Cooper's Chance Animal Rescue believes that euthanizing shelter animals by carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide is inhumane to the animal and harmful to humans. We consider euthanasia by injection (EBI) to be the only acceptable and humane means of euthanasia for all shelter animals.

Most shelter workers wish to hold and comfort a frightened animal in its final moments of life. That act may be the only kindness the animal has ever known. In contrast, even with vigilant oversight, euthanizing any animal by means of a carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide gas chamber is inhumane to all animals, especially medium and large dogs, and is demoralizing to the shelter workers. Such outdated and cruel practices also create a public outcry and demean the very purpose of an animal shelter. 

Currently, only nine states have officially banned all forms of gassing for all types of animals in shelters: Arizona, Delaware, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Washington and Wyoming.

What Can You Do?

If you live in a state that still allows gas chamber euthanasia, you can do the following:

Contact your local shelter to determine its euthanasia practice. If the shelter uses gas, politely ask the shelter director and your county commissioners to transition to EBI.

Start a petition to send to your county commissioners, calling for your local shelter to transition to EBI.

Involve the local media to drum up additional community support for a transition.

Contact your state legislators -- particularly if you are in a county that uses the gas chamber -- and gauge their interest in sponsoring a gas chamber ban bill.

SIGN THIS PETITION!