So, what exactly does "No-Kill" mean? Does this mean that "No-Kill" organizations NEVER end the life of an animal? Frankly, no. When an animal is suffering and there is no possibility of relieving or ending the pain, euthansia is the kindest, most humane thing one can do for the animal. Animal welfare organizations that operate as public charities and derive their funding entirely from public or private donations are not bound by such laws. Such organizations usually struggle for the lack of government funding, but are free to determine the fate of the animals in their care according to their own conscience. Most choose to be governed by what is commonly referred to as a "No-Kill Policy" which simply means that no animal that comes into their care will very be put to death as a matter of convenience, economy or the length of their residence. Furthermore, a NO-Kill shelter will not transfer any bird to any other facility not having and practicing an equivalent NO-KILL policy. Instead, each animal will be placed in an adoptive home or live out their natural lives in a sanctuary situation regardless of how long that takes. Government funded animal service organizations are usually limited by law in how long they can keep and care for the animals they take in. Generally, if a given animal is not claimed by it's owner or adopted in 5 to 10 days, it is put to death to make room for other animals that need to come in. Please note that these are NOT bad people or organizations. Make no mistake about that! They are just civil servants whose job it is to quietly do the dirty work of those citizens among us who are too cheap and irresponsible to have they pets spayed or neutered.