SARASOTA, Fla. (SNN TV) – If the next hearing goes the same way, the city of Sarasota will become “no-kill.”
The Herald-Tribune reports Sarasota unanimously gave initial approval to an ordinance banning shelters that aren’t no-kill shelters. The plan was originally proposed by Commissioner Erik Arroyo.
The ordinance defines a no-kill shelter as one which doesn’t put animals down due to time or capacity limits. They use euthanasia only for animals that are terminally ill, have a poor quality of life or are considered dangerous to the public.
The Humane Society of Sarasota County (HSSC) says they’re excited to see the City of Sarasota get behind the no-kill movement.
“Florida, unfortunately, is the fourth worst state in the country right now for lifesaving, but it doesn’t have to be that way. When cities, like Sarasota, take this step, we’re moving Florida up that list. It’s a win for the animals, a win for our community, so we hope it will be an easy win for the city of Sarasota,” Executive Director of HSSC, Anna Gonce.
The ordinance will come before the commission again on Monday, July 17. If approved then, it will immediately go into effect.