In the summer of 2009, a flood forced the evacuation of all the animals from Louisville's city shelter, Louisville Metro Animal Services (LMAS). People from around the city responded to the call for help. During that time, many of these "temporary volunteers" learned they were needed for much longer. There simply was not enough staff to keep up with the huge volume of animals coming into LMAS.  

At the same time, there was a small, "core" group of volunteers who had been coming to the shelter regularly for several years. They were working hard to profile (write descriptions and take photos) of many of the animals in hopes of saving some of the thousands who were killed every year. Many of the animals killed were loving cats, dogs, rabbits, and more, who simply needed the time to find a family.  

As these two groups of volunteers - the new and the experienced - came together at the end of 2009, they learned of a new approach to animal sheltering - No Kill. This idea of "no kill" seemed impossible at first, given the number of animals coming into LMAS. But, then, they began to educate themselves. They learned the steps of "going no kill" and were emboldened upon learning that Shelby County, Kentucky's shelter had begun the process of becoming no kill just a year earlier. It was going to be a hard road, but these two groups of volunteers came together ready to travel down it.  

Everyone saw the same horizon - the city of Louisville could and should become a community that not only welcomes companion animals but protects them.

As a result of this shared goal, No Kill Louisville was formed. The volunteers began meeting with city council members and mayoral candidates (the 2010 race for mayor had begun) explaining the No Kill model, how it could work in Louisville, and what it would mean for the "quality of life" for all of the city's residents. The group then filed for non-profit status and began working toward establishing itself as a 501 (c) (3) with the goal of "raising awareness and funds in support of creating a No Kill community."