Euthanasia of Pregnant Mom

Our rescue is located in Tampa Florida and we are a small group. We formed two years ago and we are an all volunteer group. At times we rescue puppies, but mostly we rescue cats and kittens as the need is so much higher. 

This summer our shelter has been administering euthanasia to knowingly pregnant cats. We were disgusted and had to act fast to save as many as we could. But sadly, we cannot save them all. 

We understand and agree with euthanasia of a gravely ill or injured animal to be the humane thing to do. However, for space or to prevent an unwanted litter, we do not agree with.

So I ask my fellow cat rescuers and readers, What is your input on euthanasia of a pregnant cat that is a stray or at the shelter? 

Our shelter has been known to do this. In addition, their policy is anti-TNR, so any suspected feral cat is put down almost immediately. The problem is, they've euthanized pet cats because the cat was frightened and acted "wild."

I am totally against it, of course but recognize that the real problem is, what would happen to the cat and her kittens? Are their homes for them? This might be something your group can target. Plus if you focus in education about spay and neuter, future pregnancies can be avoided.

It is a daunting job but the more people who understand the importance of it, the easier that job will be. Thank you for all your hard work!

I worked with a no-kill shelter, and know that once when things were really, really bad they had to make some tough decisions.  They were based more on the health of the cats or on 'homeability' and it was the only time I know when they had to do it. I kicked up a fuss and someone sat down with me and gave me a rundown on the options for these cats.  Could I find more foster parents?  Could I take them myself?  Did I have $100,000 for more facilities and some land to put it on?  I felt quite humbled for what they go through and the toughness of some decisions.

Of course I'm against it.  I think everyone here would be. But I think Odine makes very good points about what needs to be done. 

Let's get the information out there so that fewer cats meet an early end.

It makes much more sense to spay a pregnant cat, which results in the abortion of the fetuses, than it does to euthanize it. There's no reason to euthanize a healthy pregnant cat who may be adoptable. Yes, it requires more time and expense to do the spay surgery than it does to euthanize, but it would give the cat a chance at life, and of finding a new home.

I know there are some on this forum who will disagree with me, but my stance that it's better to try to find a home for kittens that are adoptable than take them to a shelter. Quite often, homes can be found among friends of friends, or family members of co-workers, or members of one's church, once the word is put out. I think good homes can even be found by advertising among the public--as long as potential adopters are interviewed, preferably in their homes. Yes, there is a small segment of the population who might abuse these cats or feed them to snakes or sell them to labs--but I think that is a very small percentage, and most people (especially people with children) who want to adopt a cat are going to provide a decent home. At any rate, I think the cat's odds for survival are much better when placed in someone's home than in a kill shelter.

What are the rates like for adults and for kittens.  I would think they would rather euth the Mom and kittens as one then spay her and still need to euth her later on.  And deal with a bigger surgery site rather then a female done while not pregnant.  I get where they are coming from if the rates are bad they may just be doing the best they can on the limited funds. Yes it is hard to think of but allowing the babies to be born and placing them in a foster ties up the foster home for months when it can house a litter or two already here.

It is not the best but IMO I would rather spend the most money I could on spaying BEFORE a kittens first heat.  It will even out this issue.