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

Atwood had given Miller a small no-kill list midway through the series that included directives to leave June, her two daughters (Nichole, her youngest daughter, goes by Holly by the series’ end) and Aunt Lydia (Dowd) alive, the latter being the connecting character in the sequel. —Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 6 Dec. 2025

Punk and Lee adopted Larry from Paws Chicago, a no-kill humane organization. —Fernando Quiles Jr, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Dec. 2025

Best Friends is a national animal welfare organization with animal sanctuaries across the country that provide safe, stable, no-kill shelters for animals in need. —Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Nov. 2025

The owl is one of roughly 1,600 animals — from dogs and cats to horses, pigs, and other wildlife — currently receiving care at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, the U.S.'s largest no-kill sanctuary and headquarters of Best Friends Animal Society. —Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 19 Nov. 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