by Cindy Shanks

Created on: June 01, 2008   Last Updated: October 26, 2008

Yes.

Of course,euthanasia of cats and dogs is sometimes the most compassionate option. It amazes me that some people disagree with this.

Having a pet is wonderful. They never criticize, make fun of you or complain about your size or the way you look. They offer loyalty that few humans would find hard to match. They are excellent companions and deserve respect. The problem is that when the time comes to make that awful choice between life and death, it is a heartbreaking decision.

Losing a pet is devastating and for people who don't have pets they can't begin to understand how much they become a part of the family. The thought of having to be the one to make the choice is painful. It is only fair to give them dignity and as little suffering as possible.

Any good vet will advise you when your cat and dog needs euthanasia. He or she is a professional who has treated thousands of pets and it is important to respect the vet's judgment. Whatever is wrong with your pet they will have dealt with many times previously.

Even writing this I can recall the pain of previous cats we have had to have "put to sleep". Much as the family loved them we knew when the time was right. Losing them creates a dreadful ache of loneliness but keeping them alive because we can't bear the thought of being without them is selfish. It is cruel and irresponsible to keep a pet alive when it is in constant agony with a tumor that is spreading or suffering from another kind of illness. Although it is extremely difficult you have to be practical and think of the best interests of the pet. Questions I have asked myself are:

Is there any chance my pet will recover?
Will my pet only suffer more by keeping it alive?
Have I tried everything possible to keep it alive?
Am I keeping it alive for my reasons or the pets?
What is the vets advice?

These help decide whether or not your pet needs euthanasia.

Some people might argue that there are some awful owners who take them to be destroyed because they can't be bothered looking after their pets anymore. It seen as totally wrong for the animal. However,even this, I think is far kinder than abandoning an animal in the middle of nowhere, causing it to starve to death. In Britain we have many examples of cats and dogs been abandoned on country lanes getting run over or cut to bits with rubbish. Euthanasia is the most caring option but in my opinion,it should only be used as a last resort.

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