ASILOMAR ACCORDS   (Print .PDF version)

I.   Preface
II.  Guiding Principles
III. Definitions
IV. Annual Animal Statistics Table and Live Release Rate Formulas

I. Preface

In August of 2004, a group of animal welfare industry leaders from across the nation convened at Asilomar in Pacific Grove, California for the purpose of building bridges across varying philosophies, developing relationships and creating goals focused on significantly reducing the euthanasia of healthy and treatable companion animals in the United States.

Through hard work, lively discussion and brainstorming, a common vision for the future was adopted. The leadership of the following organizations participated in the original, and/or subsequent meetings, and were involved in the drafting of the "Asilomar Accords":

Martha ArmstrongThe Humane Society of the United States
Richard AvanzinoMaddie's Fund
Pamela BurnsHawaiian Humane Society
Mark ByersSpanish Fork Animal Control (UT) & the National Animal Control Association (NACA)
Perry FinaNorth Shore Animal League and The Pet Savers Foundation
Mark Goldstein, D.V.M.San Diego Humane Society and SPCA
Belinda LewisFort Wayne Animal Care & Control
Dave LoftusPet-Ark
Jane McCallDubuque Humane Society
Jan McHugh-SmithHumane Socity of Boulder Valley
Steven McHughUnison Business Development
Nancy McKenneyHumane Society for Seattle/King County
Dan MorrisonSoutheast Area Animal Control Authority
John NagyDumb Friends League & the Society of Animal Welfare Administrators (SAWA)
Cheryl NaumannArizona Humane Society
Robert RohdeDumb Friends League
Edwin SayresAmerican Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
John SnyderThe Humane Society of the United States
Karen TerpstraPasadena Humane Society & SPCA
Gary TiscorniaSPCA of Monterey County & the Society of Animal Welfare Administrators (SAWA)
Marie Belew WheatleyAmerican Humane Association

II. Guiding Principles

1. The mission of those involved in creating the Asilomar Accords is to work together to save the lives of all healthy and treatable companion animals.

2. We recognize that all stakeholders in the animal welfare community have a passion for and are dedicated to the mutual goal of saving animals' lives.

3. We acknowledge that the euthanasia of healthy and treatable animals is the sad responsibility of some animal welfare organizations that neither desired nor sought this task. We believe that the euthanasia of healthy and treatable animals is a community-wide problem requiring community-based solutions. We also recognize that animal welfare organizations can be leaders in bringing about a change in social and other factors that result in the euthanasia of healthy and treatable animals, including the compounding problems of some pet owners'/guardians' failure to spay and neuter; properly socialize and train; be tolerant of; provide veterinary care to; or take responsibility for companion animals.

4. We, as animal welfare stakeholders, agree to foster a mutual respect for one another. When discussing differences of policy and opinion, either publicly or within and among our own agencies, we agree to refrain from denigrating or speaking ill of one another. We will also encourage those other individuals and organizations in our sphere of influence to do the same.

5. We encourage all communities to embrace the vision and spirit of these Accords, while acknowledging that differences exist between various communities and geographic regions of the country.

6. We encourage the creation of local "community coalitions" consisting of a variety of organizations (e.g., governmental animal control agencies, nonprofit shelters, grassroots foster care providers, feral cat groups, funders and veterinary associations) for the purpose of saving the lives of healthy and treatable animals. We are committed to the belief that no one organization or type of organization can achieve this goal alone, that we need one another, and that the only true solution is to work together. We need to find common ground, put aside our differences and work collaboratively to reach the ultimate goal of ending the euthanasia of healthy and treatable companion animals.

7. While we understand that other types of programs and efforts (including adoption, spay and neuter programs, education, cruelty investigations, enforcement of animal control laws and regulations, behavior and training assistance and feral cat management) play a critical role in impacting euthanasia figures, for purposes of this nationwide initiative we have elected to leave these programs in the hands of local organizations and encourage them to continue offering, and expanding upon, these critical services.

8. In order to achieve harmony and forward progress, we encourage each community coalition to discuss language and terminology which has been historically viewed as hurtful or divisive by some animal welfare stakeholders (whether intentional or inadvertent), identify "problem" language, and reach a consensus to modify or phase out language and terminology accordingly.

9. We believe in the importance of transparency and the open sharing of accurate, complete animal-sheltering data and statistics in a manner which is clear to both the animal welfare community and the public.

10. We believe it is essential to utilize a uniform method for collecting and reporting shelter data, in order to promote transparency and better assess the euthanasia rate of healthy and treatable animals. We determined that a uniform method of reporting needs to include the collection and analysis of animal-sheltering data as set forth in the "Animal Statistics Table." These statistics need to be collected for each individual organization and for the community as a whole and need to be reported to the public annually (e.g., web sites, newsletters, annual reports). In addition, we determined that each community's "Live Release Rate" needs to be calculated, shared and reported annually to the public, individually by each organization and jointly by each community coalition. Both individual organizations and community coalitions should strive for continuous improvement of these numbers. The "Animal Statistics Table" and formulas for calculating the "Live Release Rate" are set forth in Section IV of these Accords.

11. We developed several standard "definitions" to enable uniform and accurate collection, analysis and reporting of animal-sheltering data and statistics. We encourage all communities to adopt the definitions which are set forth in Section III, and implement the principles of these Accords.

12. While we recognize that many animal welfare organizations provide services to companion animals other than dogs and cats, for purposes of this nationwide initiative we have elected to collect and share data solely as it relates to dogs and cats.

13. We are committed to continuing dialogue, analysis and potential modification of this vision as needs change and as progress is made toward achieving our mission.

14. Those involved in the development of the Asilomar Accords have agreed to make a personal commitment to ensure the furtherance of these accords, and to use their professional influence to bring about a nationwide adoption of this vision.

III. Definitions

In order to facilitate the data collection process and assure consistent reporting across agencies, the following definitions have been developed. The Asilomar participants hope that these definitions are applied as a standard for categorizing dogs and cats in each organization. The definitions, however, are not meant to define the outcome for each animal entrusted to our care. A glossary and more specific details and examples are included in the appendix portion of this document.

Healthy: The term "healthy" means and includes all dogs and cats eight weeks of age or older that, at or subsequent to the time the animal is taken into possession, have manifested no sign of a behavioral or temperamental characteristic that could pose a health or safety risk or otherwise make the animal unsuitable for placement as a pet, and have manifested no sign of disease, injury, a congenital or hereditary condition that adversely affects the health of the animal or that is likely to adversely affect the animal's health in the future.

Treatable: The term "treatable" means and includes all dogs and cats who are "rehabilitatable" and all dogs and cats who are "manageable."

Rehabilitatable: The term "rehabilitatable" means and includes all dogs and cats who are not "healthy," but who are likely to become "healthy," if given medical, foster, behavioral, or other care equivalent to the care typically provided to pets by reasonable and caring pet owners/guardians in the community.

Manageable: The term "manageable" means and includes all dogs and cats who are not "healthy" and who are not likely to become "healthy," regardless of the care provided; but who would likely maintain a satisfactory quality of life, if given medical, foster, behavioral, or other care, including long-term care, equivalent to the care typically provided to pets by reasonable and caring owners/guardians in the community; provided, however, that the term "manageable" does not include any dog or cat who is determined to pose a significant risk to human health or safety or to the health or safety of other animals.
Unhealthy and Untreatable: The term "unhealthy and untreatable" means and includes all dogs and cats who, at or subsequent to the time they are taken into possession,

(1) have a behavioral or temperamental characteristic that poses a health or safety risk or otherwise makes the animal unsuitable for placement as a pet, and are not likely to become "healthy" or "treatable" even if provided the care typically provided to pets by reasonable and caring pet owners/guardians in the community; or

(2) are suffering from a disease, injury, or congenital or hereditary condition that adversely affects the animal's health or is likely to adversely affect the animal's health in the future, and are not likely to become "healthy" or "treatable" even if provided the care typically provided to pets by reasonable and caring pet owners/guardians in the community; or

(3) are under the age of eight weeks and are not likely to become "healthy" or "treatable," even if provided the care typically provided to pets by reasonable and caring pet owners/guardians in the community.
IV. Annual Animal Statistics Table and Live Release Rate Formulas

1. Annual Animal Statistics Table
2. Annual Live Release Rate Formulas
3. Example of Data to Publish for an Individual Agency
4. Example of Data to Publish for a Community or Coalition
5. Glossary of Terms

Annual Animal Statistics Table

Dog

Cat

Total

A

BEGINNING SHELTER COUNT (date)

INTAKE (Live Dogs & Cats Only)

B

     From the Public

C

     Incoming Transfers from Organizations within Community/Coalition

D

     Incoming Transfers from Organizations outside Community/Coalition

E

     From Owners/Guardians Requesting Euthanasia

F

Total Intake    [B + C + D + E]

G

     Owner/Guardian Requested Euthanasia (Unhealthy & Untreatable Only)

H

ADJUSTED TOTAL INTAKE  [F minus G]

I

ADOPTIONS

J

OUTGOING TRANSFERS to Organizations within Community/Coalition

K

OUTGOING TRANSFERS to Organizations outside Community/Coalition

L

RETURN TO OWNER/GUARDIAN

DOGS & CATS EUTHANIZED 

M

     Healthy     (Includes Owner/Guardian Requested Euthanasia)

N

     Treatable Rehabilitatable   (Includes Owner/Guardian Requested Euthanasia)

O

     Treatable Manageable   (Includes Owner/Guardian Requested Euthanasia)

P

     Unhealthy & Untreatable  (Includes Owner/Guardian Requested Euthanasia)

Q

Total Euthanasia    [M + N + O + P]

R

     Owner/Guardian Requested Euthanasia (Unhealthy & Untreatable Only)

S

ADJUSTED TOTAL EUTHANASIA  [Q minus R]

T

SUBTOTAL  OUTCOMES   [I + J + K + L + S]  Excludes Owner/Guardian Requested Euthanasia (Unhealthy & Untreatable Only) 

U

DIED OR LOST IN SHELTER/CARE

V

TOTAL OUTCOMES   [T + U]   Excludes Owner/Guardian Requested Euthanasia (Unhealthy & Untreatable Only) 

W

ENDING SHELTER COUNT (date)


To check the accuracy of the shelter data you've compiled, the Beginning Shelter Count (A) plus the Adjusted Total Intake (H) should equal the Total Outcomes (V) plus the Ending Shelter Count (W): A + H = V + W.

Annual Live Release Rate Formulas

The Annual Live Release Rate is calculated by dividing total live outcomes (adoptions, outgoing transfers, and return to owner/guardian) by total outcomes (total live outcomes plus euthanasia not including owner/guardian requested euthanasia or died/lost in shelter/care). NOTE: The Annual Live Release Rate Formula is different for an individual agency and a coalition or community due to transfers between agencies.

Calculation for an individual agency:
Adoptions + All Outgoing Transfers + Return to Owner/Guardian divided by Total Outcomes excluding owner/guardian requested euthanasia (unhealthy and untreatable), and dogs and cats that died or were lost in the shelter/care.

Annual Live Release Rate = (I + J + K + L) / (T) * 100 = _____ %


When reporting the Annual Live Release Rate for an individual agency, you should include the following statement: The Annual Live Release Rate does not include _____ owner/guardian requested euthanasia which were unhealthy & untreatable [see Line R] and _____ dogs and cats that died or were lost in the shelter/care [see Line U].

Calculation for community or coalition:
Adoptions + Return to Owner/Guardian divided by Total Outcomes excluding all outgoing transfers, owner/guardian requested euthanasia (unhealthy and untreatable), and dogs and cats that died or were lost in the shelter/care.

Annual Live Release Rate = (I + K + L) / (T – J)* 100 = _____ %


When reporting the Annual Live Release Rate for the community or a coalition, you should include the following statement: The Annual Live Release Rate does not include _____ owner/guardian requested euthanasia which were unhealthy & untreatable [see Line R] and _____ dogs and cats that died or were lost in the shelter/care [see Line U].

Example of Data to Publish for an Individual Agency

Annual Live Release Rate: 52%
The Annual Live Release Rate does not include 4,000 owner/guardian requested euthanasia which were unhealthy & untreatable and 200 dogs and cats that died or were lost in the shelter/care.

Annual Animal Statistics Table

Dog

Cat

Total

A

BEGINNING SHELTER COUNT (1/1/03)

1,200

1,800

3,000

INTAKE (Live Dogs & Cats Only)

B

     From the Public

24,000

30,000

54,000

C

     Incoming Transfers from Organizations within Community/Coalition

0

0

0

D

     Incoming Transfers from Organizations outside Community/Coalition

0

0

0

E

     From Owners/Guardians Requesting Euthanasia

1,800

2,200

4,000

F

Total Intake    [B + C + D + E]

25,800

32,200

58,000

G

     Owner/Guardian Requested Euthanasia (Unhealthy & Untreatable Only)

 1,800

 2,200

   4,000

H

ADJUSTED TOTAL INTAKE  [F minus G]

24,000

30,000

54,000

I

ADOPTIONS

8,000

10,000

18,000

J

OUTGOING TRANSFERS to Organizations within Community/Coalition

1,000

1,500

2,500

K

OUTGOING TRANSFERS to Organizations outside Community/Coalition

200

500

700

L

RETURN TO OWNER/GUARDIAN

3,300

3,000

6,300

DOGS & CATS EUTHANIZED 

M

     Healthy     (Includes Owner/Guardian Requested Euthanasia)

1,800

2,200

4,000

N

     Treatable Rehabilitatable   (Includes Owner/Guardian Requested Euthanasia)

3,000

5,000

8,000

O

     Treatable Manageable   (Includes Owner/Guardian Requested Euthanasia)

1,300

1,700

3,000

P

     Unhealthy & Untreatable  (Includes Owner/Guardian Requested Euthanasia)

6,500

8,000

14,500

Q

Total Euthanasia    [M + N + O + P]

12,600

16,900

29,500

R

     Owner/Guardian Requested Euthanasia (Unhealthy & Untreatable Only)

 1,800

 2,200

   4,000

S

ADJUSTED TOTAL EUTHANASIA  [Q minus R]

10,800

14,700

25,500

T

SUBTOTAL  OUTCOMES   [I + J + K + L + S]   Excludes Owner/Guardian Requested Euthanasia (Unhealthy & Untreatable Only) 

23,300

29,700

53,000

U

DIED OR LOST IN SHELTER/CARE

75

125

200 

V

TOTAL OUTCOMES   [T + U]   (Excludes Owner/Guardian Requested Euthanasia (Unhealthy & Untreatable Only) 

23,375

29,825

53,200

W

ENDING SHELTER COUNT (12/31/03)

1,825

1,975

3,800

Annual Live Release Rate Calculation for Individual Agency
(I + J + K + L) / (T) * 100
27,500 / 53,000 * 100 = 52%
Data Check: [3,000 + 54,000] = [53,200 + 3,800]; 57,000 = 57,000

Example of Data to Publish for your Community or Coalition

Annual Live Release Rate: 49.5%
The Annual Live Release Rate does not include 7,000 owner/guardian requested euthanasia which were unhealthy & /untreatable and 380 dogs and cats that died or were lost in the shelter/care.

Annual Animal Statistics Table

Dog

Cat

Total

A

BEGINNING SHELTER COUNT (1/1/03)

2,100

3,100

5,200

INTAKE (Live Dogs & Cats Only)

B

     From the Public

36,100

45,900

82,000

C

     Incoming Transfers from Organizations within Community/Coalition

1,000

1,500

2,500

D

     Incoming Transfers from Organizations outside Community/Coalition

200

500

700

E

     From Owners/Guardians Requesting Euthanasia

3,150

3,850

7,000

F

Total Intake    [B + C + D + E]

40,450

51,750

92,200

G

     Owner/Guardian Requested Euthanasia (Unhealthy & Untreatable Only)

 3,150

 3,850

– 7,000

H

ADJUSTED TOTAL INTAKE  [F minus G]

37,500

47,700

85,200

I

ADOPTIONS

14,400

18,300

32,700

J

OUTGOING TRANSFERS to Organizations within Community/Coalition

1,000

1,500

2,500

K

OUTGOING TRANSFERS to Organizations outside Community/Coalition

200

500

700

L

RETURN TO OWNER/GUARDIAN

3,600

3,400

7,000

DOGS & CATS EUTHANIZED 

M

     Healthy     (Includes Owner/Guardian Requested Euthanasia)

2,025

2,475

4,500

N

     Treatable Rehabilitatable   (Includes Owner/Guardian Requested Euthanasia)

4,875

8,125

13,000

O

     Treatable Manageable   (Includes Owner/Guardian Requested Euthanasia)

2,000

2,700

4,700

P

     Unhealthy & Untreatable  (Includes Owner/Guardian Requested Euthanasia)

11,700

14,300

26,000

Q

Total Euthanasia    [M + N + O + P]

20,600

27,600

48,200

R

     Owner/Guardian Requested Euthanasia (Unhealthy & Untreatable Only)

 3,150

 3,850

– 7,000

S

ADJUSTED TOTAL EUTHANASIA  [Q minus R]

17,450

23,750

41,200

T

SUBTOTAL  OUTCOMES   [I + J + K + L + S]   Excludes Owner/Guardian Requested Euthanasia (Unhealthy & Untreatable Only) 

36,650

47,450

84,100

U

DIED OR LOST IN SHELTER/CARE

140

240

380

V

TOTAL OUTCOMES   [T + U]   Excludes Owner/Guardian Requested Euthanasia (Unhealthy & Untreatable Only) 

36,790

47,690

84,480

W

ENDING SHELTER COUNT (12/31/03)

2,810

3,110

5,920

Annual Live Release Rate Calculation for Community or Coalition
(I + K + L) / (T – J)* 100
40,400 / 81,600 * 100 = 49.5%
Data Check: [5,200 + 85,200] = [84,480 + 5,920]; 90,400 = 90,400

Glossary of Terms


A) Beginning Shelter Count (date): The number of dogs and cats in your shelter or in your care including fosters at the beginning of the reporting period. The reporting period is annual – either a calendar year or a fiscal year. (date) refers to the first day of the reporting period written in the following format: month/day/year.

Intake (Live Dogs & Cats Only): This table only deals with live dogs and cats for which your shelter or animal group assumed responsibility. Dogs and cats categorized as "dead on arrival" or DOA are not included in these statistics. For intake animals, status is determined at the time paperwork is initiated.

B) From the Public: The number of live dogs and cats your shelter or animal group received from the public. This includes dogs and cats turned in or surrendered by their owners/guardians; stray dogs and cats turned in by the public; stray dogs and cats picked up in the field; and dogs and cats impounded for cruelty investigation, custody care, and statutory/ordinance impoundment.

C) Incoming Transfers from Organizations within Community/Coalition: The number of dogs and cats your shelter or animal group received from other animal organizations participating in your collaborative group. (This only applies if the reporting organization is working collaboratively with other shelters/groups in their area.) NOTE: On the community or coalition level, C (Incoming Transfers from Organizations within Community/Coalition) should equal J (Outgoing Transfers to Organizations within Community/Coalition).

D) Incoming Transfers from Organizations outside Community/Coalition: The number of dogs and cats your shelter or animal group received from animal organizations that are not participating in your collaborative group. NOTE: If you are not part of a collaboration that is compiling statistics, then all your incoming transfers would be listed here.

E) From Owners/Guardians Requesting Euthanasia: The number of dogs and cats turned in or surrendered to your shelter or animal group by their owners/guardians for the purpose of euthanasia. This includes all categories of dogs and cats (healthy, treatable-rehabilitatable, treatable-manageable, unhealthy & untreatable). [See M, N, O, P for definitions of healthy, treatable-rehabilitatable, treatable-manageable, unhealthy & untreatable.]

F) Total Intake: The sum of lines B through E. This includes all live dogs and cats for which your shelter or animal group assumed responsibility.

G) Owner/Guardian Requested Euthanasia (Unhealthy & Untreatable Only): The number of unhealthy & untreatable dogs and cats your shelter or animal group euthanized at the request of their owners/guardians and the number of dogs and cats ordered to be euthanized by legislative, judicial or administrative action. Do not include any dogs and cats your shelter or animal group euthanized at the request of their owners/guardians and who were considered to be healthy, treatable-rehabilitatable or treatable-manageable at the time of death. [See M, N, O, P for definitions of healthy, treatable-rehabilitatable, treatable-manageable, unhealthy & untreatable.]

H) Adjusted Total Intake: Lines F minus G. Total Intake minus the number of unhealthy & untreatable dogs and cats your shelter or animal group euthanized at the request of their owners/guardians. [See P for definition of unhealthy & untreatable category.]

I) Adoptions: The number of dogs and cats your shelter or animal group placed with members of the public. Do not include dogs and cats in foster homes or dogs and cats transferred to other animal welfare organizations.

J) Outgoing Transfers to Organizations within Community/Coalition: The number of dogs and cats your shelter or animal group turned over to other animal organizations within your collaborative group. (This only applies if the reporting organization is working collaboratively with other shelters/groups in their area.) NOTE: On the community or coalition level, J (Outgoing Transfers to Organizations within Community/Coalition) should be equal to C (Incoming Transfers from Organizations within Community/Coalition).

K) Outgoing Transfers to Organizations outside Community/Coalition: The number of dogs and cats your shelter or animal group turned over to animal organizations that are not part of your collaborative group. NOTE: If you are not part of a collaboration which is compiling statistics, then all your outgoing transfers would be listed here.

L) Return to Owner/Guardian: The number of stray dogs and cats your shelter or animal group reunited with their owners/guardians and the number of dogs and cats reclaimed by their owners/guardians. Dogs & Cats Euthanized: The number of dogs and cats your shelter or animal group euthanized, broken down into the following categories: healthy; treatable-rehabilitatable; treatable-manageable; and unhealthy & untreatable. Dogs and cats are categorized at the time of euthanasia. [See M, N, O, P for definitions of healthy, treatable-rehabilitatable, treatable-manageable, unhealthy & untreatable.]

M) Healthy (Includes Owner/Guardian Requested Euthanasia): The number of healthy dogs and cats that your shelter or animal group euthanized including the number of healthy dogs and cats your shelter or animal group euthanized at the request of their owners/guardians.

The term "healthy" means and includes all dogs and cats eight weeks of age or older that, at or subsequent to the time the animal is taken into possession, have manifested no sign of a behavioral or temperamental characteristic that could pose a health or safety risk or otherwise make the animal unsuitable for placement as a pet, and have manifested no sign of disease, injury, or congenital or hereditary condition that adversely affects the health of the animal or that is likely to adversely affect the animal's health in the future.

N) Treatable – Rehabilitatable (Includes Owner/Guardian Requested Euthanasia): The number of treatable – rehabilitatable dogs and cats that your shelter or animal group euthanized including the number of treatable – rehabilitatable dogs and cats your shelter or animal group euthanized at the request of their owners/guardians. (These conditions are generally considered to be curable.)

The term "treatable" means and includes all dogs and cats who are "rehabilitatable" and all dogs and cats who are "manageable." The term "rehabilitatable" means and includes all dogs and cats who are not "healthy," but who are likely to become "healthy," if given medical, foster, behavioral, or other care equivalent to the care typically provided to pets by reasonable and caring pet owners/guardians in the community. O) Treatable – Manageable (Includes Owner/Guardian Requested Euthanasia): The number of treatable – manageable dogs and cats that your shelter or animal group euthanized including the number of treatable – manageable dogs and cats your shelter or animal group euthanized at the request of their owners/guardians. (These conditions are generally considered to be chronic.)

The term "treatable" means and includes all dogs and cats who are "rehabilitatable" and all dogs and cats who are "manageable." The term "manageable" means and includes all dogs and cats who are not "healthy" and who are not likely to become "healthy," regardless of the care provided; but who would likely maintain a satisfactory quality of life, if given medical, foster, behavioral, or other care, including long-term care, equivalent to the care typically provided to pets by reasonable and caring pet owners/guardians in the community; provided, however, that the term "manageable" does not include any dog or cat who is determined to pose a significant risk to human health or safety or to the health or safety of other animals.

P) Unhealthy & Untreatable (Includes Owner/Guardian Requested Euthanasia): The number of unhealthy & untreatable dogs and cats that your shelter or animal group euthanized including the number of unhealthy & untreatable dogs and cats your shelter or animal group euthanized at the request of their owners/guardians and the number of dogs and cats ordered to be euthanized by legislative, judicial or administrative action.

The term "Unhealthy and Untreatable" means and includes all dogs and cats who, at or subsequent to the time they are taken into possession, (1) have a behavioral or temperamental characteristic that poses a health or safety risk or otherwise makes the animal unsuitable for placement as a pet, and are not likely to become "healthy" or "treatable" even if provided the care typically provided to pets by reasonable and caring pet owners/guardians in the community; or (2) are suffering from a disease, injury, or congenital or hereditary condition that adversely affects the animal's health or is likely to adversely affect the animal's health in the future, and are not likely to become "healthy" or "treatable" even if provided the care typically provided to pets by reasonable and caring pet owners/guardians in the community; or (3) are under the age of eight weeks and are not likely to become "healthy" or "treatable," even if provided the care typically provided to pets by reasonable and caring pet owners/guardians in the community. Q) Total Euthanasia: Sum of lines M through P. This includes all dogs and cats your shelter or animal group euthanized (Healthy, Treatable – Rehabilitatable, Treatable – Manageable, and Unhealthy & Untreatable). [See M, N, O, P for definitions of healthy, treatable-rehabilitatable, treatable-manageable, unhealthy & untreatable.]

R) Owner/Guardian Requested Euthanasia (Unhealthy & Untreatable Only): The number of unhealthy & untreatable dogs and cats that your shelter or animal group euthanized at the request of their owners/guardians and the number of dogs and cats ordered to be euthanized by legislative, judicial or administrative action. Do not include any dogs and cats your shelter or animal group euthanized at the request of their owners/guardians and who were considered to be healthy, treatable-rehabilitatable or treatable-manageable at the time of death. [See M, N, O, P for definitions of healthy, treatable-rehabilitatable, treatable-manageable, unhealthy & untreatable.]

S) Adjusted Total Euthanasia: Total Euthanasia minus Owner/Guardian Request Euthanasia (Unhealthy & Untreatable Only). [See P for definition of unhealthy & untreatable category.]

T) Subtotal Outcomes: Sum of lines I through L plus S. This includes the number of dogs and cats that your shelter or animal group adopted, transferred, returned to owner/guardian. Do not include the number of dogs and cats who died or were lost while in your shelter or in your care or the number of unhealthy & untreatable dogs and cats that your shelter or animal group euthanized at the request of their owners/guardians or the number of dogs and cats ordered to be euthanized by legislative, judicial or administrative action. [See P for definition of unhealthy & untreatable category.]

U) Died or Lost in Shelter/Care: The number of dogs and cats for which your shelter or animal group assumed responsibility and who died or could not be accounted for. This includes the number of dogs and cats who died of medical complications (and were not euthanized), died in foster care or in transit, or were lost or stolen from the shelter.

V) Total Outcomes: Sum of lines T and U. This is the total number of dog and cat outcomes which includes the number of dogs and cats your shelter or animal group adopted, transferred, returned to owner/guardian plus the number of dogs and cats for which your shelter or animal group assumed responsibility and who died of medical complications (and were not euthanized) or were lost or stolen (from the shelter or foster care). Total outcomes do not include the number of unhealthy & untreatable dogs and cats that your shelter or animal group euthanized at the request of their owners/guardians or the number of dogs and cats ordered to be euthanized by legislative, judicial or administrative action. [See P for definition of unhealthy & untreatable category.]

W) Ending Shelter Count (date): The number of dogs and cats in your shelter or in your care including fosters at the end of the reporting period. The reporting period is annual – either a calendar year or a fiscal year. (date) refers to the last day of the reporting period written in the following format: month/day/year.

Special Note: To calculate the Annual Live Release Rate for your community or coalition, each participating shelter or animal group will need to fill out the Annual Animal Statistics Table for their individual organization. The reporting organization for the community/coalition will then compile this information for all the groups in one table and follow the instructions for calculating the community/coalition rate.


For more information about the Asilomar Accords, or participating groups, visit these websites:

SAWA
Maddie's Fund
The Humane Society of Boulder Valley
Unison Business Development
SPCA of Monterey County
Dumb Friends League
Humane Society of the United States (and http://www.animalsheltering.org/)