The article starts... Euthanasia Of CatsCats in Pounds Information Sheet 6
In fulfilling your mandate to provide homeless dogs and cats with the most humane death possible, your shelter must consider both the humaneness of the method and the capabilities of your staff. First use sodium pentobarbitone, a barbiturate that, when used correctly, provides a quick painless death. Second, train staff to ensure skill and compassion in delivery. Those principles apply equally to dogs, cats and other companion animals... Unfortunately, in Canada, shelter and pound operators who are not veterinarians, are not permitted to give sodium pentobarbitone, a barbiturate. They are limited to the use of T-61, a paralytic. In many of the States, non-vet practitioners are permited to euthanize with barbiturate, and T-61 is illegal. Shelter workers would far rather work with barbiturates - it is simpler and less stressful for both the administrator and the pet. The situation in Canada is one that can be changed through legislation. But there has to be "the public will." Please consider writing polite, informed letters to the following groups: Canadian Veterinary Medical Association College of Veterinarians of Ontario or the College for your province The Premier of your province. See http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Council-of-the-Federation-%28Canada%29 Your MPP. In Ontario, check out http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/members/members_current.do?locale=en If you are aware of a group already advocating for this change in legislation and practice, I'd sure like to hear about it. Email me at [email protected]. Thank you. The Humane Society of the United State's statement on euthanasia methods for animalshttp://www.animalsheltering.org/resource_library/
policies_and_guidelines/statement_on_euthanasia.html The HSUS considers the use of T-61 to be inhumane. But don't blame the folks at your Canadian city pound - they are not permitted to use the preferred agent - sodium pentobarbital (euthasol.) PETA (people for the ethical treatment of non-human animals) on "no-kill"So-called "no-kill" or "turn-away" shelters have the luxury of not euthanizing animals because they turn away needy ones whom they deem unadoptable. Many keep waiting lists, which compromise animals' safety by leaving them in situations in which they are clearly unwanted. Where do these unwanted animals go? The lucky ones will be taken to clean open-admission facilities that have responsible policies about euthanasia and adoption.
Read the rest of the article at http://www.peta.org/issues/Companion-Animals/Animal-Shelters.aspx And from a shelter volunteer at the SPCA in Boston. Sometimes animals have to be "put down." |
Meet just a few of our cats.These came from our area pound, were fixed and vaccinated, and have gone on to new homes. We can only redeem about 5 % of the cats brought to our area shelter. With a spay neuter clinic, we should see a huge reduction (75% over 5 years) in the number of cats being euthanized.
A little bit about me, Jan.I'm a community volunteer with a passion for shelter cats. I know there are folks who will wholeheartedly disagree with spay / neuter clinics. I too look foward to a time - however this is achieved - when there will be lineups around the block for stray cats. Until then...
|