DriversRecommendedOutdated drivers can make a good PC feel brokenScan driver issues before chasing fixes manually.Scan NowOctober DealsAmazon USOctober deal check: compare before you payAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsPC HealthRecommendedCrashes, freezes, slowdowns? Check your PC nowSpot repairable issues before they interrupt work.Check PC×
Skip to content
Entry 800Filed under Breeding

What Is a No-Kill Cat Shelter?

A no-kill shelter aims to save every cat it can. Best Friends Animal Society measures its benchmark as a save rate of at least 90% over 12 consecutive months.
2-minute read By Animalso Team
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

A no-kill cat shelter is one that aims to save every cat it can. Best Friends Animal Society also uses a measurable benchmark: a shelter reaches its no-kill threshold when its aggregate save rate is at least 90% over a consecutive 12-month period. That standard allows for some euthanasia when a cat’s medical or behavioral circumstances make a live outcome impossible or unsafe; “no-kill” does not mean that no animal is ever euthanized.

What “no-kill” means

Best Friends Animal Society describes no-kill as a philosophy of “saving every dog or cat in a shelter who can be saved.” The principle and the percentage measure are related, but not identical: the philosophy is the goal, while the 90% benchmark is one way Best Friends measures progress toward it.

The term is not a government license or legal status established by the sources cited here. When a shelter calls itself no-kill, ask which standard it is using and what data supports the claim.

How Best Friends calculates a shelter’s save rate

Best Friends calculates save rate as:

(live intakes − non-live outcomes) ÷ live intakes

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
#1 Best Overall
AIPERRO Stainless Steel Litter Box | XL Enclosed Cat Litter Boxes with Lid
  • ENCLOSED DESIGN: The cat litter box with top cover is designed to prevent litter scatter and provide a private space for your furry friends. The cat litter box is made of high-quality stainless steel, which is long-lasting, rust-proof, and easy to clean. The sturdy construction ensures that the box can withstand the weight of your cats and provide long-term use.
  • EXCLUSIVE DESIGN PATENT:The 30° angled litter filter plate in the AIPERRO litter box provides a specific advantage in preventing cats from easily taking litter out of the box. This can be particularly beneficial in keeping the surrounding area clean and reducing the need for constant cleanup.
  • XL SIZE: The stainless steel cat litter box is extra large, measuring 23 x 15 x 11 inches. It is suitable for cats of all sizes, including large and giant breeds. The high sides prevent litter from spilling out, making it easy to clean and maintain.
  • ANTI-URINE LEAKAGE: The cat litter box is designed with a leak-proof design, including a sealed bottom and a curved shape. Superior sealing - ensures liquids are contained within the stainless steel cat litter box, keeps your home clean and no odor.
  • PERFECT COMBINATION: Stainless steel litter box comes with a cat litter mat, which provides a comfortable surface for your cats to step on. It also includes an all-metal litter scoop, making it easy to clean the litter box thoroughly.

Its calculation counts euthanasia, owner-requested euthanasia in applicable cases, deaths in care, and losses in care as non-live outcomes. The threshold applies to the combined result across a consecutive 12-month period; a shelter does not have to exceed 90% in every individual month.

Best Friends’ designation methodology focuses on brick-and-mortar organizations, with limited exceptions. The benchmark should therefore be attributed to Best Friends rather than presented as a universal certification for every type of animal organization.

Rank #2
Idymere Stainless Steel High Sided Cat Litter Box
  • Large Capacity: The Idymere stainless steel litter box measures 16.93"L x 12.99"W x 5.12"H, offering ample space for kitty, kittens, elderly cats or medium cats to do their business comfortably. This litter box is ideal for single or multiple small-cat households. The open design of this large litter box promotes air circulation and helps reduce unpleasant odors, ensuring your pets have a fresh and comfortable environment.
  • Strong and Sturdy: Made of high-quality stainless steel, this litter box resists corrosion, wear, and rust. Unlike plastic litter boxes, it does not trap residue or odors, helping keep your home smelling clean. The sturdy, non-porous surface of the metal litter box prevents scratches where dirt and smells can hide, creating a healthier space for your cat.
  • Easy Cleaning: The spacious stainless steel design of this cat litter box requires less frequent litter changes. The smooth surface of the litter pan prevents waste from sticking, allowing litter and debris to slide easily to the bottom for quick cleaning. It’s especially useful for cats that kick litter or urinate high, and it dries fast for simple maintenance.
  • High Sides & Safe Rounded Edges: Featuring raised sides, this stainless steel litter box effectively contains litter scatter—perfect for energetic or large cats. The litter box with high sides also help prevent urine and feces from adhering to the sides. The kitten litter box with smooth, rounded edges ensure safety for your cat and make the metal litter box easy to lift without hurting your hands.
  • Versatile Use & Multiple Sizes: This stainless steel litter box suits various pets, including adult cats, kittens, rabbits, ferrets, and snakes. This stainless steel box can also double as a pet bathing tub or storage container. Available in several sizes, you can choose the best fit litter tray for your pet without taking up too much space, ensuring comfort and flexibility for different needs.

What the national figures do—and do not—show

Best Friends Animal Society reported a U.S. national shelter save rate of 82.5% for dogs and cats in 2025, and said more than two-thirds of U.S. shelters met its 90% benchmark that year. These are figures reported by Best Friends, not an independently established government census; the organization noted that some shelters had not yet supplied data. A national rate does not tell you the outcome rate at a particular local shelter.

Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

How to assess a shelter’s no-kill claim

When comparing shelters or checking a claim over time, use figures with the same scope and ask:

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Rank #3
Sale
IRIS USA High Sided Cat Litter Box, Large, Scatter Shield, Black
  • MADE IN USA with global materials - The IRIS USA open top kitty litter tray offers a functional and comfortable solution to your cat's bathroom needs. With the open air kitty litter pan, getting in and out of the tray has never been easier for your cat and the tall walls keep any litter or spraying inside the tray.
  • PRIVATE - This open air cat litter tray offers privacy for your cat with tall walls that form the scatter shield, offering the privacy of a hooded cat litter box with the easy access and cleaning of an open air kitty litter pan.
  • OPEN TOP - The open top makes it easy for you to monitor your cat's habits and health and stay on top of when it's time to clean.
  • TIDY - The cat litter pan is designed with tall walls to keep litter scattering and spraying outside the box to a minimum, meaning less clean up for you and less waste of your litter or pellets.
  • GREAT SIZE - Dimensions: 19"L x 15"W x 11.75"H. Open top IRIS Cat Litter Box is designed to offer cats plenty of room and quick accessibility
  • What period is covered? Compare the same consecutive 12 months where possible.
  • What formula is used? Check which outcomes count as non-live, including how owner-requested euthanasia is treated.
  • What population is counted? Determine whether the figure is for one shelter, a combined shelter system, or the national total.
  • Whose benchmark is being applied? A 90% rate is the Best Friends Animal Society benchmark described here; a shelter may use a different stated framework.

A percentage is most useful when the shelter explains its reporting period, calculation, and scope. Without those details, the label alone does not let you compare outcomes fairly.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

More from Field Notes

  1. Entry 01Disaster Preparedness for Pets: What to Plan and PackBreeding6 min
  2. Entry 02Holiday Pet Safety Tips: How to Keep Dogs and Cats Safe Through the HolidaysBreeding7 min
  3. Entry 03What to Buy for a New Rescue Dog: A First-Week Essentials GuideBreeding3 min
Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?Free driver scan
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They SpreadFree repair scan

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.