Grade: 8

Every year, shelters across Canada are forced to euthanize hundreds of thousands of healthy cats, dogs, puppies and kittens. The reason is that there are too few homes for all the animals being born: in simple terms - overpopulation. Euthanasia, at this time, is the only humane way to solve the problem. The cause of the problem, overpopulation, is the object that should be analyzed and solved instead of dwelling on the topic of euthanasia.

In Canada approximately 250,000 pets die in shelters each year, according to the 1997 survey done by the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies of 115 Animal Shelters across the country. This breaks down to approximately one half of the animals that enter shelters. 40% of dogs and 80% of cats do not leave the shelter alive once they enter those doors. This does not include those who starve, are killed by cars or disease, or who die in traps, or even by their owner's hand. Every animal deserves a home. Isn't it time we stopped increasing the death rate and started decreasing the birth rate!

Start by downloading the lesson handouts (pdf) and printing them out. They include fun games, puzzles, and quizzes to help your child learn.

Can anyone explain what the term euthanasia means?

Euthanasia comes from the Greek words "eu" meaning good and "thanatos" meaning death. A "good death" would be one that involves no pain or suffering. Euthanasia is the act of inducing humane death in an animal (cat or dog).

Why do we euthanize animals?

Ideally, euthanasia is reserved for the animals that are very sick and suffering; whose quality of life has decreased to the point where the animal cannot perform normal daily behaviors (i.e. eating, drinking, urinating, walking). However, due to the overpopulation problem, healthy, normal animals are being euthanized for no other reason except lack of homes for them.

How is euthanasia performed?

Euthanasia techniques should result in a rapid unconsciousness followed by cardiac (the heart stops beating), and respiratory (the animal stops breathing) arrest, thus leading to loss of brain function and death. The technique chosen should minimize any stress and anxiety experienced by the animal before becoming unconscious. Typically, in Canada, the method of an injected drug overdose is the standard procedure for euthanasia. A variety of techniques are used in different areas of the world.

Does anyone know how euthanasia is performed?

In Veterinary Clinics and in most shelters, euthanasia is achieved by injecting a barbiturate intravenously (injected directly into a vein with a needle). This drug causes the heart to stop beating and the brain to stop functioning, irreversibly.

What are some of the excuses that owners give when presenting their pet to be euthanized?

• Housebreaking/litter training
• Destructiveness
• Aggression
• Object guarding
• Dog/cat fights
• Shyness
• Stealing
• Begging
• Car chasing
• Fear biting
• Jumping, noisy
• Car sickness

Pets Are Not Disposable

The disposable pet syndrome is an unpleasant fact of life for shelter workers. Each day they see healthy, loving animals unwanted for a variety of poor reasons, i.e. He is too big. She makes messes on the carpet. We are moving. He chews. She is pregnant. They cost too much, etc.

Those who care about their pets do not regard the "problems" as problems at all. They deal with minor matters such as shedding by grooming their animals regularly. They house-train and obedience train puppies recognizing that the training process is part of the joy of having a dog and a significant aspect of the bonding that takes place between dog and owner. They make arrangements with neighbors and friends to look after their pets when on vacation. They spay or castrate their pets to ensure that no unwanted young are born. They understand the cost of ownership and do not resent any outlay of funds for food, veterinary care, licensing or even toys. In addition, they understand that the average life span for dogs is approximately 10 years and for cats, approximately 12 years. The most important aspect is they consider cats and dogs as family members who are both permanent and valuable - and the family stays together.

Conclusion

Animal ownership is a lifelong commitment that shouldn't be taken lightly. Overpopulation is a huge issue that everyone must work together to solve. Be sure that you animal is spayed or neutered so you can do your part in animal control.

Euthanasia can be a humane relief to a suffering animal with a terminal illness. This can be a difficult decision that is often hard to make alone. If you need advice or assistance in dealing with this delicate matter, please contact our office and we will assist you in any way we can.