Gov. Spencer Cox declares 2024 ‘no-kill shelter year’ in Utah

Photo: Unsplash // Thomas Park

Utah would become the largest no-kill state, and the first in the West

UTAH — Gov. Spencer Cox declared 2024 “no-kill shelter year” in Utah on Tuesday to encourage shelters to prioritize saving more animals.

47 of the 60 animal shelters in Utah are currently no-kill, and with this declaration the state of Utah is encouraging the 13 remaining Utah animal shelters to change their policies and practices in order to save at least 90% of the dogs and cats that enter their facilities.

“Utah is on the cusp of achieving no-kill and Governor Cox’s declaration gives the movement an extra push to achieve this momentous accomplishment in 2024,” said Julie Castle, CEO of Best Friends Animal Society. “Forty years ago, Best Friends made Utah its home state with the Best Friends Animal Society Sanctuary in Kanab. Now, in 2024, it just makes sense for no-kill to be on the horizon for the Beehive State.”

According to data from the Best Friends Animal Society, in 2022, 1,700 dogs and cats were killed in Utah shelters. 85% of adults surveyed by Best Friends in 2022 felt it is very important or essential to have no-kill shelters in their area.

“I am supportive of Utah working to become a no-kill state,” said Gov. Cox. “We know that when residents of our great state come together for a cause they believe in, they can achieve so much. I fully support Utahns stepping up by adopting and fostering animals in their local communities.”

With Delaware, New Hampshire and Vermont being the only no-kill states in the U.S., if Utah were to follow suit it would become the largest no-kill state, and the first in the West.

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