Every year, thousands of animals are killed in Danville. [i]
Danville Dogs Deserve Better. Danville Cats Deserve Better. Danville Deserves Better.
Who We Are
Our Mission Is Simple: Save More Lives
Danville Deserves Better (DDB) is a locally focused, community-driven initiative with the express goal of engaging the community to build a groundswell of support for lifesaving change at the Danville animal shelter.
DDB is spearheaded by Best Friends Animal Society — a leading national nonprofit animal welfare organization with a mission to achieve no-kill in every shelter across the country.
Our mission is simple: to save the lives of more Danville cats and dogs!
Danville’s animal shelter currently saves only 31% of the dogs and cats that enter its facility. [ii]
The average save rate for shelters in the state of Virginia is over 83%... Danville deserves better! [iii]
Other shelters across the state have made changes that have enhanced lifesaving and we can bring those same best practices and programs to Danville.
Danville Deserves Better is a community campaign focused on educating and engaging with the residents of Danville, VA in a positive way to help them understand that the shelter needs their help and support in order to succeed. We also engage in a positive manner with elected officials in order to achieve changes.
We do not protest, bully, make negative public comments, or issue threats of any nature whatsoever towards individuals or organizations, including DAHS shelter leadership, their staff, or elected officials. Our objective is to support these individuals and organizations so that they may better support the animals of Danville, and creating an atmosphere of hostility is neither kind nor supportive.
The Problem
Danville's Deadly Situation
Based on data from the state of Virginia, 2024 Danville Area Humane took in 3,381 animals, but just 588 left alive. [iv]
33% Dog Save Rate
30% Cat Save Rate
31% Total Save Rate
Note: Save Rates Calculated from Virginia Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services Data. [v]
The Problem
We Can Save Lives If We Work Together
To achieve no-kill, we need to save 6.6 more animals per day. It is our opinion that Danville can do this if the community makes lifesaving a priority.
1,557
More Cats Saved Per Year
850
More Dogs Saved Per Year
Note: Number of Dogs & Cats Needed to be saved per year to reach the standard for no kill calculated from Virginia Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services Data [vi]
The Solution
Our Life-Saving Solution
While the killing numbers may seem too big to grasp, we promise you that there are proven lifesaving changes that can radically reduce the number of animals being killed in Danville.
Community Cat Programs Save Lives
What is a community cat program and TNVR? These programs safely trap outdoor cats, take them to a veterinarian where they are examined, neutered/spayed, vaccinated, and then returned to where they were found.
Programs Decrease The Overall Cat Population
Studies show community cat programs reduce outdoor cat populations. Additional outcomes include a managed cat population, healthier outdoor cats, and decreased euthanasia rates in shelters. [vii]
It is our opinion if impounding and killing worked, we wouldn’t have any outdoor cats left in Danville.
See For Yourself The Offer Of Support That Has Been Made To Danville To Improve Lifesaving
What You Need To Know
Dispelling Information
Myth 1
No-Kill Means No Euthanasia
Fact:
No-kill is a community philosophy and commitment to saving every life that can be saved.
However, no-kill is not and has never been “no euthanasia.” In instances where a companion animal (dog or cat) is suffering from irreparable illness or injury, or is too aggressive to be rehabilitated, euthanasia is the only humane option for the animal and the best option for the community.
There is a strong distinction in the no-kill movement between “killing” and “euthanizing” companion animals. The term “killing” is used when a potentially healthy or treatable companion animal’s life is unnecessarily ended, while euthanasia is a merciful act of compassion for a severely sick, injured, or dangerous dog or cat.
Myth 2
Save Rates Are Low Because Animal Intake Is High
Fact:
We have not found any valid correlation between the number of animals that a shelter intake, or impounds, and the save rate the shelter can achieve. Our experience tells us different.
Save rates come down to shelter programming and the shelter’s and community’s commitment to lifesaving.
Danville Area Humane took in 3,218 dogs and cats last year year and only had a 31% save rate. Meanwhile, two hours away at the Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA, they took in 3,686 dogs and cats and achieved a 97% save rate.
The difference was simple: programs and commitment.
Send a letter
Want To Help Us Save Lives?
Please consider sending a pre-written letter to your Danville City Council and Mayor encouraging them to consider implementing a community cat program that will dramatically increase lifesaving, reduce shelter killing, and satisfy the needs of the community!
Danville City Leaders:
Danville animals deserve better.
I am a concerned resident and taxpayer of the City of Danville. I implore you to take action to ensure that improvements are made to the local animal shelter to save more lives.
The Commonwealth of Virginia has been steadily progressing in lifesaving with an average life release rate over 83% as a whole(1). In contrast, the City of Danville’s live release rate is an abysmal 31%. While 83% of dogs and cats leave Virginia shelters alive, 69% of dogs and cats lose their lives in Danville's shelter.(2) Danville residents deserve better services for our tax dollars. Being a lost or stray pet should not be a death sentence. Instead, my neighbors and I want Danville to be a safe place for pets. We must do better.
As you know, Danville Deserves Better (DDB) is a locally focused, community-driven initiative with the express goal of engaging the community to build a groundswell of support for lifesaving change at the City of Danville animal shelter.
Instituting best practices in shelter programming is essential to saving more cats and dogs in Danville, and your support in making these changes is the only way positive change will take place. I am hopeful that you will support:
1. Robust adoption marketing that advertises ALL animals available for adoption across local and national networks.
2. Broad foster programming to get animals out of the shelter and better networked.
3. Increased transport programming to transfer shelter animals to shelters and rescue groups that have capacity.
4. Establish a community cat program to humanely trap, neuter/spay, vaccinate, and return these outdoor cats to their homes. These humane programs have been shown to be the most effective way to reduce the outdoor cat population over time, address nuisance behaviors, and prevent unnecessary killing of healthy, well-adjusted animals.(3)
Thank you for your consideration. As a citizen of Danville, I look forward to seeing our community start moving in the same direction as the rest of Virginia.
TAKE ACTION: Please consider sending a pre-written letter to your Danville City Council and Mayor encouraging them to support proven lifesaving measures such as increased transfers to other shelters and rescues, a robust foster program, and implementing a community cat program that will dramatically increase lifesaving, reduce shelter killing, and satisfy the needs of the community!
Research & Resources
- [i] Source: VirginiaDept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services, Animal Custody Record Reports,2024, Danville. Based on the widely accepted standard for no-kill, approximately 10% of animals entering shelters are unable to be adopted or placed due to illness or public safety considerations. Therefore, we consider any animals outside of that 10% to be healthy or treatable, and such that ending their lives is not considered humane euthanasia.
- [ii] Source:VirginiaDept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services, Animal Custody Record Reports,2024, Danville.
- [iii] Source: VirginiaDept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services, Animal Custody Record Reports,2024.
- [iv] Source: VirginiaDept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services, Animal Custody Record Reports,2024, Danville.
- [v] Source: VirginiaDept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services, Animal Custody Record Reports,2024, Danville. Based on the widely accepted standard for no-kill,approximately 10% of animals entering shelters are unable to be adopted orplaced due to illness or public safety considerations. Therefore, we considerany animals outside of that 10% to be healthy or treatable, and such thatending their lives is not considered humane euthanasia.
- [vi] Source: VirginiaDept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services, Animal Custody Record Reports,2024, Danville. Based on the widely accepted standard for no-kill, approximately 10% of animals entering shelters are unable to be adopted orplaced due to illness or public safety considerations. Therefore, we consider any animals outside of that 10% to be healthy or treatable, and such that ending their lives is not considered humane euthanasia.
- [vii] Source: Safe Harbor Animal Coalition, “EvidenceSpeaks: Data and Research Backing the TNVR Model,” January 21, 2024
- [viii] Source: Virginia Animal Shelter Statistics Dashboard | Best Friends Animal Society