Understanding Shelter Euthanasia

NCRAOA is North Carolina's leading voice for responsible animal ownership. 

Our mission is.....

(1) To educate the public and provide resources and information about animal care and training. 

(2) Identifying areas of need and assist communities and individuals in reaching sensible solutions to animal issues.

(3) Supporting reasonable and humane animal welfare laws. 

(4) Opposing groups and those individuals that restrict the rights of responsible animal owners. 

www.ncraoa.com 

This is a public message from the NCRAOA; separating fact from fiction concerning Shelter euthanasia.

 

***FICTION*** "Gas is pumped in and the animals die slowly and painfully of suffocation."

FACT - They do not suffocate, they do not cry out "in pain". What they do is quickly lapse into unconsciousness as they do with intravenous injections of sodium pentabarbital. Carbon monoxide is odorless and tasteless; in a properly designed chamber it results in unconsciousness in less than 12 seconds. There is no sensation of "gasping" for their last breath. Carbon monoxide binds with the hemoglobin on the red blood cells preventing transportation of oxygen to the brain and carbon dioxide away from the brain cells. 

From the AVMA Guidelines On Euthanasia: Advantages -

(1) Carbon monoxide induces loss of consciousness without pain and with minimal discernible discomfort.

(2) Hypoxemia induced by CO in insidious, so that the animal appears to be unaware.

(3) Death occurs rapidly if concentrations of 4 to 6% are used. 

***FICTION*** "Only a small number of states in the US still gasses dogs."

FACT - Only 14 states have passed legislation eliminating the use of gas chambers for euthanasia and requiring injection only. Carbon monoxide chambers are routinely used in shelters throughout the country. 

***FICTION***  "Animals panic and try to claw their way out. They cry and howl."

FACT - Vocalization is not necessarily synonymous with pain. According to the AVMA guidelines on euthanasia as well as texts on anesthesia, once an animal is unconscious, it feels no pain. This is an important point because with carbon monoxide as well as lethal injection, animals often vocalize even though they are unconscious. For the untrained person, this can be very disturbing.

 
***FICTION***  "Gas chambers are considered cruel and unusual punishment for people and should not be used for animals either."

FACT - The gas is not the same. Potassium cyanide (KCN) use pellets with a quantity of concentrated sulfuric acid (H2SO4) generates the lethal gas, hydrogen cyanide (HCN), which is used in gas chamber for capital punishment. Shelters use carbon monoxide in the chambers; it's not the same.

***FICTION***  "Shelter workers are at risk for carbon monoxide poisoning." 

FACT - Units can and should be inspected and air quality can be monitored to prevent unnecessary exposure. According to the EPA, no standards for CO have been agreed upon for indoor air. Even in our homes, average levels without gas stoves vary from 0.5 to 5 parts per million (ppm). Levels near poorly adjusted stoves may be 30 ppm or higher. 

***FICTION*** "Euthanasia by injection is painless and far more humane."

FACT - Another false assumption is that injection is painless. Needles hurt. Most activists think of cats and dogs in comparison to their beloved pets. These are NOT what make up the majority of animals euthanized. Most of the animals have little to no training or socialization, or are aggressive by nature, or are feral (wild) with no desire to be even close to, let alone handled by, any human. 

This often requires other control devices such as catch poles, nets, dart guns, injectable sedatives to be administered just so that animal can be restrained for the lethal material to be administered. The level of anxiety and emotional stress for an animal fearful of being handled is actually much greater during the injection process than if they animal were calmly walked into a chamber.

***FICTION***  "All methods of euthanasia must be performed properly."

 

TRUE! Euthanasia is in itself an unfortunate necessity. The methods of euthanasia, carbon monoxide, sodium pentobarbital, and gunshot in the field, are all accepted by the scientific community as humane, and are humane when properly applied. No method is more human than another, especially in all situations. The goal must be to require proper training and inspection. Science, no human emotion, should determine how to bring a human end to these unwanted animals. 

"To ensure the most humane euthanasia for a broad variety of animals as well as safe environment for animal shelter personnel, we should insist that all acceptable types of euthanasia be performed in accordance with the AVMA guidelines on euthanasia."

"One must recognize that there is a great difference between euthanizing a beloved pet in a quiet room with people the pet knows and trusts; from euthanizing animals that are feral (wild) or poorly socialized (fractious) that pose a serious threat to staff while handling during the euthanasia process. 

The only animals euthanized by chambers only have had very minimal or no handling at all during their entire lifetime. There is also a big difference between euthanizing owned individual pets from euthanizing large numbers of animals at one time, often with limited personnel who may also have limited training. These differences create many challenges that must be overcome if humane euthanasia is to be accomplished." 

"Today, the method of euthanasia in animal shelters across the United States has become quite controversial, and much of the rhetoric has an agenda to severely limit the method of euthanasia to lethal injection. Sadly, most proponents of this agenda perceive each animals sitting quietly while it receives an intravenous injection. This kind of thinking is quite naive and will ultimately result in many animals dying with greater stress."

Robert J. Neunzig, DVM, DABVP (Canine/Feline) Compendium Editorial Board Member - The Pet Hospital Bessemer City, NC  

Would you like to do something to stop the death of shelter animals and to see every animal out of a cage and into a home? .........You can!

There are practical steps that every individual who loves and lives with animals can take to resolve the problem.

The tragedy of masses of animals being euthanized in shelters across the United States is a deeply disturbing and challenging problem, emotionally and morally, for all of us who love animals. It is a complex problem in which the symptoms are often erroneously labeled the problem, and one in which the caregivers are often mislabeled the culprits. Even as a lifelong animal lover, for many years I was not aware that the United States has a companion animal overpopulation epidemic and that millions of unwanted animals die in shelters every year. And I was not at all aware that some of my own actions, such as buying a cat from a breeder, were inadvertently contributing to the problem. The purpose of this portion of the web site is to raise consciousness about the facts of overpopulation and shelter euthanasia, and to explore the symptoms, root causes and potential solutions to the problem, especially how every single one of us as individuals has the power to make a huge difference to save animals' lives.

source: http://www.animalsinourhearts.com/shelter.html

The Journey

When you bring a pet into your life, you begin a journey. A journey that will bring you more love and devotion than you have ever known, yet will also test your strength and courage. If you allow, the journey will teach you many things, about life, about yourself, and most of all, about love. You will come away changed forever, for one soul cannot touch another without leaving its mark.

Along the way, you will learn much about savoring life's simple pleasures.... jumping in leaves, snoozing in the sun, the joys of puddles, and even the satisfaction of a good scratch behind the ears. If you spend much time outside, you will be taught how to truly experience every element, for no rock, leaf, or log will go unexamined, no rustling bush will be overlooked, and even the very air will be inhaled, pondered, and noted as being full of valuable information.

Your pace may be slower, except when heading home to the food dish, but you will become a better naturalist, having been taught by an expert in the field. Too many times we hike on automatic pilot, our goal being to complete the trail rather than enjoy the journey. We miss the details: the colorful mushrooms on the rotting log, the honeycomb in the old maple snag, the hawk feather caught on a twig.

Once we walk as a dog does, we discover a whole new world. We stop; we browse the landscape, we kick over leaves, peek in tree holes, look up, down, all around. And we learn what any dog knows... that nature has created a marvelously complex world that is full of surprises, that each cycle of the seasons bring ever changing wonders, each day an essence all its own, each day a gift from God.

Even from indoors you will find yourself more attuned to the world around you. You will find yourself watching: summer insects collecting on a screen; how bizarre they are; how many kinds there are or noting the flick and flash of fireflies through the dark. You will stop to observe the swirling dance of windblown leaves, or sniff the air after a rain. It does not matter that there is no objective in this; the point is in the doing, in not letting life's most important details slip by.

You will find yourself doing silly things that your pet-less friends might not understand: spending thirty minutes in the grocery aisle looking for the cat food brand your feline must have, buying dog birthday treats, or driving around the block an extra time because your pet enjoys the ride. You will roll in the snow, wrestle with chewier toys, bounce little rubber balls till your eyes cross, and even run around the house trailing your bathrobe tie with a cat in hot pursuit, all in the name of love.

Your house will become muddier and hairier. You will wear less dark clothing and buy more lint rollers. You may find dog biscuits in your pocket or purse, and feel the need to explain that an old plastic shopping bag adorns your living room rug because your cat loves the crinkly sound. You will learn the true measure of love. The steadfast, undying kind that says, "It doesn't matter where we are or what we do, or how life treats us as long as we are together."

Respect this always. It is the most precious gift any living soul can give another. You will not find it often among the human race. And you will learn humility. The look in my dog's eyes often made me feel ashamed. Such joy and love at my presence. She saw not some flawed human who could be cross and stubborn, moody or rude, but only her wonderful companion. Or maybe she saw those things and dismissed them as mere human foibles, not worth considering, and so chose to love me anyway.

If you pay attention and learn well, when the journey is done, you will be not just a better person, but the person your pet always knew you to be. The one they were proud to call beloved friend. I must caution you that this journey is not without pain. Like all paths of true love, the pain is part of loving. For as surely as the sun sets, one day your dear animal companion will follow a trail you cannot yet go down. And you will have to find the strength and love to let them go. A pet's time on earth is far too short, especially for those that love them. We borrow them, really, just for a while, and during these brief years they are generous enough to give us all their love, every inch of their spirit and heart, until one day there is nothing left. The cat that only yesterday was a kitten is all too soon old and frail and sleeping in the sun. The young pup of boundless energy now wakes up stiff and lame, the muzzle gone to gray.

Deep down we somehow always knew that this journey would end. We knew that if we gave our hearts they would be broken. But give them we must for it is all they ask in return. When the time comes, and the road curves ahead to a place we cannot see, we give one final gift and let them run on ahead, young and whole once more. "God speed, good friend," we say, until our journey comes full circle and our paths cross again.

And bless their souls for sharing their lives with us... and adding so much to our very existence.

Author Unknown

"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." ~Anatole France~

RAINBOW BRIDGE

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart. Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together.... 

~Author unknown...

HOW COULD YOU?

When I was a puppy, I entertained you with my antics and made you laugh. You called me your child, and despite a number of chewed shoes and a couple of murdered throw pillows, I became your best friend. Whenever I was "bad," you'd shake your finger at me and ask "How could you?" -- but then you'd relent and roll me over for a belly rub.


My housebreaking took a little longer than expected, because you were terribly busy, but we worked on that together. I remember those nights of nuzzling you in bed and listening to your confidences and secret dreams, and I believed that life could not be any more perfect. We went for long walks and runs in the park, car rides, stops for ice cream (I only got the cone because "ice cream is bad for dogs" you said), and I took long naps in the sun waiting for you to come home at the end of the day.


Gradually, you began spending more time at work and on your career, and more time searching for a human mate. I waited for you patiently, comforted you through heartbreaks and disappointments, never chided you about bad decisions, and romped with glee at your homecomings, and when you fell in love. She, now your wife, is not a "dog person" - - still I welcomed her into our home, tried to show her affection, and obeyed her. I was happy because you were happy.


Then the human babies came along and I shared your excitement. I was fascinated by their pinkness, how they smelled, and I wanted to mother them, too. Only she and you worried that I might hurt them, and I spent most of my time banished to another room, or to a dog crate. Oh, how I wanted to love them, but I became a "prisoner of love."


As they began to grow, I became their friend. They clung to my fur and pulled themselves up on wobbly legs, poked fingers in my eyes, investigated my ears, and gave me kisses on my nose. I loved everything about them and their touch -- because your touch was now so infrequent -- and I would've defended them with my life if need be. I would sneak into their beds and listen to their worries and secret dreams, and together we waited for the sound of your car in the driveway.


There had been a time, when others asked you if you had a dog, that you produced a photo of me from your wallet and told them stories about me. These past few years, you just answered "yes" and changed the subject. I had gone from being "your dog" to "just a dog ," and you resented every expenditure on my behalf.


Now, you have a new career opportunity in another city, and you and they will be moving to an apartment that does not allow pets. You've made the right decision for your "family," but there was a time when I was your only family.


I was excited about the car ride until we arrived at the animal shelter. It smelled of dogs and cats, of fear, of hopelessness. You filled out the paperwork and said "I know you will find a good home for her." They shrugged and gave you a pained look. They understand the realities facing a middle-aged dog, even one with "papers."


You had to pry your son's fingers loose from my collar as he screamed "No, Daddy! Please don't let them take my dog!" And I worried for him, and what lessons you had just taught him about friendship and loyalty, about love and responsibility, and about respect for all life.


You gave me a good-bye pat on the head, avoided my eyes, and politely refused to take my collar and leash with you. You had a deadline to meet and now I have one, too. After you left, the two nice ladies said you probably knew about your upcoming move months ago and made no attempt to find me another good home. They shook their heads and asked, "How could you?"


They are as attentive to us here in the shelter as their busy schedules allow. They feed us, of course, but I lost my appetite days ago. At first, whenever anyone passed my pen, I rushed to the front, hoping it was you that you had changed your mind -- that this was all a bad dream... or I hoped it would at least be someone who cared, anyone who might save me.


When I realized I could not compete with the frolicking for attention of happy puppies, oblivious to their own fate, I retreated to a far corner and waited. I heard her footsteps as she came for me at the end of the day, and I padded along the aisle after her to a separate room. A blissfully quiet room. She placed me on the table and rubbed my ears, and told me not to worry. My heart pounded in anticipation of what was to come, but there was also a sense of relief. The prisoner of love had run out of days.


As is my nature, I was more concerned about her. The burden which she bears weighs heavily on her, and I know that, the same way I knew your every mood. She gently placed a tourniquet around my foreleg as a tear ran down her cheek. I licked her hand in the same way I used to comfort you so many years ago. She expertly slid the hypodermic needle into my vein. As I felt the sting and the cool liquid coursing through my body, I lay down sleepily, looked into her kind eyes and murmured, "How could you?"


Perhaps because she understood my dog speak, she said, "I'm so sorry." She hugged me, and hurriedly explained it was her job to make sure I went to a better place, where I wouldn't be ignored or abused or abandoned, or have to fend for myself -- a place of love and light so very different from this earthly place.


And with my last bit of energy, I tried to convey to her with a thump of my tail that my "How could you?" was not directed at her. It was directed at you, My Beloved Master, I was thinking of you. I will think of you and wait for you forever. May everyone in your life continue to show you so much loyalty.

By Jim Willis 2001

A Pet’s Ten Commandments

1. My life is likely to last only 10 to 15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.

2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.





3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.





4. Don’t be angry with me for long and don’t lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only have you.





5. Talk to me, even if I don’t understand your words, I do understand your voice when your speaking to me.





6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.





7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you and yet, I choose not to bite you.





8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I’m not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.





9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.





10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can’t bare to watch. Don’t make me face this all alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so. ALWAYS!

Take a moment today to thank God for your pets. Enjoy them and take good care of them. Life would be a much duller, less joyful experience without God's creatures. We do not have to wait for heaven to be surrounded by hope love and joyfulness. It is here on earth and has four legs.

Why Shelters euthanize

l wrote this blog in response to someone who was attacking me for working at a "kill" shelter. They said I should be thrown to the dogs and said that I shouldn't call myself an animal person. They also said that the dogs will have the last bite with me. 

The truth about euthanasia.... With me being an "Animal person", I come across many people with different ideas to which their own personal "standards" are to being called a animal person. Personally, I don't judge people, that's not my way or my place. I think that there is room for everyone's opinions and ideas on all sides deserve to be heard. With that being said it's my belief that there are many people out there that call themselves animal lovers that are actually extremists that don't know any better but to say hateful remarks about their op-posers. The bottom line is that no matter what your opinion is, you can't change or control what I believe is right. My opinion is based on my own personal experiences and they mean more to me than what you think on the matter. So whether or not you agree with me is not important as far as I'm concerned. I could care less if you agree. I know I'm right with myself and when I stand before God I have nothing to hide; and frankly in the end that is all that really matters. 

These animal “extremists” believe that no animal should ever be euthanized unless it has health issues. They believe that opening all animal sanctuaries is the answer to shelters not having to euthanize. It is my own opinion that housing animals for long periods of time in cages or open areas like sanctuaries is - in itself inhumane and leads to unhealthy animals. The idea of animal sanctuaries is really a unrealistic solution to the problem. The real answer is spay and neuter the animals!  There was a time in my life where I thought no kill shelters was a good idea, and I admit that yeah it sounds good. Until, I saw the other side of the fence.  Have you ever heard that “If its too good to be true it probably is?” ....

I will say that I do agree that there should be strict training and certification required for ALL personnel that is required to euthanize so that it is done in a humane fashion. I don’t like hearing stories of it done improperly and it breaks my heart dearly. I feel that those who do it improperly should be fired, fined, and charged with animal cruelty to the maximum punishment. The truth of the matter is, I don’t like doing it nor does anyone else that works at our facility. But the fact still remains that there is always more animals than there is people willing to adopt them. I fell that you might as well be thankful that the people that are forced to do it – really take it to heart and yes, we cry too – And most of all, we REALLY give a damn about the animals!

We save all that we can, relocate what we can, and foster what we can – but only to select “responsible organizations” that we KNOW follow up spaying and neutering the animals. We cannot send out sick animals or animals that have behavior issues which CAN become a serious threat to the public. Many of us personally -  on numerous occasions have even taken these animals home ourselves to “foster” them back to health until the are “adoptable” or medically sound.  Many of them come to our shelter “close to death”.  So don’t you tell me that I am not an “Animal Hero” when I know what I do everyday MAKES a difference in the lives of many animals. So you see, We really do EVERYTHING in our power to SAVE what we can. We are NOT cold-hearted people that put the animals on a conveyor belt out the back door! The board of health states that we are employed to protect the people from the threat of rabies – for which we are NOT allowed to adopt any animal that BITES! ....

If the animals are medically sound and behaviorally sound – rest assured they have GREAT chances of being adopted only after which we have spayed and neutered them. And one last thing, the NO KILL shelter to which some people refer to them are NOT really no KILL. To keep that title, guess where they send the animals that “they” believe need to be destroyed? If you guessed the “full service” shelters, then you are absolutely correct! As far as I am concerned if you don’t see the BIG picture, you shouldn't  judge, lest you be judged!  Really, GOD KNOWS my heart better than any man or woman and I have NOTHING to hide from him!

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL ANIMAL SHELTER &

SPAY AND NEUTER YOUR PETS!!!!!

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Rescue a pet from your local Animal Shelter ~ Their LIFE depends on YOU!

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Be a Responsible Pet Owner ~ SPAY & NEUTER your pets! ~ Don't be part of the problem ~ Be part of the solution!

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My five little foster kittens

The 5 dwarf's
Sleepy, Happy, Grumpy, Dopey, & Sneezy  

Originally blogged on April 26,2009



Well its hard to believe that I have had these babies for as long as I have. This is the LONGEST that I have ever had to foster kittens until they were "adoptable". I have had these babies MORE THAN 3 MONTHS! Normally it only takes between 2 to 4 weeks to get them up to health and size. Because our Veterinarian specializes in pediatric spays and neuters, they can have surgery when they reach 2 pounds. So I didn't think that these kittens would be any different from the rest.

 
Sick little babies
But with these babies from the beginning nothing was easy and simple. Not only were they EXTREMELY ILL but they were also very small. When I first brought them home they needed antibiotic twice daily for two weeks, IV fluids 2-3 times a day for the first week, eye ointment 3 times a day, and needed to be hand fed and washed and cleaned 3-4 times a day since there was no mother cat to do this for them.


After feeding and bathing
It was a huge undertaking.... It took me an extra hour and half EACH morning to get them squared away before I left for work. Most days I barley had enough time to get myself ready. Making matters worse, Sleepy didn't have much of an appetite. I had to force feed him because he didn't have the urge to eat. He would throw up his food after I would feed him and he died on the third day after I brought them home.

R.I.P - Sleepy

Grumpy was the lone ranger for the longest time and she was not the most friendliest kitten. She played with the others, but very little.  She was a bit uncomfortable being held. I believe that she was scared of heights. She got better with age and before it was over she loved being picked up and being held. She did outgrow her name sake because Grumpy turned Sweet! Grumpy is permanently blind in one eye and her nostril is deformed on one side as a result. Her blindness was caused by the Herpes Virus. 

Grumpy

Sneezy was the most playful and outgoing of  all the kittens.When he first opened his eyes I thought for sure that he was totally blind in both of his eyes. They were very hazy and red. Thankfully time and TLC cleared them up completely and he fully recovered.

 
Sneezy

It was easier for me to become more attached to Dopey and Sneezy. The were like my little twins, they were always together in everything they did. They were my little cuddle bugs, they would curl up together in my chair with me.

My babies

Happy was always the healthiest one of the bunch and she never really got sick. However, she had to be treated as if she was sick because her siblings were contagious. She was the neatest looking kitten of them all, her coloring was very unique. For the longest time she was too busy to be cuddled. She thought it was a huge waste of her time and she had better things to do, like playing.


Happy

Dopey was always very sweet. After Sleepy died, I wasn't sure that she was going to make it. She didn't have the urge to eat like Sleepy and that is usually a sign that they are giving up. I was worried that her little body was going to shut down as Sleepy's did.

   
Dopey
The only reason that I've held on to these babies for as long as I have is because they never really recovered from their original illness. Basically, they were on antibiotic for the entire time that I had them... each time they were finished with their round of antibiotics, they would break out and start to get ill again. We went through several types of antibiotics before they were finally strong enough for Surgery.




After surgery Dopey and Grumpy broke again with the infection and needed 2 more weeks worth of antibiotics. Happy and Sneezy were able to go up for adoption very shortly after Surgery. Dopey and Grumpy were not as lucky and had to stay behind at my house until they were finished with their medication

Happy


Adopted Friday April 3, 2009
at Animal Control


Sneezy


Adopted Saturday April 4, 2009
at PetCo via Adopt an Angel

Grumpy


Adopted Sunday April 26, 2009
at PetCo via Adopt an Angel



Dopey
 


Surprise! We are keeping Dopey!
Now we have 3 cats! :)

 I couldn't bare to send her away because I have had her so long I feel like she is already ours and I am so attached to her. I know this sounds crazy but it broke my heart hearing them cry when I took them away from home to be adopted. My home is the only home they ever knew  I cried all the way to work when they were wailing in the carrier. And worse every time they saw me walk by in Cat Adoption they would cry for me... It was pitiful.... It broke my heart. However, I am thankful that they are all in good homes now because I know that I did my best to save them. I just hope that who ever has them appreciates their life as much as I do. 




Dopey today >>>>>>>>

My sweet little babies <3

~Author, Jenni 

All photos are authentic