Service Learning Reflection

Throughout the course of this whole project, I had to write a paper on what the problem was in the community which is euthanasia in animal shelters. Euthanasia is an "assisted kill" of a person/animal that could potentially be painful or non painful. First off, I had to write a paper that consisted of the problem and possible solutions that could be helpful. After that, I went and volunteered at the Grand Strand Humane Society to help them out with the paperwork, stocking up supplies, and just general things. Whenever I see animals in a certain condition to the point where they have to be "put down", it makes feel sad knowing that this is considered the only way out for some of the animals placed in shelters. If euthanasia happens in one place, it happens across the globe so if we lower the probability of it happening in South Carolina then it could trickle to other states that have a high rate who euthanizes. I still have questions that haven't been completely answered such as "What can be done to keep animals from being placed in containers outside and disposed of in a proper place?" or "Isn't there another way to 'put down' an animal?" I can receive feedback on my service by posting my public service announcement to YouTube since everyone watches videos on there. People can go and view my video and then hopefully, it can make a minor difference.

Possible Solutions

I feel that the laws for euthanasia should be more strict and have more regulations in order to "put down" an animal. Laws in South Carolina suggest that in order for a shelter to "put down" an animal without it being considered murdered is that the animal has to be in such a terrible condition that it cannot even breathe on its own, then it would not be murdered. Anything else besides that is "aided death". I feel that if the law stated that even if the animal(s) are in such a poor condition, they still should not be euthanized. Also, if there was a person involved in the process of that animal going to be euthanized, they should be severely punished to the point that other people will not want to harm an animal to that extent. If we could get things like this patented in South Carolina, maybe it will follow in other states and things will begin to get better.

Public Service Announcement

Try our slideshow maker at Animoto.

Interview Time!

During my visits at the shelter, I came across many people who are vital to the flourishing of the animal shelter. I felt that interviewing the operations manager and the veterinarian along with the vet. technician would help me better understand why it is needed to euthanize certain animals and not others. First I interviewed the operations manager, Rita Rhodes. She explained to me the process of having new animals come to the shelter and the responsibilities placed upon her. Say for instance a dog that has been brutally abused and on the verge of death gets placed at that shelter; it is up to her to make sure the necessities that the abused dog needs are met and taken care of completely. After interviewing her, I thought it would be handy to ask the veterinarian, Dr. Michelle Crull, a couple of questions. She said that she has seen it all from animals with chains embedded into them to limbs barely hanging on or even sometimes, missing. Her role in the shelter is vital too because without her, the animals that made it possibly couldn't not have had a chance before. Most people don't believe that a vet technician is actually as helpful as the veterinarian itself. During my visit, I met Lisa Morehead who is the vet technician. She helps out Dr. Crull when it comes time for a surgery or if the animals needs shots or any type of medical care, she's the one to do it. I feel that this pertains to the problem at hand because these ladies see what type of animals come in a decide if euthanizing is the only way for them.

This Calls For A Change

It's because of incidents like these that make euthanasia a problem.

Jan. 1999. Web. 1 May 2012. <http://www.peta.org/tv/default.aspx>.