Killing with Love

Killing with Love At the Humane Society, you can love your job but hate your 'work' By BOB GWALTNEY, Evansville Courier & Press August 19, 2003 They love animals. They love them so much they work with them, play with them, walk them, feed them, bathe them, hug them, hold them, heal them and sometimes, kill them. It is the hardest and most misunderstood part of the job for the staff of the Vanderburgh Humane Society (VHS), or any shelter that practices euthanasia. Sadly, there are more animals than good homes. As of last week, 1,758 animals had been surrendered to the care of the VHS this year, but only 845 have been adopted. More than half, 923, were euthanized. "Surrendering" means an owner didn't want or couldn't take care of an animal, so he took it to the shelter, hoping the VHS crew could find a new home for the pet. The staff tries - tries hard - but the numbers speak for themselves. "We are the last hope for many of the animals that are brought here," said Kendall Paul, the shelter's public-relations manager. An animal may be euthanized for health reasons or because its temperament makes it unadoptable. Sometimes, the shelter has more animals than can possibly be adopted, and room has to be made. "If we don't take them, many will be dumped along the side of the road to fend for themselves," Paul added. "I love my job and hate my work," said Monica Derry, a veterinary technician at the shelter. It's a sentiment shared by her co-workers who are responsible for euthanizing the animals. "We kill the animals we care for," said Christine Bryant. They all admit to suffering from compassion fatigue, a common symptom of shelter workers. In addition to the Humane Society, Evansville also has the city-operated Animal Control and Care facility off First Avenue, which euthanized 1,999 animals between Jan. 1 and July 31. Another 587 animals were adopted from that facility, 476 were reclaimed by their owners and 57 went to rescue organizations. In a few weeks, four Humane Society staff members will attend a euthanasia workshop in Indianapolis that will teach not only the technical side of euthanasia but deal with the emotional aspect of the job. VHS employees depend on one another for support. Who else knows what it is like to do what they do? Workers say they try not to take the stress home with them, but they all speak of times they go home emotionally exhausted. "One way I cope," said Derry, "is to go home and hug my two dogs and cat and know that at least three out of however many have a good home." The sight of a box of kittens or puppies, which brings instant smiles to most people, often is met by looks of apprehension and concern by the shelter staff. They implore animal owners to neuter their pets. Pet overpopulation is the major reason the VHS has more animals than homes. Every cat and dog adopted from the shelter will be spayed or neutered before it leaves the facility. There is a thorough application process for anyone who adopts an animal. The staff has taken in too many pets that were abused, lacked medical attention or became an inconvenience for their owners for them to let an animal leave the shelter for a questionable home. "We want to make sure they go with a good person to a home where they will be safe," said staff member Rachel Buyher. The Humane Society's building, at 1101 Buchanan Road, was never intended to be a shelter, but the staff has made the best of cramped conditions and is constructing a new shelter on Morgan Avenue. When the new complex is completed in the spring, it will have more space for animals and a better ventilation system to reduce airborne sickness. Its central location also will make it more accessible to the public. All of this should reduce the need for euthanizing animals. The facility has been under roof since last winter, and the shelter has been raising money to finish the project. Recently, the VHS Board of Directors decided to resume construction to finish enough of the facility to begin using part of it next spring.
BOB GWALTNEY / Evansville Courier & Press	Euthanasia means a loving death, and a kinder, gentler death could not be given to Betsy the dog as she is held by Monica Derry and injected with a fatal dose of tranquilizer by Rachel Buyher. Happy for the attention and love she has learned to expect from the shelter staff, the sickly dog soon loses consciousness.
BOB GWALTNEY / Evansville Courier & Press	Death comes fairly quickly for animals, but it seems to take forever to the humans in the "E-room" of the Vanderburgh Humane Society. Rachel Buyher, left, and Monica Derry wait during the last few minutes of Betsy’s life.
BOB GWALTNEY / Evansville Courier & Press	The walls of the "E-room" are covered with remembrances of animals put to death by staff members. The remembrances act as a show of respect to the animals and as therapy for the staff.
BOB GWALTNEY / Evansville Courier & Press	After a dog is found to have coccidioidomycosis, an infectious disease that could be transmitted to other animals in the shelter, VHS staff members gather to decide its fate. With no foster care available, and because the dog has other health problems, they come to the conclusion that it will have to be euthanized.
BOB GWALTNEY / Evansville Courier & Press	In the office area behind the front counter, Vanderburgh Humane Society staff members play with puppies and their mother just after the dogs are surrendered. After animals are surrendered, they are examined by a veterinary technician for health problems, and spend time with the staff, as they adjust to their new surroundings.