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WRITTEN BY A VET:
“I have been writing this post in my head for nearly 3 years and until today I've never been brave enough to post it. But recently some people doing similar work and facing much the same reality have used social media to speak up about a topic that for so long has not been discussed. Their bravery has given me the courage to finally share my thoughts and experiences about something that I’ve needed to for so long.
Today I euthanized 5 dogs. This is not an uncommon task for a vet to perform and getting into the profession you are well aware of the fact that this is something you will have to do in your chosen career. However, the dogs I put down today were not sick, they were not injured, they were not old and they were not unhealthy in any way. They were not untamed and they were not aggressive. They were perfect, healthy and normal dogs. There was no reason for them to lose their lives today other than that they were failed by humans because of the current overpopulation crisis of domestic animals particularly dogs that so few people are prepared to accept and try to understand.
The euthanasia of healthy animals by animal welfare organisations and shelters across the world is something that we need to start talking about but it is not an easy topic for someone who is in this line of work to discuss. One, because how can you possibly put into words something that is so deeply personal and difficult to come to terms with in your own mind and two, how can you risk the possibility of losing such important funding that keeps welfare organisations and shelters alive by drawing attention to something that the public at large simply know very little about and so few people understand.
The dogs that I put down today were so excited to see me. How lucky they were to have someone in their kennel giving them attention and maybe just maybe they'd even be so lucky as to be taken out for a walk - their tails were wagging and everyone was jumping for joy. One of them was nervous and scared of me. This was a dog that had likely never had much in the way of attention or love from a human being. I have tried everything possible to make the task easier for myself and for those who assist me. I have tried doing it in their kennels, I’ve tried doing it on the grass outside so that the dogs can walk for a bit to experience one last bit of freedom and fresh air. I’ve fed them last meals, I’ve done it in the clinic and nothing makes it easier. The only thing that makes it bearable for me is to sedate them first so that they are sleeping when their lives end and not wagging their tails looking at me – I know this is a luxury that many other people doing this work do not have access to.
Today I chose to put them down in their kennels after I’d sedated them. Letting them leave on a bed and blanket that they have used for comfort for the past few weeks or sometimes even months. I take care to make sure that no other dog or animal is a witness but still the others around them must know. Usually the dogs bark endlessly at any small movement or sound but there is nothing more deafening than the silence of nearly one hundred dogs while ending the life of one of their neighbours or friends. They must know and I so often wonder if they are thinking if they are next or when their time will come.
In their final moments I tell each of them that I am sorry and for those who leave behind friends, puppies or siblings I promise them that I will take care of them and do my very best to find them homes or see that they are cared for properly. These are trivial words compared to what I should be saying to them but it’s hard to give them the apology they so deserve in the short time it takes for the life to leave their little bodies. What I should be saying to them is that I’m sorry you never got the opportunity to experience what it’s like to sleep on a couch and I’m sorry that those who did get to sleep on a couch once have ended up being unwanted and failed by the humans who took them into their homes in the first place. I’m so sorry that they were born into a world that didn’t have space for them and so many others. I’m sorry that they weren’t pretty enough or the right breed to be one of the chosen ones and I’m sorry that for months or for some of them nearly a year countless people walked past their cage and decided not to choose them or to leave and rather choose to buy a puppy somewhere else instead.
I have tried my best to cope with it as I know many others do too - by doing what I believe is everything humanly possible to find unwanted dogs and cats homes. I spend hours of my time holding them while they pose for photos, writing posts for Facebook, advertising them and putting their stories and personalities into words as best I can all in the hopes of someone deciding to choose them. I talk to people and encourage them to adopt but this does not always work. I have spayed until 10pm at night before because if I can just do one more spay it might help. Like so many others in this line of work, I have done hours of work behind the scenes and out of the public eye for no benefit other than hopefully having to euthanize one less healthy animal. I have done my fair share of adopting too having adopted 8 dogs and regularly contemplate whether I could take on another one or two despite my home already being near overrun.
But it is still not enough and the burden of this crisis and war that we are fighting against over population is not to be borne by only a small group of people across the world who are prepared to sacrifice so much because they are not ignorant to the reality of what is going on around them. It is something that everyone who has ever loved an animal has to accept as their fight too. Which is one of the reasons I am writing this post and have been trying to write it for so long.
Everyone has a way in which they can contribute to this fight and many are simple.
- Volunteer - spend time at a local animal shelter or organisation so you have a better understanding of what is happening out there. The animals in shelters love attention and walks even if it is only to make their time there more comfortable until it must come to an end.
- Donate if you can and especially towards sterilisation programs. We must stop these animals at their source – the more puppies and kittens we can prevent, the fewer healthy dogs need to be put down.
- Adopt if you are in a position to get a new pet. There is no reason to go out and buy a dog or cat when there are such perfect ones looking for homes. If everyone who could did choose to adopt, the world would be a much better place for it.
Thank you to those who continue to support me and my work especially through donations towards my sterilisation programs. Every donation that helps me do a spay gives me the strength to face another day and I have a lot of hope that we can change the world one spay at a time. I only wish to create more awareness about the crisis we are facing and I hope that those working in this line of work feel that my words here have done this important topic justice.
I do hope that in my lifetime I could live in a world where no healthy animal is euthanized due to lack of space, lack of homes or lack of resources available. I’m not sure if I will ever get to see that be a reality but I think we all know by now that I will never give up trying! “
📷 : Photo by Kate Jackson-Moss
The dog featured here was a dog I euthanased last year. I was very fond of him but sadly had to let him go. I still think of him often and wish things were different for him and so many others.
#spayandneuteryourpets #stopbreedingdogs
17 CommentsComment on Facebook
Humans have failed animals since the beginning
thank you for writing this. i volunteer at a shelter that euthanizes aggressive and unadaptable dogs, but many strays are turned away to possibly a fate worse than death due to lack of space or lack of employees to care for them, and that, too breaks my heart. It's so very difficult when people in the community torment me on social media because i volunteer at a shelter that euthanizes animals. They call all the dogs that are euthanized sweet babies when many of them have bite histories and histories of attacking other dogs. I keep volunteering because i know the time i spend with the dogs out in the playards might be the happiest time of their lives and i know that the time i spend socializing dogs that come in terrified has helped hundreds of them find homes. when people say they cannot volunteer because it would make them sad, or they would want to take them all home,i think it is a selfish copout. they think they love animals too much.. i dont think they love animals enough. thank you for your post and for doing the dirty work that most people hide from, but cause by their own actions.
Oh this made me cry, so well written. Thank you for speaking up. We certainly are in a crisis of great travesty 😢
Thank you for writing this and allowing us to Jouney with the hard journey you are involved in. It helps me see into the dark place you sometimes have to go, the dark and hard place some animals have to go. Thank you, Your writing has made an impression on my heart that will stay. Thank you.
I would never euthanize a dog that didn’t need to be in your practice.I understand having to do it when it’s time.I could not live with myself.I go to a vet that refuses to do this.They will reach out to rescues like me to try and find homes.I could never do what you do and I am sincerely sorry
So well written!!! Made me cry. What a horrible crisis we were in. I can tell you that your words had impact! I have decided to spay my pic of the litter, super talented athletic correct giant schnauzer. I have been on the fence about it because she is so perfect, but to bring another animal into this world would be adding to the crisis. Thank you so much for taking the time to write this and know it made a difference - God Bless you 🙏💫
Breeding, and shelters that euthanize. Are two things that should be illegal.
So honest yet heartbreaking. When I was a child I wanted to be vet. Then I learned this was part of the job. I admire those with the fortitude to take on one of the most challenging professions. I hurt every day knowing we should do better as a society. As lawmakers. As community leaders. We domesticated so many species and have not honoured the responsibility that has come with this. I marvel at similar countries that have figured this out, like Finland. You are right. A small group hidden from public view shouldn't be borne with this responsibility. I thank you. I hurt for you. I thank you for your compassion and commitment to the profession when we as a society have let you and the animals in your care down.
So sad...
We run an animal shelter in Mexico where over population is also a crisis Here however the dogs are not in shelters but on the streets..they suffer but many survive and end up with people taking care of them. We rescue many and have clinics for steralization. My husband and i do this alone with 50 dogs and 20 cats a sheep.and a pig. I cant imagine telling our supporters that we have to kill a few to take more in. Its obsurd and unethical. The trauma you have faced with the idea this is your job is major and haunting I am sure. I dont have the entire solution but I know it is unethical.to kill these animals. Lets unite and make every shelter NO KiLL This is insanity and what we have been brainwashed to think. It is wrong. these beautiful souls deserve humans to listen to their hearts and not be pulled into this rediculous cruel practice
I wonder how many more moments on fresh grass a stray gets to enjoy each day versus a dog in a shelter, yet we will insist that the former is suffering more than the latter. I think the truth that we all don't want to acknowledge is that society is less interested in wanting to ensure animals are not suffering, and more interested in making sure they're not visible unless they're well stewarded pets. To be honest, I can't really help but appear sanctimonious or as if I am judging you, so I won't try to avoid it. When you make the choice to kill an animal and call it "euthanasia" despite your own admission that they're perfectly healthy and not suffering anything more than society's own shortcomings, what you're doing is rationalizing something that you know in your heart is wrong. I hope that you're not profiting from this rationalization for your own conscience and can find the strength in your heart to refuse such "euthanizations" and acknowledge it for what it really is. I know your intentions are likely more along the logic that you must end one dog's life to have the chance to save another, but ask yourself why we don't allow such rationalization to determine who gets pulled off of life support or not when we're dealing with human life. Ultimately another solution to this issue to refuse such euthanizations under the idea that if you won't that somebody else will, because if enough people refuse then society has to deal with the problem being visible and find a better solution than shoving them into shelters for veterinarians to suffer these choices.
I Am sooo SORRY . Being you are a vet can you get with other vets and maybe lower spay neuter costs ? One vet do it for 2 or 3 months then another vet . I realize you lose money but how many dogs will get fixed by doing this . Weigh out the pro and cons .
O my cried . I want to adopt but then I'm on a fixed income an accidents do happen my boy is getn older an I'm an old fuddydutty an can't get around like I used to I so want a fixed healthy friend for him to keep him stimulated . I can't afford adopting I've heard it's 300.00 plus ? I want to adopt I can't stand seeing all the poor babies an to read this WOW!! God bless u an God has a special place for u
Reading this and realizing the reality of the situation and how far it spreads breaks my heart… I thank god and CMC2 every day for bringing Mocha to me 🐾❤️🐕 and that I was able to give her a furever home
I cannot finish reading this. My heart aches too much.
Bless you , thank you for sharing , p we ople need to know. So sad
Omg I’m in tears just reading this. Thank you for saving the ones you can and giving love to those you have to let go of💕😭😭😭
We are deeply saddened to announce that one of ARFSGC founding members has passed. Tracy Hill passed yesterday after fighting cancer for the past two years. She was a board member, foster and advocate for the animals. She was a driving force not only for ARFSGC but also the community of Grant County, retiring from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office last year. If you ever met her you would never forget her smile, joyful personality and warmth. This is truly a sad day for many people, her family, friends and all that were touched by her beautiful soul. Rest in peace Tracy, all our love. ♥️🙏♥️
11 CommentsComment on Facebook
I didn’t know her personally, but always heard such great things and frequently saw her online fighting for the dogs! Sending love to all those who loved her. 🖤
My condolences to her family Sending much love and prayers
Praying for all who knew her 🙏 ❤️
Truly heartbreaking to hear.💔
🙏🙏🙏prayers for her family
Sorry to hear this Bonnie J Helvey, I know she was also a great friend. 💔
So very sorry
I AM SO VERY SAD TO HEAR THIS HEARTBREAKING NEWS ... I AM SO VERY SORRY THAT TRACY HAD TO BATTLE THAT NASTY DEVASTATING DISEASE ... I AM SO VERY HEARTBROKEN THAT TRACY'S FAMILY HAS TO LEARN HOW TO LIVE WITHOUT HER .... I AM SO SORRY THAT THE RESCUE WORLD LOST SUCH A COMPASSIONATE WARM ANIMAL LOVER ...MY PRAYERS FOR COMFORT - INNER PEACE AND STRENGTH ARE LIFTED ON BEHALF OF ALL WHO KNOW AND LOVE THIS WONDERFUL WOMAN - IN JESUS OUR LORD'S PRECIOUS NAME 🙏 💔
Oh sincere condolences to the family 😥
I’m so sorry.
🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
Update, pups are now listed on Petfinder.
Yesterday we were able to save three puppies which were the product of a horrific hoarding situation. Regardless of their rough start they are sweet happy puppies, small breed under 15# full grown. Our best guess on breed is Maltese/Poodle mix, estimated date of birth 3/6/25. These adorable puppies will be listed on Petfinder later today but we wanted to give a special sneak peek. If you are interested in giving one of them a perfect forever home applications can be found at www.arfsgc.com. Welcome to the ARFS family Birdie, Dolly and Harper 🐾💗🐾
5 CommentsComment on Facebook
What are the adoption fees on these cuties? 💕
Oh my, they are so precious 🥰
They are adorable!
Theresa Riebli Scheib these ones are so cute
Nikki Henkel look at baby Dolly!!
