What is it about?
'Euthanasia' may sometimes be necessary in animal shelters, if an animal is unlikely to be rehomed. However, the killing of healthy animals should not be called euthanasia. The term implies ending a life to end suffering. We must also be careful not to mislead people, regarding policies for the culling of animals in so-called 'no-kill' shelters.
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Why is it important?
Animal shelters generally rely on charitable donations, so public trust in these organisations is important. Transparency is required, regarding difficult issues such as overcrowding and difficulties in rehoming pets.
Perspectives
Animal shelters are busy and often overcrowded. We may be unable to find homes for all pets in need of them. If culling is necessary, on the grounds of overcrowding, we must make this known. Otherwise, it is unlikely that underlying issues of overbreeding will be tackled.
Yvonne Black
University of Hull
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Comments on the dilemma in the October issue: ‘Euthanasia in a no-kill shelter’, In Practice, November 2014, BMJ,
DOI: 10.1136/inp.g6402.
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