Animal euthanasia

From ArticleWorld

Animal Euthanasia is the killing of an animal, usually to end suffering, and is done in a painless or minimally painful manner. People often refer to this as ‘’putting the animal to sleep’’.

Methods

Usually animals are euthanized by lethal injection. In rare cases, inhalant agents or physical methods may be used. The norm is an injection, usually of a high dose of barbiturate anaesthetic, which causes unconsciousness, respiratory arrest, and cardiac arrest. The procedure generally only takes thirty seconds to a few minutes, and most pet owners feel it is a peaceful, quick solution. These procedures are performed by a veterinarians or veterinarian technicians, in a veterinary clinic or hospital, and in animal shelters.

Motivations

A veterinarian may refuse to euthanize an animal if he or she does not feel it is ethically or medically necessary. ‘’Convenience euthanasia’’ if often refused by veterinarians if there is no medical reason for it. Some breeders request to have animals euthanized if they do not meet the requirements for the breed, but this is becoming less common. Most breeders today will simply neuter or spay the animal to prevent the defect from perpetuating. The animals are then placed in homes as pets. Ending the suffering of an animal is the humane reason to euthanize an animal, but not the only reason the procedure is performed. A behavior problem, such as aggression, might be one reason for euthanizing an animal. Often, overcrowding of animal shelters and a lack of suitable homes is the only reason a healthy animal is killed.

Animal rights

People in the animal rights and animal welfare movements consider killing an animal, for anything other than a medical reason or to end suffering due to an injury, immoral. Many animal shelters have a time limit in place regarding how long they will care for an animal. After that period of time, if no home is found, the animal is euthanized. Many consider this immoral, while others feel it is a more humane solution compared to them living out their lives in an unsuitable home or in a shelter that, more than likely, does not have the funding or space to properly care for them long term.