Animal euthanasia is widely used on the stray animals. Approximately 6 to 8 million animals are handled by animal shelters each year. Even though some are reclaimed or adopted, nearly 4 million unwanted dogs and cats are left with nowhere to go. Animal shelters cannot humanely house and support all these animals until their natural deaths. They would be forced to live in cramped cages or kennels for years, lonely and stressed, and other animals would have to be turned away because there would be no room for them.
The animal euthanasia process
Euthanasia is the act of producing a death in an animal. In order to produce a death, the techniques employed should result in rapid unconsciousness followed by cardiac or respiratory arrest. Also, the technique should minimize any stress and anxiety experienced by the animal prior to unconsciousness.
If the animal appears anxious or distressed when presented for euthanasia, most veterinarians will administer a tranquilizer or sedative prior to the actual euthanasia injection. This ensures that the animal is restful and peaceful prior to the euthanasia.
Most veterinarians use an injectable drug, most commonly pentobarbital, which is given in a vein. This barbiturate depresses the central nervous system beginning with the cerebral cortex, the part of the brain that determines awareness. The animal will lapse into unconsciousness, and then progress to anesthesia. With an overdose of pentobarbital, deep anesthesia is followed by the stopping of breathing and then by cardiac arrest.
Most animals die quickly, within ten seconds. Their eyes remain open and some animals urinate and defecate following death. Some animals gasp after they have died and may even twitch.
The reasons of euthanasia
Euthanasia is a difficult choice for an animal lover, and it’s natural to want to place the blame for those deaths on the shelters. Before pointing the finger, though, consider these 3 major reasons why shelters have to euthanize animals.
First, illness. Animal shelters are breeding grounds for diseases. Even the most meticulously cleaned kennels and sanitized cages cannot keep illnesses from sneaking in. Because most shelters operate on tight budgets, the cost of treating every animal’s illness is impossibly high. Many shelters have veterinarians to prescribe medications and perform exams for sick animals, but the decision to euthanize must still be made sometimes after considering several factors:
•The severity of the illness
•The chance of recovery
•The cost of treatment
•The length of treatment
•The adoptability of the animal
If the animal is too ill to recover, it will face to be euthanized.
And the second reason is aggression. Each adoptable dog undergoes a temperament test before going up for adoption. The dogs’ behaviors are assessed through standard testing in a controlled environment. Generally, the dogs are checked for the following:
•Food, toy and treat aggression
•Reaction to touching
•Reaction to body language
•Reaction to certain noises
•Interaction with other dogs and cats
Depending on their behavior, the dogs are made available for adoption, placed on hold for more assessment or potentially euthanized if they pose a threat.
Last, overpopulation is also a reason why animals will be euthanized. When the number of incoming homeless animals far outweighs the number of eligible adopters, shelters have few options. They have to make the heartbreaking decision to euthanize less adoptable animals to make room for the never-ending influx of unwanted animals.
Animal euthanasia pros and cons
Some people agree with the euthanasia, while others have contrary opinions. So, let me introduce the animal euthanasia pros and cons
The Pros of Animal Euthanasia
1. Can Stop Animal Suffering
When the animal is at the end of its life it may be the most humane thing to do in order to stop the pain that the animal is feeling.
2. Can Allow For A Last Goodbye On Your Terms
With Animal Euthanasia, you have the opportunity to determine when it is right to say goodbye. Though sad, it is often considered a better option then the animal dying alone with no one around.
3. Can Save Thousands Of Dollars On Medical Bills
Animal vet bills can cost a lot of money, especially if surgery is involved. If the animal is getting older and has a diagnosis that will be terminal, then it may be time to put the animal down.
On the other hand, the Cons of Animal Euthanasia
1. Humans do not have the right to end the lives of animals
Everyone in this world has the right to live, even though the animals. We can’t end their life by just giving them a dose.
2. Last Resort For Population Control
In shelters located across Taiwan, animals are being put to sleep because not enough people are able to adopt them.
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