[Update: Due to the huge response at the first meeting, a second follow-up meeting has been scheduled for Sunday, March 29, from 1:30-3:30 p.m. at the Woods Memorial Library Large Meeting Room (3455 N. First Ave., just south of Prince).

A new coalition is forming in Tucson to bring together organizations and individuals who want to collaborate on no-kill programs and services in the community. The No Kill Animal Alliance will have an informational meeting Sunday, March 15, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Woods Memorial Library Small Meeting Room (3455 N. First Ave., just south of Prince).

This new effort is different from Citizens for a No-Kill Tucson, which is not a nonprofit organization and does not have members, but instead is a grassroots effort by individuals to influence public policy and elected officials. The No Kill Animal Alliance will be a nonprofit organization with members, and as such, it is limited in what it can do that might be construed as lobbying. These two approaches complement each other, and anyone who is interested in working directly on no-kill programs and services is encouraged to check out the coalition.

The initial meeting to join together and share ideas is being organized by HOPE Animal Shelter (www.hopeanimalshelter.net), Tucson CARES (www.tucsonrescue.org), Casa de los Gatos (www.casadelosgatos.org), the Center for Animal Rescue and Adoption (www.savemoreanimals.org) and other animal groups who promote making Tucson a no-kill community. The new coalition plans to work on programs such as low-cost and no-cost spay and neuter, TNR (trap-neuter-return) of feral cats, and recruitment of volunteers and foster homes to increase adoptions.

Meeting organizers emphasize that the new coalition will be member-driven, where members’ voices will be heard and their votes will count as the group explores a “new paradigm for saving companion animals.” They say that the group will be a proactive alliance of individuals and organizations “dedicated to implementing an enlightened, progressive model to stop the unjustified killing of companion animals.”

RSVPs and inquiries about the No Kill Animal Alliance should be directed to susiegrover99@gmail.com.