Twelve Concepts

TWELVE CONCEPTS OF WORKING AT AN ANIMAL CONTROL SHELTER AND BEING REQUIRED TO PERFORM OR BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MASS EUTHANASIA OF COMPANION PETS.

In an on-going effort to express to the public how it "feels" to work at an Animal Shelter, the following twelve (12) Concepts were developed for the employees of the Calcasieu Shelter by the MAZER Guild, a nonprofit Association for Euthanasia Technicians. These concepts are posted at their Shelter to help the people who work directly with the animals cope with the emotional consequences of the mass euthanasia required by our society of surplus animals. We share them with you in an effort to form a bridge of understanding. Thank you for thinking about these concepts.

I)  I AM A EUTHANASIA TECHNICIAN.

This does not mean that I KILL animals. It does mean that I have accepted the duty of releasing animals from a place where no one will accept the responsibility for them for their lifetime.

II)  I AM IN THIS PLACE BECAUSE I CARE.

Accepting the death of animals about which I care is difficult; having a part in effecting that death is even harder. I care enough to be here: * because I know that I intend to perform my tasks with perfection and professionalism. *instead of leaving to chance the possibility that my agency would place this responsibility on someone who does not share my concerns.

III)  I CONFIRM THAT DEATH IS NOT THE WORST THING THAT CAN HAPPEN TO THESE CREATURES in my care and strive to administer a gentle exit for them. I would like to place them in homes, but not at any price. I do not operate a pet shop that will sell to anyone with the money at hand. Simply finding homes is not my mission, and will not "fix" the problem.

IV)  I AM NOT GUILTY OF ANYTHING...

but loving animals enough to work here. When those responsible for the unwanted animals they bring attempt to abandon their responsibility as they abandon those animals, and shift the blame to me, I will take the responsibility for administering euthanasia - but will not take the blame.

V)  I CANNOT SAVE THEM ALL!

 I must euthanatize animals that become slightly ill, or simply have not been adopted and another deserves a chance, or, because of an epidemic, a whole run of animals. I must release pups and kittens with correctable medical problems - sacrifice them, to make room for the healthy ones. Healthy animals must be destroyed because there are too many of then and more are continuously arriving. I must put down creatures that remind me of those with whom I have shared part of my life. These are facts which must be faced.

VI)  I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS A SUBSTANTIAL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE SORROW THAT I FEEL AND THE GUILT THE PUBLIC WOULD HAVE ME FEEL, and I will not be tricked into confusing the two. My sorrow is not my guilt.

VII)  I WILL NOT BE OVERCOME BY PUBLIC IGNORANCE.

My mission is not to highlight my sorrow but rather to accent their understanding. I cannot hate them for making me feel so badly. I cannot hate them for not knowing how badly they make me feel. I cannot hate them for not seeing more that one, or the few which they bring in (once, or rarely) and for not seeing the dozens, the hundreds, the thousands. I will fight the darkness with light.

VIII)  I WILL, IN A NONJUDGMENTAL MANNER, ENCOURAGE DISCUSSION WITH THOSE WHO SURRENDER ANIMALS, AND SEEK TO HELP THEM;

*acknowledge their concern about animals that die needlessly. *realize that we appreciate and need their help in expanding that message. When they challenge as if to dare me to answer in the negative. "You are going to find it a home, aren't you?" I will respond with patience,  "I WISH WE COULD." I WILL FURTHER GUIDE, "Thank you for your concern because, some days, we feel as if we are the only ones who care. Please help us by telling your friends of your concern, and that you do not like what must befall most of the animals at our shelter."

IX)  I WILL ADMIT THE PAIN AND THE SORROW.

I know that I cannot cry over each animal or I will not be here long to cry at all. I confront my pain, however, I will not deny it, I am not ashamed to be human. I do not like this waste, but would feel bad, indeed, if I could not intervene.

X)  I WILL IDENTIFY MY ROLE, MY RESPONSIBILITY, AND THE REALITY OF EUTHANASIA AT ANY AND ALL OPPORTUNITIES.

I will not be isolated by this matter. There is no cure for an unnamed disease. There is no healing without identification, correction, displacement. It is better to help people understand than to make them feel bad - as I have been made to feel bad.

XI)  I WILL FIND SOMETHING OR SOMEONE TO LAUGH AT!

Sick, or graveyard, humor is acceptable when properly expressed around comrades. No person laughs at death, or at those dying, but laughs to keep from being overcome by the seriousness of the event are ok. To laugh is healthy. To be overheard by those who do not walk in our shoes is not smart, nor is it fair. they simply cannot know our pain, and must not be subjected to our therapy.

XII)  I WILL BE THERE TO PREPARE OTHERS WHO WALK IN THE ANIMAL CARE AND CONTROL AREA FOR THE IMPACT OF EUTHANASIA.

Those in my company will not have to face this trauma alone. I owe support because I received support. I raise the Mazer bowl to toast my associates.