Across America innocent animals are put to death on a daily basis as a solution to overcrowding. The purpose of a shelter is to provide protection from abuse, neglect, and abandonment. Yet for more than half, they're met instead with the ultimate human betrayal, death.
The Humane Society of the United States estimates 6-8 million unwanted animals enter shelters annually. Of those 3-4 million are euthanized. Seventy percent of cats and sixty percent of dogs who enter shelters are given less than 3 days to find a suitable home before they're killed. And there's no reprieve based on age or health. The clock on their lives starts ticking the moment they arrive. Those who aren't adopted or released to a rescue group spend their last days frightened, confused in a cage. The purpose of euthanasia is to end the suffering of animals that can't be saved. It needs to be banned for the use of population control. It's antiquated, cruel, and doesn't solve the long term problem. Our efforts need to focus on other alternatives and prevention. Help create guidelines with medically necessary criteria that must be met by a licenses veterinarian for an animal to be euthanized. Additionally, mandate that only licensed veterinarians are authorized to perform this end of life procedure.
