The goals of the no-kill movement are to eliminate the needless killing of companion animals in shelters, find good homes for all homeless companion animals, and reduce the number of homeless companion animals and feral cats through low-cost or no-cost spay and neuter.

The no-kill movement is not opposed to the legitimate euthanasia of terminally ill, suffering animals, but it is opposed to kill shelters’ widespread misuse of the term “euthanasia” to refer to the needless killing of healthy or treatable animals. No-kill shelters aim to eliminate the transmission of disease through elevated hygienic standards, and provide treatment to sick animals rather than killing them.

Nathan Winograd, in his book Redemption, outlines ten components which are necessary for a community to become no-kill:

1. TNR (trap-neuter-return) programs to reduce births among feral cats
2. High-volume, low-cost spay and neuter services
3. Offsite rescue groups
4. Foster care programs
5. Comprehensive adoption programs
6. Companion animal retention programs
7. Medical and behavioral rehabilitation
8. Public relations and community involvement
9. Volunteers
10. A compassionate director at every shelter

Citizens for a No-Kill Tucson aims to bring about each of these 10 components in order to make Tucson a truly no-kill community for cats and dogs.