Pete1,
The volunteer groups who dedicate their time and money to save pets in the Pacific Northwest work hard to re-home dogs, cats, turtles, rabbits, hamsters, birds, mini pigs (like pot bellies) ferrets, snakes, lizards ect. They are committed to re-homing them into safe, caring and loving homes. Sick or injured pets are treated. All mammals  are neutered and spayed prior to being re-homed. The potential applicants must agree to certain things, including having their home (pet area) described ( might include an inspection or photographs) personal references, number of adults and kids and pets in the home, list all prior pets, give the names, phone number and address of veterinarys they have used. Applicants are asked to pay a re-homeing fee to cover cost of spay/neuter and shots and if there was a cost paid to transport the animal that might be included.
Some groups work independent of governmental animal shelters and use foster homes to take care of  the pets. They are all no-kill.