Rescuing companions for a second chance By: Lee Ann Higgins
Shelters are one of the most common ways that most people find their fluffy companions. From small yorkies to big Labrador retrievers, there is something for everybody if researched hard enough. The other percentage of the population chooses breeders to get specific dogs, even if the dog is not necessarily a special breed. For us, the dog world is complicated and filled with, at times, pointless behaviors. Depending on the breed and environment, dogs can develop bad habits just like humans. When those habits become aggressive or an illness develops, this puts dogs at a higher risk of being euthanized . In some cases, the dog could have aged quite a bit and no longer can be aided.
Euthanizing has been around for centuries, although euthanization has decreased over the years. According to Britannica, they state, “The organized movement for legalization of euthanasia commenced in England in 1935, when C. Killick Millard founded the Voluntary Euthanasia Legalisation Society (later called the Euthanasia Society).” The movement brought light to the subject and became prominent around the early 2000’s. With euthanization becoming authorized, this was more for human use before animals. However later in the 1970’s, euthanization became an ordeal for pets. According to the site Animal legal and Historical Center, they exclaimed, “euthanized animals have been declining since 1970, from about 15 million pets to about 1.5 million.” Not only has the amount decreased, but the number of lives that have been saved increased.
Euthanization is known as a painful goodbye to a loved companion. It typically has one meaning and according to the site, Marriam-Webster.com stated “the act or practice of killing or permitting the death of hopelessly sick or injured individuals (such as persons or domestic animals) in a relatively painless way for reasons of mercy.” On the other hand, there are some who believe euthanizing is ending the animal’s grief in a peaceful way. A student named Bryan Lazo, explained, “It should be done when the pet is suffering more than being able to live normally, (only) then the dog should be put down, so it doesn’t suffer.” New York has taken pet euthanizing into their own hands.
Due to this pandemic, many pets are left without new owners or are in shelters to be put down. According to a website called Independent.co.uk, “Even with appropriate social distancing, 2,000 New Yorkers have signed up to be a foster parent for a pet while they work from home [since the outbreak began].” These animals are given a much happier life in a home and the individuals taking care of the animal could change their mind in the most positive way by perhaps thinking about adoption. The person could adopt the animal and give it a chance to survive. One student named Eden Chidebelu-eze who is a tenth grader at Hillgrove High School explained, “I feel like the pandemic has caused a very large downpour of depression and speaking from a person who’s gone through it, animals help a lot when it comes to mental health.” Adopting a pet could benefit the smallest of families. Enjoying time with their new helper and allows the owner to have a chance to take their mind off the many stress-causing events going on in the world today. Especially if the owner has young children. Not only is this a chance for the child to bond with the dog, but also the parent spends time teaching the child how to handle the animal. It is an unforgettable experience.
There are ways to prevent an unfortunate event such as euthanization. The most common strategies are spaying or neutering, and microchipping. With more places to find new homes for these furry friends, the rate of euthanization will decrease more. Euthanizing has been lessening throughout last year. A student named Ryley Hoover sophomore at South Cobb High School stated, “Microchipping could aid in solving euthanization because they could aid in finding the problems faster rather than having it taking weeks to find the illness. It could save a lot of pet’s lives, because then the owners would be able to get the right medication to fix the issue faster.” The issue of euthanizing animals that do not get adopted has been going on longer than it should.
Euthanizing is a very sensitive subject that brings unease to many pet owners. Behaviors can detour a family or individual from adopting an animal. If the pet does end up becoming too much for the person, a suggestion is to research shelters that are No-kill shelters or even find a family friend. Illness is the major cause of most euthanizations. In that case, contact a veterinarian about any other methods that could be taken to allow the dog to survive. This problem is not a simple fix that can be done in a small amount of time. There are different situations that alter the need of euthanizing. Joining organizations like ASPCA that locates animals that have been left to their death could be the best idea if anyone wishes to assist the volunteers in finding homes for the pets in need.
Euthanizing has been around for centuries, although euthanization has decreased over the years. According to Britannica, they state, “The organized movement for legalization of euthanasia commenced in England in 1935, when C. Killick Millard founded the Voluntary Euthanasia Legalisation Society (later called the Euthanasia Society).” The movement brought light to the subject and became prominent around the early 2000’s. With euthanization becoming authorized, this was more for human use before animals. However later in the 1970’s, euthanization became an ordeal for pets. According to the site Animal legal and Historical Center, they exclaimed, “euthanized animals have been declining since 1970, from about 15 million pets to about 1.5 million.” Not only has the amount decreased, but the number of lives that have been saved increased.
Euthanization is known as a painful goodbye to a loved companion. It typically has one meaning and according to the site, Marriam-Webster.com stated “the act or practice of killing or permitting the death of hopelessly sick or injured individuals (such as persons or domestic animals) in a relatively painless way for reasons of mercy.” On the other hand, there are some who believe euthanizing is ending the animal’s grief in a peaceful way. A student named Bryan Lazo, explained, “It should be done when the pet is suffering more than being able to live normally, (only) then the dog should be put down, so it doesn’t suffer.” New York has taken pet euthanizing into their own hands.
Due to this pandemic, many pets are left without new owners or are in shelters to be put down. According to a website called Independent.co.uk, “Even with appropriate social distancing, 2,000 New Yorkers have signed up to be a foster parent for a pet while they work from home [since the outbreak began].” These animals are given a much happier life in a home and the individuals taking care of the animal could change their mind in the most positive way by perhaps thinking about adoption. The person could adopt the animal and give it a chance to survive. One student named Eden Chidebelu-eze who is a tenth grader at Hillgrove High School explained, “I feel like the pandemic has caused a very large downpour of depression and speaking from a person who’s gone through it, animals help a lot when it comes to mental health.” Adopting a pet could benefit the smallest of families. Enjoying time with their new helper and allows the owner to have a chance to take their mind off the many stress-causing events going on in the world today. Especially if the owner has young children. Not only is this a chance for the child to bond with the dog, but also the parent spends time teaching the child how to handle the animal. It is an unforgettable experience.
There are ways to prevent an unfortunate event such as euthanization. The most common strategies are spaying or neutering, and microchipping. With more places to find new homes for these furry friends, the rate of euthanization will decrease more. Euthanizing has been lessening throughout last year. A student named Ryley Hoover sophomore at South Cobb High School stated, “Microchipping could aid in solving euthanization because they could aid in finding the problems faster rather than having it taking weeks to find the illness. It could save a lot of pet’s lives, because then the owners would be able to get the right medication to fix the issue faster.” The issue of euthanizing animals that do not get adopted has been going on longer than it should.
Euthanizing is a very sensitive subject that brings unease to many pet owners. Behaviors can detour a family or individual from adopting an animal. If the pet does end up becoming too much for the person, a suggestion is to research shelters that are No-kill shelters or even find a family friend. Illness is the major cause of most euthanizations. In that case, contact a veterinarian about any other methods that could be taken to allow the dog to survive. This problem is not a simple fix that can be done in a small amount of time. There are different situations that alter the need of euthanizing. Joining organizations like ASPCA that locates animals that have been left to their death could be the best idea if anyone wishes to assist the volunteers in finding homes for the pets in need.
