Furry friends are a big part of our lives, being there to greet us when we wake up, and sleeping next to us when we go to bed. But just like any living being, their time must inevitably come to an end. When an animal is very sick or in pain, the owner and the vet may decide to euthanize the pet, which is basically injecting a medication that ends the pet’s life peacefully. 

Euthanizing animals has long been a controversial topic, but I believe that it is truly not a bad decision. That being said, I want to make it clear that ultimately, nobody wants to witness their companion go through euthanisia. 

“The decision is difficult for both the owner and the veterinarian, but we should recognize that sometimes this is the kindest thing we can do in the final stage of a pet’s life,” according to Dr. Laura Eirmann, a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) at Cornell University.

The process of euthanisia involves a vet injecting a large dose of a medication, usually Pentobarbital, which is usually given through IV injection in one of their legs.This medication shuts down their heart and brain, within 1 to 2 minutes. Euthanizing a pet may be incredibly painful for the owner, but it is painless for the pet. Some vets also give the animals a sedative injection before the shot, to help them calm down and relax. 

Because this process is so quick, many owners are usually surprised as to how fast it goes. This may be good, in comparison to seeing your pet suffer endlessly. Euthanizations are not taken lightly. It is always the last resort. 

Euthanasia also brings awareness to the problem of dog and cat overpopulation. When there are too many dogs and cats than shelters can hold, many of them just have to be euthanized. According to pawworks.org, about 31% of dogs and 41% of cats have to be euthanized each year. To put this into even greater perspective, a dog or cat is euthanized every 13 seconds. How can this be solved? The easiest and most effective way to slowly stop overpopulation is by spaying/neutering your pets. These surgeries not only stop their abilities to reproduce, but also help decrease chances of cancers in the pets. 

Many people may see euthanasia negatively, but I believe that the pros do outweigh the cons. It is a very humane way of letting a pet go, and it helps to end a pet’s pain. It is very important to remember that at the end of the day, the owner should agree with this decision, because it is their pet.

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