End of Life Decisions

Euthanasia Policy 

Horse Plus Humane Society is an open-admission shelter that takes in any animal in need, including animals that are too aggressive, injured, or sick to be rehabilitated or treated for adoption. To understand our policy, it is first important to understand that Horse Plus Humane Society accepts all animals regardless of their adoptability, even if they need the Last Act of Kindness. Horse Plus Humane Society takes in unwanted pets from owners, rescues animals bound for slaughter, and serves as a resource for local counties. As such, we provide a temporary shelter for homeless and unwanted animals of all types.

We do not set a maximum amount of time that we will hold an animal. In general, as long as the animal remains adoptable, the animal is coping adequately with the stress of shelter life, and there is space to humanely house the animal, we will continue to provide shelter and care for the animal and to make every reasonable effort to find the animal a good home or placement in a reputable rescue.

Although our goal is to place in good homes as many of these animals as possible, we also realize that euthanasia of animals may sometimes be necessary.  The following are examples of situations where euthanasia may be necessary:

• An animal that exhibits aggressive or other dangerous behavior such that it poses a threat to the safety of people, other animals, or itself.
  
  
• An animal having a medical condition that will result in poor quality of life. This includes cases that are beyond our organization’s resources to treat and which other organizations may be unable or unavailable to receive as a transfer. This may also include cases that, even with treatment, have a high likelihood of recurrence requiring intensive veterinary treatment for life and/or a guarded prognosis. Illnesses of a highly contagious nature that would place the rest of the shelter population at risk of serious illness may also result in euthanasia.
  
  
• An animal shows signs of severe stress from the shelter environment such that the animal is suffering in an unacceptably poor quality of life.
  
  
• As is the case with most open admission shelters, at certain times intakes exceed the facility’s capacity to humanely house every animal that arrives and the most difficult choice has to be made.

Every euthanasia decision is made on an individual basis, following careful consideration by our veterinarian and certified and compassionate professionals who are familiar with the health and behavior of the animals. Ensuring capacity for care guidelines are met and that each animal receives care that meets and exceeds standards.

If euthanasia is elected, it is carried out by the most humane means possible in full accordance with the American Veterinary Medical Association guidelines. Euthanasia is always administered by gentle, caring, and certified professionals.