Doggie Organ Donors: A Philosophical Mindbender

April 11, 2001
San Francisco, California, USA

Everybody get out your copies of Plato and Socrates—there's going to be a quiz.

But first, here's the situation in a nutshell: the Animal Services Division of Palo Alto has just signed an agreement that would allow organs to be harvested from the animals that are euthanized at the facility.

In particular, corneas and other optic tissue would be removed from shelter animals (after they have been put to sleep) and transplanted into living animals in an effort to restore their sight.

The ASD shelter euthanizes up to 25 animals each month.  These are the animals that are deemed unhealthy, temperamental, or otherwise unadoptable.

Shelter Superintendent Sandra Stadler comments, "These deaths are so wasted.  If this makes people talk about a subject that isn't very pleasant, maybe they won't be so complacent."

She adds, "This isn't a story about death; it's a story about life.  We're really hoping we can give the gift of sight."

The procedure will take place 2 or 3 times a month, as needed.  Only the outer tissue of the eye will be used (which can be frozen for up to 3 months), and no animal will be euthanized simply due to a need.

Also under the agreement, the shelter will receive no money for donor tissue (although veterinary services in the Palo Alto area do charge owners between $750 and $2000 USD to perform the operation).

Veterinarian ophthalmologist Cynthia Cook, who introduced the idea, believes that this is one way of benefiting from a tragic situation.

"I find it far more offensive that these animals are dying uselessly," she says.

Dr. Cook's initial request was turned down by the Peninsula Humane Society in San Mateo.

Similarly, the Humane Society of the U.S. has taken a defensive posture, stating, "It's not something we encourage... The problem is, if the shelter comes under scrutiny for anything, this is just going to add fodder for someone to be critical of the organization."

Don't worry! This is one of the recipients.

All the same, the ASD enthusiastically accepts Dr. Cook's proposal, effective immediately.  In fact, they welcome the controversy and hype.

Ms. Stadler believes the publicity may spark some public awareness of the pet problem, and people will be more likely to work with their problem pets instead of giving up and surrendering them to shelters.

Ok, I promised you a quiz.  Here it is: 
Is organ harvesting (as described here) a good idea or a bad idea?

Paws up. Good idea.

Paws down. Bad idea.

Test results will be published next week.
QUIZ RESULTS: Doggie Organ Donors? (April 19)

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