04/23/2026
Not our post or dog, but an important message for understanding BE in shelters.
Behavioral euthanasias are not talked about often in rescue. They are difficult to talk about, they are difficult to hear about, and above all they are difficult to do. They are a reality of rescue. It doesnât matter whether itâs a âno killâ shelter or not. (Fun fact- to be considered a no kill shelter, it only means you euthanize 10% or less of the animals that enter your program annually.)
I do not know about other shelters behavioral euthanasia processes, but I can tell you about ours. It is never a decision made lightly. It is never a decision made quickly. And unfortunately, it is a decision we tend to put off longer than we should. Every team members opinion is solicited, and ultimately it becomes a unanimous decision among everyone that handles the animal. Will this animal hurt other animals? Will people get hurt? Can this animal be safely adopted out? Will they get better in the shelter? What is their quality of life? If a unicorn home is found for this animal, will human error inevitably occur, and another being pay the price? What decision will let you sleep at night? Will adopting them out create a happy feeling, or one of regret and concern? Have we done everything possible to help this animal with the behavioral problems?
Behavioral euthanasias are hard because the animal can appear perfectly normal when they are in an environment void of triggers. You see a sweet, loving, seemingly perfect dog in this controlled environment youâve specifically curated for them. That environment isnât the reality of the world that actually surrounds them.
Sydney was a Great Dane that came to us severely emaciated. She lived in a home that had other dogs, both big and small. When she arrived she was weak and shut down. She didnât have the energy to react to much of anything. She was an empty shell. She immediately didnât like small dogs. As she recovered physically, she started to not like big dogs. Then it was all animals. Sometimes it sees when an animal is so close to the brink of death, that when they recover, their brain chemistry is never the same. It is incredibly hard to safely walk a 91 pound dog, full of determination to get to every moving thing out there. In black and white, it may seem easy. The reality is you have to put your full body weight in the opposing direction to keep the targeted animal safe.
She did not kennel well- it created severe anxiety in her, yet it is very hard to find a foster home that doesnât have any animals in it. She wasnât going to get any better in the shelter. Even if she found a foster home with no other animals, there can be animals on the other side of a fence, itâs hard to walk a dog where no other animals will be, and squirrels are taunting every few feet- all of which risk escaping the handler. It isnât fair to risk the life of another fur baby, because this one canât be reasonably controlled. Itâs also a high risk to harming humans if two animals get into a fight, as our instinct is to break it up.
I think itâs important to consider what the inside of her brain must have looked like. Always in fight or flight mode (or in Sydneyâs case, always in fight mode). To be that amped up and flooded with bodily chemicals intensifying emotions to unsustainable levels. Emotions can be exhausting, no less the amount she was feeling all the time. The constant turmoil, turbulence, and extreme thought patterns that occupied her every waking moment. She exhibited signs of high cortisol through little clusters of white hairs.
Often times a behavioral euthanasia can confirm chemical imbalances in the brain. It can take much longer for meds to take effect, require much higher dosing, the animal may strongly resist the relaxing drug. It can highlight adverse or opposing intended effects of a drug, when administered to an animal with naturally occurring chemicals that donât fall within normal ranges.
Sydneyâs euthanasia was especially rough. She fought hard against relaxing. She had seizures. It lasted longer than it should have. She was not alone. We laid next to her hugging her firmly to help calm her. Showering her with kisses, constant pets, and affirmations of being a good girl. The peace was palpable in the room after she finally crossed the rainbow bridge.
She spent her final day being loved on by those that knew her, enjoying the outdoors, and soaking in sunshine. She got to have her way with two Wendyâs baconator cheeseburgers, which made her immensely happy.
Rescues play an important role in behavioral euthanasias. We need to value and prioritize adopting out animals that provide positive rescue experiences. Adopting out behavioral animals is not only a risk for those immediately surrounding that specific animal - it can also make it where it dissuades that person and those the experience is shared with from wanting another rescue animal experience at all.
Sydneyâs ashes will come back to us, so she knows she was loved, had a piece of our hearts, and a place to call home. Fly high Sydney. May you enjoy your newfound inner peace, calmness, and positive energy. You were loved.
