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Ethics are the values and principles that help us determine what is right and wrong. They guide how we behave and make decisions, especially when we’re faced with tough choices. Our ethics usually come from three main places:

• Personal beliefs: what you personally believe is right or wrong
• Professional standards: the rules or expectations that come with your job
• Society’s influence: what your community or culture generally accepts as okay

When it comes to animals, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) defines animal welfare as how well an animal is able to deal with the life it’s living. That means people, especially those who work with animals, have a responsibility to make sure animals are treated well. This includes:

• Good housing and care
• Proper nutrition
• Preventing illness
• Treating sickness and injuries
• Gentle handling
• Humane euthanasia, when it’s the kindest option

People’s views on animal welfare are shaped by their ethics. Someone with strong ethical values will expect both themselves and others to care for animals in what they believe is the right way. But it’s not always so simple; sometimes laws or rules can make ethical decisions really tough, especially in the veterinary field.

Take this example: A tiny puppy shows up at the emergency vet clinic. It’s very sick: vomiting, diarrhea, clearly suffering. The vet runs a test and confirms parvovirus. The bad news? The owners have already spent everything they had just to get the test done, and they can’t afford treatment. The vet knows the pup’s chances aren’t good without care and recommends humane euthanasia. That’s the compassionate and responsible thing to do. But the owners say no; euthanasia goes against their beliefs. And since the vet legally can’t euthanize without permission, the puppy goes home to die. It’s heartbreaking for everyone involved. You might say to the team, “We have done all we can. Our hands are tied at this time.”

Another tricky subject is declawing cats. Some vets refuse to do it no matter what. Others will consider it only in specific situations, like when it’s the only option to keep a cat in its own home. Age and weight often play a role in the decision, too. Some working cats, like service animals, might even be required to be declawed. Performing this surgery should be up to the individual doctor. If you do not offer this service, it may be best to tell the client your practice does not offer this service and provide a list of local practices that do.

Then there’s the guilt trip. Sometimes, pet owners try to pressure the veterinary team into giving free care, especially when money is tight. They might say things like, “You’re just in it for the money,” or “So you’re just going to let my pet die?” But the truth is, most people in vet medicine aren’t in it to get rich. Vets and techs do this work because they truly care about animals. That said, vet clinics are still businesses—they have bills to pay and families to support. It’s all about finding that balance between helping people and keeping the clinic running.

One of the most heartbreaking ethical challenges is with rescue groups. The vet team often has to teach volunteers and staff how to care for animals. It’s also important for vets to work with rescue groups that share their ethical views, so everyone’s on the same page. A rescue agreement should be in place prior to starting a relationship with a rescue group to protect both parties.

At the end of the day, ethics are the moral compass we live by. They shape how we treat animals and how we handle tough situations. People with strong values are going to do their best to make sure animals are treated with compassion, care, and respect because they believe it’s simply the right thing to do.

Written By Karen Talbott, MS, CVT, FFCP