Euthanasia: The Sad Truth of Shelter Overcrowding

A group of cats gathered around their food bowl. Photo obtained from Canva. 

How Euthanasia Came to be the “Solution” 

Before the concept of animal welfare became the norm in the mid-1900s, animals, including cats and dogs, were generally viewed as property and tools for labor. While cats and dogs did exist as pets, street populations were seen as a problem for public health, and the general solution was eradication of the animals. Thankfully, progressive and empathetic animal caretakers recognized the need to create spaces that house the vulnerable pet populations, and shelters have become the backbone of preserving animal welfare in the United States. 

While the presence of animal shelters, rescues, and advocate groups has transformed how society views animal rights, it hasn’t solved the crisis of caring for and housing the vulnerable cat and dog populations. Shelters work hard to save as many animals as they can but generally lack the resources and space needed to make a difference in vulnerable pet populations. 

One of the main issues is the overcrowding of shelters, especially when they’re open-intake. They’re often faced with the issue of taking in strays and surrendered animals while housing pets that are “unadoptable” or have very lengthy stays. Do they help the new cases that really need them? Or do they turn them away and continue to take care of the animals they have? With a steady stream of animals in need, shelters sometimes take the route of euthanasia in order to make space.

Shelter euthanizations are not cruel, malicious, or done without a heavy heart. Sometimes, euthanization can be the most humane option for an animal that is beyond medical or behavioral intervention. However, unnecessary euthanization, carried out to clear shelter space, could be prevented if shelters had the support and space they needed. 

According to Animal Shelters Count, 6.55 million dogs and cats entered shelters and rescues nationwide in 2023. 11% of those animals did not make it out. While the data doesn’t specify reasons for those non-live outcomes, shelters undoubtedly carried out “unnecessary” euthanizations, meaning that otherwise healthy animals with long stays had to be euthanized for space. Just this past November of 2024, ACCT Philly pleaded with the public to explore dog adoption. With a huge influx of dog rescues this past year, the shelter was forced to “time-stamp” dogs, putting a date on their stay. The Animal Shelters Count report suggests that the increase in the number of animals entering the shelters will cause the ongoing capacity crisis to worsen.

How are Animals Chosen for Euthanization? 

Shelters faced with the dreaded decision to euthanize refer to the Asilomar Accords, an industry standard created in 2004 for shelter reports. The Asilomar Accords were meant to standardize the definitions and reporting across US shelters, including for capacity of care. They are loose, general guidelines for defining the status of an animal’s care in the shelter. 

Notably, animals are considered untreatable and unhealthy when they “have a behavioral or temperamental characteristic that poses a health or safety risk or otherwise makes the animal unsuitable for placement as a pet.” The problem with this wording is that “unsuitable” animals, when shelters are in need of space, are the animals with the longest stays. 

Lengthy shelter stays are not wholly reflective of an animal’s “adoptability” or their health or temperament but are factored in when shelters need to make room. Bigger dogs suffer from this the most, finding themselves “unadoptable” because of the stigmas against their breed or coat color. These perfectly otherwise healthy dogs are heartbreakingly euthanized because continuing to house them would mean not saving other animals that come through. 

What Can We Do?

Ideally, shelters would clear their space with donations, but more importantly, adoptions. If more people adopted from rescues and shelters instead of shopping– hence, adopt, don’t shop– it would absolutely help to ease the shelter load. Someone’s decision to take a trip to the shelter and leave them with an open kennel could be the chance to save an animal from unnecessary euthanization. 

However, adoption is a long-term commitment that people may not be quite ready to make. That is why shelters suggest fostering, even if only for a few days. Animals generally face a better chance of adoption in the care of a foster– they look and feel brighter outside of the kennel and are hopefully being fostered by someone who’s actively looking for or preparing to be their perfect home. It’s my plan that a year from now, with a job and hopefully a bit of disposable income, to be that foster bridge for an animal in need, taking them from a shelter to their forever homes.