This post was almost too hard to write.
My brain has trouble wrapping itself around the fact that shelters in the United States of America are still killing animals by gassing them to death and by sticking them in the heart.
What’s heartsticking, you ask?
A poison-filled syringe is jabbed through an animal’s chest wall. The needle punctures layers of nerves on the way to the heart. If the syringe pulsates, it is in the heart. If not, the animal gets another sharp stab. Once on target, a press of the plunger injects “blue juice” (sodium pentobarbital) into the heart of an unadoptable animal.
The American Veterinary Medical Association protocols require that animals being euthanized by heartstick be “heavily sedated” or “comatose.” That doesn’t always happen. And you know what else? It’s not always a trained vet tech or a vet performing this procedure. Needless to say, without a medical background, it can be difficult to find the heart of a live animal on the first try.
This very graphic video from what appears to be a hidden camera shows dogs being killed by heartstick in Robeson County, North Carolina.
There are people out there fighting to stop heartsticking. You can join them by signing this petition.
Today I want to address the issue of gas chambers in North Carolina, but bear with me as I digress for one more moment.
Decompression chambers are also used to kill homeless and unwanted pets. Imagine being stuck in a small overcrowded box filled with other terrified people and having all the oxygen drawn out until you literally suffocate. Decompression chambers simulate an ascent to thousands of feet above sea level in a matter of minutes. At many shelters that use this method, decompression occurs at speeds up to 15 times faster than the recommended rate which causes severe pain as the gases in animals’ sinuses, middle ears, and intestines expand quickly. Accidental recompression can occur when equipment malfunctions, when there is a personnel error, or when small animals become trapped in air pockets. Animals must then be put through the procedure all over again.
Now let’s take a look at the situation in North Carolina…
Gas chambers kill animals by poisoning them with carbon monoxide. Some shelters use commercially manufactured units, and others use crudely built units constructed of cinderblock, metal, and wood. Workers put several animals in the gas chamber at once – sometimes cats and dogs together. The animals oftentimes bark, meow, howl, whine, gasp for breath, fight to claw their way out of the chamber, vomit, convulse, and/or urinate and defecate in terror. It takes between 20-45 minutes for animals to die in the gas chamber, and some animals are gassed more than once before they are killed.
In some shelters in North Carolina, they wheel the dead dogs past the cages where the other dogs are being held. Can you imagine their terror? More than 20 counties in North Carolina still kill animals using gas chambers, and North Carolina is home to the highest number of gassing facilities in the United States.
Does any of this remind you of a particularly horrible and shameful period in human history? There are those who shy away from comparing animals to humans, but I think it’s pretty obvious that we are doing to dogs and cats what was once done to humans.
You can get the facts on North Carolina’s gassing chambers from the North Carolina Coalition for Humane Euthanasia, and the Animal Law Coalition also maintains information about gas chambers.
Help Save One, a rescue that recently won Petfinder’s shelter challenge for the state of Rhode Island, organized a rescue effort on January 22, 2010, at Gaston County Animal Control in North Carolina. You can see photos of the rescue here. All of the animals saved from death by gassing at Gaston are up for adoption, and transport can and will be organized for these animals.
This is one of the dogs awaiting adoption after Help Save One's rescue in Gaston County, North Carolina.
Some dogs survive the gas chamber.
Two of these dogs have become well known in the fight to stop this unthinkable method of killing unwanted and homeless pets.
Davie’s family found him alive in a bag of other dead puppies in a dump site in North Carolina. They are working hard to pass Davie’s Law which will outlaw the use of gas chambers in North Carolina.
Back in 2006, Amazing Grace survived being gassed in one of Georgia’s gas chambers. At the age of two, she was placed in a gas chamber with three other dogs for 30 minutes and somehow survived the ordeal. The shelter worker who pulled Amazing Grace out of the gas chamber took her to a veterinarian and is working with other shelter workers to stop the use of gas chambers in their facility.
Gas chambers are not what our shelter workers want either. Many of them are counting on us to help make their jobs more bearable. One North Carolina shelter worker’s story, “A Heartless Job,” has been posted all across the Internet and can be found by clicking here and scrolling toward the middle of the page.
Why is this happening in North Carolina?
There are probably a variety of reasons, but Dr. Ralph Houser, DVM, known to many as Dr. Death, is a big part of the problem. He opened Carolina Veterinary Consulting in 1987 in Pittsboro, North Carolina, and he manufactures gas chambers. He consults to shelters around the state about the “most humane” methods of euthanasia and proceeds to sell them his gas chambers. Am I the only one who detects a slight conflict of interest?
Oh, and did I mention that Dr. Houser demonstrates and teaches his methods on live animals during his workshops? Here’s one of his brochures which was used for a presentation at the Gaston County Animal Control facility where Help Save One is conducting its rescue mission.
You can reach Dr. Ralph Houser, DVM, by phone at 336-376-8134 or by fax at 336-376-0770. His mailing address is 10020 NC Hwy 87 S; Pittsboro, NC 27312-9201. Let him know that the world knows his gas chambers are far from humane.
The bottom line?
PETA, The American Veterinary Medical Association, and The Humane Society of the United States concur that an intravenous injection of sodium pentobarbital administered by a trained professional is the kindest, most compassionate method of euthanizing animals. The American Humane Association considers this to be the only acceptable method of euthanasia for cats and dogs in animal shelters.
If this post was difficult to write, this very graphic footage of a gas chamber in Yadkin County (North Carolina) is almost impossible to watch.
And yet we must watch because we must know what’s going on in our backyards.
Until we all get outraged enough to act on our knowledge of what’s occurring in our animal shelters every single day, nothing is going to change.
Do something today.
Let us stand in solidarity with the animals and with those in North Carolina and across the country who are fighting tirelessly to end the use of gas chambers in our animal shelters and to ensure that euthanasia is only performed by intravenous injection. Write to your local legislators, write to the legislators of North Carolina, and write to President Obama. Why not? Digital media has democratized our society even further and has made it even easier to make our voices heard. Let’s join together and win this battle.
Another one of the beautiful dogs rescued by Help Save One. She's up for adoption!
Eight or nine million animals go through our shelters every year in this country. Approximately four million of those do not find homes and end up being killed. Yes, I said four million. Some are “lucky” enough to die by lethal injection; others suffer extremely horrible deaths in gas chambers and decompression chambers. Some are victims of heartstick. Electrocution, shooting, and drowning kill other animals.
And this happens because our shelters are over-crowded and because we do not do enough to educate the public, change our laws, and adopt our pets.
Please join Let’s Adopt! (USA) on Facebook. We are connecting a new generation of animal activists with one another to make a true difference on the ground.
28 Comments to “Why Do We Let This Happen?”
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Viktor Larkhill says:
“PETA, The American Veterinary Medical Association, and The Humane Society of the United States concur that an intravenous injection of sodium pentobarbital administered by a trained professional is the kindest, most compassionate method of euthanizing animals”
Julia.. this is hypocrisy at its best. There is absolutely no logical and ethical justification for the destruction of a healthy animal in the name of animal control.
None.
Julia says:
Point taken, Viktor, but we have to start somewhere. And until we outlaw breeding and enact laws that force people to take responsibility for their animals, our animal shelters are going to remain full. I would much, much rather see an animal euthanized by injection in the arms of a shelter worker than see that animal gassed to death or killed by heartstick. I think we have to tackle the issues in layers, and outlawing gas chambers and other completely barbaric forms of “euthanasia” is one step in the right direction. Meanwhile, we can keep fighting to change laws and educate the public.
Willie Wonka says:
Absolutely Fantastic !!!! Well Done !
I am grateful that you took the time to be well prepared with FACTS, in your fight against these inhumane methods of killing shelter animals. Gassing is especially abused in may shelters because it is cheap.
I will be proud to share this article with everyone I know and will ask them to do the same. I applaud your fortitude to speak out against this, when so many people say ” They don’t want to know” or ” they didn’t even think about it “. It is not a fun subject. It is awful, sickening and heartbreaking.
Awareness is the just a beginning, but it is essential for change to occur. By writing this so well, you have done every shelter animal facing the gas chamber a favor. From the bottom of my heart and from all of them, Thank You so very much !!
Bea says:
I loaded the hidden camera video and watched it for a few seconds until I about lost my lunch. That there are people in this world that are capable of performing such horrible procedures …. sure hope that the spirits of those poor pups will hound them for the rest of their lives.
Julia says:
Yes, Bea, and I do apologize for including links to such horrifying videos. But I think it’s important to know what’s going on, and I tried to be clear about the fact that the videos were very graphic. I certainly need a stiff drink after publishing this piece. I believe in karma, and I believe we all face the consequences of our acts. Having said that, however, I would like to add that many shelter workers hate their jobs and are trying to help as many dogs as they can. I volunteer regularly as a transporter, and I can tell you that some shelter workers go above and beyond to get dogs into rescues and make sure they are in the back of my car when I race out of the parking lot. There are a lot of kind human beings in our shelters, and one of the reasons we need to outlaw gassing chambers and other barbaric methods of killing animals is to ensure that our shelter workers are not made to carry out such acts just to receive a paycheck and health insurance.
Willie Wonka says:
Everyone that I know who works in a shelter, even as a volunteer, has several of her own family members that came form that shelter. They are generally very good people with big hearts. We are not saying they enjoy this – although there are sick people all over.
Spay/Neuter programs must grow faster and get better. Puppy mills must be eliminated. Law’s need to be enforced.
As Julia pointed out, this is just one part of the problem. If we do have to put them down, shouldn’t it be done in the most humane way possible ?Do they deserve to be tortured to death ? We know the answer.
Parker Bowles says:
HSUS estimates 3-4 million dogs and cats are euthanized in the US annually. NC makes up a HUGE part of that- approximately a quarter of a million each year. This link shows kill numbers reported by shelters in NC, although many of the 104 required shelters did not report. Adding the missing shelters easily breaks 250,000 dogs and cats killed yearly.
Let’s crosspost this. If HSUS estimates are correct, North Carolina shelters kill about 1/12 to 1/16 of the US total each year! Please help spread the word and ask more rescues to save these precious animals from NC kill shelters. http://www.epi.state.nc.us/epi/vet/pdf/snreportsummary0107.pdf
Map of North Carolina Gas Chamber Shelters, complete with Petfinder links:
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=103883427940135972934.00047b16c28d96ab72fec&z=7
Please help save animals from our state’s forgotten shelters. Many facilities are remote and get few adoptions. Some have few or no animals posted online, while hundreds of homeless dogs and cats wait to die.
*Note: only gassing shelters are listed on this map. North Carolina has 100 counties and many more kill shelters.
Julia says:
Thanks, Parker, for sharing those links with all of us. And thanks for being part of this fight to end the gas chambers in North Carolina.
Carol Henderson says:
Hi great article and thank you for bringing more attention. The one thing that is comletly unture is the estimated 4 Million killed each year. That is totally untrue it a hell of alot more that that. I trust you will make futher inquires as to who if putting those stats out. It many more milions that! Contact me if you like. We need these gas chambers banned and the real stats on how many of out companion animal are killed and don’t forget Wildlife are also being GASSED TO DEATH TOO!
Thank you and God Bless you
Carol Henderson.
ALLIANCE TO STOP THE GASSING OF CAT’S DOG’S AND WILDlIFE on FB url on YT freespeechruels100
crhenersons@live.com
Julia says:
Carol, thanks for your comments. My source of information for that statistic was the Humane Society of the United States. http://www.humanesociety.org/animal_community/resources/qa/common_questions_on_shelters.html#How_many_animals_enter_animal_shelters_e
As you will see on the link, this is an estimate because there is no central reporting system for animal shelters across the country. I believe you that the number is probably very much higher, and I welcome you to share your statistics in the comments section.
Anthony Damiano says:
It is sheer human apathy. Even I have a difficult time just knowing that this exists so keeping that in mind, it becomes easier to understand why it still happens. It is not unlike the fear of facing global warming, only difference between the two is horror/disgust and horror/terror. We are a weak minded species numbed by our inadequacies.
Wildlife, as well as domestic animal management is wrought with brutality and neither is regulated with compassion as ALL life should be handled.
We need a way to get human population under control. Get some “moron management” in place.
Julia says:
Thanks for your comment, Anthony. I couldn’t agree more. Let me know when you figure out the moron management part! I think it would be interesting if companion animals had a “spokesperson” much like Temple Grandin for farm animals and Jane Goodall for wild animals, both of whom seem to have a way of reaching out to and connecting with the masses.
Arzu Adakan says:
Julia, great research. I agree that the most humane way of euthanasia is through a lethal injection in the vein, even though death, no matter how humane, can not be the solution. I know we can become a No Kill Nation one day and it’s through education, free spay/neuter programs and strict adoption criteria (especially in the Southeastern states).
Two days ago I was at a shelter in Georgia and discovered that they had a gas chamber in a locked room right next door to the dog kennels. The windows were covered from the inside but I could see this horrible device (possibly designed, manufactured and sold by Dr. Death) and the tall gas tanks beside it. My stomach turned and I couldn’t hold back the tears. No wonder all of the 60+ dogs in the kennels looked so sad and terrified. Who knows how many times they had to see their friends dragged next door and listen to their screams. Feral cats? They don’t even stand a chance. They have a special room, also right next to the gas chamber room so they can be killed asap.
We have to work hard, do all we can to abolish both of these horrific ways of euthanasia.
Julia says:
Hi, Arzu! I do believe we should set our goals on becoming a no-kill nation. I just read an interesting article yesterday: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31555018/ns/health-pet_health/ns/health-pet_health/ . And when my Feb/March 2010 issue of _Bark_ magazine arrived yesterday, I also found the “No-Kill Nation” article in there. Everyone’s sights are set on the right goal. We just have to take one step at a time. Thanks also for mentioning spay/neuter license plates. Those are available in many places, and I have often wondered how much of the money actually funnels into the right places! I do know that many states do not maintain a list of special license plates at the office where you go to renew or purchase your plates, so you need to go in prepared with information about which plate you want. Perhaps rescues should advertise such information clearly on their websites?
Arzu Adakan says:
Julie, yes, I know we can do it and become a No-Kill Nation one day. Here’s a link to a very informative video I watched a while back describing the necessary steps to becoming a No-Kill Nation:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUY5vRj1Nns
Also, this year’s No-Kill Conference will be held in Wahington, DC on July 31st and Aug. 1st.
http://www.nokillconference.org/
Kudos to Richmond, VA SPCA! I hope the number of no-kill shelters increase every day.
Julie, I will admit that I found out about the special license plates that donate to free spay/neuter programs just this year myself and by sheer chance. I was looking at special tags online and read that the special tag fee goes directly to your county’s free S/N program if you choose to get one of the listed plates. I’ve been involved with rescues, volunteering, fostering, TNR, you name it, for years and didn’t know that I could also contribute to the cause in this manner. People should be educated and have access to information. DMV’s and online renewal sites should do a better job of telling people they can contribute in this matter as well. I guess it’s all about education, information and actually caring.
Julia says:
Yes, you’re right. Not enough people know about the spay/neuter tags. I have known for years because my grandmother has always had them! But the motor vehicle folks certainly don’t advertise what’s available. I’m going to ask around a bit more about where that money all goes and how much of it reaches its destination. Thanks heaps for the additional links, Arzu! Glad to you have in the Let’s Adopt! community.
Arzu Adakan says:
Julie, let me know if you need my help in Atlanta, GA. For instance, I’m transporting a cat to North Carolina tomorrow that has been trying to get there to her new family for the past 3 weeks and couldn’t find a transport.
Julia says:
Thanks very much, Arzu! I am a transporter myself…and am hoping that this winter weather we have is not going to call off tomorrow’s scheduled transports through Ohio/Kentucky/Tennessee. Let’s definitely stay in touch!
Arzu Adakan says:
Julia, where exactly are you? I looked at the Let’s Adopt map but couldn’t locate you. If you need my help with transport from Atlanta, please let me know.
Hope all your transports go well tomorrow! Be safe.
Julia says:
Hmm… I put myself on the map when it was first built. Maybe it didn’t work? I’ll have to check that out again! I live in Cincinnati, Ohio. I’m glad we’re in touch!
Silvia Özler says:
Hi Julia! Thank you so much for your article. While the video was loading I began to feel nauseous so I’ll leave it for another day. I have reached my threshold on dog suffering for today! I agree with everything that you say, especially the idea that breeding must be prohibited. But of course that would lead to illegal methods and the puppies would pay the toll once again. My daughter lives in Charlottesville, VA and she volunteers at the shelter (SPCA,no-kill) there. The shelter seems to work just fine and can be an example for their North Carolina neighbors. Here in Turkey is quite another story. Shelters are concentration camps so I am just trying to keep the dogs alive wherever they are dumped by the municipality, hoping they don’t get poisoned or tortured.
I’m glad to know there are people like you in the US. Keep on fighting!
Julia says:
Thanks for your comments, Silvia, and for following our blog all the way from Turkey! There is suffering all around the world when it comes to animals. Some things in the US are “better” than in Turkey, but we definitely still have our problems. We must continue to speak up on behalf of animals and fight for their protection! Susanne Kogut of the Charlottesville SPCA is speaking at this year’s No Kill Conference: http://www.nokillconference.org/speakers.html . I studied in Washington, DC, for several years and got to know some of the animal workers in the DC/Maryland/Virginia area. The only national advocacy group for feral cats also happens to be in that area! My blog post is all about the dogs on Bali. Hope you’ll find time to read it! Thanks for all the good work you’re doing in Istanbul.
Silvia Özler says:
Thanks for your reply, Julia. I am not in Istanbul, I live in Adana in the south of Turkey (close to the “famous” Incirlik military base)and we are way too few here. We do what we can and try to stay sane.
I graduated from the University of Maryland in 1984. I still know the area quite well but at the time I guess there wasn’t too much awareness about cats and dogs living in the streets.
I also lived for two years in Cary, NC. I could never imagine what was going on there! I sent the link to one of my friends there who had adopted a dog from a shelter. Of course the dog’s name was Lucky. Now I realize how lucky she really was!
These blogs are excellent tools to raise awareness among people. This is the only way we can get something done. Keep on with the good work! And thanks again!
Julia says:
Sorry about my confusion, Silvia! When you mentioned the municipality dumping dogs, my brain assumed Istanbul. I’ve never had a chance to go to Adana. The closest I have been is probably toward Konya. I’ve always wanted to see Gaziantep and the far east of the country. Perhaps on the next trip!
I think many folks in North Carolina – and definitely folks outside North Carolina – aren’t even aware of the horrors occurring in the state’s rural shelters. It’s heartbreaking, and the best we can try to do with this blog is raise awareness and provide a platform for getting the message out.
Thanks again for taking the time to follow our blog. Hope your daughter in Charlottesville also knows about us!
Donny says:
Join us to fight this!
North Carolina Voters for Animal Welfare
We are a statewide organization dedicated to the protection of animals through legislation and public policy.
http://www.ncvaw.org/
Julia says:
Thanks for the comment and the link, Donny! I will share this widely.
Silvia Özler says:
Yes Julia, my daughter’s name is Derin Özler and she is a member of Let’s Adopt Turkey and Let’s Adopt USA. She is a student at UVA.
I’ll send Donny’s link to my NC friend. Thanks!
Julia says:
Check out American Humane’s anti-gassing page:
http://www.americanhumane.org/advocacy/stop-gassing.html