Let’s Talk About Euthanasia
It’s a topic no one likes to talk about. But it’s an important part of animal sheltering, and we believe it’s something we should discuss openly and honestly.
HSTB is a No-Kill Shelter. That means we maintain a live-release rate of 90% or greater and do not euthanize healthy, adoptable animals simply to make space.
But No-Kill doesn’t mean euthanasia never happens.
Sometimes an animal is suffering from an illness or injury that can’t reasonably be treated, and the kindest thing we can do is end that suffering.
Other times, an animal’s behavior presents a danger to people or other animals, making it unsafe to responsibly place them in our community. In those situations, transferring or adopting out that animal doesn’t make the danger go away—it simply transfers the risk to someone else.
These decisions are heartbreaking, and they take an enormous emotional toll on the people who have to make them.
They sit with the animals. They comfort them. They cry over them. They remember them.
And then they go back to work caring for the next animal who needs them.
No one at HSTB comes to work hoping to make this decision. We come to work hoping we won’t have to.
Our goal is always to save lives, prevent suffering and protect our community. Sometimes, doing all three means making the hardest decision of all.
We know euthanasia brings up strong emotions. It is reasonable to be upset when it happens. And while these conversations aren’t easy, they are necessary. Our door is always open to respectful, thoughtful questions about our policies and procedures: communications@hstb.org. #WeAreHSTB
