On Mar 4, 2:22*pm, (krazy) wrote:

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.

Actually, consider the alternative: These same millions of animals
living in cages, in crowded conditions with limited stimulation, no
possible hope of adoption excepting a tiny minority - "euthanasia"

(Etymology: Greek, easy death, from euthanatos, from eu- + thanatos
death)

is likely a better choice.

Rather than ranting against the use of a particular word - and, comes
to it, one hopes that these animales do experience an 'easy death' -
you might do better to address the causes of all these extra animals
in the first place. Energy spent along those lines might actually safe
one or two animals from such a fate. One here, two there, one
somewhere else, prevent an unwanted litter - pretty soon you are doing
some real good. Individuals save the world one tiny piece at a time.
Humans are not given to the big picture. That is reserved to the Diety-
of-one's choice.

As an aside, I wonder how no-kill shelters are doing these days? I
know several that have gone from capture/neuter/hold to capture/neuter/
return for lack of space. And at least a couple that have or are
planning to close down altogether due to lack of support.

Peter Wieck
Melrose Park, PA