Understanding Convenience Euthanasia: A Delicate Topic in Pet Care
Before we begin…
This is an extremely difficult subject to explore and reducing it to a binary of good/bad is not helpful. The intention, here, is to open an exploration of perspectives. Around 66% of US households identify as having a pet - that’s about 87 million American families (Insurance Information Institute, 2023), and all of those families have adopted or purchased a pet for their own reasons. At some point, almost all of those families will need to say “goodbye” to their animal. This is not coming from a place of judgement.
Euthanasia is a heart-wrenching decision for most pet owners, representing a profound act of love in ending an animal’s suffering. Some people connect with the animals in their lives quite differently: where some have “working dogs” that are part of a larger economic operation, others have animals that they “steward” and “protect” in ways akin to their children. People and animals have dynamic relationships that influence how the end of those relationships will play-out. For some, the term “convenience euthanasia” introduces additional complex ethical and emotional dimensions to the conclusion of the relationship. Typically, this term describes situations where euthanasia is requested for reasons beyond an animal’s immediate medical needs, such as owner lifestyle changes, financial constraints, or behavioral issues.
The Pet Owner’s Perspective: For many pet owners/stewards/caretakers, the decision to request euthanasia stems from circumstances they feel unable to control. Financial hardships may render ongoing medical care unsustainable, while behavioral challenges—such as aggression or destructive tendencies—can make coexistence unsafe or impractical. In some cases, life events like relocation, family dynamics, or health emergencies drive these choices. While the term “convenience” may carry a judgmental tone, most owners facing this decision do so with considerable anguish and often after exhausting alternative solutions (AVMA, 2020). Yet, there are some circumstances in which the very judgemental connotation of “convenience” is appropriate.
The Veterinarian’s Perspective: Veterinarians approach euthanasia with both professional and personal ethics. Most strive to balance compassion for the pet with support for the owner, but convenience euthanasia raises moral dilemmas. Some vets are unwilling to euthanize healthy animals, citing their duty to preserve life and seek re-homing options instead. Others may agree to the procedure under specific circumstances, recognizing the risk of abandonment or poor quality of life if the pet remains with an unwilling or unprepared owner (PLOS One, 2019). This nuanced perspective underscores the importance of open, judgment-free communication between veterinarians and their clients.
Navigating Ethical Challenges: Organizations like the ASPCA and veterinary associations advocate for increased resources to support struggling pet owners, such as behavioral training programs, financial assistance for medical care, and pet surrender networks. These interventions aim to reduce the need for euthanasia and ensure that both pets and owners receive the help they need to navigate challenging circumstances (ASPCA, 2023).
A Somber Reminder
Convenience euthanasia reflects the intertwined complexities of pet ownership and human life. By fostering empathy and promoting access to resources, the veterinary community and society at large can better support both pets and their owners in times of difficulty. Eternal Tides is here to support people in a difficult time.
References
American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). (2020). Guidelines for Veterinary Euthanasia. Retrieved from https://www.avma.org
ASPCA. (2023). Resources for Pet Owners in Need. Retrieved from https://www.aspca.org
Insurance Information Institute. (2023). Facts + Statistics: Pet Ownership and Insurance. Retrieved from https://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-pet-ownership-and-insurance
PLOS One. (2019). Veterinary Perspectives on Euthanasia in Companion Animals. Retrieved from https://journals.plos.org/plosone/
