CLAY COUNTY – Aymie Hellard smiled when it looked like two dogs were sizing each other up for a fight at Clay County Animal Services. As the shelter manager, she knew they were being playful.

Minutes later, one of the dogs was on her way home to a new life.

Success stories never get old at animal shelters, especially when it means a cat or dog escapes the indignant possibility of euthanasia. And when it comes to happy – and living – outcomes, few counties in Florida do it better than Clay County.

According to the Florida Shelter Animal Census data collected by the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine, nearly 99% of all animals surrendered to shelters like Animal Services or Safe Animal Shelter are left alive. Only three other counties reported better outcomes.

“We try very hard to adopt out, send animals out to rescue and to foster out animals so we can mitigate the euthanasia rate,” Hellard said. “We don’t want to have to euthanize anything that can be adopted.”

Safe Animal Shelter in Middleburg is the oldest no-kill shelter in the county. So far, 836 of 895 cats dropped off have been adopted. Even better, 388 of 401 dogs have gone to new “forever” homes. Since its inception in 1991, Safe has provided care to more than 18,000 cats and dogs until they were adopted.

The county’s animal shelter on State Road 16 in Green Cove Springs has 79 kennels. Last week, it reached capacity, so officials decided to waive all adoption fees on Jan. 12-13. That resulted in 24 adoptions.

“Putting down animals is a last resort for any shelter, any reputable shelter,” said County Animal Director Ernest T. Hagan. “That’s not something we consider foremost of what we do.”

While the number of live releases has improved, it’s still not close to the 100% no-kill rate pushed by Best Friends Save Them All. The organization said the benchmark for any state is a 90% live outcome, but it’s advocating for 100% by 2025.

Typically, the number of pets suffering from irreparable medical or behavioral issues that compromise their quality of life and prevent them from being rehomed is not more than 10% of all dogs and cats entering shelters, according to Best Friends Save Them All.

Florida’s shelters reported 205,164 dogs and cats were put down in 2013. That number improved to 41,685 pets being killed in 2021. Last year, that number dropped to 20,653.

Animal Services only accepts dogs and cats but will find homes for livestock received in cruelty cases or strays. Also, all dogs and cats available for adoption have been spayed or neutered, microchipped, and given the required vaccinations.

Last month, Animal Services launched the Bow Wow Breakout Club, which pairs a sheltered animal with a volunteer to spend the day away from the kennel. Hagan said what started as an afternoon for a walk and exploration can lead to an adoption.

“Sometimes they don’t like to bring them back as quickly as they’re supposed to,” he said. “The ultimate thing is the owner gets attached to them.”

Hellard said she’s proud of her shelter’s record.

“It takes a lot of work to make sure these animals are taken care of and find a home,” she said. “I love what we do. We love the animals. We love our community. We work hard to get these guys homes because they all deserve it.”