Euthanasia

Position

The Alberta SPCA recognizes that euthanasia is appropriate in situations of humane necessity.

Definition

Euthanasia is the act of inducing a humane death in an animal with a minimum of fear, pain and distress.

Rationale

The Alberta SPCA condones only those methods of euthanasia that

• are performed in a compassionate manner by qualified individuals,
• are appropriate to the species and condition of the animal,
• induce immediate and unequivocal loss of sensibility,
• cause the least possible pain, distress or suffering.

Humane necessity includes

• debilitating disease or injury,
• irreversible behaviour problems,
• overpopulation that causes suffering or distress to animals.

Euthanasia may also be necessary to control outbreaks of disease that threaten the safety and welfare of animal or human populations.