Thompson 1

AnneLovett Thompson
Mrs. DeBock
24 October 2016
English 4
Essential Question: Should animal shelters be able to euthanize animals?
Working Thesis: Euthanizing an animal is an issue among animal shelters.
Refined Thesis: Euthanizing an animal is an issue among animal shelters in terms of protecting
the lives of unadopted animals.

Annotated Bibliography
MacClellan, Joel P. "Animal Euthanasia." Salem Press Encyclopedia, Jan. 2016. Web. October.
2016.
The euthanization of animals is growing amongst local animal shelters. Between 9 and 11
million animals die in shelters alone every year. Euthanization or putting an animal
down,occurs when an animal is sick or not adopted after an extended period of time living at an
animal shelter. The medication vets generally use is Pentobarbital, which is a seizure inducing
medicine given in heavy doses through an IV or shot to the leg. Within minutes the medication
shuts down the heart and brain making the death painful. When an animal is permitted into an
animal shelter the law only allows a minimum of 72 hours before possible euthanization of it.
Some shelters pick through all admitted animals and choose the most adorable pets and euthanize
the rest. This article is relevant to the research because it explains how quickly an animal can be
euthanized in a shelter.
Peta. "The Deadly Consequences of 'No-Kill' Policies." PETA. PETA, May 2015. Web. 28 Oct.
2016.

Thompson 2

Many feel that no-kill shelters are the answer to saving an animal from euthanasia.
However, pets require more than just food, shelter, and water. They require love, care, and plenty
of space to run and play. Most of the time, no-kill shelters are at capacity so they do not accept
anymore animals regardless if they are in a life threatening or abusive situation. No-kill shelters
also do not mean the animals will not die. The chances of a pet living a full life in a no-kill
shelter is very unlikely. Happy lives to hopeless animals are not promised. They spend their days
in a cage by themselves or in overly packed cages with other pets. No-kill shelters when at
maximum capacity are urging people instead of bringing their pets to the shelters, to cast them
out on the street in abandonment. This increases the risk of disease, animals being put in illegal
fights, or being hit by a car. This article is relevant to the research because it explains how no-kill
shelters really work.

Peta. "Euthanasia." PETA. PETA, May 2015. Web. 28 Oct. 2016.

To prevent animals from over populating, ending up in alleys, illegal rings, abusive
homes, on the street, or being put into shelters to possibly face euthanization, one may consider
getting their pet sterilized. Taking a pet to the vet and going through the neutering process could
save many animals from living a homeless and unloved life. This procedure takes between 20
and 90 minutes depending on the animals size, weight, and gender. This procedure lasts a
lifetime and is irreversible. Giving an animal a happy life is important and pets shouldnt have to
have their last day in a shelter on an operating table waiting to be euthanized. This article is
important to the research because it explains how to prevent animals being put into shelters and
euthanized.