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
According to Marna Owen, from "Animal Rights; Yes or No? claims that each year 80,000 animals are used and often killed for the sake of medical research. He describes experiments in which puppies are burned, cats eyelids are sewn shut, and baboon's heads are crushed. A fiery debate arised and according to the book 6 people chained themselves to the psychol...
One goal of euthanasia is to limit pain and suffering of animals, in some circumstances there is unnecessary pain and extreme suffering by prolonging your pet’s life. In the blog, “Is It Ethical to Euthanize Your Dog?” (2011), by Elliot D. Cohen, Ph.D, a few reasons are given for euthanasia, even among his heavy
Euthanasia comes from the Greek word that means “good death” (“Euthanasia” literally). In general, euthanasia refers to causing the death of someone to end their pain and suffering, oftentimes in cases of terminal illness. Some people call these “mercy killings”. There are two types of euthanasia: passive and active. Passive or voluntary euthanasia refers to withholding life-saving treatments or medical technology to prolong life.
Some of these reasons can include the management of the shelters, the locations of the shelters, and what happens on the inside. The management of these shelters should be monitored by someone of a higher standpoint which should be the case with all of the shelters. The locations of some of these shelters could be just put in a bad part of the United States. These locations can make the people not want to adopt from these shelters. Some of the issues that happen in the no-kill shelter like neglect and treating the animals wrong have recently surfaced in the news. Many states like North Carolina has had many problems with this that has led to undercover cases from PETA. All shelters should be ran or should be overseen by some from PETA, this will allow majority of these no-kill shelters to be ran
Animals are overpopulated, and it is costing countries money to euthanize, or use chemicals kill animals with a shot, animals. Money is also being taken for shelters to operate. Some countries didn’t pay for the euthanization of their pet problem though, they found another way to try to fix the issue. “.... the dogcatchers of New York caught 5,825 dogs, which were then placed into crates and lowered into the East River to drown.”(Jennifer Sexton and Tom Warhol, Domestic Animal Overpopulation). According to Jennifer Sexton and Tom Warhol in Domestic Animal Overpopulation, “Catching, feeding and caring for unwanted animals costs taxpayers and private agencies millions of dollars each year, as do adoption and education programs.” Citizens, animals, and shelters are affected by this issue of animal overpopulation. Citizens are affected because their taxes are being put to shelters, the shelters are then cost for chemicals to put the pets to sleep. The animals are th...
Sadly this happens to various animals each year that are brought to Kill Shelters. The ASPCA has stated that three to four million animals are euthanized in shelters in the United States. An absolutely shocking 60% of all animals that belong to shelters(McLellan). Many of these animals that are irrationally killed are completely worthy of adoption. The main reason for all these senseless killings is overpopulation.
According to the article “Pet Statistics” by the ASPCA estimates there are 70-80 million dogs and 74-96 million cats owned in the United States. It is impossible to determine the number of stray dogs and cats, but the ASPCA estimates there are 70 million cats alone that are strays in the US (“Pet Statistics”). The overpopulation of dogs and cats live either on the streets and die each day, they live in a shelter and try to get adopted, but even then they die. The ASPCA states that nationwide about 7.6 million companion animals enter the shelter and of the 7.6 million approximately 3.9 million are dogs and 3.4 million are cats (“Pet Statistics”).
Every year, over 100 million animals are killed for experimentation, biology lessons, medical/military training, and cosmetic, drug, and chemical testing. Animals are tortured all over the world and still lack lawful protection.
In the 1970s the question of animal rights became a major social issue that more people started to take notice and action in. This discovery of the cruelty these animals go through, lead animal cruelty to become a serious issue in our world today. To understand how animals could be treated so unjustly one would need to know that many believed that animals could not feel pain. However, animals can feel pain just like humans can and using them for experimentation causes them extreme pain. “Each year, more than 100 million animals are killed in the U.S. laboratories for biology lessons, medical training, curiosity-driven experimentation, and chemical, drug, food, and cosmetics” (Peta 1). With countries having inadequate regulations to protect animal’s rights the chances of that number dropping are slim to none.
When you hear the term euthanasia in reference to animals you think of the process that is used to end the suffering of an animal by putting them in a painless and permanent state of sleep. Today the term euthanasia is used to give reason to the murders of innocent animals all over the world. Animals should only be put down by euthanasia if they are in pain or suffering. Unfortunately most dogs that are euthanized over the course of the year are not aggressive or suffering from any disease (The Humane Society of the United States). Most of the animals are euthanized due to overpopulation in animal shelters. Euthanasia is a cruel and unnecessary practice that is not in the best interest for the animal.
About 2.7 million animals are euthanized and 2.7 million shelter animals are adopted each year.
According to the Humane Society, 4-5 million cats and dogs that live in shelters are euthanized each year! This does not include the total number of pets in families who choose to euthanize their pets. In the article, "Rare White Rhino Population Drops to 3 with Euthanasia at San Diego Zoo," we are told that there are only 3 White Rhinos left in the world, due to euthanizing. According to the Washington Post, a 41-year-old white rhino named Nola, was put to sleep due to a bacterial infection and age-related health problems. It is vital that we stand up and realize what is right for animals. We need to have a voice and speak for them because they cannot speak for themselves. We need to realize that the practice of euthanizing is not right. It is not our right to determine when an animal should die.
According Richard Gula, active euthanasia is legally considered homicide (5). Another intervention and approach to euthanasia could be through the use of analgesic means. The use of morphine or other anesthetic medication could be used to allow the patient to die or hasten their dying process. I consider the latter procedure to be more humane than that of the other because it is morally wrong to kill a person, rather it's humane for someone to die naturally. Before I discuss the rights and wrongs of euthanasia, I will define death or a person, when is it safe to say...
Over the past few years, euthanasia in animals has been a topic many have argued against simply because it is inhumane. Euthanasia in the past was used to end an animal’s life of suffering through a process of painless and permanent sleep. As of today, this “term” is best described as the act of mass murder of many innocent animals. According to PETA, “approximately 6 to 8 million animals are handled by animal shelters in the U.S. each year. Even though some are reclaimed or adopted, nearly 4 million unwanted dogs and cats are left with nowhere to go” (Euthanasia, 2015). Only an animal suffering from an illness or pain should go through the process of true euthanasia, as most people would believe. For most, the solution to this problem is to provide more space in animal shelters. However, these solutions come with downfalls and they often lead to failure. All in all, those who
Euthanasia is ending the life of a person deliberately to relieve their pain. It usually happens when a person is terminally ill or is suffering from a lot of pain and there is no other option to relieve the pain.