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Old March 4th 09, 08:40 PM posted to alt.pets.cats,rec.pets.cats,rec.pets.cats.misc
Bill Graham
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Default The Difference between Euthanasia & Killing


"krazy" wrote in message
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The Difference between Euthanasia and Killing

Millions of cats die in U.S. animal control pounds and shelters every
year.
The pounds and shelters say these animals are “euthanized.” But they’re
not—they are killed. An animal is only euthanized when she is terminally
ill
or untreatably injured.
Euthanasia n. The act or practice of ending the life of an individual
suffering from a terminal illness or an incurable condition, as by lethal
injection or the suspension of extraordinary medical treatment. The
American
Heritage Dictionary

Genuine euthanasia is a medical decision and is always done in an
individual
animal’s best interest. It can be an important part of end-of-life care.
But
most animals who die in pounds and shelters are killed for very different
reasons. Facilities kill animals to make room for new ones, to manage
disease, or to compensate for inadequate staff or funding. Decisions to
kill
reflect the operating interests of facilities, not the best interests of
animals.

Using the word “euthanasia” masks what really happens to cats in pounds
and
shelters—they are killed.


Perhaps so, but if there is no way to place all the animals in good homes,
and they have to spend their whole lives in cages, they may as well be
euthanized, in my opinion. I can't stand to see animals in cages. for this
reason, I will go to neither zoos nor pet stores.......