Our euthanasia policy
The Woodside Animal Welfare Trust is a no – kill sanctuary, meaning that we do not euthanize due to time or space constraints, reserving euthanasia for animals who are suffering mentally or physically, terminally ill, or considered dangerous to themselves, other animals, and/or humans, or those that due to breed legislation make it illegal for us to rehome.
Woodside is committed to the preservation of life and to the objective use of approved methods of euthanasia, when appropriate, guided by medical standards and a reasonable interpretation of the definition of the purpose behind euthanasia. Factors contributing to the euthanasia of any animal include quality of life, and risk to the health and safety of other animals, including people. Woodside resolutely affirms that it WILL NOT euthanise for reasons amounting to insufficient operational capacity such as space, manpower, and the like.
Woodside recognises that the subject of euthanasia is emotionally charged and, at times, difficult for any reasonable person to reflect upon.
Euthanasia may occur at Woodside due to the following:
Pet owner authorized euthanasia. However, the Woodside staff has the right to decline this service if the staff determines that the animal still has quality life remaining and that the animal can live comfortably.
Deteriorating medical or behavioural condition that is causing suffering to an animal. If Woodside determines that a pet is suffering from medical conditions that are not able to be medically treated to maintain a comfortable and quality life. Should outside opinions of the medical state of a pet be needed, the Woodside Veterinary will consult with other Veterinarians to make a final determination on the pet’s state of health. If the pet is treatable, Woodside will attempt to do everything possible within our resources to properly treat the pet to manage its medical condition to live a comfortable and safe life.
Behaviours that are beyond management that are deemed unsafe to other pets, people, and to itself. In these cases, a certified behaviourist may be consulted in conjunction with recommendations from the trainer(s) or staff.
Standards of Operation
Each animal admitted into Woodside will be evaluated initially at intake. Pets placed in the organization’s adoption program will continuously be evaluated for medical and behavioural considerations.
Evaluations are intended to identify:
- Animals who are suffering mentally, emotionally or physically.
- Animals with a poor prognosis, protracted painful recovery, incurable illness, and/or are non – responsive to treatment or who suffer from an affliction in which treatment is not reasonably available.
- Animals who are deemed to pose an unacceptable danger to other animals themselves or the public.
- Animals who have a condition that individually may not necessitate euthanasia, but that contribute to escalate other conditions that, in total, warrant euthanasia.
If the animal poses an immediate or serious danger to animals and/or people, alternative options will not be considered.
Definition of Terms
Medically Necessitated Euthanasia
Animals who are suffering from a disease, injury, or congenital or hereditary condition that adversely affects the animal’s health or is likely to adversely affects the animal’s health in the future, and are not likely to become “healthy” or “treatable” even if provided the care typically provided to pets by reasonable and caring pet owners/guardians in the community.
Behaviourally Necessitated Euthanasia
Animals who have or who develop a behavioural or temperamental characteristic that poses a health or safety risk or otherwise makes the animal unsuitable for placement as a pet, and are not likely to become “healthy” or “treatable” even if provided the care typically provided to pets by reasonable and caring pet owners/guardians in the community.
