PEOPLE are understandably upset about the euthanasia of a dog called Fonzie ("Euthanasia of dogs questioned" in Saturday's Bendigo Advertiser).
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Unfortunately, many people direct their anger towards severely crowded and overworked shelters because they aren't aware of the reasons why most animals end up homeless or are euthanased in the first place – namely, breeders, pet stores and a failure to desex animals. The case highlights that animal shelters that keep their doors open to every dog and cat in need are forced to make difficult decisions every day, and they deserve the community's support for offering a refuge to animals who have nowhere else to go.
No one wants to euthanase animals – least of all the caring workers who must perform this distressing task – but it is far more humane than leaving animals to starve or be hit by cars on the streets or allowing them to go slowly insane in shelter cages, where they may languish for months or even years.
About 250,000 cats and dogs are euthanased in shelters across Australia every year, and the blame for this terrible situation falls squarely on the shoulders of people who allow more animals to be born when there aren't enough good homes for those who already exist.
People who truly care can help end the cycle of animal births, homelessness and euthanasia by lobbying for mandatory desexing legislation and making sure that their own animal companions – as well as those of everyone they know – are desexed.
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