"Misusing The Word 'Euthanasia'"

Killing: It's not just euthanasia anymore!

Here's a thought: Use the right words and improve communication! We
might even clarify some of the issues! This is fairly simple advice,
but somehow, the humane community has gone astray with the word
euthanasia and has inhibited the progress of no kill. Look in any
dictionary and you will find the definition of euthanasia: The act or
method of causing death painlessness, so as to end suffering: to deal
with those dying of incurable, painful diseases.

The Greek word is derived from eu, meaning good or well, and thanatos,
meaning death. Thus, euthanasia is a good death to relieve suffering.
Now what does it mean to you when an animal shelter reports that 90%
of their animals were "euthanized" in a given period? Do you seriously
believe that 90% of their animals were dying of incurable, painful
diseases? They were KILLED, while possibly a small percentage are
truly euthanized for clinical reasons.

When we understand the misuse of the word euthanasia historically in
animal welfare, then we understand the honesty of the word "kill", and
then we understand what "no kill" means. No kill is the absence of
killing healthy, adoptable animals. When language is used literally to
describe a situation, then readers and listeners know what is
truthful. I am convinced that the failure to remedy the millions of
homeless animal deaths and shelters is because a soft word had been
used for decades to describe their killing. Euthanasia is a feel-good
word, a sad necessity word that leaves little doubt as to its
appropriateness. And you can bet there are uneducated people who
think, "It is OK to euthanize my dog, just don't kill it," when they
relinquish their unwanted pet to a shelter.

My recommendation is that we train ourselves to respond with a knee-
jerk reaction anytime the word euthanasia is used. Are we literally
speaking the truth when we say euthanasia? Or are we using a cover-up
word for kill? Listen to yourselves as you habitually say euthanasia
when you mean kill. Every time we report that healthy animals were
euthanized, we have delayed the process in saving animals lives. I
normally include this caveat in my presentations, and it is
surprising how many caregivers have never analyzed the use of words
in this business.

"Euthanasia" is the crux of the no kill issue, and understanding the
terminology helps us to understand the goal!

Brenda Beck, President
Pets & Animals in Distress
petdistrs@aol.com

Posted on SHARE Yahoo group Apr 11, 2004