Governor Armstrong Declares North Dakota No-Kill Shelter Month to Kick Off 2025
Governor Kelly Armstrong has proclaimed January as North Dakota No-Kill Animal Shelter Month, a critical initiative aimed at making North Dakota a no-kill* state this year. This effort underlines North Dakota’s commitment to ending the unnecessary killing of dogs and cats throughout the state’s shelters. Best Friends Animal Society, a leading national animal welfare organization working to end the killing of dogs and cats in America’s shelters in 2025, welcomes this pivotal step in North Dakota’s pet lifesaving efforts.
“Governor Armstrong’s announcement marks a major step forward for the no-kill movement, inspiring local communities to join the effort to make North Dakota a no-kill state,” said Julie Castle, CEO of Best Friends Animal Society. “In a state celebrated for its stunning landscapes, there’s nothing more beautiful than offering homeless dogs and cats the loving homes they deserve. We applaud Governor Armstrong for spearheading this critical initiative to protect the lives of our cherished pets.”
Data from Best Friends indicates that two out of three U.S. shelters are already no-kill, and hundreds more are within reach of that goal. As of October 2024, Best Friends Data shows 64% of shelters across America are no-kill.
Achieving and maintaining no-kill represents a genuine, committed effort to lifesaving and transparency, ensuring a safe, high-quality life for all shelter pets. This benchmark is possible through the concerted actions of community members, animal welfare professionals, and governmental support.
“North Dakota has made great strides in saving pets' lives, but reaching a no-kill future will require everyone working together,” said Castle. “Governor Armstrong’s proclamation highlights that North Dakota can achieve no-kill if more people choose to adopt from shelters rather than buying from breeders or pet stores. We’re calling on all North Dakotans to join us in making North Dakota, and the nation, no-kill by 2025.”
Individuals can contribute by adopting from shelters or rescue groups, spaying or neutering their pets, fostering pets in need, volunteering, donating, and supporting effective lifesaving programs.
To learn more about Best Friends and donate, visit bestfriends.org.
*No-kill is defined by a 90% save rate for animals entering a shelter and is a meaningful and common-sense benchmark for measuring lifesaving progress. Typically, the number of pets who are suffering from irreparable medical or behavioral issues that compromise their quality of life and prevent them from being rehomed is not more than 10% of all dogs and cats entering shelters. For any community to be no-kill, all stakeholders in that community must work together to achieve and sustain that common goal while prioritizing community safety and good quality of life for pets as guiding no-kill principles. This means cooperation among animal shelters, animal rescue groups, government agencies, community members and other stakeholders, all committed to best practices and protocols.