This poll examined attitudes toward killing companion animals in shelters in order to control pet overpopulation. Seven out of 10 respondents did not support killing animals unless they are “unadoptable” due to illness or aggressiveness.

Over 1,000 pet owners were interviewed about attitudes toward euthanasia in animal shelters. Only one-quarter thought that animals should sometimes be allowed to be euthanized to control population size. Attitudes toward euthanasia differed by age–79% of respondents under 30 thought that euthanasia was only acceptable in cases of illness and extreme aggression, compared to 67% of those 50 or older.