2nd Peaceful Rally Scheduled to Urge Randolph County, NC Officials to Remove Barbaric Gas Chambers

ASHEBORO, N.C. - July 31, 2014 - PRLog -- Residents who care about animals, such as homeless dogs and cats, plan to hold a peaceful rally at 4:30 pm on Monday, August 4th at 145 Worth St, Asheboro, NC 27203. A County Commissioners meeting will follow at the Randolph County Historic Courthouse Meeting Room at 6:00 pm. Those that would like to speak to the commissioners, please remember to sign up prior to the meeting.

Most people have had pets and would not want to have them destroyed in a barbaric gas chamber if they need to be euthanized for terminal illness or suffering. Standard caring veterinarians use euthanasia by injection (EBI) with previous sedation.

“Most county animal shelters in NC have stopped gassing animals, which proves it can be done,” said Angela Wade-Allred, a rally organizer. “The remaining animal shelters need to get on board and stop this barbaric method of destroying innocent lives.”

To date, only 9 counties out of 100 in North Carolina still have a gas chamber. Recently, several North Carolina animal shelters removed their gas chambers, including Rowan County, NC.

Locals who care about animals are encouraged to show up and hold signs, pass out flyers, or just to show support of removing the double gas chambers and implementing changes to decrease the kill rate. The public is also encouraged to sign up to speak to commissioners about switching to EBI with previous sedation, the only humane way of euthanizing animals according to leading animal protection organizations.

Animal gas chambers have been denounced by nearly every national humane organization.

The American Humane Association has stated, “…euthanizing shelter animals by carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide is inhumane to the animal and harmful to humans. American Humane Association considers euthanasia by injection (EBI) to be the only acceptable and humane means of euthanasia for all shelter animals.” Source: http://www.americanhumane.org/animals/stop-animal-abuse/advocacy/campaigns/stop-gassing-campaign.html

The Humane Society of the United States stated, "Carbon monoxide (CO) gas is, without question, an unacceptable method of euthanasia in states where shelters can legally obtain and administer sodium pentobarbital." Source: http://www.animalsheltering.org/resource_library/policies_and_guidelines/statement_on_euthanasia.html

The American Association of Veterans stated, “alternate methods with fewer conditions and disadvantages are recommended for companion animals where feasible.” Source: http://atwork.avma.org/2013/02/26/euthanasia-guidelines-the-gas-chamber-debate/

Gas chambers are not only inhumane for animals, but also pose a risk to shelter staff.

Carbon monoxide gas in high concentrations poses a risk to humans because it’s odorless, colorless, tasteless, and highly explosive. Released in a confined area, it can cause asphyxiation, organ damage, or coma. There have been incidences (http://www.americanhumane.org/assets/pdfs/animals/adv-ebi...) when people were injured or killed in shelters, including two shelters in North Carolina. In 2009, a shelter worker was put in the emergency room when a gas build-up caused the door of the Lincoln County, North Carolina shelter to explode open. In 2008, an explosion occurred in a gas chamber at Iredell County, North Carolina Animal Services. In 2000, a shelter worker died of asphyxiation while operating a gas chamber in Tennessee. And in 1997, a veterinarian was severely injured while operating a gas chamber in Illinois.

Some who oppose removing the gas chamber claim that there is no alternative for wild or dangerous animals. But organizations such as the American Humane Association have overcome this objection and many other concerns on a fact sheet comparing gas chambers vs. EBI on their website (http://www.americanhumane.org/assets/pdfs/animals/adv-ebi-factsheetpdf.pdf). These include cost (EBI is less expensive), safety (EBI is safer), and shelter worker preferences (EBI isn’t demoralizing).

Local residents are concerned that Randolph County will be one of the last remaining counties using this outdated method of destroying animals. Other process improvements can help the shelter get on the path toward “no kill.”

Local residents who care about the welfare of animals are asked to attend this peaceful rally and speak about animal welfare to the commissioners.

Contact:

Angela Wade-Allred

336-475-3882