As part of my job I have had to euthanize well over 1000 animals that people decided they didn't want. I worked out of a shelter in NC. While my primary job was to investigate cases of animal cruelty, many times I had to put down animals using various methods. I will tell you I don't believe in the gas chamber, although I was certified to use it. I was wondering how everyone felt about euthanasia. The most common method is an injection. We used Ketamine first to reduce any effects and then something called Fatal Plus (like there is a "Plus" to anything that begins with "Fatal".). Xylazine was used on wildlife. NC law states that a single bullet to the brain is also a humane form of euthanasia, although unless an emergency, I can't see the benefits.

How does everyone feel about euthanasia. Is this something you would do for your animal to ease suffering?

Gernald

Well I don't want them to hurt. I think if it were as great as they say though they'd let humans use it too, to "stop pain."
I don't think if I had a choice that I'd let my pet be put down unless I knew for sure they were in pain. Just regular animals and strays on the stree who aren't violent I'd say no way. You shouldn't kill something just because it exists, or because there is no more room for it in a shelter. We as humans need to take more responsibility for the animals we are entrusted with. Forget about a dog getting a liscense, a human should have a liscense to get a dog! This way people are required to keep and care for the dog with fear of a real penalty if they breech this contract. We've lost respect for the animals that depend on us for life.
I can see how it helps populations and that are controlled through it...I dunno if it's good or bad.
I guess it depends on the individual situation.

jillianleab

What a sad story, Altenweg. Even worse, it's true; that sort of thing happens to dogs and cats all the time when people move.

Also, Fallen, I should say it's very admirable what you do for a living, investigating animal cruelty cases and such. There's a show on Animal Planet called "Animal Cops" and I usually can't even watch the commercials. I'm glad there are people out there doing that kind of work, so thumbs up to you!

dogpoundbrenda

When I ran the shelter here for 6 years,I had to be the one to decide who lived and who died,and it hurt me more than you know.I held them and our Vet.euth.but I made sure they were not scared if at all possible,I wanted them to feel loved and die peacefully as possible,they deserved that.I have had to make that decision with my own pets and although it broke my heart,it was best for them,not me,your pet should never suffer ,if you can help it ,do so.I cried enough tears to fill a river and thats ok,it was never a easy decision to make and although I saw thousands die,I do feel I made a difference because for alot of them it was only time in their lives they ever felt love.

s_cianci

If the animal were terminal and in pain, then yes, absolutely.

Altenweg

The people who work in shelters are extraordinary, they have a difficult job to do and euthanizing animals is part of that. Just like in the story, the dog didn't blame the shelter employee but the owner that gave her no choice but to do what she did. My anger falls towards the people who do not take having a pet seriously. If you cannot keep the pet for it's entire life than don't get one to begin with, let it go to someone who can and will make that commitment.

I'm sorry if I made you feel bad, that was definitely not my intention. I think that it is wonderful that you love animals enough to have worked in a place where you can better there lives and find them their forever homes. Euthanizing is a part of that and I know that the people who work in shelters do not find this to be an easy task, it must weigh heavily on your heart every time you do it. God bless you for the difference you made in all the animals lives that did find their forever home, as for the ones you had to put down, know that they do not blame you, you gave them peace, which is more than you can say for their owners. The story was meant for all the owners out there that treat their pets like a possession and not a living breathing being with feelings. We cry because it hurts, those people wouldn't shed a tear.

By the way, I'm an only child too.

LifeIsTooShort

It upsets me greatly that very loving pet owners have to have their animal euthanized simply because they cannot afford IV antibiotics and fluids, x-rays, lab work, etc., Not all animals who are euthanized are abandoned, some just have owners who can't afford over 1000 dollars to keep them alive...just my thoughts...

Altenweg

Lifeistooshort - I understand what you are saying, but I don't agree.

If a person cannot afford the responsibilities of owning a pet then they shouldn't get that pet. When adopting an animal you are agreeing to care for it for it's entire life, that means medical bills, food etc. Some animals are sickly and need allot of medical care.

The responsible thing for that pet owner to do is to find someone else who will care for the animal and it's medical bills. Euthanasia should only be used if the animal is terminal and in great pain. That is my opinion.

nicki143

I think it is ok if the animal is suffering although i do not think i could do this myself.

froggy7

This one is a difficult situation. I have just been through seeing some specialists for my dog. MRI ran me 1,300 (lower than the estimated 2K), and if the dog had needed surgery after that, I was looking at another 3,000. I make good money, and can afford to pay that. As the vet told me, some people just look at him when they hear that amount and say that there is no way that they can afford it and take the dog home. But even I had to go home and have some serious talks with myself about the cost. Thankfully, the MRI showed that surgery wasn't needed, so I felt better about having the MRI done. But I can also understand families that hear that cost and realize that paying the rent or feeding their kids is more important.

And I work in the medical field, so I can also understand why medical costs are what they are. And they are only going to go up as technology becomes more common. My regular vet (not the specialist) was talking about the digital x-ray images they got from the neurologist, and how much better they are than normal ones, and how much more expensive the digital machines are. But, as she said, she was going to have to get one eventually, because the X-ray film manufacturers are making less and less film because the hospitals are going digital. So some day she will get one (probably used when a hospital upgrades to a new version), and the cost will have to get passed on to the customers. Also, a lot of what gets used in the vet field starts out in human medicine, and there are a lot of costs associated with getting those products on the market.

So, I can say "you should be prepared to pay for vet bills", but at the same time I chose a breed known for being relatively healthy, and was prepared for the kinds of injuries she is likely to get, but never anticipated a potential 5000 dollar vet bill six months after adopting her! So I can see why people sometimes feel overwhelmed with the costs.

LifeIsTooShort

We will have to agree to disagree. Please enlighten me - how much income per year should one have before they can adopt or purchase a pet? Are you saying you could afford a 5000 dollar vet bill, payable up front mind you, if your dog got sick or wounded? What if some unfortunate life event occurred and you couldn't afford the possibility of your dog getting sick or injured - are you going to send your pet away to the pound just in case he/she got sick or wounded later on? You say to give the pet to someone who can afford it, well what if no one wanted your pet? Your pet is not terminally ill as you say a pet should be before euthanization, so what will your options be if you truly believe pet owners should not have pets if they cannot afford the unforeseen??


I did agree to care for my pet for its entire life, but if I have my pet euthanized due to not being able to come up with the funds, then that would be its entire life... I will simply take my chances, keep my dog, and await God's Will.

Froggy: While I understand that technology is expensive, I will never understand why it would cost people 10 dollars for one ibuprofen in the hospital or ER, when you can purchase over 500 of them at most drug stores for around 10.00.

It comes down to this, doctors and vets play on your heart strings, knowing you will practically sell your soul to the devil for your loved one...