This is the most sensitive area the SPCA must deal with. The current practices allow for frequent euthanasia when it is unnecessary. Some examples:
- killing of animals infected with easily curable illness
- killing of animals because of lack of kennel space when space for more kennels is readily available.
- Killing of animals for medical research (Natasha Baker told AAS that she was referring to the practice of using unsold SPCA animals to train staff to do cheap, in-house destruction. The SPCA is still doing this.)
This last case, which is absolutely inexcusable, involved perfectly healthy dogs and cats that were killed for no reason other than providing a group of veterinary students a subject on which to practice euthanasia.
This conflicts with the SPCA Code of Ethics: Point 1) and 2) subparagraph 3
Solution: Allow the showing of sick animals so that there is a chance they may be adopted and cured of the illness after explaining to the public that just because an animal is sick doesn’t mean one should kill it, also use euthanasia as a last resort when illness is a factor. Add more kennels, ban the abhorred practice of killing for medical research.
Symptoms: These practices compromise the integrity of the SPCA, frustrate staff and volunteers and cause the death of many innocent lives. Euthanasia is a difficult concept for everyone to deal with but unfortunately is sometimes necessary. It is much easier to swallow when one knows that everything possible has been done to avoid it – right now that is not happening.