Euthanasia In Animal Shelters

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Approximately 2.7 million animals are euthanized each year (“Pet Statistics”). Euthanasia has been used in animal shelters for many years, but the spread of no-kill shelters and rescue groups has lessened the deaths of innocent animals. Euthanasia is the mercy killing of animals in shelters. The most common and most humane method of euthanasia is a direct injection of sodium pentobarbital. Sodium pentobarbital causes rapid loss of consciousness and immediate inability to feel pain (“Statement on Euthanasia”). Euthanasia in animal shelters first began around the 1970s. Animal shelters are not the only ones that use euthanasia. Veterinarian also use euthanasia (“Animal Shelter Euthanasia”). There are other methods of euthanasia besides sodium …show more content…

One of the causes is illness. Animals may become sick and the shelter may not have enough money to treat them, so the animal is euthanized. Animals are also put down if it is injured and the shelter cannot afford to treat it. Another cause is adoptability. If the animal is aggressive and does not get along with other animals, it is considered a threat and is put down. The cause of the aggressiveness may be too much confinement and will make the animal go “kennel crazy.” Also, if an animal is shy or scared, they are labelled unadoptable because of their fear of humans. An animal is also not considered adoptable if it is not “cute” or pleasing to the eye. Overpopulation is the leading cause of euthanasia. The number of incoming homeless pets outweigh the number of adopters. The only uncontrollable cause is old age …show more content…

Six to eight million animals enter shelters each year. Out of the 6-8 million animals, 2.7 million are euthanized each year. 2.4 million of the 2.7 million animals that are euthanized were treatable, healthy, and could’ve been adopted. That leaves about 700,000 “legitimate euthanizations” (“Pet Statistics”). Fifty-six percent of dogs that enter shelters and 71% of cats that enter shelters are euthanized (“Animal Shelter Euthanasia”). Even though a significant number of animals are killed each year, the no-kill movement is slowly stopping the issue. There are currently about 14,000 no-kill shelters and rescue groups in the U.S. No-kill shelters are animal shelters that do not use euthanasia. 20 million dogs and cats used to be put down each year. Today, only 2.7 animals are euthanized

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