The true meaning of animal euthanasia:

...“There was once a time when humanity was freely rewarded with a bullet for lack of loyalty (sigh)”

Over confidence jayB.
Bit older than you, history in very small country towns.
Even now , may not be legal but butchers have kill yards, 2 or 3 head once a week.
I have killed and cleaned at least 80 head myself,home kills are an every day thing.
Wanted only to highlight death is part of life.
I have had to shoot dogs, put broken ones down.
Never did it without it hurting me.
But still find the thread stupid, reality is no other way exists sometimes.

This subject is a bit of a furphy. Animals are mainly euthanased to avoid a painful death. Wish that humans had that option. That is what people do when they are responsible for an animal whether one agrees or not in the idea of animals as pets. TRTL has already spelt out the consequences of the other options based on financial means.

However, there is a lot of hypocrisy rising out of cultural norms related to animals. Why is killing an intelligent animal more cruel than a dumb one, or a cute one as opposed to an ugly one. Do we assume that an intelligent animal is more like 'us'? At least the vegetarians/vegans are consistent.

Human beings can also play a part in protecting endangered animals and fostering the humane treatment and farming of animals. There are many organic suppliers of meat now who compare well financially with the supermarkets and the farmer gets to keep most of the spoils for their hard work.

Our chooks are sort of like pets but they supply eggs and poo for the garden. They are also great for weed control and ploughing out old vegie beds ready for the next crop.

I have tried asking them to ascertain if they would prefer to live in the wild out in the bush rather than in their run and back yard but I don't understand their replies. It all sounds the same 'book' 'book' 'cluck' 'cluck'.

Pelican

Spot on post, although I prefer to eat the eggs and keep the poo for the garden.

;)

...My vote for sentiment is awarded to “Belly” and “Is Mise”. The lesser among us here admit, under their own forms of disguise, their consideration of the irrelevance of animals “per se”, and their indifference to the plight of animals.

...I personally consider the fact proved that humanity has the total responsibility towards all animals, to treat them humanely, and when necessary, to dispense with them compassionately when the need arises.
I know nothing gives me greater pleasure and meaning in my own life than to be in the presence of animals in their natural environment; I consider the loyalty of my personal pet dog a huge privilege and one of life’s rare endearing joys.

Well I was gaing to comment on this but Jayb has pretty much summed it up for me.

Just a passing thought.

There are around two billion people world wide who will have nothing to eat tonight.

Which do you think should take priority!