Animal Welfare Professionals

Memphis Animal Services is dedicated to the elimination of the euthanasia of healthy, adoptable animals in our community. Through progressive sheltering policies, education, effective community support and shelter intake prevention programs we feel this goal is achievable.

Memphis Animal Services considers euthanasia as an outcome based on the following factors, in the following order:

1. Health
2. Temperament
3. Exhibited behavior
4. Historical behavior
5. Space Restrictions

Memphis Animal Services considers euthanasia as an outcome due to space restrictions ONLY as a final determining factor, however serious consideration must be given to the capacity of the Memphis Animal Services to provide adequate housing for each animal and ensure proper disease prevention and control.

Here is an excerpt from our SOP about how the euth list is prepared:

The manager preparing the list will add pets in the following order:

1. Animals that are medically suffering or pose a contagious health risk to other pets in the facility after the pet is the property of the City of Memphis (or with veterinary approval if the animal is still on a hold).
2. Animals that have been deemed dangerous/vicious, have bitten, or have demonstrated aggressive behavior and are now property of the City of Memphis (or with management approval if the animal is still on a hold).
3. Animals that have an expired deadline plea.

Memphis Animal Services is dedicated to the elimination of the euthanasia of healthy, adoptable animals in our community. Through progressive sheltering policies, education, effective community support and shelter intake prevention programs we feel this goal is achievable.

Memphis Animal Services considers euthanasia as an outcome based on the following factors, in the following order:

1. Health
2. Temperament
3. Exhibited behavior
4. Historical behavior
5. Space Restrictions

Memphis Animal Services considers euthanasia as an outcome due to space restrictions ONLY as a final determining factor, however serious consideration must be given to the capacity of the Memphis Animal Services to provide adequate housing for each animal and ensure proper disease prevention and control.

Here is an excerpt from our SOP about how the euth list is prepared:

The manager preparing the list will add pets in the following order:

1. Animals that are medically suffering or pose a contagious health risk to other pets in the facility after the pet is the property of the City of Memphis (or with veterinary approval if the animal is still on a hold).
2. Animals that have been deemed dangerous/vicious, have bitten, or have demonstrated aggressive behavior and are now property of the City of Memphis (or with management approval if the animal is still on a hold).
3. Animals that have an expired deadline plea.