Idaho and Montana have crossed a line that once looked out of reach for much of the West. Both states are now no-kill, meaning shelters statewide have saved at least 90% of the dogs and cats who entered their care.

Idaho reached the mark in January with a 93% save rate. Montana followed in February with 95%, according to the release from Best Friends Animal Society.

That makes Idaho and Montana the fifth and sixth no-kill states in the country, joining Delaware, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. They are also the first in the West to reach the milestone for a full 12-month period.

Idaho and Montana are now no-kill states, saving more than 90% of shelter pets.

Two Western States Hit A Lifesaving Benchmark

The no-kill benchmark does not mean no animal ever dies in a shelter. It means shelters save at least 90% of animals, allowing for pets with severe medical or behavioral conditions that prevent safe rehoming. Best Friends Animal Society says more than two out of three U.S. shelters reached no-kill in 2025, while about 1,400 still need help to get there.

The Idaho and Montana announcement came after both states had already shown they were close. In April, Best Friends Animal Society reported that Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, and Wyoming each needed 50 or fewer additional pets saved to reach statewide no-kill.

Idaho reached a 93% save rate, while Montana reached a 95% save rate.

Cats Helped Push Idaho Over The Line

Idaho’s final push depended heavily on cats. Volunteer drivers helped move cats within the state and to Best Friends lifesaving sites in Utah, including the Salt Lake City adoption center and Cat World at the organization’s sanctuary in Kanab.

That transfer work matters. Nationally, 906,000 dogs and cats were transferred out of sheltering organizations in 2025, according to Shelter Animals Count. Transfers help ease crowding and move animals toward places with stronger adoption capacity.

Cats played a major role in Idaho’s final push.

Montana Relied On Local Coordination

Montana’s progress came through repeated coordination among shelters and rescues. Directors met monthly to discuss needs, events, legislation, veterinary updates, and practical ways to keep animals moving toward homes.

State support helped give the work a public signal. Governor Greg Gianforte proclaimed April 9, 2025, as Montana Loves Shelter Animals Day and urged Montanans to adopt from shelters and rescues, according to the official State of Montana proclamation.

Idaho made a similar public call. Governor Brad Little proclaimed February 5, 2025, as Idaho Loves Shelter Animals Day, and the proclamation said the state could hit a 90% save rate if more residents chose adoption, Best Friends Animal Society reports.

The benchmark focuses on saving healthy and treatable pets.

The National Picture Still Leaves Work Ahead

The milestone lands during a year of wider shelter progress. Best Friends’ 2025 National Shelter Data Report found that 2 million dogs and 1.9 million cats were saved in 2025, while the national save rate reached 82.5%.

But the gap remains painful. Best Friends reported 396,000 dogs and cats killed under its no-kill lifesaving-gap measure. Shelter Animals Count placed total euthanasia at 597,000 dogs and cats across shelters and rescues.

Idaho and Montana show how that gap can shrink. The work was not one policy or one shelter. It was transport, adoption, foster care, veterinary support, public backing, and neighbors choosing shelters first.

For thousands of animals, that choice meant the difference between a kennel and a home.