Euthanizing Non-Releasable Animals in Wildlife Rehab

[Lo_laa]

Hello

I am curious about everyone's opinion on this, as I know there are many rehabbers on here. My first experience volunteering at a wildlife rehab was so wonderful and it inspired me to work on getting my own license eventually. We kept non-releasable animals and either found placement for them elsewhere or kept them on our property to be used as education animals. This seemed fine to me and the animals seemed perfectly content and happy. I ended up moving to another state, and the wildlife rehab that is near me here euthanizes all non-releasable animals. I did not know this was something that was done. Is this the new standard? Do many wildlife rehabs do this? I admit I am feeling conflicted about it because while I know it is always best for wild animals to be wild, I have seen many wilds live very full and happy lives in captivity, and my own personal experience with animals is that they have a strong will to live, no matter what. Thoughts?

[TubeDriver]

If you are licensed, you are generally supposed to follow the law which in most cases requires euthanizing wildlife that cannot be successfully released. Some people strictly adhere to this, others look the other way occasionally or in certain situations and others ignore the law altogether. In general, wildlife deserves to be free and most people do not have the resources/time to provide a stimulating life for wildlife. But in reality, there are exceptions to almost every rule. Here on the TSB, we try to educate and help out anyone who is attempting to help a squirrel. Period. We recognize that squirrels for the most part make pretty awful pets unless their caretakers go above and beyond what many people are willing/able to do. We encourage rescue, rehab and release. But we also support folks who have NRs, we are not in the business of enforcing DNR's rules.

Hello

I am curious about everyone's opinion on this, as I know there are many rehabbers on here. My first experience volunteering at a wildlife rehab was so wonderful and it inspired me to work on getting my own license eventually. We kept non-releasable animals and either found placement for them elsewhere or kept them on our property to be used as education animals. This seemed fine to me and the animals seemed perfectly content and happy. I ended up moving to another state, and the wildlife rehab that is near me here euthanizes all non-releasable animals. I did not know this was something that was done. Is this the new standard? Do many wildlife rehabs do this? I admit I am feeling conflicted about it because while I know it is always best for wild animals to be wild, I have seen many wilds live very full and happy lives in captivity, and my own personal experience with animals is that they have a strong will to live, no matter what. Thoughts?

[Charley Chuckles]

RULES ARE VERY IMPORTANT THINGS, BUT SOMETIMES THEY SEEM TO GET IN THE WAY WHEN WE'RE TRYING TO HELP SOMEBODY,
SO IN CERTAIN CASES WE DON'T BREAK THEM WE JUST BEND THEM A LITTLE.

Author, Andy Griffith 👏

[SammysMom]

Into pretzels when needed!!!

RULES ARE VERY IMPORTANT THINGS, BUT SOMETIMES THEY SEEM TO GET IN THE WAY WHEN WE'RE TRYING TO HELP SOMEBODY,
SO IN CERTAIN CASES WE DON'T BREAK THEM WE JUST BEND THEM A LITTLE.

Author, Andy Griffith 👏

[Sarah Hancock]

In our state euthanasia is required unless you have a permit for an educational animal (which are very few). However, the reality is that it would be impossible to keep every non releasable animal. The numbers would be far too great to house that many animals. It would be unrealistic. Above all it is extremely important to take into consideration quality of life. In my opinion, life lived out long term in captivity is not a good solution for the animals in most cases. As rehabbers we need to set our emotions aside and think logically for the well being of each animal. Euthanasia is a gift.

[SamtheSquirrel2018]

In our state euthanasia is required unless you have a permit for an educational animal (which are very few). However, the reality is that it would be impossible to keep every non releasable animal. The numbers would be far too great to house that many animals. It would be unrealistic. Above all it is extremely important to take into consideration quality of life. In my opinion, life lived out long term in captivity is not a good solution for the animals in most cases. As rehabbers we need to set our emotions aside and think logically for the well being of each animal. Euthanasia is a gift.

Hi SH:
Thanks for your comments! I agree completely with everything that you said! Euthanasia is utilized as a means to end prolonged, extreme or needless suffering (suffering in the face of futility) either from pain or from quality of life issues! Although I am so appreciative of being able, if needed, to provide Euthanasia as I too believe that when it is properly utilized; it is a "gift;" BUT there is variability in the justifications people make for Euthanasia and there are few "absolutes!" There are obvious cases where immediate Euthanasia should be the only option but there are many more cases where Euthanasia may, indeed, be an option but not the only option and I do believe that in those non-emergent cases; we as conscientious and compassionate humans should for at least for some short period of time indulge in making an accurate assessment and become aware of and then weigh all reasonable option objectively (and I know that this is quite a challenge) before opting for Euthanasia! Another issue is that Euthanasia itself should NOT entail any suffering! The end (death with no further suffering) does NOT justify all of the means that might be used to reach the goal! We must be very compassionate with how we may provide Euthanasia! Here is what Webster has a derivation for the word, 'Euthanasia;'

"The word comes from the Greek euthanatos, which means “easy death.” In English, euthanasia has been used in exactly this sense since the early seventeenth century, when Francis Bacon described the phenomenon as “after the fashion and semblance of a kindly & pleasant sleepe.”

Enough said! Again, I agree with you!

Regards,
SamtheSquirrel

[Sarah Hancock]

Thank you Samethesquirrel! I appreciate your comment as well.