The first part of the conversation – maybe with your vet or maybe with yourself in the quiet moments of the day – is often “When the time comes, would it be right to end Trinket’s suffering by putting her to sleep?”

Is it ever right to euthanize a pet? The answer is informed by your personal philosophy and religious beliefs. “No, it is never right” doesn’t require either explanation or apology.  Nor does the carefully considered decision to end suffering. 

Organizations that establish ethical guidelines for veterinarians support euthanasia under specific circumstances, writing “The humane disposition is to act for the sake of the animal or its interests, because the animal will not be harmed by the loss of life. Instead, there is consensus that the animal will be relieved of an unbearable burden.”¹

Religion and euthanasia

Almost all religions oppose human euthanasia, even if the person chooses it. What religious teachings say that can be applied to euthanizing an animal, and more specifically a domestic pet, is less explicit and more open to individual interpretation.  From the Christian perspective, in Genesis 1:26 God declares that man has dominion over animals.  Genesis 9:2 says we are caretakers / stewards of God’s creations.  Proverbs 12:10 states, “A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal.”  These verses can be interpreted as saying we have a responsibility to be merciful toward animals, to treat them with dignity and respect. From the Judeo-Christian view at least, if euthanasia would be merciful to a suffering animal with no hope for recovery, then many if not most see it as a decision we have God’s permission to make. 

Googling “What does religion say about euthanizing pets?” will bring up information that ranges from scholarly treatises to poorly informed opinions.  The websites below and discussion with a spiritual advisor can help you answer the fundamental question “Is pet euthanasia moral?”

• https://www.gotquestions.org/animal-pet-euthanasia.html Question: “What does the Bible say about animal/pet euthanasia?”
• For lay discussions from the Buddhist perspective: http://chagchen.org/2009/07/05/what-do-buddhists-with-pets-think-about-euthanasia/ and https://www.elephantjournal.com/2014/05/pet-euthanasia-the-buddhist-perspective-meshel-laurie/
• http://catholicexchange.com/is-it-okay-to-euthanize-my-pet

Five Freedoms — gold standard in animal welfare

The Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare was developed in the UK in the 1960s in response to a government report on animal husbandry.  It is a comprehensive approach that encompasses both the physical and mental well-being of animals, which has made it the gold standard in animal welfare – for companion animals and farm animals alike.  Ask yourself if you are able to meet these needs as your pet’s health and quality of life decline:

1. Freedom from Hunger and Thirst
2. Freedom from Discomfort
3. Freedom from Pain, Injury or Disease
4. Freedom to Express Normal Behavior
5. Freedom from Fear and Distress

You may agree with these sentiments – or not. Even if your personal view is that a Higher Power decides matters of life and death, not you as a pet owner, this project contains much that will ease the process of saying goodbye to your animal companion. 

If you want your pet will die at home in its own time, IS IT TIME? has helpful information about pet hospice and other resources for providing care during your pet’s decline, how to discuss its approaching death with children, what after-care arrangements are available, and how to handle your and your family’s grief at your loss. 

Make your decision out of love, not out of fear. There is no less heartache in allowing your pet to die in its own time than there is in making the decision to euthanise your pet.