Huntsville Animal Services is euthanizing one-third of the adult dogs it used to.

According to city statistics, the average was 45 per month in 2023 and 46 in 2024; as of October 2025, it is 14.

“We have never euthanized an animal that could be saved,” John Fischer, who marked one year as Huntsville Animal Services director this month, told AL.com .

“We never had to euthanize for space or we didn’t have enough money, or we didn’t have enough people. Our euthanasia is reserved for acts of compassion, a medical case - an animal that was hit by a car - and there’s just nothing you can do.”

Total intake per month of adult dogs was 238 in 2023, 220 in 2024 and 210 as at October 2025. About 35–40% come from outside the city limits but within Madison County.

Average monthly transfers of

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