Create Federal guidelines restricting the use of euthanasia in animal shelters for medically necessary purposes only.

Millions of healthy animals are unnecessarily killed in shelters annually, regardless of age, breed, disposition or health, simply because they're unwanted. The average time given to find potential adopters is between 24-72 hours, sometimes less. Many are killed daily, without notice, never being listed for adoption. The definition of euthanasia is to end the suffering of the terminally ill. Shelters have extended this practice beyond its original intention at the expense of innocent lives. They've been allowed to self-govern the conditions of its use. The only way to save these lives is to create federally mandated guidelines, creating criteria that must be met in order to euthanize an animal. Shelters should work together to alleviate overcrowding and assist each other in adoptions.