FAQ

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 

1. What is the gas chamber?

A gas chamber is an apparatus for killing humans or animals with gas, consisting of a sealed chamber into which a poisonous or asphyxiant gas is introduced. The most commonly used poisonous agent is hydrogen cyanide; carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide have also been used. (Wikipedia web site, 2012)

1. Why is the gas chamber bad?

The gas chambers are not designed for multiple animals – they are designed to euthanize one pet at a time.  However, most shelters that still use the gas chamber attempt to save money by forcing multiple pets in at the same time.  This causes the process to take 40 minutes before they succumb.  Even so, some pets are forced to endure the process 2 or 3 times due to the chambers’ inefficiencies, poor maintenance and improper use.  The news is full of these stories – just Google “Daniel the dog,” or “Andrea the cat” to find out more about these gas chamber survivors.

1. Don’t the animals just “go to sleep?”

No.  The current methods of forcing many pets in at once means these animals suffer from burning of fur and skin, leakage of tissue from eyes, nose and mouth. Lungs burn at each attempt to breathe and the average length of time for death with 20 animals or more in a single chamber is 40 minutes or longer.  The fact that multiple animals are forced in at once also means that fights break out almost instantly, since the pets instinctively fear the chamber and the odor it exudes.  One panicked animal is all that it takes for all the pets to panic, so the end, when it finally comes, is filled with terror.

1. Why is the gas chamber still in use?

Some states and counties are resistant to change or don’t believe they have the funds to convert to more humane methods.  Worst of all, shelters can save money by misusing the chamber (forcing multiple animals in simultaneously).

1. What are the alternatives to the gas chamber?

Euthanasia by lethal injection, known as “EBI,” is a more humane method of euthanasia of homeless pets. When delivered with a sedative (the most common practice), the pet is unconscious during organ shutdown.  This brings immediate death without pain, anxiety and fear.