Is it wrong to euthanize a healthy dog?

Question

My dogs are six years old and healthy. The problem is that I have bipolar disorder and am trying to pass university to get a job and don't have time to properly take care of them. I'm too scared to give them away in case they are mistreated and don't know anyone personally who will take care of them. They have had a very good life so far and I am considering getting them put down humanely. They wouldn't know it wasn't a regular vet visit. Am I doing something terrible though? I am worried if I don't pass I will have another nervous breakdown and end up in a mental institution. They were originally my sister's dogs and she can't take care of them either. I love them so much but I also need to get a job. I would never get pets again obviously They wouldn't feel any pain or know their lives were ending if I choose euthanasia, but if I give them up, I will worry for life that they might be abused.

Answer 1

http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AiWAW7VRI_uOA58ManqUpx4zLxV.?qid=20070517144015AAXqSAF

Samantha M puts the point better than I ever could.

Call up your local RESCUE centre (NOT POUND) and have them rehomed. Rescues do thorough checks on potential owners before they allow the dogs to be homed. If you are in any doubt, speak to the staff at the centre.

http://www.dogpages.org.uk/index.htm

The link above should be helpful to you in finding a suitable rescue centre if you're in the UK. Just click on the part of the map closest to where you live and you'll find details of rescues in your area. Alternatively, click where it says "breed rescue" and scroll down to the appropriate breed for contact details.

Before we go down that route though, are you sure that keeping the dogs is not an option? I accept they are hard work and a large responsibility but the fact they need walking may work in your favour. If you're studying you need to take breaks. Walking the dog gets you fresh air and a break from your studies. They can be a great source of relaxation when you get stressed (as anyone studying will do from time to time!).

Above all, don't let (some of) the previous answerers make you feel guilty. You are obviously a caring person and don't deserve a lot of the remarks you've had so far. I also don't think the issue is as cut and dried as people make out.

I wish you the best of luck.

Answer 2

I worked at a Humane Society and learned death was not as bad as the lives some pets lead. If your dogs are well trained, up to date medically, have no behavior problems and purebred I would try a purebred rescue. If your dogs aren't then euthanazia might be the way to go if no family member could take them. I've worked with a few rescues and know I would not want my dogs being placed by some but others are very careful. Shelters, on the other hand, seem to not check ref. and never do homechecks. My local shelter has adopted dogs to my neighbors that are chained 24/7 w/o shelter even in the hurricanes 3 yrs ago. And when told about it did nothing either. So if I died today my doggie guardian knows to put most of my crew to sleep. Some I have other arrangements for. Working does not negate having dogs tho, I work full time and own 7 dogs.

Answer 3

Hi
Yes it is very very cruel, you will not find a vet who will euthanize young healthy dogs, take them to the dog shelter,they will get new owners, and they will be loved and cared for, the dog shelter's check out the new owners, and their homes ,they don't let them go to any old place, and they could be re homed together,
You are upsetting me, and making me cry, I lost my dog on 11th November 2006
He had Heart Failure and was very ill he had 2 fits and a stroke and I had to have him put to sleep, It was the worst day of my life, I still haven't got over my dog he was so ill for 18months, I will help you get your dogs rehomed ,
Look, you want a job,you are worried about having a nervous breakdown, ending up in a mental institution,You should think about getting your dogs re homed, A.S.A.P. you don't seem to be fit enough to look after them, They are well looked after in the dog shelters,they have love, a bed, toys, they get fed, walked and the vet checks them, I don't think you should worry about them at all, dogs adapt, and will be loved by their new owners and the dogs will love their new homes and owners,
How will you feel if you euthanize them, it would be murder,I don't think you would be able to live with that, but as I have said no vet will do it,
You should be ashamed of yourself to even think of euthanasia,You say you Love them, do the right thing re home them, they deserve it .
You need a dogs home that SAVES dogs, some don't do this
They do suffer when being euthanized, they feel it and they know something is wrong, when they go to any vets, they are scared,they don't like vets.

Answer 4

I work in a veterinary hospital and when someone comes in to euthanize healthy animals we are very upset. I realize that you are not very emotionally stable right now, hence your reason, however I think that this is a very selfish act. Your dogs are not even middle age yet and could be great companions for someone. If you take the time to carefully advertise and screen potential homes you could have a sense of peace that you did the right thing. You will feel guilty if you have them killed-let's not ***** foot around what you intend to do......have you thought about a rescue society-it is their job to place animals in appropriate homes-I am not talking about the "pound" or animal shelter- a rescue. You can find them on the internet. Also call your vet and see if they have any ideas. You obviously are bright if you are in school so be responsible. I don't mean to be harsh but I hate taking the easy way out.....Good luck and try hard!

Answer 5

Hi, I can understand your reasoning, but.......... On your part I think it would do you more harm than good if you decide to have your dogs put down. It would be forever on your mind and you would feel guilty about it till the day you die.
Rehoming is your best option. If you are worried about your dogs being in kennels, there are numerous rescue centres that use foster carers that have the dogs in their own homes.
I was a foster carer for many years and I can assure you that dogs adapt to new people, surroundings and lifestyles very quickly. This is why they make such great pets, they are so adaptable. I also think that you should provide a stamped address envelope when the dogs are rehomed so that you can recieve a letter and maybe photos to reassure you that they have settled.
You could also post an ad on www.shelterhelper.co.uk and see what you feel about any of the enquiries that you recieve, this might help set your mind at rest.

Answer 6

I would check out shelters in your area and ask how they screen for potential new families and what kind of follow-up they do. Some dogs do end up being mistreated, but the fear of that should not be a reason for you to have them killed instead. (Normally I use the term "pu down" or "euthanized", but you need to think about what you are contemplating.) You can also ask if you could get a follow-up report from the shelter and possibly contact info from the new owner when the dogs are adopted. You may feel worried about the chance of them ending up in a bad home, but if you put them down because you're worried about that possibility, you'll always wonder if they could have found a new home where they would be treated well and live out the rest of their lives happily had you not denied them that chance.

Answer 7

Sounds like you need to up your medication. You'd better check in with your doctor.

You don't need to "pass university" to get a job. Just get the job and pay your bills like the rest of us have to do. The university will be there for the rest of your life -- your dogs will not. You can even take one class a year if you want to; there is no mandatory amount of classes you need to take, as you well know. If you are smart enough to go to a university, then you are smart enough to cope with two dogs. So cut the baloney. Many people hold down a full-time job, take care of a home with dogs and family AND also take classes - and volunteer on the weekends! So no whining allowed. Everybody has problems, everybody. It's all a question of priorities.

Answer 8

I don't mean to sound like a witch, but that's crap!!! I don't care what your reasoning, yes, it is wrong to put down a healthy dog. You got them, you should be responsible for them. That includes finding them a good home if you can't take care of them. Would you euthanize your child if you couldn't take care of it. No! You would give it up for adoption. It's the same for pets. There are plenty of people that want a good dog. Advertise free dogs to good home. You would be shocked the response you get. I don't know where you live, but in Alabama free dogs is like offering free food. Almost everybody is a taker. Good Luck passing your thing you were talking about, but I think it would way on your conscience more if you have them killed.

Answer 9

Find a non-kill shelter or a rescue group to take them! Here I am on the verge of having a nervous breakdown because I have a sick dog & I will have to have her euthanized and you are talking about doing so to healthy dogs!!!! What is wrong with this picture? As a matter of fact I just asked a question on this subject this morning! I honestly don't think a vet will euthanize a healthy dog. Find the dogs a home!!!!

Answer 10

Try to find a rescue organization that will take them in. Many of them do home visits and check up on the animals that they place into homes to make sure things are going ok and that everyone is happy and healthy.
Euthanasia should be your very last option and many vets are not willing to put down a dog just because the owner can not longer care for it.
Give your dogs a chance to fullfill someone elses life and dreams. They could get a wonderful home and become the joy of life for another person. Give them a chance.