Animals do not deserve to be abandoned, abused, neglected or mistreated. Sadly, many of these animals become strays or are literally abandoned at homes; some are even dropped off in remote locations and left to die. Thankfully there are places these animals can go for refuge: local no kill animal shelters.What type of animals are welcome?Often times regular animal shelters euthanize animals that are not adopted within a certain time frame. No kill shelters do not follow this practice, instead keeping animals until they are adopted into a loving home. If you find a stray and manage to capture it, you can take it to a no kill animal shelter. This helps keep the strays off the streets and safe from hit-and-runs or torture by mean children. If you have to give away your own animal for some reason, you can take it in along with the shot records and proof of license. Many of the shelters charge a nominal fee if you take your own pet; this helps to cover their expenses.Why choose a no kill shelter?Aside from the obvious reason of avoiding euthanasia, there are other perks to a no kill shelter. In general, the love and care given to the animals is a notch above regular county-operated shelters. Also, the animals are automatically spayed or neutered if they do not arrive that way. This helps to reduce future strays and abandoned animals. At a regular shelter, the animals are kept virtually the way they arrive and are not spayed or neutered or immunized until the adoptive person pays for the procedure. Also, if you adopt from from a no kill shelter, you receive extensive background information on the animal. You often learn of the previous owners, their family situation, its age and usually an accurate background on the animal's daily life. It makes adopting the animals easier and more care free.Adopting any animal must involve careful consideration for you and your family until the animal's temperament is determined. Ultimately, any animal shelter is better than the streets for a stray, abandoned or abused animal; however, a no kill shelter is optimal. Visit your local no kill shelter and see for yourself how loving and devoted the staff is to the animals. It is sure to warm your heart, and you may even be moved to adopt one yourself.