Types of Animal Shelters
There are several types of animal shelters, each with its own unique purpose. Some shelters will accept any animal from any citizen, while others may accept only one breed or species. The ownership and organization of these shelters vary widely, as does the policy on euthanasia and care of animals once they are surrendered.
Animal Control Agencies
Animal control agencies frequently have facilities that house animals that are taken into custody by the agency. A local dog pound or cat shelter are examples of these types of animal shelter. Shelters run by animal control agencies are frequently nonprofit, government-run organizations. Space is often limited, and the destruction of unclaimed or unadopted animals is a common practice in these establishments.
Rescue Organizations
Rescue organizations may or may not have one central physical location. These organizations are often nonprofit and frequently receive little or no government funding, relying solely on donations from organizations or animal lovers. Rescue organizations may take pets in from animal control-sponsored shelters, or may accept pets from people. The Humane Society is one example of these organizations.
More frequently than any other type of shelter, these organizations not only house animals and find adoptive families, but rehabilitate, train and re-socialize animals to humans and other animals. Some organizations accept all types of animals, some accept only dogs or only cats, and some may be breed specific.
Sanctuaries
Animal sanctuaries, by definition, accept animals and care for them for the rest of their natural lives without the specific intent of finding an adoptive home for the animals. Sanctuaries often take animals that no other shelter will--feral cats, wild animals, pets with severe behavioral or medical problems, and generally unadoptable animals. Some rescue organizations term themselves animal sanctuaries, although the two are not mutually exclusive.
Open-Door Shelters
Shelters with an open-door policy accept any animal that is offered to them, without question. Open-door shelters may or may not require a donation at the time of surrender, but will not turn away an animal for lack of payment. These shelters are dubious, and may or may not have a policy for euthanasia.
No-Kill Shelters
No-kill shelters have a strict policy of not euthanizing any animal, unless severe medical or behavioral problems occur that would cause the animal undue suffering. The chances of being adopted do not have any impact on whether or not the animal will be euthanized. Some animals in no-kill shelters remain there for their entire lives, however no-kill shelters make every effort to ensure an animal's survival and maximize their chances of adoptability.
Some no-kill shelters have a group of volunteers to foster and work with animals that may otherwise be unsuited to shelter life, until such time that the animals may be returned to the shelter. Often young puppies or kittens who need around-the-clock care are given to fosters until they are stronger and older.
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