Best Friends just announced that Delaware has achieved a 90% live release rate average for animal shelters throughout the State; designating it as the first no-kill State. This comes as no surprise as we (in the animal welfare profession) have recognized that people living in the New England States seem to be more sensitive to the plight of animals.
Shelters in the northeast were the first shelters to experience a shortage of animals because their owners were smart enough to spay/neuter their pets. Fearing that breeders would fill the void, the shelters began transporting pets in from animal shelters south of them.
It is amazing to recognize this accomplishment because they reach no-kill status as a State and while they were also importing animals from other states. Good job Delaware!