Revised: October 2000

#3 - EUTHANASIA

The BC SPCA conditionally approves of euthanasia to animals, believing the procedure to be a necessary part of its Shelter/field operations.

Comment:

Euthanasia may be necessary to:

end the severe or incurable suffering of animals;
dispose of animals not suitable for adoption;
terminate human/animal conflicts or other dangerous situations involving animals where a legal/jurisdictional mandate exists.
mitigate the effects of overcrowding where no practical alternative exists.
Euthanasia: a painless, gentle death to the animal with minimal stress.

SEE OPERATIONAL BULLETIN #6 FOR ALLIED PROCEDURAL RULES; ADOPTION SCREENING GUIDELINES; APPROVED BC SPCA METHODS OF EUTHANASIA.