Dr. Ellen Jefferson, Austin Pets Alive, whose efforts to end the systematic killing of animals resulted in one of the highest save rates in the nation and the largest community in the U.S. to achieve save rates around 90%. She has also worked to expand that effort to neighboring communities.
Larry Tucker, City of Austin Animal Advisory Commission, was not only one of the initial founders of Austin’s successful No Kill movement, he was also one of the primary architects and chief legislative proponent of the Austin No Kill Plan which resulted in save rates in around 90%, the largest community in the nation to do so.
Aimee Sadler, Longmont Humane Society, is changing the concept of “adoptable” to include upwards of 98% of all dogs, redefining our relationship with America’s most maligned breeds, and working to end their killing in “shelters” across the nation. Her 97% save rate for dogs continues to set the standard nationwide.
Peter Masloch, No Kill Allegany County, helped spearhead the No Kill movement in Allegany County, MD, by walking in and announcing “There will be no more killing in the shelter.” Masloch worked diligently to reform a shelter that was killing 85%, resulting in a save rate of roughly 94%. Thanks to his unyielding advocacy, the shelter celebrated its first full No Kill year.
Michael Kitkoski, Rockwall Pets, spearheaded a No Kill effort in Rockwall, Texas. Despite intense opposition and open hostility from shelter leadership and staff, he convinced the Council to pass a unanimous No Kill resolution and has seen save rates dramatically increase, at one point hitting 97%.
