Editing Animal euthanasia (section)

== Reasons ==
The reasons for euthanasia of pets and other animals include:
[[File:Lethal Chamber.jpg|thumb|[[gas chamber|Lethal chamber]] in the Royal London Institute and Home for Lost and Starving Cats]]
* [[Terminal illness]], e.g. [[veterinary oncology|cancer]] or [[rabies]]
* Illness or accident that is not terminal but would cause suffering for the animal to live with,<ref>
petgrail.com/dog-euthanasia-questions</ref> or when the owner cannot afford the treatment or has a moral objection to the treatment
* Old age and deterioration leading to loss of major bodily functions, resulting in severe impairment of the quality of life.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harris |first=Paul|date=2024-11-04 |title=Quality of life assessment {{!}} PeacefulPassing {{!}} Guelph, ON |url=https://www.peacefulpassing.ca/quality-of-life}}</ref>
* Dementia in pets leading to loss of cognitive function and normal daily behaviour and interactions with owner.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Clark |first=Dr Emma |date=2022-11-30 |title=Doggy Dementia |url=https://www.roundwoodpethospice.co.uk/post/doggy-dementia |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=RW Pet Hospice |language=en}}</ref> Dementia resulting in unsocial and repetitive behaviour causing prolonged stress for both pets and their owners.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pet Dementia {{!}} When is the time for Pet Euthanasia |url=https://vets2yourpets.co.uk/managing-dementia-in-pets-when-is-euthanasia-necessary/ |access-date=2023-11-02 |website=Vets 2 Your Pets |language=en-GB}}</ref>
* A hunter's [[coup de grâce]]
* Behavioural problems (usually ones that cannot be corrected) e.g. [[aggression]] – Canines that have caused [[grievous bodily harm]] (severe injuries or death) to either humans or other animals through mauling are usually seized and euthanised ('destroyed' in British legal terms)
* Lack of home or caretaker or resources for feeding
* "Convenience euthanasia", if the owner no longer wants to care for the pet<ref name="SBS">{{cite news |title=The disturbing requests of 'convenient' pet euthanasia |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/insight/article/the-disturbing-requests-of-convenient-pet-euthanasia/c0qb65d8p |access-date=3 November 2024 |work=SBS News |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Animal testing|Research and testing]] – In the course of scientific research or testing, animals may be euthanized in order to be [[dissection|dissected]], to prevent suffering after testing, to prevent the spread of disease, or other reasons<ref name=Recommendations/>

Small animal euthanasia is typically performed in a veterinary clinic or hospital, at [[animal shelter]], or at the pet owner's home <ref>{{Cite web |last=Lou |first=Ed |date=2024-01-25 |title=At Home Pet Euthanasia Near Me {{!}} CodaPet {{!}} Chicago, IL |url=https://www.codapet.com/pet-euthanasia-near-me}}</ref> and is usually carried out by a [[veterinarian]] or a [[veterinary technician]] working under the veterinarian's supervision. Often animal shelter workers are trained to perform euthanasia as well. Knowing when it's time to put a pet down can be difficult.<ref>{{Cite web |title=When Will I Know It's Time? {{!}} Roundwood Pet Hospice |url=https://www.roundwoodpethospice.co.uk/saying-goodbye/when-will-i-know-its-time |access-date=2024-03-28 |website=RW Pet Hospice |language=en}}</ref> A licensed veterinarian can help an owner determine when in the course of an illness or behavioral problem euthanasia is appropriate.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fragola |first=Jessica |date=2023-11-22 |title=How will I know when it's time to say goodbye? {{!}} Paws at Peace {{!}} New York, NY |url=https://pawsatpeace.com/how-will-i-know-when-its-time-to-say-goodbye/,%20https://pawsatpeace.com/how-will-i-know-when-its-time-to-say-goodbye/ |access-date=2023-12-29 |website=pawsatpeace.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

In the case of large animals which have sustained injuries, this will also occur at the site of the accident, for example, on a racecourse.

Some [[animal rights]] organizations support animal euthanasia in certain circumstances and practice euthanasia at shelters that they operate.<ref>[http://www.peta.org/campaigns/ar-nokillshelters.asp "Animal Rights Uncompromised:'No-Kill' Shelters"], PETA, Retrieved 26 June 2010; [https://web.archive.org/web/20040210045810/http://www.petrescueonline.org/newsinfo/petaeu2.htm "A reply from PETA to a letter inquiring about its euthanization decisions"], Petrescueonline.net, Retrieved 26 June 2010.</ref>