Do you think it's wrong for animal shelters to euthanize healthy animals just because they are homeless?

Answer 1

Of course! It's better to leave them homeless than kill them! In Greece, there are many strays. Granted, this is wrong, and peopel who leave them in the streets are cruel, but at least they are alive, people feed them (they are the fattest animals around, really), the town authorities and animal welfare societies neuter and vaccinate them, but it is illegal to kill them, and they look like they are having good times too!

Answer 2

I agree with Lorianne with her answer. I have seen actual animal shelters with a mile long questions (which I'm shocked that it doesn't include how many times you go to the bathroom question on that list of questions). Plus over top of that, there are shelters that demands you to feed the most expensive type of pet food to that animal(I have seen that in the rules too). When they are claiming that they are in need of help with supplies. I take in abandoned guinea pigs. They get their health care, food, shelter and veggies, and they are very well much loved and cared for and spoiled, I might add. Everything that a guinea pig needs and the perfect home for guinea pigs but I don't go through shelters because they concentrate more on being too picky rather then seeing a family that does have a loving home and will give them a forever home. Shelters half the time wants people that adopts not to have kids too(I have actually seen this stated in their rules). I can understand the fact that their are out there unresponsible pet owners and they are trying to find respnsible pet owners but in the same time, they are too glued into their rules and not recongizing a responsible pet owner when one enters the shelter. And that pet ends up missing out on a great loving home. And then it's no wonder why theirs an overpopulation at the shelters.

Answer 3

It's not the shelters fault that people allow animals to reproduce until there are too many to find homes for. The ones responsible are those who don't spay and neuter their pets.

And what are the shelters supposed to do when they are full to the brim and can't take any more animals in? The only answer is to educate people to stop producing too many animals. Look at all the people on this list looking for information about breeding, for an example.

Answer 4

This is a sticky one. Considering the cost of a lifetime of care for an animal and the quality of life the animal can expect if it lives in a tiny cage, without affection, and surrounded by other equally miserable animals, my first inclination was to concede that yes, the only ethical solution is to kill unwanted animals. But then I got to thinking...cats can survive just fine in the wild. Dogs can't. So, upon reflection, I guess the answer I'd give is: depends on the animal. It's relatively inexpensive to spay/neuter and then transport a truckload of cats to a rural area and just let them go. I say we do that instead of killing them, provided that we can mitigate the ecological harm caused by an influx of middle predators. But with dogs...with dogs, I can't see another way. If you let them run wild, they'd form packs and, when starving, become very dangerous. And I really don't see americans paying to provide a lifetime of a quality existance for the, what, millions? of unwanted dogs out there. I mean, we don't take care of our unwanted people, it's absurd to think that 'the man' will suddenly develop a conscience and build well-staffed and well-maintained 'country clubs' for dogs. I do wish I could see another way, though. I love animals. Loathe people, but love animals.

Answer 5

It is sad bud if no one wants them who will pay for them. They usually euthanize ones with health problems, older ones or animals no one is interested in. Is it the fault of the shelters? No. People get pets and won't take care of them or let them breed because they are too cheap or do not believe in neutering them.

Answer 6

Of course its wrong, its terribly wrong and should never happen. Sad thing is it does, because of overpopulation and people that dont responsibly breed there animals or alter there animals, and until people either accept strays that run around on the street, or they get more responsible then healthy animals will be killed by the hundreds every single day till we get a handle on the population of unwanted pets.

Answer 7

It's very unfortunate but it's necessary... they have to make room for animals that will have the highest chance of getting adopted.

Shelters that don't euthanize usually have extra funding that is unavailable to most shelters.

Answer 8

It is hard for us to understand it, but you know their theory with the over population and all. Yes I think it is horrible and really depressing to think about. What kind of a person could work in a shelter and be the one to gas a perfectly healthy animal. I would not be able to sleep at night.

Answer 9

Well i do think its wrong but theres no choice ,i tried to get a cat for my mother in law i gave up there wanted a letter from her landlord and other stuff plus the shelter was a long way away ,if they made it abit easier they wouldnt have so many .

Answer 10

yes, but if they didn't do that, they would have no where else to put the new animals they found. but i do think euthanization of healthy animals is very wrong.