The Dark Side of the Moon: A Good Adoption Rate Conceals the Unsolved Ethical Problem of Never-Adopted Dogs

The no-kill policy for domestic dogs, adopted in Italy in 1991, reflects a growing interest in animal welfare and increases the chances of dogs being adopted and living with a family. However, unadoptable dogs must spend their entire lives in shelters. This paper reports the adoption numbers from the 'Muratella' shelter (Rome) during the periods 2012-2016 (first period) and 2018-2022 (second period), illustrating the outcomes of the no-kill policy in a large metropolitan area. Furthermore, it discusses the ethical implications after 34 years of implementing Italian laws on the management of free-ranging dogs. During the first period, 7888 dogs entered the shelter, of which 4247 (53.84%) were adopted and 307 (3.89%) were not adopted. Similarly, during the second period, 8853 dogs entered the shelter, of which 4251 (49.11%) were adopted and 278 (3.16%) remained in the shelter by the end of 2022. Furthermore, we report the fate of unadopted dogs by the end of 2024. Despite the success in adoptions, the small percentage of dogs condemned to lifelong shelter residence still represents a significant number and warrants ethical reflection.