Why shelters euthanize animals

So just because a dog or cat is in good health and has a good temperament does not mean he will not be euthanized. And because there are no health standards, the shelter is often forced to euthanize pets in order to protect the health and safety of the general animal population. Some diseases, for example, are very treatable for a pet in a home environment. However, in a shelter setting certain diseases can rapidly spread to other animals and even the volunteers.

One of the ways you can help the situation where you live is to adopt a pet from a kill shelter. American Humane believes that all dogs and cats adopted from public or private animal care and control agencies must be sterilized before being allowed to leave the shelter and supports passage of state laws mandating this practice.

The reduction in cost motivates those who cannot and those who will not pay the full cost for the operation and has proven successful in reducing euthanasia rates in communities across the nation. American Humane believes the percentage of animals reunited with their owners would greatly increase if more pets were properly identified:. Fact Sheet. In , roughly 64 percent of the total number of animals that entered shelters were euthanized — approximately 2.

These animals may have been euthanized due to overcrowding, but may also have been sick, aggressive, injured or suffering from something else. More cats are euthanized than dogs because they are more likely to enter a shelter without any owner identification. Only Our ultimate goal is to have bans passed in all 50 states so that no pet's life ever ends in a gas chamber.

Although the American Veterinary Medical Association AVMA has declared that euthanasia by injection is the most humane method of euthanasia currently available, it has failed to condemn the use of chambers in shelter settings. We believe this is a mistake. To be truly humane, the method used must not only be pain-free, but stress-free for the animal. Not only can gas chambers cause physical pain for ill, injured, old and young animals the majority of animals facing euthanasia in shelters , they cause stress in percent of animals forced into a chamber.

Sadly, the AVMA's failure on this front has been used as a justification for continuing chamber use. Remember: Most people enter shelter work because they care about animals and do not enjoy killing them. Approach your shelter and officials with the goal of understanding what their challenges are and figure out how you and other advocates can help them meet those challenges. Bringing an end to inhumane euthanasia. Why do some shelters still use gas chambers?