Pet Adoption vs. Animal Euthanasia

by Bobbie McKee

Animal euthanasia is the act of inducing death to an animal. Euthanasia methods are designed to cause minimal pain and distress. Most of the times, it is called the act of “putting  to sleep” an animal. Meanwhile organizations like animal rescue groups and animal rights organizations strictly oppose this method. They say pet adoption could dramatically reduce the number of animals being “put to sleep”.

There are many reasons for animal euthanasia. Terminal illness and behavioral problems like aggression can be reasons for euthanasia.  Additionally, there are animal owners inducing their pets to euthanasia when they have illnesses or broken limbs that requires big medical and financial attention.  Old age is also a common reason for animal or pet euthanasia.

Meanwhile, many animal shelters induce euthanasia since they do not have enough space or room for an abandoned animal.

According to Humane Society of the United States, there is an estimated 4 to 5 million adoptable animals in animal shelters euthanized due to lack of facilities. While American Humane Association cites an even bigger number, 9.6 million of animals in the United States are being euthanized every year.

According to a survey conducted by the American Humane Association, out of the 1000 shelters who responded to the survey, 2.7 million of 4.3 million animals (64 percent) are being euthanized. Out of this euthanized number, 56 percent are dogs and 71 percent are cats.  15 percent of sheltered dogs and 2 percent of sheltered cats are reunited with their owners, and just a dismal 25 percent of dogs and 24 percent of cats are adopted.

The majority of animals in shelters are being euthanized since there is a standard period of time (ranging from several days to weeks for unclaimed stray animals) they will be held.  However, there are “no kill” shelters run by private and animal welfare organizations. These “no kill” shelters make it an official policy never to euthanize animals except for medical reasons.

Another reason why animal euthanasia is creeping to our culture is because of pet over-population. There are numerous pet owners surrendering their pets due to personal / financial reasons and inadequacy in taking responsibility for their pets. There are also people who only want puppies and once the puppy grows, they completely neglect them and eventually surrender them to shelters or rescue groups – or just abandon them.

Additionally, other owners fail to spay or neuter their animals so they tend to reproduce. There are thousands of litters being born in American homes every day. It is important to consider the financial and medical requirements of these huge numbers of pet reproduction.

Clearly, there is a crisis in the pet population of the United States. Too many animal companions competing for a few good homes that will take them is a clear effect of uncontrolled breeding.

Dog bite victims are now ranging to 4.5 million each year, due to uncontrolled breeding. Some of the victims fall prey to homeless and stray animals in the streets. The strays pose a public danger, and the government is using the taxpayers money in controlling these animals and maintaining animal shelters.

Pet adoption is a great way of lessening the impact of the crisis in pet population. Instead of buying pets from puppy mills or companies that breed animals for profit, adopting an animal is a great way of reducing the number of euthanized animals in shelters.

There are countless benefits of pet adoption. There are studies conducted saying the adopted pets are more loyal and devoted since they have already experienced the worst. Pet adoption is a great way of reducing the number of animals in shelters and making way for another one. Pet adoption battles euthanasia – one pet at a time.