GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - Nobody ever wants to think about pet euthanasia. But for any animal lover, it's a decision that will inevitably knock at your door someday and you'll have to prepare for it.
Spare a thought for those dedicated soldiers working at the SPCA and other animal shelters whose job involves euthanising unwanted cats and dogs.
"It's a painful decision we often have to make," says Warren McKnight, office manager of the Graaff-Reinet SPCA. "Quality of life is equally important for pets and people. So, the decision to put a dog or a cat down may be necessary for their own welfare. Sometimes a pet's quality of life can worsen due to an injury or an incurable illness. In this case, then pet euthanasia might be the right decision.
"The SPCA's role essentially is to prevent cruelty and suffering. Euthanasia might be necessary if a pet has become vicious, dangerous or unmanageable.
"Economic, emotional and space limitations, unfortunately, "force" us to consider euthanasia of an animal." But, says Warren, it is always better to find another solution or an alternative home for these pets. "Euthanasia should be considered only when another alternative is not available.
"However, it does mean that when there are sick, terminally ill or badly injured animals whose quality of life has gone and who stand no chance of recovery to full health and animals which cannot be adopted to responsible owners – then someone has to take responsibility and do it. That's when we have no choice but to put to sleep such an animal."
Warren says it is not in the interest of any animal to be held at an organisation indefinitely or for an excessively long period because animals do become kennel-stressed and overcrowding does affect temperament and behaviour.
"We, therefore, rely heavily on responsible residents from Graaff-Reinet to adopt an unwanted dog or cat before we are forced to euthanise them. We always have pets ready for adoption."
Anita Oberholster gets a kiss from Peanut, who will have to be euthanised soon if the SPCA cannot find him a new home.
Bullet is urgently looking for a new home otherwise the local SPCA will have to make a drastic decision about his future.
Storm is a lovable young puppy who just wants to play. She is ready for adoption.
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