FAIRHOPE, Ala.— Haven for Animals and the City of Fairhope Animal Shelter have each been recognized by Best Friends Animal Society for maintaining no-kill status in 2025, highlighting the lifesaving impact of their long-standing public-private partnership and the community that continues to support homeless pets throughout Fairhope and Baldwin County.

Best Friends Animal Society defines no-kill as achieving a save rate of at least 90% for animals entering a shelter. In 2025, Haven for Animals saved 98.36% of the dogs and cats who entered its care, while the City of Fairhope Animal Shelter achieved an outstanding 96.5% save rate.

Behind those percentages are individual animals who received care, compassion and another opportunity to find a safe, loving home.

For 26 years, Haven for Animals and the City of Fairhope have worked together to improve outcomes for homeless pets in the community. This partnership combines the essential work of the municipal animal shelter with the support of a community-based nonprofit, along with the adopters, foster families, volunteers, donors and community partners who help make lifesaving outcomes possible.

“Maintaining no-kill takes an entire community working together. Every adoption, foster home, volunteer, donor, and partner helps give homeless pets—including those coming through municipal animal shelters—a second chance. This recognition belongs to everyone who believes every healthy and treatable pet deserves the chance to find a loving home,” said Michael Graham, Executive Director of Haven for Animals.

"Reaching a 96.5% save rate is an incredible accomplishment and speaks to the dedication of the Haven for Animals, and everyone who supports this mission,” said Sherry Sullivan, Mayor of the City of Fairhope. “We are proud to be part of a community that values compassion and works together to give animals a second chance."

The recognition of both organizations demonstrates what can be accomplished when local government, animal shelters, nonprofit organizations and community members work together toward a shared lifesaving goal. It also reinforces the importance of sustaining that work through continued adoption, fostering, volunteerism, donations and advocacy.

Best Friends Animal Society, a leading national nonprofit working to end the killing of dogs and cats in America’s shelters and make the country no-kill, recognizes these achievements as positive steps forward and examples that can be replicated by communities throughout Alabama and across the country.

According to Best Friends’ 2025 data, more than two out of three U.S. shelters are now no-kill, and many more are within steps of reaching that benchmark. However, collective action remains critical to reaching a day when no dog or cat dies in a shelter simply because they do not have a safe place to call home.

Community members can help sustain this lifesaving progress by adopting, fostering, volunteering, donating and advocating for homeless pets.

To learn more about Haven for Animals and the City of Fairhope Animal Shelter, its available pets and ways to get involved, visit havenforanimals.org.

About No-Kill

No-kill is defined by a 90% save rate for animals entering a shelter and is a meaningful, common-sense benchmark for measuring lifesaving progress. Typically, the number of pets suffering from irreparable medical or behavioral conditions that compromise their quality of life and prevent them from being rehomed does not exceed 10% of all dogs and cats entering shelters.

For any community to achieve and sustain no-kill, stakeholders must work together while prioritizing community safety and a good quality of life for pets. This includes cooperation among animal shelters, animal rescue organizations, government agencies, community members and other partners committed to lifesaving best practices.

About Haven for Animals

Founded in 2000, The Haven is Baldwin County’s first no-kill animal shelter and rescue organization. For more than25 years, The Haven has led the community in ending pet homelessness through innovative programs, strong partnerships, and compassionate care. By providing shelter, medical treatment, and advocacy, The Haven works collaboratively with local municipalities, rescue groups, and supporters to give abandoned and homeless pets a second chance at life. Learn more at www.havenforanimals.org.

About the City of Fairhope Animal Shelter

The City of Fairhope Animal Shelter serves the Fairhope community by providing care and shelter for animals in need and working with local partners to create positive outcomes for homeless pets.

About Best Friends Animal Society

Best Friends Animal Society is a leading animal welfare organization dedicated to saving the lives of dogs and cats in America’s shelters and making the entire country no-kill. Founded in 1984, Best Friends operates lifesaving facilities and programs nationwide in partnership with more than 6,000 shelters and rescue organizations.

From its headquarters in Kanab, Utah, Best Friends also operates the nation’s largest no-kill animal sanctuary. The organization maintains comprehensive animal sheltering data and makes it accessible to the public, empowering communities with insights into the needs of their local shelters and how they can help. Best Friends believes every dog and cat deserves a home and that, by working together, communities can Save Them All®.