HSUS is just PETA in lab coats
Although they did give me a ton of information about animal shelters using gas chambers... however while they don't 'apporove' this method of euthanasia they do consider it 'humane' :-|
First they say;
"The most important factor is the humaneness of the method. To be humane, every euthanasia technique must result in painless unconsciousness, followed by respiratory, and then cardiac arrest, and ultimately death."
but...
"Carbon monoxide (CO) gas is, without question, an unacceptable method of euthanasia in states where shelters can legally obtain and administer sodium pentobarbital. In those states where shelters currently cannot legally obtain and administer sodium pentobarbital or procure veterinary assistance to do so, The HSUS considers the use of CO a
conditionally acceptable method of euthanasia for
some animals, but only when delivered by a commercially manufactured and properly equipped and maintained chamber meeting the criteria outlined below. Only cool bottled, commercial-grade gas must be used; engine or chemically-generated gas is absolutely not acceptable due to impurities and heat, which make its use painful and inhumane."
What? It is humane or it isn't? Make up your minds... oooh thats right it depends on who the money is coming from and how much...
Oh, and this is how Gas Chambers work btw;
(this is from their own site)
"The sound of the gas entering the chamber may create fear in some animals, especially cats. They may become restless or aggressive, further stressing other animals. Because the gas does not immediately render the animals unconscious, they may appear to go through a period of resistance and dogs may vocalize or howl and become rigid. These issues further support the stance that all animal shelters using a carbon monoxide gas chamber for euthanasia should make the transition to euthanasia by injection as soon as possible.
Animals must be left in the chamber and exposed to the gas for a minimum of thirty minutes to ensure death and the chamber must be fully exhausted before animals are removed. Death must be verified for each animal prior to disposal. There are four signs that a technician should check to verify death: lack of respiration, lack of eye reflexes, lack of heartbeat, and presence of rigor mortis. Only the fourth sign, rigor mortis, is a certain sign of death. In rare instances, an animal may appear to lack respiration, eye reflexes, or a heartbeat, but still be alive."
source:
The HSUS Statement on Euthanasia Methods for Animals in Shelters
AnimalSheltering.org Home
