Euthanasia Laws:

AMERICAN HUMANE
Euthanasia Laws:
The Tragic State of Pet Overpopulation
Every year, an estimated 3 million
the sodium pentobarbital, many
to 4 million dogs and cats are
organizations, such as American
euthanized in animal shelters for
Humane, can help defray those costs
lack of shelter space or funds. While
by providing grants and on-site
American Humane strives to create
training to shelters.
a world in which every adoptable
In addition, carbon monoxide
pet finds a home, many animal
chambers pose safety risks to shelter
shelters continue to struggle with
workers. Carbon monoxide is lethal
overcrowding, and they often have
to humans as well, and the chamber
no choice but to euthanize.
must be constantly checked and
Promoting the Humane Method
maintained to ensure that there
When it is necessary, American
are no cracks or failing seals in
Humane considers euthanasia by
the structure. Even with vigilant
injection of sodium pentobarbital
oversight, the chambers can be
(referred to as “EBI”) to be the only
dangerous for workers.
acceptable and humane method
Finally, EBI is more humane for
of euthanasia for dogs and cats
shelter workers. Proponents of
in animal shelters. We believe
carbon monoxide chambers claim
that animals in shelters deserve a
that it is easier on the shelter workers
humane and peaceful death.
because, after loading the animals
All across the country, states and
in the chamber, they can turn on the
counties are grappling with pet
machine and walk away. However,
overpopulation and euthanasia techniques. While most
many shelter workers want to do what is best for the
county shelters use EBI, a number of counties still use
animals in their care. Most workers would prefer to be
other methods, with carbon monoxide gassing being
able to hold and comfort the animal during euthanasia,
the second most common. In North Carolina, American
which is possible with EBI.
Humane recently testified at a public hearing on the
Eliminating the Need for Euthanasia
state’s shelter-animal euthanasia regulations — a
It is imperative to address the pet overpopulation
number of North Carolina shelters use carbon monoxide
problem at its source and reduce the number of
chambers to euthanize.
homeless dogs and cats entering shelters. This can be
How the Methods Compare
accomplished by passing mandatory spay/neuter laws,
EBI is a medical procedure — rather than a physical
providing access to low-cost spay/neuter services,
method — and as such, it is much more humane for the
increasing pet adoptions and providing public education
majority of animals. In fact, EBI is the method of choice
programs.
of virtually 100 percent of veterinarians and nearly all
American Humane’s national initiative, Getting to Zero®:
privately funded animal shelters.
Ending Euthanasia of Healthy & Treatable Animals,
By comparison, carbon monoxide is inhumane and
is providing grants to shelters that are establishing
dangerous. So why do some states and counties still use
or implementing innovative programs to reduce the
carbon monoxide? Proponents of gas chambers argue
number of stray and abandoned pets coming through
that the chambers are cheaper, safer and emotionally
their doors. American Humane initiated Getting to Zero
easier for shelter workers to operate than it is to
with the belief that, within our lifetime, the United States
administer EBI. However, that argument is not based on
can reduce to zero the number of healthy or treatable
the facts.
dogs, cats and other companion animals who are
euthanized in animal care and control facilities.
When performed in accordance with American
Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) standards, the
For those of us with pets, euthanizing adoptable animals
costs of EBI and carbon monoxide are comparable, as
due to overcrowding and lack of funding is unthinkable.
determined by American Humane in 2005. The use
You can help by joining with American Humane
of a carbon monoxide chamber is only less expensive
by advocating in your community for spay/neuter
if animals are euthanized in non-approved, unsafe
regulations, low-cost spay/neuter clinics and education
equipment or through inhumane methods.
programs about the tragedies of pet overpopulation.
Also consider volunteering at your local animal shelter,
Although employing EBI may incur initial costs for
adopting a shelter pet or becoming a foster parent to a
shelter staff training and certification and for purchasing needy pet. Together, we can make a difference!
0
THE NATIONAL HUMANE REVIEW
THE NATIONAL HUMANE REVIEW

---