WellBeing International WBI Studies Repository 2016 Exploring Attitudes Toward Euthanasia Among Shelter Workers and Volunteers in Japan and the U.S. Maho Cavalier Humane Society University Follow this and additional works at: https://www.wellbeingintlstudiesrepository.org/hsu_students Part of the Animal Studies Commons, Bioethics and Medical Ethics Commons, and the Other Veterinary Medicine Commons Recommended Citation Cavalier, Maho, "Exploring Attitudes Toward Euthanasia Among Shelter Workers and Volunteers in Japan and the U.S." (2016). HSU STUDENT THESES AND CAPSTONE PROJECTS. 3. https://www.wellbeingintlstudiesrepository.org/hsu_students/3 This material is brought to you for free and open access by WellBeing International. It has been accepted for inclusion by an authorized administrator of the WBI Studies Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Running head: Exploring Attitudes Toward Euthanasia Among Shelter Workers and Volunteers in Japan and the U.S. Exploring Attitudes Toward Euthanasia Among Shelter Workers and Volunteers in Japan and the U.S. Maho Cavalier Humane Society University Exploring Attitudes Toward Euthanasia Among Shelter Workers and Volunteers in Japan and the U.S. 2 Table of Contents Abstract………………………………………………………………………… 3 Foreward……………………………………………………………………….. 5 Introduction……………………………………………………………………. 6 Euthanasia of Companion Animals: International Guidelines……………… 8 Euthanasia of Companion Animals: US Guidelines………………………… 10 Euthanasia: Perspectives from Western Philosophers……………………… 11 The Use and Definition of the Term “Euthanasia” in Japan……………..…. 13 Methods Used for Euthanasia in the US and Japan……………………..….. 15 Shelter Statistics and Euthanasia…………………………………………..... 20 No-Kill Movement………………………………………………………..… 23 Literature Review……………………………………………………………… 25 Attitudes toward Euthanasia………………………………………………… 26 The Effect of Euthanasia on the Shelter Workers Perform Euthanasia…….. 28 Research Methods……………………………………………………………… 34 Participants………………………………………………………………….. 34 Data Collection……………………………………………………………… 36 Data Analysis………………………………………………………………... 37 Timeline……………………………………………………………………... 39 Results………………………………………………………………………….. 40 When is Euthanasia Necessary and What is Suffering?.................................. 59 Conclusion……………………………………………………………………... 61 Appendix A: Participant Information………………………………………….. 69 Appendix B: Individual Interview Data……………………………………….. 70 References……………………………………………………………………… 76 Exploring Attitudes Toward Euthanasia Among Shelter Workers and Volunteers in Japan and the U.S. 3 Abstract Conflicts between foreign and Japanese volunteers concerning decisions to euthanize animals that are in terminal condition were noted during anecdotal observation by this author at a Japanese animal rescue shelter. Thus, this research was undertaken to explore attitudes of shelter staff in Japan. As a point of comparison, U. S. shelter workers were also interviewed. Twenty current or former shelter workers (16 participants from Japan and 4 participants from the U.S.), ranging in age from 20 to 65, were interviewed. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with the Japanese participants; e-mail and/or Skype were used to conduct the interviews with the participants living in the U.S. Grounded theory was employed to analyze the interview data. The analysis suggested that euthanasia is a difficult and emotional process for all of the participants, and many of them have experienced the "Caring-Killing Paradox" (Arluke, 1994: Arluke & Sanders,1996: Reeves et al., 2005.) Both Japanese and U.S. participants indicated that euthanasia is a humane option to eliminate prolonged suffering of animals, and when their quality of life is greatly diminished. Most of them agree that euthanizing animals for space and behavioral reasons may not be fair and should be avoided. Exploring Attitudes Toward Euthanasia Among Shelter Workers and Volunteers in Japan and the U.S. 4 There is a subtle yet notable characteristic among Japanese participants. They seem to be rather unsure about euthanasia in practice, while agreeing with and understanding its principle of eliminating suffering. This became more apparent when it comes to their pets. In short, it seems that there was some disparity between what they believe and what they actually do. In contrast, participants in the U.S. seemed to express, with confidence, that euthanasia is a humane option in certain cases for both shelter and owned companion animals. More research is needed to determine what influences this subtle difference, if it stems from cultural, religious or other factors. Exploring Attitudes Toward Euthanasia Among Shelter Workers and Volunteers in Japan and the U.S. 5 Foreward The author used to volunteer at a companion animal shelter in Tokyo that houses over 50 dogs, small to large, young to old. In 2014, the shelter informed volunteers that they were facing financial problems. In response to the situation, a group of the shelter volunteers, including Japanese and non-Japanese (three Americans, one Australian, one French, and two Japanese including the author) gathered and formed a group to strategize ways to help the shelter. In the course of the efforts, the group found out that their greatest cost is for veterinary care, which includes the care of terminally ill dogs that are in irreversible conditions. The group advocated strongly for euthanizing the terminally ill dogs, not because they have less value, but because the medical cost is hurting the shelter and also they thought that they have been getting unnecessary medical treatments to keep them alive despite their obviously terminal conditions and obvious suffering. However, the owner and the primary shelter staff have devoted themselves to the shelter’s “no-kill” policy over the past 10-15 years; therefore, they strongly disagreed with euthanizing any terminally ill animals even if those animals were suffering and had no chance of recovery. They also stated that, “miracles could happen.” The difference in attitudes between the Japanese shelter staff and the foreign volunteers at this same shelter was striking. Therefore, this research was undertaken to Exploring Attitudes Toward Euthanasia Among Shelter Workers and Volunteers in Japan and the U.S. 6 explore attitudes of shelter staff in Japan. As a point of comparison, U. S. shelter workers were also interviewed. While this debate about euthanizing shelter dogs was in full brew in this shelter in Japan, on the other side of the Pacific, the debate about euthanasia was making headlines due to the case of Brittney Maynard. Brittney Maynard was a young woman who chose to end her life via a physician-assisted euthanasia in Oregon. Ms. Maynard made the decision to end her own life as a result of suffering from terminal brain cancer. In Oregon, there is “Death with Dignity Act” that allows terminally ill Oregonians to end their lives through the voluntary self-administration of lethal medication (Oregon Government, 2015). The 29-year-old newlywed Maynard committed voluntary euthanasia on November 1, 2014. The news of Brittany’s decision sparked debate on euthanasia in America and also in Japan. The ongoing debate about euthanasia at the shelter and the case of Maynard in Oregon led the author to explore the topic of euthanasia, especially for owned companion animals. The questions that came to mind: how is euthanasia of owned companion animals viewed by the general public and shelter staff/volunteers in Japan? and how are these views different from those in the United States? Introduction Exploring Attitudes Toward Euthanasia Among Shelter Workers and Volunteers in Japan and the U.S. 7 There is little research on the attitudes toward euthanasia of companion animals in Japan. Anecdotal evidence seems to suggest that attitudes among the Japanese are different than those attitudes of natives of other first world countries. It was the author’s experience that the Japanese staff and volunteers at the shelter mentioned above believe that euthanasia is morally wrong because it is an act of “killing.” They also have expressed that they believe that euthanizing animals goes against nature and is a disrespectful and immoral action. In contrast, volunteers at this same shelter who are from Western countries believe that euthanasia is a way to help animals who are suffering, and is in fact, a way to respect the lives of animals. In this particular Japanese shelter, there was a clear division between those who are opposed to euthanasia and those who recognize euthanasia as a tool that might be used to end suffering. However, there is some evidence that indicates that there are shades of gray on the issue of euthanasia of companion animals. This study explored attitudes about euthanasia of companion animals. Specifically, this author was interested in exploring any possible differences between Japanese and American attitudes toward euthanasia in a shelter setting. This study also explored cultural components that may influence attitudes toward euthanasia in Japan and in the United States (US). This exploration was conducted via a search of the Exploring Attitudes Toward Euthanasia Among Shelter Workers and Volunteers in Japan and the U.S. 8 literature on euthanasia and interviews conducted with shelter workers and volunteers in Japan and in the US. Euthanasia of Companion Animals: International Guidelines The International Companion Animal Management Coalition (ICAM) is comprised of: the World Society for the