Do vets have to euthanize my pet if I ask, or can they refuse?

Question

Are vets required to euthanize/depopulate animals or can they choose not to? Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Male | neutered | 1 year and 5 months old

Linda G, MS, DVM · Accepted Answer

Hello. We are absolutely allowed to decide if & when an animal is euthanized, regardless of the reason. Any veterinarian who euthanizes an animal because there are too many probably works for a shelter or humane society. I get multiple requests a week from people wanting to kill perfectly healthy animals for various reasons. I can appreciate that circumstances sometimes force a person to go this route, but I, & many veterinarians I know, will not participate in this. If you only knew how it tears at our hearts whenever someone asks to this, you would understand. This is not what I went to school for 8 years to do. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Do vets have to euthanize my pet if I ask, or can they refuse?

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