: having or being a policy that prohibits killing
a no-kill fishing tournament
especially
: having or being a policy that prohibits or severely limits the euthanizing of animals in a shelter
"I will spare no expense on veterinary care for our pets," says Renee, who has nine cats and is on the board of a no-kill shelter. —
Catherine Fredman
Catherine Fredman … shelters can euthanize up to 10 percent of their animals for reasons of health and temperament, and still be considered "no-kill." —Greg Allen
Greg Allen Examples of no-kill in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In a post shared on Facebook on August 7 by the SPCA Florida, the shelter says that the microchip didn't link to a local owner—but instead traced back to SPCA Florida, a no-kill shelter in Lakeland.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Aug. 2025
New Hampshire, which has a state-wide no-kill policy, led the nation with a 95% save rate compared to California, at 87%.
—Marc Joffe, Oc Register, 9 Aug. 2025
In addition to contacting local organizations (including no-kill shelters and breed-specific rescues), consider reaching out to friends, family or a trusted acquaintance who might be able to provide a loving home — but screen carefully.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 27 July 2025
The Scratching Post, a no-kill cat shelter in Sharonville.
—Caroline Ritzie, The Enquirer, 25 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for no-kill
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Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Aug. 2025
New Hampshire, which has a state-wide no-kill policy, led the nation with a 95% save rate compared to California, at 87%.
—Marc Joffe, Oc Register, 9 Aug. 2025
In addition to contacting local organizations (including no-kill shelters and breed-specific rescues), consider reaching out to friends, family or a trusted acquaintance who might be able to provide a loving home — but screen carefully.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 27 July 2025
The Scratching Post, a no-kill cat shelter in Sharonville.
—Caroline Ritzie, The Enquirer, 25 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for no-kill
Cite this Entry
“No-kill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/no-kill. Accessed 23 Aug. 2025.
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