no-kill

adjective

ˈnō-ˈkil 

: 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

… shelters can euthanize up to 10 percent of their animals for reasons of health and temperament, and still be considered "no-kill."

—Greg Allen

Examples of no-kill in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Bowman has long been an outspoken advocate for animal rescue, donating more than $750,000 over the past four years to animal welfare efforts through partnerships with Ally Racing and Best Friends Animal Society, a charity that promotes pet adoption and no-kill rescue. —Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2025

Peterson adopted Set from a no-kill shelter 13 years ago. —Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 May 2025

Created by Best Friends Animal Society, the shelter is the world's largest no-kill animal sanctuary, housing over 1,600 rescue animals. —Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 2 May 2025

That includes Matt and Frank disagreeing, as usual, about Matt’s no-kill rule, which Frank is happy to flout. —Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1964, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for no-kill

• anthill
• backfill
• bluegill
• crossbill
• distil
• distill
• downhill
• dunghill
• foothill
• fulfil
• fulfill
• goodwill