Richard Avanzino

Richard Avanzino is an American animal rights campaigner and activist. Avanzino is known for being one of the originators of the "no-kill shelter" movement.

Background

In 1980, Avanzino came to national attention for his work campaigning for the life of Sido, a dog facing euthanasia according to the wishes of her owner's will.[1][2][3] At the time, Avanzino led the San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SFSPCA).[4] Avanzino's experience advocating for Sido's life and his work at the SFSPCA furthered the development of the concept of a "no kill" animal shelter, setting an example for other shelters to follow.[5][6]

On April 1, 1994, Avanzino and the SFSPCA announced the Adoption Pact, which guaranteed a home or lifetime care to any healthy dog or cat that came through the doors of the organization.[7] The SFSPCA became one of the first shelters to designate themselves a "no kill" organization.[8] The concept of an animal shelter focused on adoption of animals was a new development at the time.[9][10] Avanzino's advocacy for a "no kill nation" has been called both controversial[11][12] and revolutionary.[13] In addition to his work furthering the no kill shelter movement, at the SFSPCA Avanzino worked on initiatives related to stopping dog fighting,[14] and using dogs for animal-assisted therapy.[15]

Avanzino served as president of the San Francisco SPCA for 23 years.[7] In 1998, Avanzino left the SPCA to become the founding president of Maddie's Fund, a dog and cat charity.[16][7] At Maddie's Fund, Avanzino broadened the no kill movement beyond California.[17][18] In 2015, Avanzino retired as the head of Maddie's Fund.[5]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Authorities dispute will dooming dog to death". Access Newspapers. Colorado Springs Gazette. January 17, 1980. p. 22.
  2. ↑ "In Brief". American Bar Association Journal. 66 (7): 838–838. 1980. ISSN 0002-7596.
  3. ↑ Carlisle, Frances (1981). "Destruction of Pets by Will Provision". Real Property, Probate and Trust Journal. 16 (4): 894–903. ISSN 0034-0855.
  4. ↑ "'No kill' animal rescue is a disaster for animal welfare | Aeon Essays". Archived from the original on 2026-01-15. Retrieved 2026-06-15.
  5. 1 2 "1980 Flashback: The legal battle for a dog's life - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. 2015-06-18. Retrieved 2026-06-15.
  6. ↑ Weaver, Harlan (2021-12-31). Bad Dog. University of Washington Press. pp. 16–47. ISBN 978-0-295-74803-0.
  7. 1 2 3 Clifton, Merritt (2015-03-28). "No-kill pioneer Richard Avanzino to retire after dispensing $153 million in Maddie's Fund grants". Animals 24-7. Retrieved 2026-06-15.
  8. ↑ "Richard Avanzino, Transforming Animal Welfare". Voice of America. 2009-11-02. Retrieved 2026-06-15.
  9. ↑ "Two men call for change in nation's animal shelters". Pocono Record. November 25, 2007. Retrieved 2026-06-15.
  10. ↑ Nieves, Evelyn (1999-01-18). "A Campaign for a No-Kill Policy For the Nation's Animal Shelters". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2026-06-15.
  11. ↑ "One Man's Mission: Home for Every Pet". Christian Science Monitor. ISSN 0882-7729. Retrieved 2026-06-15.
  12. ↑ "'No Kill' Shelters Stir Debate Among Animal Supporters". Los Angeles Times. 1997-06-29. Retrieved 2026-06-15.
  13. ↑ Allen, Greg (2014-12-31). "No-Kill Shelters Save Millions Of Unwanted Pets — But Not All Of Them". NPR. Retrieved 2026-06-15.
  14. ↑ "Group fighting to save dogs from the pit". Santa Fe New Mexican. February 17, 1981. p. 27. Retrieved 2026-06-15 – via Access Newspaper Archive.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: miscellaneous url (link)
  15. ↑ Ryan, Michael (March 22, 1992). "Where Saving Animals Saves Others". access.newspaperarchive.com. Yuma, Arizona: Yuma Sun. p. 68. Retrieved 2026-06-15.
  16. ↑ Allen, Greg (2014-12-31). "No-Kill Shelters Save Millions Of Unwanted Pets — But Not All Of Them". KERA News. Retrieved 2026-06-15.
  17. ↑ Martin, Glen (1998-08-21). "No-Kill Pet Proponent Plans to Go Nationwide". SFGATE. Retrieved 2026-06-15.
  18. ↑ Greenwood, Arin (2017-01-23). "What's a 'no-kill' animal shelter? The answer is more complicated than it seems". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2026-06-15.
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