League City's municipal animal shelter now carries a national no-kill designation after Best Friends Animal Society confirmed it achieved a 90 percent or higher live release rate in 2025.

The city announced the recognition Tuesday, July 28, crediting shelter staff, volunteers, foster families, adopters, and rescue partners for the milestone. A live release rate measures the share of animals leaving a shelter through adoption, return to owner, or transfer to a rescue organization rather than euthanasia.

The achievement places League City Animal Care among the 68 percent of U.S. shelters that reached no-kill status in 2025, according to Best Friends Animal Society's national data released in April.

That figure is an all-time high.

Nationally, 34,000 fewer dogs and cats were killed in shelters in 2025 compared to 2024, the sharpest single-year drop since 2020.

The recognition stands out in a state that still has the furthest to go. For the ninth consecutive year, Texas topped Best Friends' list of states with the most animals needing to be saved, with roughly 78,800 additional pets required to reach statewide no-kill. Texas did reduce its overall shelter killing rate by more than 10 percent from 2024 to 2025.

Julie Castle, CEO of Best Friends Animal Society, said in the organization's April national data release that 2025 "was a turning point for animal sheltering in the U.S." and called the progress "a clear example of what happens when pet lovers, shelters, and rescue groups work together to save lives."

The city's announcement referenced "thousands of animals" reaching positive outcomes through adoptions, family reunions, foster care, medical treatment, and rescue partnerships, though no specific intake or outcome totals were disclosed.

The shelter also partnered with BISSELL Pet Foundation for free adoptions during a July 5-26 "Empty the Shelters" event.

Residents interested in adopting, fostering, or volunteering can visit League City Animal Care's Adoption Center at 755 West Walker Street. Hours are Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. The center is closed Mondays and Wednesdays.