Ethical and Legal Considerations When Making Decisions for Companion Animals at the End of Life

This chapter explores the ethico-legal implications of deciding when to end the life of a companion animal. It suggests that end-of-life decision-making is an integral part of living well with companion animals and that the best approach to deciding about euthanasia is grounded in the concept of shared decision-making between client and veterinary professional. However, the authors recognise that tensions may exist between the interests of the client, the animal and the vet which complicate this model. They highlight limitations in existing legal and professional guidance, showing that ultimately veterinary professionals are entrusted with considerable discretion to determine the best interests of the animal. In acknowledgement of how subjective this assessment is, they suggest that vets should strive to encourage dialogue that will recognise the different expertise and knowledge of the client and place the animal patient at the heart of this clinical encounter.