Animal Welfare Professionals

Hi,

Our shelter is beginning to develop protocols around our  euthanasia decision-making process for dogs and cats and i'm looking for ideas related to the process surrounding decision-making, your criteria around who is safe to place and who is reponsible for the decision.

How did you develop the protocols that you have? Did you borrow them from someone else? If you developed them internally, who was involved in the process? Any tips or does anyone have a protocol you'd be willing to share? Or any online resources that you found helpful? I'm more interested in behavior than medical, but i'd appreciate veterinary protocols too!

Thx!

Tiffany
#AdoptionsandAdoptionPrograms
#Behavior,TrainingandEnrichment

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Tiffany Warden
Shelter Manager
Franklin Animal Shelter
------------------------------

This makes me think of a song by the great Tom Lehrer,  Lobachevsky.  He was making fun of Soviet mathematicians, but the idea applies here.  I am trying to put together and end of life policy for my shelter and my starting point is a document from Austin Pets Alive.  If I am using the forum software correctly it will be attached.

The first page should be of some use to you, the second is focused on physical problems and you will probably have to make a new list.  Well, two lists, cats and dogs have different behavioral problems. In the case of cats there are a number of behavioral factors that will make a cat unsuitable for adoption but perfect for a barn cat program or return to whatever outdoor home they had before.

My first impression when I looked at page 2 was that this is in no way an objective measure of anything.  Upon further reflection I don't think it is supposed to be an objective measure as much as a list of factors you should consider before making a decision.  I suspect that there is no objective measure, so this is the best we can do.

As for who is involved in the process I am writing the policy myself.  The next step is to run it past the board, the shelter director, and any senior volunteers who may be able to add something.  I think it's important to start with a document written by one person, it is much easier for a group to edit a document than create one from scratch.

Good luck with this, it's not a fun policy to think about.

One last thing, the forum software helpfully added a link under related content:  https://americanpetsalive.org/blog/behavioral-euthanasia-decisions.

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Andrew Jergens
Board President
The Scratching Post
OH
(513) 271-1124
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11/18/2022 5:14:00 AM
From: Andrew Jergens
Subject: RE: How do you make adoption/euthanasia decisions?

This makes me think of a song by the great Tom Lehrer,  Lobachevsky.  He was making fun of Soviet mathematicians, but the idea applies here.  I am trying to put together and end of life policy for my shelter and my starting point is a document from Austin Pets Alive.  If I am using the forum software correctly it will be attached.

The first page should be of some use to you, the second is focused on physical problems and you will probably have to make a new list.  Well, two lists, cats and dogs have different behavioral problems. In the case of cats there are a number of behavioral factors that will make a cat unsuitable for adoption but perfect for a barn cat program or return to whatever outdoor home they had before.

My first impression when I looked at page 2 was that this is in no way an objective measure of anything.  Upon further reflection I don't think it is supposed to be an objective measure as much as a list of factors you should consider before making a decision.  I suspect that there is no objective measure, so this is the best we can do.

As for who is involved in the process I am writing the policy myself.  The next step is to run it past the board, the shelter director, and any senior volunteers who may be able to add something.  I think it's important to start with a document written by one person, it is much easier for a group to edit a document than create one from scratch.

Good luck with this, it's not a fun policy to think about.

One last thing, the forum software helpfully added a link under related content:  https://americanpetsalive.org/blog/behavioral-euthanasia-decisions.

------------------------------
Andrew Jergens
Board President
The Scratching Post
OH
(513) 271-1124
------------------------------

Hi Andrew,

Thx for the laugh (Lobachevsky!) and for the links - very helpful.  I'd love to check out your policy once its done - will share mine if i beat you to it!

Tiffany

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Tiffany Warden
Shelter Manager
Franklin Animal Shelter
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-18-2022 02:14 AM
From: Andrew Jergens
Subject: How do you make adoption/euthanasia decisions?

This makes me think of a song by the great Tom Lehrer,  Lobachevsky.  He was making fun of Soviet mathematicians, but the idea applies here.  I am trying to put together and end of life policy for my shelter and my starting point is a document from Austin Pets Alive.  If I am using the forum software correctly it will be attached.

The first page should be of some use to you, the second is focused on physical problems and you will probably have to make a new list.  Well, two lists, cats and dogs have different behavioral problems. In the case of cats there are a number of behavioral factors that will make a cat unsuitable for adoption but perfect for a barn cat program or return to whatever outdoor home they had before.

My first impression when I looked at page 2 was that this is in no way an objective measure of anything.  Upon further reflection I don't think it is supposed to be an objective measure as much as a list of factors you should consider before making a decision.  I suspect that there is no objective measure, so this is the best we can do.

As for who is involved in the process I am writing the policy myself.  The next step is to run it past the board, the shelter director, and any senior volunteers who may be able to add something.  I think it's important to start with a document written by one person, it is much easier for a group to edit a document than create one from scratch.

Good luck with this, it's not a fun policy to think about.

One last thing, the forum software helpfully added a link under related content:  https://americanpetsalive.org/blog/behavioral-euthanasia-decisions.

------------------------------
Andrew Jergens
Board President
The Scratching Post
OH
(513) 271-1124
------------------------------

Thanks for the laugh and reminder, Andrew!

------------------------------
Lisa Pearce
Charleston Animal Society
843-329-0769
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-18-2022 02:14 AM
From: Andrew Jergens
Subject: How do you make adoption/euthanasia decisions?

This makes me think of a song by the great Tom Lehrer,  Lobachevsky.  He was making fun of Soviet mathematicians, but the idea applies here.  I am trying to put together and end of life policy for my shelter and my starting point is a document from Austin Pets Alive.  If I am using the forum software correctly it will be attached.

The first page should be of some use to you, the second is focused on physical problems and you will probably have to make a new list.  Well, two lists, cats and dogs have different behavioral problems. In the case of cats there are a number of behavioral factors that will make a cat unsuitable for adoption but perfect for a barn cat program or return to whatever outdoor home they had before.

My first impression when I looked at page 2 was that this is in no way an objective measure of anything.  Upon further reflection I don't think it is supposed to be an objective measure as much as a list of factors you should consider before making a decision.  I suspect that there is no objective measure, so this is the best we can do.

As for who is involved in the process I am writing the policy myself.  The next step is to run it past the board, the shelter director, and any senior volunteers who may be able to add something.  I think it's important to start with a document written by one person, it is much easier for a group to edit a document than create one from scratch.

Good luck with this, it's not a fun policy to think about.

One last thing, the forum software helpfully added a link under related content:  https://americanpetsalive.org/blog/behavioral-euthanasia-decisions.

------------------------------
Andrew Jergens
Board President
The Scratching Post
OH
(513) 271-1124
------------------------------

Thank you for your shared document.  Although our practices are similar, we have never put our policy to paper.   With your approval I will share this document with my board and staff.  

We implement a TDC (Tough Decision Committee) to review cases were there is humane concern for an animal in our care.  This committee is comprised of multiple shelter workers, Board member(s), a veterinarian, and may also potentially include health department and a representative from the municipality (if applicable).  The committee members vary so that it is not always the same group of individuals reviewing the details. 

As a small shelter, we thankfully do not have to frequently make these decisions.

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Laurie Parsons
Board President
Elmore SPCA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-18-2022 02:14 AM
From: Andrew Jergens
Subject: How do you make adoption/euthanasia decisions?

This makes me think of a song by the great Tom Lehrer,  Lobachevsky.  He was making fun of Soviet mathematicians, but the idea applies here.  I am trying to put together and end of life policy for my shelter and my starting point is a document from Austin Pets Alive.  If I am using the forum software correctly it will be attached.

The first page should be of some use to you, the second is focused on physical problems and you will probably have to make a new list.  Well, two lists, cats and dogs have different behavioral problems. In the case of cats there are a number of behavioral factors that will make a cat unsuitable for adoption but perfect for a barn cat program or return to whatever outdoor home they had before.

My first impression when I looked at page 2 was that this is in no way an objective measure of anything.  Upon further reflection I don't think it is supposed to be an objective measure as much as a list of factors you should consider before making a decision.  I suspect that there is no objective measure, so this is the best we can do.

As for who is involved in the process I am writing the policy myself.  The next step is to run it past the board, the shelter director, and any senior volunteers who may be able to add something.  I think it's important to start with a document written by one person, it is much easier for a group to edit a document than create one from scratch.

Good luck with this, it's not a fun policy to think about.

One last thing, the forum software helpfully added a link under related content:  https://americanpetsalive.org/blog/behavioral-euthanasia-decisions.

------------------------------
Andrew Jergens
Board President
The Scratching Post
OH
(513) 271-1124
------------------------------

Here's a link to our Pet Evaluation Matrix (built upon several other organizations' hard work): Pet Matrix January 2022FINAL.pdf (broward.org)

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Emily Wood
Director
Broward County Animal Care
Fort Lauderdale FL
------------------------------

Wow Emily, thx! Looks like a lot of work went into this.  Do you ever make exceptions to the matrix? Who reviews the matrix and makes the decision for the pet?   What kind of training do staff receive to make sure they understand how to use it as its intended?

Thx!
Tiffany

------------------------------
Tiffany Warden
Shelter Manager
Franklin Animal Shelter
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-18-2022 10:08 AM
From: Emily Wood
Subject: How do you make adoption/euthanasia decisions?

Here's a link to our Pet Evaluation Matrix (built upon several other organizations' hard work): Pet Matrix January 2022FINAL.pdf (broward.org)

------------------------------
Emily Wood
Director
Broward County Animal Care
Fort Lauderdale FL
------------------------------

Thanks, Tiffany!

The matrix is really set up to be guideposts, and we try to make it very clear in the document that each animal is to be treated as an individual. So there is a lot of language about contextual decision making. We do a lot of evaluation regarding the resources and expected length of stay in our facility, and the resources the average home or transfer partner has in our community and, like everyone I'm sure, make attempts to find those shining stars who may have above-and-beyond resources for individual animals.

Unless the case requires an emergent decision (as do many of our medical intakes - a veterinarian evaluates severe illness and injury on intake and makes an immediate decision), we do daily walking rounds with multiple supervisory staff members present to discuss more nuanced cases. Every euthanasia decision is documented (what decision making is reflective of the Pet Evaluation Matrix) and signed off by all sections (so we don't miss an opportunity from the adoption section, foster, transfer, housing, medical, et cetera) and then signed by me or our Assistant Director.

All staff are introduced to the matrix upon onboarding (and we have published it on our website for the community to understand). We've found it really helps with objective note taking across the organization - we're looking for Fear/Anxiety/Stress level scores, bite scores, notes about what activities increase or decrease stress. That leads to a lot more collaborative problem solving!

------------------------------
Emily Wood
Director
Broward County Animal Care
Fort Lauderdale FL
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-18-2022 06:29 PM
From: Tiffany Warden
Subject: How do you make adoption/euthanasia decisions?

Wow Emily, thx! Looks like a lot of work went into this.  Do you ever make exceptions to the matrix? Who reviews the matrix and makes the decision for the pet?   What kind of training do staff receive to make sure they understand how to use it as its intended?

Thx!
Tiffany

------------------------------
Tiffany Warden
Shelter Manager
Franklin Animal Shelter
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 11-18-2022 10:08 AM
From: Emily Wood
Subject: How do you make adoption/euthanasia decisions?

Here's a link to our Pet Evaluation Matrix (built upon several other organizations' hard work): Pet Matrix January 2022FINAL.pdf (broward.org)

------------------------------
Emily Wood
Director
Broward County Animal Care
Fort Lauderdale FL

Original Message:
Sent: 11/18/2022 1:08:00 PM
From: Emily Wood
Subject: RE: How do you make adoption/euthanasia decisions?

Here's a link to our Pet Evaluation Matrix (built upon several other organizations' hard work): Pet Matrix January 2022FINAL.pdf (broward.org)

------------------------------
Emily Wood
Director
Broward County Animal Care
Fort Lauderdale FL
------------------------------

Thank you, Emily!

------------------------------
Lisa Pearce
Charleston Animal Society
843-329-0769
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-18-2022 10:08 AM
From: Emily Wood
Subject: How do you make adoption/euthanasia decisions?

Here's a link to our Pet Evaluation Matrix (built upon several other organizations' hard work): Pet Matrix January 2022FINAL.pdf (broward.org)

------------------------------
Emily Wood
Director
Broward County Animal Care
Fort Lauderdale FL
------------------------------

Wow, this is a very detailed document. I think I will run this by my Board of Directors as well and see if we can put a protocol in place, so far we have had only one decision we had to make from a hoarding situation, but the veterinarian actually made the decision about the quality of life for the kitten. She was very deformed due to inbreeding.

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Brigitte Ivory
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-18-2022 10:08 AM
From: Emily Wood
Subject: How do you make adoption/euthanasia decisions?

Here's a link to our Pet Evaluation Matrix (built upon several other organizations' hard work): Pet Matrix January 2022FINAL.pdf (broward.org)

------------------------------
Emily Wood
Director
Broward County Animal Care
Fort Lauderdale FL
------------------------------

Hi,

This is a critically important step as lives depends on the answers, thought process and resources available.  One thing I have noticed in this process is how important it is to develop and maintain local, regional and national resources that may be able to help with a dog or cat that is being considered for euthanasia based on behavior.  I have worked with fear dogs for 40 plus years.   Shelters and rescues see dogs especially that show case classic signs of fear either from being abruptly displaced, lack of training, or even abuse.   Seeing a dog on the kill list due to fear is heartbreaking even though I understand the influx of animals and space requirements and most of all lack of resources to assist the animal.  Recently I started reaching out for help for two dogs, a GSD and a Shih Tzu mix, different times, different problems, both bite history.  Instead of putting them down I was able to find a trainer for the GSD who was willing to take the dog on and see if training would help, six months later the dog is happy and living a good life.  The Shih Tzu is just now entering into a rescue with a sanctuary and experience to help the dog, if he can't be trained he has a forever placement.  Normally I would take them on but my hands are failing me.  Neither resource was local and I did spend hours/days talking to people and organizations trying to find help.  It is difficult to devote this amount of time but I believe if we add this into our process on a regular basis instead of in crisis mode we may find more resources out there than we are aware of.  We also evaluated a dog with rage syndrome and let him gain his wings.  Many medical issues as well require the grace giving decision to let them go.   Also remembering to re evaluate these documents on a regular basis after the original outline is done is important.  I am really glad to see this discussion, it is such an important part of the animal welfare system.

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Lynda Streeper
Advocates for Abused and Abandoned Pets (A3P)
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This webcast and this course may help you find positive outcomes for cats and dogs. 

https://university.maddiesfund.org/products/feline-leukemia-testing-one-and-done-for-everyone

https://university.maddiesfund.org/products/care-pathways-guiding-animals-through-the-shelter

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Erika Shaffer
Maddie's Fund
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My shelter has a Placement Committee that meets weekly which includes all of our Directors, Managers, and our Vet to make any non-emergent euthanasia decisions. If it is an emergent and obvious need for euthanasia (such as the animal is literally dying), we will e-mail the committee notifying them of the decision. I'm currently researching various decision making protocols, especially for behavioral based euthanasias so this is a very helpful thread!

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Amanda McQuarry
Portsmouth Humane Society
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We are a small rural community. Adoptable or not adoptable-- for us the item(s) that would make an animal not adoptable would be a biter(aggressive dog)  or one that is sick. The decision to euthanize is never made in isolation.

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Jody CaseKennedy
Retired/Board Secretary- Co-Treasurer
Humane Society Port Jervis/Deerpark
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