform. No matter if you hate it or love it, in rescue, social media is one of the most important tools for information, support, and donations. One night, I was scrolling through on our Facebook and Skool came across our feed. It was too tempting to not try and expand our education department. So, Coming Back Home Rescue jumped with both feet in the water to give things a try. Let's give this a whirl! Coming Back Home Rescue - EDU will be our extension to the many great things we teach within our rescue including; 🟢How to Start Your Own Rescue 🟢Shelter/Rescue Management 🟢Animal Behavior and Training 🟢Disease and Prevention 🟢Heartworm Disease and Care and Much More! (Small Disclaimer: We are located in the US, and our information may not be accurate for those outside of the United States. However, we will do our best to help you.) This information is great for those trying to start up, or even already in animal welfare. However, even pet owners who are not in rescue can receive some great information as well. I have been in animal welfare well over 15+ years now and have acquired my "Animal Welfare and Shelter Management" degree. So, feel free to ask me questions as I'm more than happy to explore them and other topics with you. Keep in mind, we are not a VET. We can answer SOME questions, but medical questions about your pets should be discussed with your own personal vet. Thank you. 𝑾𝒉𝒐/𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊𝒔 𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑩𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝑯𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝑹𝒆𝒔𝒄𝒖𝒆? Coming Back Home Rescue is an animal welfare organization (located in Ohio, US) dedicated to saving animals off death row (euthanization lists) all over the United States. It was founded in 2022 by Heather Hager and has been going strong since, keeping their team close and small. When not saving animals, they are educating their community and visiting shelters to help improve the general team with education.