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      "Just One Day" promotes "No Kill" shelters

      Animal overpopulation is a major problem in many areas of the country. Too many dogs and cats are dumped off at local animal shelters, and then euthanized within a few days time to make room for the next group being rounded up or dropped off. But, not necessarily today. Some local shelters that became "no kill zones" for just one day.{}10,000 animals are put to death daily in this country. Somewhere between three and four million each year. But, on this day, animal shelters were asked if they could stop euthanizing for just one day.{}Sara Shirley, executive director of the Shelby Humane Society, says more than 300 animals are housed at the shelter. This is the first year they've participated in 'Just One Day'. "Some people, they believe it can happen today," says Shirley. "I've had people tell me, just announce that you're no kill and you become 'no kill'. And those people need to come to an open admission shelter and work to see what it is that we're dealing with on a daily basis."Shirley says thankfully, they aren't forced to euthanize animals due to lack of space. Other shelters, like the Birmingham Jefferson County Animal Control Shelter can't participate in Just One Day due to the sheer number of animals taken in.{} "While it's a really great idea that no euthanasia happens, that's a wonderful thing, however. It really doesn't do anything to solve the problem of the numbers that shelters such as ours see," says Lee McDonald,{}adoption and rescue coordinator{}for the shelter. She sees spaying and neutering animals as the best way to combat overpopulation and to cut down on the high number of kills at the shelter.{} McDonald says, "Stopping another litter from being born, and that litter having more and more litters. That's something very tangible, and something that will really have an impact on reducing pet numbers."Sara Shirley says the Shelby Humane Society has transferred animals to other facilities, to help them find homes. In February, the shelter celebrated its 10,000 animal spayed or neutered since 2008.{} The Greater Birmingham Humane Society is also participating in Just One Day. They are offering extended hours and have made a big push for adoptions on their Twitter page. Part of the day includes shelter employees taking pictures of animals and posting them online.{}