The use of CO Chambers for killing animals is inhumane and barbaric. At one time, the gas chamber was considered an improvement over even more brutal ways of killing, such as drowning, shooting and beating, but that time is long past and gas chambers has no place in a modern and humane animal shelter. Gas chamber use has been denounced as inhumane by the Association of Shelter Veterinarians and the American Humane Association. There have been recorded deaths and serious injuries to shelter staff utilizing CO Chambers.
According to American Humane, Euthanasia by injection (EBI) is the safest way for humans to euthanize shelter animals. EBI is the most humane method of euthanasia. It is dangerous to put aggressive and/or wild animals in the gas chamber. Sedation methods utilized with EBI are safer for shelter staff in cases of highly aggressive and wild animals, and more humane for those animals. Many states have passed laws prohibiting carbon dioxide and monoxide euthanasia of shelter animals. EBI provides shelter workers the dignity they deserve when facing the difficult reality of euthanizing pets. A 2009 study by AH shows EBI is less costly than gas chambers.
Demolishing gas chambers in North Carolina would benefit everyone involved and make great progress in animal welfare. While the ulitimate goal is to become a No Kill nation, the least that can be done now for animals and the people who care about them, is to put an end to archaic gas chambers in every county shelter. Recently, Sampson County demolished their gas chamber.
To continue the movement towards progress towards a No Kill North Carolina, allow proper funding and resources to animal shelters, No Kill organizations, rescue groups and volunteers who work so tirelessly to save lives. Support and promote low cost/free spay and neuter clinics, community education and outreach, school projects and programs to get the youth involved in animal welfare efforts, strict laws and bans on backyard breeders, puppy mills, animal abuse offenders and dog fighting. We need to work together for a more postive and healthy world for animals and future generations. Remember Davie, the puppy who was found in the trash after he survived a gas chamber. Dogs and cats give so much to us, love, protection, service, companionship. We can do so much better for them than this, it is about choice.
To quote Theodor W. Adorno, "Auschwitz begins wherever someone looks at a slaughterhouse and thinks: they're only animals."
http://fixnc.wordpress.com/2013/02/03/demolish-the-gas-chambers/
http://www.nokilladvocacycenter.org/shelter-reform/
http://www.americanhumane.org/
