Jurassik Bark Rescue Euthanasia Policy - Version 1.0 - April 2022

Euthanasia Policy - Version 1.0 - April 2022

1.0 Statement

Jurassik Bark is dedicated to responsible rescue. To us responsible rescue includes ensuring an acceptable quality of life for the animals to which we accept into our programs and ensuring the animals we place do not pose an undue risk to community.

It is Jurassik Barks position that when it is determined that the quality of life of the animal is or will likely be unacceptably compromised and this cannot be remedied or prevented considering all reasonable efforts, Jurassik bark regretfully accepts that humane euthanasia may be in the best interest of the animal.

Using responsible rescue as a guiding principle alongside consultation with veterinary and behavioral professionals and animal welfare best practices Jurassik Bark has established the following criteria to ensure that animals are not euthanized in our programs indiscriminately. That is, they are not euthanized except in very specific circumstances and only once all practicable and reasonable alternatives have been ruled out.

Jurassik Bark believes that euthanasia is to be used only as a last resort; this end of life decision is only to be made as an act of mercy and never as a decision made for convenience.

Euthanasia may only be considered for dogs within the Jurassik Bark Program in the following situations, while meeting the criteria further established below.

1.1 Medical Euthanasia

For medical euthanasia to be considered it must be determined from a veterinary professional that:

An animal that is suffering, or will likely suffer, from an acute or chronic disease, illness, condition or pain that:

1. cannot be, or is unlikely to be, readily ameliorated (made better), or
2. is, or will likely be, unresponsive to treatment, or
3. will likely recur or relapse when treatment ceases, or
4. requires ongoing intensive or expensive treatment that is unmaintainable considering the constraints on resources ( resources to consider include; availability of appropriate caregiver and housing for treatment, financial resources, availability of local treatment facilities etc.)

An animal that is suffering from an acute or chronic disease, illness, condition or pain, but cannot be properly evaluated or treated due to:

1. detrimental behavior, i.e. extreme aggression
2. lack of facilities or expertise

If appropriate veterinary care cannot be given due to lack of facilities, staff or expertise.

If a suitable environment for treatment and recuperation cannot be provided.

If an animal has surgical complications that are unlikely to be manageable or are initially deemed manageable but are:

1. subsequently unresponsive to standard intervention, or
2. likely to be life threatening despite standard intervention.

An animal that tests positive for endemic or nonendemic disease that is likely to develop clinical illness in the future but is unlikely to be presented or available to institute intervention (treatment or euthanasia) when required.

Animals with infectious (endemic or non-endemic) disease that:

1. presents a significant risk to other animals, and
2. where an isolation unit is not available, or
3. where an isolation unit is not adequate to prevent the spread of disease.

Where the animal’s illness, or treatment of the illness, presents a public health or safety risk to humans.

1.2 Behavioral Euthanasia

While Jurassik Bark Rescue strongly supports rehabilitation efforts for animals who present behavioral concerns, Jurassik Bark also recognizes our limitations and our responsibility to ensure that our animals maintain an acceptable quality of life and do not pose an undue risk to the safety of our team, volunteers, and communities alike.

Jurassik Bark Rescue, being a solely foster based organization does not have the resources available to responsibly house or rehabilitate animals who show behaviors of aggression towards humans or extreme aggression towards other animals. Therefor it is Jurassik Bark Rescue's policy that we will not knowingly intake any animals who display or have a known history of displaying behaviors of aggression towards humans or extreme aggression towards other animals.

Should an animal meet the criteria outlined below, Euthanasia is still only to be considered after a reasonable and appropriate pursuit of all other viable options. Examples of other options may include, but not be limited too:

• Returning the animal to the relinquishing owner
• Transfer to other organizations with resources available to responsibly intake the animal

For behavioral euthanasia to be considered, a professional in animal behavior and/or a veterinary professional must first determine that:

• The animal is displaying aggression which has been determined is not caused by a medical condition that can be successfully treated considering the constraints on practical resources available, and
• The animal is displaying aggression which has been determined would most likely not be successfully treated through work with a canine behavioral specialist or would require work that is beyond the constraints of practical resources available ( suitable housing and personnel to work with the animal), or
• The animal is displaying aggression which presents a risk to itself, other animals, people or the environment in a way that public safety cannot be reasonably assured, or
• The animal is displaying aggression which presents a risk to itself, other animals or people that requires management protocols that would seriously compromise the animals quality of life.

Euthanasia Policy - Version 1.0 - Approved April 2022

Info@Jurassikbarkrescue.ca