Euthanasia should be a means to put an end to the suffering of sick animals for which there is no hope of recovery. However the biggest ethical problems are related with the unnecessary slaughtering of animals, which are killed not to put an end to their misery but only because it’s convenient to their owners.

 Quite often owners have their animals slaughtered either because they do not want to spend the money necessary to treat them, are going on holidays or, even worse, simply because they are moving to a new home. This is not Euthanasia, it is a crime! A crime due to irresponsibility and egocentrism.  Nevertheless, the number of animals victim of such cruelty is so large, that they may be considered as one of the greatest plagues of our society.

From an ethical point of view a healthy animal should not be slaughtered, the veterinarian’s responsibility is towards the animals welfare and the public health. However, when they aren’t slaughtered by a veterinarian they are abandoned or killed through much more repulsive methods, such as poisoning, hanging or shooting, to mention just a few since, the spectra of the cruel methods used being so large and so abhorrent that we cannot list them all.  Thus, and out of sheer compassion, veterinarians are forced to end the poor animals´ lives, to spare them from a worse destiny.

What can we do?

 The Veterinarian may refuse to slaughter the animals (but what’s going to be of them?) or suggest the owners to try to find somebody willing to adopt them. However, when someone resorts to euthanasia for convenience, his aim is to solve his “problem” as quickly as possible. 

 It is the responsibility of breeders, pet shop owners and, downstream, the veterinarians to inform and coach the prospective animal owners in relation to the pros and cons of rearing an animal.

 On the other hand, before adopting an animal prospective owners should be aware of the costs and effort involved and should also realise that animals have the right to a happy and long life. Regrettably, in the Portuguese schools the students aren´t encouraged to contact with animals, to love and respect them.

 It is a very sad state of affairs because those who don’t respect animal life for selfish reasons, or any other reason, certainly don´t respect human life...