When I hear “the public are responsible for the high euthanasia rates in pounds” I cringe. I have even heard people say they feel sorry for the ‘vets’ that are ‘forced’ by the ‘evil public’ to put pound animals to sleep! These are people in the “animal” movement, whether they are activists, educators or rescuers. It makes me think if ‘we’ are getting it wrong, what hope do we have of educating the public and changing the way people get their pets.
Firstly its just not true that pounds euthanise a high number of animals, and secondly what the hell is wrong with euthanasia anyway, thirdly what makes you think its always vets in pounds that are ‘putting the animals to sleep’? And finally I, as a member of the public, refuse to be held responsible for the poor policy and bad management of our pound system that disposes of healthy animals as if they were trash.
As a responsible pet owner I would like to think that when the time comes I am able to take my animals to my vet and in consultation make the decision to humanely end my pet’s suffering and put them to sleep – euthanasia! Am I a “bad person” or a member of the “evil public” brigade for thinking this way?
Pounds dont euthanise many animals at all, it’s a myth that is perpetuated by people using the language of those in power. The pound managers will tell you they euthanise all these animals because “we cant find homes for them” and its always the fault of the “bad public”, and most of them don’t lift a finger to even try and find the animals a home. And people actually believe them and so the status quo is accepted and never challenged and the cycle continues and the “evil public” are blamed and we all disengage and nothing is done, and so these people just keep repeating it over and over again, ramming it down out throats, thinking they are going to get through to the public that they have just labeled ‘evil’ sigh… exhausting isn’t it!
What would you say if I told you that pounds don’t euthanise they actually kill healthy animals, including puppies and kittens? What would you say if I told you that not all pounds have access to a vet? Would you believe me if I told you it was legal to kill these healthy animals by any other means that’s considered ‘humane’?
It is acceptable for Council rangers to shoot animals in pounds as long as they are shot inside a building, not in view of other animals and the shooter has to be a good shot because that terrified dog/puppy/cat/kitten must not move whilst taking aim and accidently get shot in the back or the leg because that would mean it wasn’t a humane death. Death by shooting must be instant so a good headshot is recommended when you attempt to shoot healthy pets in pounds. Think about it, is that how you picture euthanasia?
It took just 10 people to change the policy at Horsham
Residents back pound policy change
A group Wimmera residents say a decision by Horsham council to abandon the practice of shooting unclaimed pets collected by the pound is a good result.
The council voted last night to adopt the use of lethal injections.
The decision came after months of pressure from a group of Horsham residents advocating a change of policy.
One of those behind the push, Justin Ward, says up to 10 people worked to lobby the council.
“A couple of us, myself included, wrote letters in individually to begin with,” he said.
“But I think the subsequent work has been … a joint effort in providing structured questions to council and recommendations.”
Imagine if these 10 people now took it one step further and demanded the pound just stop the killing and started working towards rehoming these animals. Or imagine what 20 people could do!
There are more of us than them; we are part of the solution we can bring about change. But if we use the language of the few that are in power, our message is muddied and we have no hope of changing the way Australian’s get their pets.
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