Chris's Sharebook 

Despite public outcry over a Utah shelter cat who survived two attempts to euthanize by gassing, most states still allow animals to be put down in archaic, cruel gas chambers. When euthanasia by gassing works, it can take up to 25 minutes to end an animal's life, and is especially cruel to large and medium sized dogs and young, old, pregnant or sick animals -- the majority of most shelter populations. Death by gassing is especially sad, as it prevents animals from being held and comforted in their last moments.

Gas chambers physically and psychologically harm shelter workers as well as animals; there is no excuse for this method of euthanasia to continue in any state. Running gas chambers is more expensive than comparatively quick and painless euthanasia by injection, leaving less money in the shelter's budget for taking care of animals and maintaining the facility.

Nine states -- Arizona, Delaware, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Washington and Wyoming -- currently ban euthanasia by gassing. Please sign the petition to ban this cruel practice in ALL states.