Minnesota Valley Humane Society

Does Minnesota Valley Humane Society euthanize animals?
Yes.

What percentage of its animals does Minnesota Valley Humane Society euthanize?
Our most recent adoption and euthanasia statistics are available at our shelter. Currently, 18% of all the animals that arrive at our shelter are euthanized. Nationally, most shelters euthanize over 50% of their animals.

Why does Minnesota Valley Humane Society euthanize animals?
The majority of the animals euthanized at our shelter are ill, very old, or too aggressive to be placed for adoption. Most of these animals are never put on our adoption floor, and are euthanized soon after arriving at the shelter. Minnesota Valley Humane Society is an open admissions shelter, which means we will always accept owner-surrendered animals, even when we are full.

How long do you wait before you euthanize an animal?
Minnesota Valley Humane Society does not set any time limits. Once an animal is placed on our adoption floor, we will try to find it a home as long as it remains healthy and non-aggressive. If an animal appears to have health or temperament problems when it arrives, we may hold it for further observation before making a final decision.

How are animals euthanized at Minnesota Valley Humane Society?
Minnesota Valley Humane Society uses a method called lethal injection. A drug called sodium pentobarbital is injected into an animal’s vein. This causes the animal to die from an overdose of barbiturate (anesthetic) drug. Sodium pentobarbital acts directly on the cerebral cortex portion of the brain, rendering the animal unconscious almost immediately. Subsequent to the animal becoming unconscious, vital functions including heart rate and respiration begin to slow, and blood pressure decreases. Within minutes, the animal’s brain is paralyzed, and all body functions cease.

At Minnesota Valley Humane Society, all the animals we euthanize are brought to a quiet room. When possible, two staff members are present: one to administer the injection, and one to comfort the animal. At times, safety precautions require that an animal be restrained using a muzzle or a net. Once they are unconscious, staff waits until no heartbeat can be detected. The animal’s body is then placed in a freezer. Animal remains are collected once a week by an outside company, and properly disposed of.

The Minnesota Valley Humane Society does not use a gas chamber, or any other gas device for euthanizing animals. The only other method used is an ingestible (edible) poison, that at times is necessary when handling an extremely viscous animal.

Who euthanizes animals at the Minnesota Valley Humane Society?
We have several staff members who are either Certified Veterinary Technicians or Certified Euthanasia Technicians. They have all received extensive training in the proper administration of sodium pentobarbital. Other staff members may assist by holding animals at the time of euthanasia. We also have several veterinarians and veterinary technicians that volunteer at our shelter, and may assist in euthanasia.

Does Minnesota Valley Humane Society look for other options before euthanizing an animal?
The staff and volunteers at Minnesota Valley Humane Society work together with several breed-placement (rescue) groups when dealing with a difficult-to-place animal. We also seek out donated veterinary services to care for ill and injured animals that come to our shelter. Many of these organizations are unable to accept animals with a history of biting. All of these groups are also strained for resources, and cannot always help.

How do you choose which animals to euthanize?
The decision to euthanize an animal is taken very seriously by our staff members. We do not have any set protocol as to which animals will be euthanized. Animals must be gentle enough to be handled by staff before they can be placed for adoption. Other behavior issues are handled on an individual basis. We do not have an age limit, and have to judge according to the age of the other animals currently at the shelter. Our isolation areas for sick animals are very small, which affects how much care we can give an ill animal before it is euthanized.

Do you call an animal’s former owner before euthanizing an animal?
Minnesota Valley Humane Society’s current surrender agreement states that we will not inform former owners as to the disposition of their animal. At the time of surrender, they must read, agree to, and sign this statement. It is Minnesota Valley Humane Society’s policy not to release any information as to the final disposition of any animal.

If I see an animal at your shelter, or on your website, and the next day it’s gone, was it euthanized?
Probably not, odds are the animal found a home. Only animals available for adoption are posted on our website, and available at our shelter. We currently have an overall adoption rate of 82%, and once an animal reaches our adoption floor, it has a 98% chance of finding a home.

The animal may also be at a vet clinic being sterilized. It may be ill, and in our isolation unit. However, we do not guarantee adoption, and there is a chance that it may have been euthanized.

If my animal is sick, and needs to be put to sleep, can I bring it to the Minnesota Valley Humane Society?
No. Minnesota Valley Humane Society has limited resources, and is not equipped to perform euthanasia as a service to the public. You will need to take your animal to your regular veterinarian.

Credits: Humane Society of the United States, 2100 L. Street, NW, Washington, DC 20037.