It may be hard to believe, but the inhumane practice of euthanasia through gas chambers is still practiced in some animal shelters in the U.S.
Gas chamber euthanasia was much more widespread only a decade ago. It was considered a peaceful means to end unwanted or ill animals’ lives. However, honest examination of the process reveals the heart-wrenching truth. As per the Humane Society of the United States, “Under the best circumstances, it takes minutes before an animal loses consciousness inside a gas chamber. But if the chamber is old or not well-calibrated—a frequent issue for under-resourced shelters—or if the animal is very young, very old, injured or stress, it can take much longer.” Horror stories from shelter staff who witnessed gas chamber incidents gone wrong are not hard to find. They include terrified animals gasping for air, convulsing, vomiting, and panicked animals fighting one another when more than one is put in a chamber. It is a nightmare scenario.
Through the loud, persistent protestations of animal welfare groups, use of gas chambers in shelters has almost been totally eradicated. There are a few that still shelters that still use them, though, and that is a few too many. Alley Cat Rescue has been able to confirm the locations of three of these shelters, and we are asking you to join us in condemning gassing animals and pressuring these shelters to change.
Write the shelter directors listed below to tell them they are allowing cruelty, in some cases torture, to take place under their leadership!
Gas chamber euthanasia was much more widespread only a decade ago. It was considered a peaceful means to end unwanted or ill animals’ lives. However, honest examination of the process reveals the heart-wrenching truth. As per the Humane Society of the United States, “Under the best circumstances, it takes minutes before an animal loses consciousness inside a gas chamber. But if the chamber is old or not well-calibrated—a frequent issue for under-resourced shelters—or if the animal is very young, very old, injured or stress, it can take much longer.” Horror stories from shelter staff who witnessed gas chamber incidents gone wrong are not hard to find. They include terrified animals gasping for air, convulsing, vomiting, and panicked animals fighting one another when more than one is put in a chamber. It is a nightmare scenario.
Through the loud, persistent protestations of animal welfare groups, use of gas chambers in shelters has almost been totally eradicated. There are a few that still shelters that still use them, though, and that is a few too many. Alley Cat Rescue has been able to confirm the locations of three of these shelters, and we are asking you to join us in condemning gassing animals and pressuring these shelters to change.
Write the shelter directors listed below to tell them they are allowing cruelty, in some cases torture, to take place under their leadership!
North Utah Valley Animal Shelter
Shelter Director: Tug Gettling
Mailing Address: 193 North 2000 West Lindon, Utah 84042
Email: nuvas@orem.org
South Utah Valley Animal Shelter in Spanish Fork
Shelter Director: Kierstan Suvas
Mailing Address: 582 W. 3000 N. Spanish Fork, UT 84660
Email: Kierstan.suvas@gmail.com
Green River Animal Control (Wyoming)*
Shelter Director: Tracy Wyant
Mailing Address: 80 E Teton, Green River, WY 82935
Email: twyant@cityofgreenriver.org
*Note: On May 19, 2021 the Green River City Council failed to pass a motion to replace their shelter’s gas euthanasia equipment despite the Humane Society of the Unite States’ offer of a $5,000 grant for new, more humane equipment. Some councilmembers said they did not see the benefit of a different system for euthanasia. One councilmember, George Jost, said that Shelter Director Tracy Wyant told him she felt the gas chambers were less dangerous and emotional for the staff involved. While it is hard to image she is correct, it is equally hard to understand how a person in her position could callously disregard the safety and emotions of the animals involved.
According to Green River Police Chief Tom Jarvie, “the majority of the animals euthanized are wild animals, while feral cats also make up a large portion” and “that with 90 percent of animals being returned to their owners or being adopted out, the shelter is classified as a no-kill shelter” (source). It is disingenuous to operate under the title of a no-kill facility when cats of any kind are being euthanized, and in such a cruel manner. Not to mention that, as many cat-savvy people know, frightened strays or even cats claimed to be strays when they are abandoned at the shelter, are often mistaken for being feral.
Shelter Director: Tug Gettling
Mailing Address: 193 North 2000 West Lindon, Utah 84042
Email: nuvas@orem.org
South Utah Valley Animal Shelter in Spanish Fork
Shelter Director: Kierstan Suvas
Mailing Address: 582 W. 3000 N. Spanish Fork, UT 84660
Email: Kierstan.suvas@gmail.com
Green River Animal Control (Wyoming)*
Shelter Director: Tracy Wyant
Mailing Address: 80 E Teton, Green River, WY 82935
Email: twyant@cityofgreenriver.org
*Note: On May 19, 2021 the Green River City Council failed to pass a motion to replace their shelter’s gas euthanasia equipment despite the Humane Society of the Unite States’ offer of a $5,000 grant for new, more humane equipment. Some councilmembers said they did not see the benefit of a different system for euthanasia. One councilmember, George Jost, said that Shelter Director Tracy Wyant told him she felt the gas chambers were less dangerous and emotional for the staff involved. While it is hard to image she is correct, it is equally hard to understand how a person in her position could callously disregard the safety and emotions of the animals involved.
According to Green River Police Chief Tom Jarvie, “the majority of the animals euthanized are wild animals, while feral cats also make up a large portion” and “that with 90 percent of animals being returned to their owners or being adopted out, the shelter is classified as a no-kill shelter” (source). It is disingenuous to operate under the title of a no-kill facility when cats of any kind are being euthanized, and in such a cruel manner. Not to mention that, as many cat-savvy people know, frightened strays or even cats claimed to be strays when they are abandoned at the shelter, are often mistaken for being feral.