good job but a moral issue?

Question

today i got offered a good job, 13dollars an hour and only pay 10% of insurance, which is good. however, the job is at an animal shelter and occassionally, i would have to euthanize an animal if they were deemed to be unadoptable. this would be a big issue for me but i see it as something that would be done whether or not i work there. can anyone share their opinions on this?

Answer 1

This is a very good moral question, Have you considered that most of the dogs euthanized are done so for good reason. It's usually done because they have a disease (parvo for instance) severe health problems, or are deemed vicious and to great a risk to adopt out. Instead of thinking of it as killing 1 dog think of it as saving numerous dogs from getting infected with a disease, saving a child from being bitten by a vicious dog, or humanely euthanizing a miserable dog who it hurts for them to walk and are in constant pain. Someone has to do the job, so why not someone who cares.

Answer 2

I guess the answer depends on why this would be a big issue for you.

Is this a big issue because you don't want to kill an animal because you would find it personally unpleasant? or is it because you believe killing the animal is wrong?

Do you believe the people at the shelter are ethical and would only euthanize an animal in an extreme case----or do you have questions about the criteria they use to determine whether or not an animal is adoptable?

If, for example, the shelter had a rule that any dog over 5 (no matter how healthy, friendly,etc ) was un-adoptable and should be euthanized and you felt this was morally wrong, then I think you should skip the job.

If the shelter had a rule that any dog who seemed aggressive with strangers should be evaluated by a seasoned trainer and any dog deemed un-adoptable for reasons of aggression would be euthanized, and you had no problems with that, then I guess the job might work for you.

Sometimes even at "no kill" shelters, an animal must be euthanized and that is just a sad fact of life. Many creatures are abused by former owners and the resulting physical problems and behavioral problems can be tremendous.

I volunteered at a "no kill" shelter and during an early morning feeding/cleaning shift discovered one of the kittens (dropped off the night before) was in very bad shape. I brought her to the director's attention and she was thoroughly examined and it was clear she was dying. So we euthanized her---and I held her while it was done. I felt terrible. Even though I knew she was going to die anyways, even though it was right to end her suffering, I still felt guilty because I was the one who said "this kitten is just not right."

Think about my story and ask yourself if you would feel guilty and get over it, or struggle with it for a long time.

For the record, this shelter had very few "unadoptable" animals. They created a special room/home for an elderly (12+?) mix with poor vision that I think many shelters would have considered "unadoptable." When she was 13 she was fostered for her last few months, but before that she was a bit of a shelter mascot and spent most of her days (from 6 am to 7pm or later) sleeping at someone's feet or "helping" train volunteers how to walk, brush, etc. a dog. This was a good shelter.

Answer 3

You know, honestly, the only way I would possibly be able to do it is if I had some say in whether the animal was or was not adoptable. And I'm not sure I could then. It would take a huge emotional toll on me. I do believe that there are some dogs that should be put down. I look at it like this. How can I rationalize keeping one dog alive that has aggression or medical issues, that take up a great deal of money and time, when with those same resources could help many dogs as opposed to just one? This is a decision that only you can make. Some people can't do this, and some can. You just need to decide which category you are in. Don't do something though that is going to take a huge toll on you. It will only hurt you.

Answer 4

As a dog trainer my primary focus is to ensure that the animals life is saved. However there are times when euthanasia is the kind thing to do.

There are instances when dogs come into the shelter that people have already ruined so bad that the dogs become like mentally ill. A dog that has been badly abused and neglected all of his life doesn't always rehabilitate easily. The dog may strike out at anything that remotely resembles the abuser.

There are also dogs that come into the shelter that have already proven that they are vicious. Because they are known biters they can not be adopted the way other animals can. If adopted out knowing the problem the shelter may become liable for any injuries this dog causes.

You have to also consider the number of dogs and cats that come into the shelter so sick or under nourished that it is just to late. Is it better to allow them to suffer anymore then they already have.

While it is not my favorite solution to a problem, euthanasia at times can be the best choice. It is far better to try to educate people about training, health care and spaying or neutering their animal I realize. But the fact is that many people just don't listen.

Answer 5

You should never do anything that you deem unethical. You will have to decide whether or not you agree with euthanasia on a whole. I am not completely opposed to it, but I think that too many shelters jump too quickly to it. It is possible that you may have an impact on some dogs lives once you've been there for a while, but if you think it is absolutely morally wrong, then you should look for a job elsewhere. Also, if you work there, get ready for a few more pets, you will probably adopt to save a life.

Answer 6

Its a good job, with opportunities, especially if you have no education or background in another field. It is hard to find a decent paying job, so when one comes along you should take it. Euthanasia is done because it is sometime necessary, sad I know. Take the job, and maybe you can make a difference in how many get euthanized by helping them get adopted. You being there might help these animals, so that is a positive. If you don't take the job, someone else will, and the euthanasia won't stop because you didn't want to do it. It is your preference and whether you can handle it.

Answer 7

I believe that not all animals are adoptable and I believe that euthanasia is more humane than having these dogs live in a cage/crate until they die. I think it is cruel to keep dogs alive that have no quality of life (regardless of the reason if it is unadoptable) other than living in a crate. It would be done regardless and seriously what do you think is better for an unadoptable dog, euthanasia or living in a crate or dog run pacing restlessly for the rest of its life? Take the job and look at it as being humane.

Answer 8

I would take the job. Think about it, you would be helping hundreds of pets find forever homes and earn plenty of money doing so. Perhaps you could even offer to work with these so called "unadoptable" animals if you know what needs to be done. And i agree that euthanizing will happen with or without you.

Answer 9

Look at it like this. You will be performing various medical services that help animals. You will be working at a shelter that probably spays and neuters the animals, exercises them regularly and feeds them.

Every animal can't be saved. That is reality. Spay and neuter are the only things that help this situation and the shelter does that. I would probably take the job. When it comes time to euthanize an animal it will be sad, but its part of the job and you will learn to cope. Your coworkers can help with this.

Its like saying "I want to be a doctor but I know I cant save every accident victim". You focus on the good you can do.

Answer 10

I'm actually going to apply for a job at animal control here, and would have to do the same, as well as additional not so fun things such as sending the heads of euthanized animals to the lab for rabies testing.

This is definately going to be difficult, if you are anything like me. I recently had to have a human aggressive dog euthanized and was there while he took his last breath. I cried and cried, even though he was not mine, and I only had him for 6 weeks while I worked with him to see if he could be placed into a home.

Good luck.