Euthanasia Policy

Wright-Way is committed to the no-kill model and to saving the lives of the animals that are in its care or are part of the adoption program.  Euthanasia is reserved for those animals or cases that are deemed untreatable or non-rehabitable. Wright-Way is committed to providing quality medical services and behavior rehabilitation.

Medical Euthanasia

Wright-Way will provide medical care and treatment to the animals in its program. Euthanasia will be reserved for those cases in which the animal is not responding to treatment, there is no cure, or they are pain in which there is no option for relief and as a result their prognosis is less than poor or grave and / or if there is a quality of life concern for that animal.

Euthanasia may be considered an option if the number of symptomatic infected animals with a highly contagious disease pose an overall risk to the health of the population. This would be the result of a limitation on resources (isolation space / qualified resources) due to the large number of symptomatic infected animals. Every attempt will be made to provide medical service; this is a last resort and will be considered after all other options have been exhausted.

Behavior Euthanasia

Wright-Way will provide training and behavior rehabilitation for those dogs that are exhibiting aggressive behaviors. A Wright-Way approved trainer will provide the training. Euthanasia will be an option if the dog is not responding to training or rehabilitation, is inconsistent in their behaviors and could be considered unpredictable, or could be considered a danger to the community Wright-Way serves.

Aggressive behaviors would include (but not limited to) dog or select dog aggression, people or select people aggression, resource guarding, severe food aggression, extremely high prey drive, unprovoked bites, or extreme under-socialization (considered feral) for dogs. Extremely under socialized felines will be transferred to the working cat program.

Euthanasia would not be an option for provoked bites. A provoked bite would include (but not limited to) biting under restraint while receiving medical treatment, a fight in which the animal was defending themselves and not the aggressor, being unwillingly restrained, is injured or in severe pain, or is in a situation where they are severely threatened.

Rabies Concerns

Euthanasia may be an option if an animal bites, is not vaccinated or current on their rabies vaccination and are exhibiting symptoms of rabies.  This will be based on the Veterinarian’s discretion.

Euthanasia will be performed by the Veterinarian or a Certified Veterinary Technician, or a Technician that is certified for Euthanasia and will be conducted in the most humane way possible.  If the Certified Veterinary Technician or a Technician that is certified in Euthanasia will be performing the Euthanasia, it will be done under the direction of the Veterinarian.

Wright-Way is committed to saving the lives of the animals that are part of its program.