Every year, thousands of animals are killed in Danville. [i]

Danville Dogs Deserve Better. Danville Cats Deserve Better. Danville Deserves Better.

Who We Are

Our Mission Is Simple: Save More Lives

Danville Deserves Better (DDB) is a locally focused, community-driven initiative with the express goal of engaging the community to build a groundswell of support for lifesaving change at the Danville animal shelter.

DDB is spearheaded by Best Friends Animal Society — a leading national nonprofit animal welfare organization with a mission to achieve no-kill in every shelter across the country.

Our mission is simple: to save the lives of more Danville cats and dogs!

Danville’s animal shelter currently saves only 37% of the dogs and cats that enter its facility. [ii]

The average save rate for shelters in the state of Virginia is over 84%... Danville deserves better! [iii]

Other shelters across the state have made changes that have enhanced lifesaving and we can bring those same best practices and programs to Danville.


Danville Deserves Better is a community campaign focused on educating and engaging with the residents of Danville, VA in a positive way to help them understand that the shelter needs their help and support in order to succeed.  We also engage in a positive manner with elected officials in order to achieve changes.

We do not protest, bully, make negative public comments, or issue threats of any nature whatsoever towards individuals or organizations, including DAHS shelter leadership, their staff, or elected officials. Our objective is to support these individuals and organizations so that they may better support the animals of Danville, and creating an atmosphere of hostility is neither kind nor supportive.

The Problem

Danville's Deadly Situation

Based on data from the state of Virginia, 2025 Danville Area Humane Society took in 2,957 animals, but just 1,139 left alive. [iv]

40% Dog Save Rate

34% Cat Save Rate

37% Total Save Rate

Note: Save Rates Calculated from Virginia Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services Data. [v]

The Problem

We Can Save Lives If We Work Together

To achieve no-kill, we need to save 4.3 more animals per day. It is our opinion that Danville can do this if the community makes lifesaving a priority.

876

More Cats Saved Per Year

700

More Dogs Saved Per Year

Note: Number of Dogs & Cats Needed to be saved per year to reach the standard for no kill calculated from Virginia Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services Data [vi]

See For Yourself The Offer Of Support That Has Been Made To Danville To Improve Lifesaving

Offer Of Support
What You Need To Know

Dispelling Information

Myth 1

No-Kill Means No Euthanasia

Fact:

No-kill is a community philosophy and commitment to saving every life that can be saved.

However, no-kill is not and has never been “no euthanasia.” In instances where a companion animal (dog or cat) is suffering from irreparable illness or injury, or is too aggressive to be rehabilitated, euthanasia is the only humane option for the animal and the best option for the community.

There is a strong distinction in the no-kill movement between “killing” and “euthanizing” companion animals. The term “killing” is used when a potentially healthy or treatable companion animal’s life is unnecessarily ended, while euthanasia is a merciful act of compassion for a severely sick, injured, or dangerous dog or cat.

Myth 2

Save Rates Are Low Because Animal Intake Is High

Fact:

We have not found any valid correlation between the number of animals that a shelter intake, or impounds, and the save rate the shelter can achieve. Our experience tells us different.

Save rates come down to shelter programming and the shelter’s and community’s commitment to lifesaving.

Danville Area Humane took in 3,218 dogs and cats last year year and only had a 31% save rate. Meanwhile, two hours away at the Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA, they took in 3,686 dogs and cats and achieved a 97% save rate.

The difference was simple: programs and commitment.

Send a letter

Want To Help Us Save Lives?

Please consider sending a pre-written letter to your Danville City Council and Mayor encouraging them to support efforts to remove pet adoption barriers and increase adoptions in Danville.

Danville City Leaders:  

As a Danville resident, I urge you and the rest ofthe Danville City Council to support efforts that increase lifesaving outcomesfor shelter pets in our community.

The Danville Area Humane Society should work withoutside experts, including Best Friends Animal Society, to identify and removeunnecessary barriers to adoption that may be preventing animals from findinghomes.

Danville should prioritize a welcoming, accessibleadoption process that reflects the realities of today’s families and helpsconnect more pets with adopters. This includes strengthening communityoutreach, increasing visibility for adoptable animals, expanding engagementwith rescue and transfer partners, and supporting flexible programs that helppeople and pets succeed together.

I also ask that city leadership make it publiclyclear that it expects shelter practices to prioritize transparency,accessibility, and lifesaving outcomes for homeless pets.

Thank you for your time and leadership on thisimportant issue.

TAKE ACTION: Ask the Danville City Council and Mayor to work with outside experts, including Best Friends Animal Society, to identify and remove unnecessary barriers to adoption, improve outreach and promotion for adoptable pets, strengthen rescue partnerships, and support practices that increase live outcomes.

  1. (1) https://arr.vdacs.virginia.gov/PublicReports/ViewReport?SysFacNo=161&Calendar_Year=2025
  2. (2) https://arr.vdacs.virginia.gov/PublicReports/ViewReport?SysFacNo=161&Calendar_Year=2025

Research & Resources

  1. [i] Source: VirginiaDept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services, Animal Custody Record Reports,2025, Danville. Based on the widely accepted standard for no-kill, approximately 10% of animals entering shelters are unable to be adopted or placed due to illness or public safety considerations. Therefore, we consider any animals outside of that 10% to be healthy or treatable, and such that ending their lives is not considered humane euthanasia.
  2. [ii] Source:VirginiaDept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services, Animal Custody Record Reports,2025, Danville.
  3. [iii] Source: VirginiaDept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services, Animal Custody Record Reports,2025, Danville
  4. [iv] Source: VirginiaDept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services, Animal Custody Record Reports,2025, Danville.
  5. [v] Source: VirginiaDept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services, Animal Custody Record Reports,2025, Danville. Based on the widely accepted standard for no-kill,approximately 10% of animals entering shelters are unable to be adopted orplaced due to illness or public safety considerations. Therefore, we considerany animals outside of that 10% to be healthy or treatable, and such thatending their lives is not considered humane euthanasia.
  6. [vi] Source: VirginiaDept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services, Animal Custody Record Reports,2025, Danville. Based on the widely accepted standard for no-kill, approximately 10% of animals entering shelters are unable to be adopted orplaced due to illness or public safety considerations. Therefore, we consider any animals outside of that 10% to be healthy or treatable, and such that ending their lives is not considered humane euthanasia.
  7. [vii] Source: Safe Harbor Animal Coalition, “EvidenceSpeaks: Data and Research Backing the TNVR Model,” January 21, 2024
  8. [viii] Source: Virginia Animal Shelter Statistics Dashboard | Best Friends Animal Society