So far this year, 8.5% of animals that enter the shelter system have been euthanized. But Scout's happy ending is out of reach for too many shelter animals, as national euthanasia rates for shelter pets have climbed to a three-year high, according to Shelter Animals Count. While the percentages may seem small, with an estimated 6.3 million animals moving through the shelter system each year, they add up. SAC is working on a more scientific approach to tracking euthanasia rates to help clarify the large range, Filer said. Donate: More resources help shelters save more lives, so donations are always appreciated, Castle said.

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Persons: That's, Scout, Stephanie Filer, Filer, that's, Foster, Julie Castle, Christa Chadwick, Aliza, Eliazarov Organizations: Service, Scout, Detroit Free Press, Animals, SAC, American Society for, Animal Society, Best, Volunteers, New Hampshire Society for, Meadow Brook Medical Care Locations: Wall, Silicon, Michigan, Texas , California, North Carolina , Florida, Louisiana, Meadow Brook