Mission Statement

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“Mission is to protect the human public from risks posed by animals and protecting animals from abuse, pain, and suffering” The Tipton County Animal Shelter is committed to reducing animal euthanasia and to finding homes for unwanted animals through adoption and transport to rescue partners.”

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Euthanasia Statement - The Tipton County Animal Shelter is committed to reducing animal euthanasia.  This goal reflects our mission to provide humane care for all the animals under our care. 

We are an open-admission shelter, which means we accept animals regardless of health, age, breed, or temperament. We continually strive to end animal overpopulation and homelessness. With limited resources, we strive to do the greatest good to help the most significant number of animals. In balancing the welfare of animals in our care with the safety of the community in mind, we realize that not all animals are suitable for adoption.

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We make our best efforts to treat animals; there will be times when humane euthanasia is the most compassionate and responsible course for the animal’s well-being and for public health and safety. The shelter will euthanize an animal if it is suffering from an irreparable condition or if our veterinarians advise that there is no chance of recovering an acceptable quality of life.  Euthanasia is a difficult choice, and we approach this decision from the perspective of what is best for the individual animal.  Euthanasia may also be pursued in cases of irreparable animal aggression only after medical and rehabilitation efforts have failed and the staff and public safety cannot be assured.

When euthanasia is performed, it is done with respect and care by highly trained, compassionate staff.

 

The Mission Statement covers most of the essential aspects of an open-admission animal shelter.  The shelter decided to continue the mission statement with a specific statement on euthanasia due to public perception concerning euthanasia.  The shelter operations manager made reducing euthanasia her main focus when taking the position three years ago.  While recognizing the importance of finding animal homes through adoption and rescue partners, the shelter recognizes that not all animals will be adoptable. For the safety of the public and the quality of life for the animals, euthanasia is an option - only to be made after all other options have failed.  

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Euthanasia is a definite process.  The mission statement reflects the shelter's determination to treat sick and injured animals and rehabilitate animals with behavioral issues.  When these processes are unsuccessful, the shelter commits to avoiding euthanasia if possible.  In our case, our community wants to know that we are doing our best for the animals and giving every animal a chance at life.  We are not always successful, but it is much easier knowing that we put effort into each case, fulfilling the "Process." As humans completing the process is all that we can really do.  Some cases end better than others, and at the end of the day, I know I can sleep at night knowing that I gave the "process" my best effort, including respect and kindness.