Andrea's Story: Proof That Gas Chambers Should Be Banned?

I was outraged the other day when I learned about Andrea, the long-haired black cat who spent two of her nine lives refusing to die in the gas chamber at the West Valley Animal Shelter in Utah. After languishing at the shelter for 30 days without a home being found, Andrea was put on the shelter’s euthanasia list. Subsequently, she was forced to survive a death sentence twice in order for the shelter to give her another chance at finding a forever-loving home.

Although her experience must certainly have been traumatic, this tenacious cat’s horrendous ordeal may not be in vain. Since Andrea’s story has gone viral (with its concomitant public dismay), the inhumane ordeal this kitty went through may help bring to light the dilemma in which these crowded shelters find themselves.

While Andrea ‘s story had a happy ending (she was ultimately adopted into the permanent loving home she so richly deserved), I couldn’t help but wonder how often this horrendous scenario unfolds in shelters around the country.

Today, in light of our precarious economy and the lack of sufficient free or low cost neuter and spay clinics, many people who love their pets are unable to afford these crucial surgeries, which help to prevent the unwanted births of an untold number of animals. This sad situation leads to an inordinate number of pets surrendered to shelters.

Unfortunately, there are not enough permanent homes in which to place these needy animals who deserve a second chance. As a result, the American Humane Society of the United States estimates that four million cats and dogs--about one every 8 seconds- -are euthanized in our country every year.

In order to ensure that no animals suffer needlessly, many shelters around the country have already stopped using gas chambers. According to the Humane Society of the United States, 19 states have already passed laws that either restrict or ban the use of gas chambers. In 2008, Louisiana and Georgia enacted laws prohibiting the use of gas chambers for animal euthanasia. Grace’s Law was passed in Georgia, making it illegal to euthanize shelter pets in gas chambers after a dog survived a 30-minute gassing attempt. Louisiana passed a similar law which will go into effect in 2013.

Of course, this writer’s passionate wish is that no healthy animals will ever be euthanized simply from a dearth of permanent loving homes, and that free or low cost neuter/spay clinics will be available to those pet owners who so desperately need them.

However, until those wishes are fulfilled, perhaps Andrea’s recent frightening experience may serve to inspire all shelters to quickly find a way to end the practice of using gas chambers for euthanasia and replace them with lethal injections, a far more precise, compassionate and respectful method for these unfortunate animals.

What were your reactions to Andrea’s story?  Do you think gas chambers should be banned? Share your thoughts with a comment.