Is it Ethical to Euthanize a Healthy Pet?
Published February 7, 2012
Many committed pet owners are concerned that should they become incapable of caring for their pet due to illness, or in the eventuality of their death, there would be no one available to care for their pets in the proper manner that they deserve. Without a trusted friend or family member willing and ready to take on this responsibility, committed owners could fear that their pet will be abandoned or end up in a shelter.
Given this frightening situation, some pet owners will ask their veterinarian to euthanize their pet if a suitable home is not found within a specified period of time. But is this plan to end their beloved pet’s life really fair to the animal, or is it just the owners’ selfish means of dealing with their concern about their pet’s future?
In Ariel Kaminer’s recent column "A Dog's Right to Life”, appearing in the online New York Times Magazine, Kaminer explores this very dilemma. After consulting with animal liberation advocate Peter Singer, she arrived at the conclusion that, though it may seem at first like those pet owners who make the request to euthanize their pet are condemning their pets to the most "capricious of death sentences”, the owner's actions, in actuality, reflect the most human of fears, as they are just "trying, however misguidedly, to get their affairs in order."
Since finding suitable homes for elderly or aggressive pets can be extremely difficult, some veterinarians feel humane euthanasia requested by the owner is the kindest way to assure their pet will not be surrendered to a shelter–where euthanasia is a likely prospect anyway.
On the other hand, Kaminer offers those veterinarians who are ethically uncomfortable with requests for unnecessary and untimely euthanasia the advice to simply guarantee that the pet will be adopted into a loving home.
But is Kaminer’s advice more ethical than humane euthanasia? Is it fair to simply give the owner peace of mind by promising that the pet will find a loving home, even if that prospect cannot be guaranteed?
Without a doubt it is difficult to think about our own mortality. Yet, when coupled with concerns of who will take care of our beloved pets when we no longer can, it can become unbearable.
Considering these circumstances, do you think it is ethical to euthanize a healthy pet? Share your thoughts in a comment.
Shortly after retiring as a social worker and psychotherapist, I discovered my "writer's voice"…
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Comments (20)
I work for a vet who just euthanized a perfectly healthy parrot because the owners were moving and could take the bird with them. I offered to take the bird but the owner couldn't deal with the thought of someone else having her bird. I wonder what the bird would have wanted. I'm seriously thinking about leaving this practice who agrees to kill healthy pets.
My bull terrier was 17 when he died, my cocker spaniel was the same. I'm a responsible dog owner. A dachshund got dumped on me 3yrs ago. He never stops barking. He should be put down. I know I won't do it, but he is absolutely ruining my life.
The vets in our area will NOT put down any dog or cat without the owner paying for a full vet exam. Those vets are to be congratulated! It is heartbreaking for vets to have to be the "bad guy" and put a healthy animal down. Their job is to help save our pets. The owner requesting this "service" is a completely lazy and selfish person who does not want to spend time looking for another home for their pet. There are rescues on Petfinder.com who would be glad to assist. Also, the uncaring, cheap pet owner will not pay for a vet exam for a pet they do not want. Therefore this type of pet owner has to find a vet on the outskirts who is hungry for the money coming in to pay for euthanizing. Also some animal control officers for cities encourage people to put down their unwanted pets. Then the animal control officer just marks THOSE pets off their list in having to put them in the city shelter. Euthanizing is not a responsible option for any pet unless it is sick or on its deathbed!
What I think most people don't consider is that none of us who make arrangements to have our pets cared for after we die has any idea whatsoever what will really happen to them. And those who have put it in their wills or trusts, please be aware that the vet may refuse your request after you're dead. Best to find out beforehand. I'm involved in animal rescue and have seen pets go from the deceased owner to a trusted home then to a shelter then to rescue then to a home then back to the shelter. For me what is key is that no one, including myself, can guarantee my senior cats will not suffer the stress and trauma that may happen after I die. I know that my hope for my pets to be euthanized at my death is based on my love and concern for their lives, even after I'm gone. It is not a selfish act. After talking to my vet and doing research, it is going to be difficult to find someone to help us. For now, all I can do is hope my sweeties die before I do.
One should make arrangements for the care of their pets while they are alive. I have two cats and have already discussed this issue with a very close friend. In the event I have cats when I cross she will take responsibility for them. I am looking to arrange a back up plan in the event that this friend is unable to keep them. This way it is a settled matter. If the animal is aged and sickly and no one can care for the animal that is something different but as far as I am concerned euthanasia for a well pet, like a well person, is just murder.
A friend (now ex-friend) recently had to find homes for 15 of her dogs (healthy puppies, pedigreed, some mutts, small and big). She took the easy way out and had them euthanized and then cremated. I was horrified. I offered to help her find homes, friends offered to help her. She claimed her dogs were better dead than "mistreated" in another home. Did that mean that every person who accepts a pet needing a home is a pervert? I do pet rescue all the time. I was insulted she did not want my help. She was once a good friend, but I was sick for weeks over this situation and now I have nothing to do with this person. All pets she owns are doomed.
it would be extremely heartbreakng to put down a healthy animal but some times there are things worse then death. i think our abject fear of death sometimes leads us to believe that life is the be all, end all. life is to be cherished but not to the point that undo suffering is caused. you can explain to an animal why it is confined to a cage, abandoned by it's owner,taken by strangers and more than likely put down by strangers, instead of falling peacefuly asleep in the arms of their beloved owner. every effort should be made to place it with some one it is familar with but if that can not happen , make an effort to allow your pet to get used to a stranger that would want it.otherwise let it be with it's owner wherever that may be.