FLORENCE, AL (WAFF) -
Euthanizations are down dramatically at one North Alabama animal shelter. The decline has the shelter well on the way to becoming a no kill shelter.
City leaders say they still receive the same amount of animals, but they credit the volunteers for the decrease in numbers of euthanasia.
Those numbers are down dramatically at the Florence-Lauderdale animal shelter, and the reason is simple. More animals are finding their ways to homes. And it's all because of volunteers.
"It takes a lot of work a lot of work," said Debbie Rappuhn with the Florence-Lauderdale Animal Shelter.
Rappuhn is the Director of volunteers at the shelter. Under her efforts, volunteers are working around the clock to find homes for the animals, whether they are adopted or fostered out.
"It's such a rewarding experience. They're saving lives," she said. "Not last week but the two weeks prior we did not have one animal put down for two weeks. That is astounding for a shelter."
In fact, the numbers are so low, the shelter is now considered a low kill shelter, and that could change even more.
"We're on the cusp, I think, of actually becoming a no kill shelter," said Rappuhn. "To be a no kill shelter, we need more room."
She said the city of Florence is helping their expansion efforts so the no kill status can become a reality.
"I never thought it could happen," she said.
Last month, officials removed the gas chamber from the shelter. They now perform euthanasia by injection.
Volunteers said it's hard to measure the difference in methods since the numbers have dropped.
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Florence-Lauderdale Animal Shelter may quickly become a no kill shelter.
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