Although euthanasia of animals is a well-established practice in veterinary medicine, it still raises many troubling moral and ethical questions. Indeed, intentional animal death, however painlessly induced, can impact in various and profound ways on all who are involved in the decision and its implementation.

In this unique collection of essays, 37 contributors, including veterinarians, social workers, psychologists and animal owners, discuss the individual and societal response to loss, death, grief, recovery from bereavement and the stress experienced when animals are euthanized.

CONTENTS...

PART I: THE ETHICS AND MORALITY OF EUTHANASIA
Common Fate, Difficult Decision: A Comparison of Euthanasia in People and Animals;
Euthanasia as an Ethical Dilemma
Medical Research, Euthanasia, and the Animal Welfare Movement;
The Use of Animals in Research: Attitude Among Research Workers;
Animal Euthanasia and Moral Stress;
Euthanasia and the Human/Animal Bond;
Symbolic, Historical and Cultural Aspects of Animal Euthanasia

Part II: EUTHANASIA, PET LOSS AND CLIENT GRIEF
An Epitaph for Merlin;
Euthanasia of a Pet: A Personal Experience;
Euthanasia of Pets: The Impact on Children;
Helping Children and Adolescents Cope with the Euthanasia of a Pet;
Goodbye, Kitty;
Equine Euthanasia and Client Grief
The Pet with Cancer: Impact on the Family;
Pet Loss and Separation: A Multifactorial Problem;
Pet Loss: Veterinarians, Clergy and Owners Working Together to Resolve Grief

Part III: PERSPECTIVES ON THE HUMAN/COMPANION ANIMAL BOND
Grief and Mourning Following Human and Animal Death;
Attitudes Toward Animals and their Effect on Veterinary Practice Management;
The Meanings of Loss: Human and Pet Death in the Lives of the Elderly;
Euthanasia of Pet Animals and the Death of Elderly Owners: Implications for Support of Community-Dwelling Elderly Pet Owners;
Euthanasia in Zoos: Issues of Attachment and Separation;
The Bereaved Pet Owner and Social-Work Service Referral

Part IV: EUTHANASIA IN VETERINARY PRACTICE AND LABORATORY ANIMAL MEDICINE
Holism, Euthanasia and Veterinary Medical Practice;
Breaking the News: Problems and Some Answers;
Euthanasia and Bereavement: A Study of Clients and Veterinarians;
A Veterinarian Confronts Pet Loss and Client Grief;
Death and Euthanasia: Attitudes of Students and Faculty at a Veterinary Teaching Hospital;
Client Grief Following Pet Loss: Implications for Veterinary School Education;
Euthanasia in Laboratory Animal Medicine
Euthanasia Agents and Methods;
Animal Disposal: Fact and Fiction

APPENDIX: Report of the AVMA Panel on Euthanasia