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Vivian Galindo

Dr. Sharity Nelson

English 1301-119

November, 9, 2022

The Secret Life of Shelter Employees

Talking about shelter employee suicide certainly gets readers attention. More than four

thousand animals daily for the U.S itself. Andrukonis and Propotova wrote during the pandemic,

Occupational Health of Animal shelter employees by Live Release Rate, shelter type, and

euthanasia related decision. Employees at animal shelters are exhibit to euthanasia, yet those

who perform it face excessive strain of biologically ending a life. Androkonis and Protopopova

effectively convey to psychologists’ and animal communities a well-researched message by

using their credibility as practitioners within the field and by relating the audience to the values

of kindness and care explored in their study.

Beginning with, the reality of trauma and stress that animal shelter employees have to

face is undeniable. Androkonis and Protopopova evaluated the workplace issues of those

working in animal shelters to develop mechanisms and interventions that could improve their

condition. Some problems need attention and careful evaluations to help shelters not just

improve their intervention for animals, but also for their employees. It would be impossible for

animal shelter employees using a survey. Instead of utilizing information from other sources, the

authors took the liberty of gathering data from those directly affected.
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Following, this study specifically aims to, explain to animal shelter mangers,

government policymakers, and other stakeholders the plight animal shelter employees face.

Androkonis and Propotova (2020) declared that “ultimately, the goal is to alleviate the majority

of the euthanasia and job-related stress in animal care employees.” In this regard, the authors

explained to these stakeholders to develop new policies and regulations that could contribute in

reducing anxiety and trauma faced by workers in animal shelters. According to Androkonis and

Protopopova (2020) “an evaluation of the current commonly used euthanasia protocols may

assist to inform the creation of best practices for euthanasia to reduce the emotional burden on

staff (129).” The study made use of the three areas of rhetorical appeals to effectively translate

its message to psychologists and animal community. By utilizing logos, ethos, pathos, and kiros

to translate its study into perceivable polices.

Foremost, Androkonis and Protopopova used their credibility to strengthen their case. For

one, Androkonis was part of the department of Animal and Food Sciences, and Protopopova was

a faculty member of Land and Food Systems at The University of British Columbia. With the

help of the credibility, they bring into the discussion regarding the occupational health of

employees in an animal shelter, the authors were able get the attention of psychologists’ and

animal communities the ethos rhetorical appeal was fundamental in the authors to have the

attention of the audience without the credibility supporting the argument being developed in the

study.

Inversely, it is also critical for the article to have logos. The text is another rhetorical

appeal using the value of the content being made. Androkonis and Propotova (2020) collaborated

on a study in which “the survey was active from December 2017 to April 2018 and paid shelter
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employees (n=153) from 15 municipal and 32 private animal shelters in the United States

Participated.” Without this date, it would be impossible for researchers to outline their

discussion. For Instance, Androkonis and Protopopova (2020) concluded that “although the

situations are extremely different, animal shelter employees’ are also to kill in situations where

they may not agree with the decision.” The conclusion made by the authors’ is grounded on the

gathered and interpreted data. Without logos aspect of the rhetorical appeal, it is complicated to

appeal to the reliability of the data.

Finally, another aspect of the rhetorical appeal of the argument is ethos of the audience.

By discussing the trauma and stress faced by employees of animal shelters, the argument made a

connection with the values and beliefs of humane treatment and justice that people hold.

Euthanasia and other critical choices in animal shelters are uncommon actions. Employees are

repulsive to the behavior that consumer have. By arguing against the actions made by animal

shelters causing stress and trauma to employees. Androkonis and Protopopova (2020) pointed

out “First the ability to make decisions about whether or not to be the person euthanizing,

secondly, ability to participate in the decision-making process related to euthanasia of a specific

animal and third, agreement with decisions made by a supervisor in regards to the euthanasia of a

specific animal (p.127).” This would persuade psychologists’ and animal communities to do

something fast because employees have the right to sue if anything looks suspicious or unlawful

an could lead to imprisonment depending o the situations. demonstrating these employees’

statements comes to proof that indeed these employees’ mental health are at risk and no one

wants to pay attention or simply avoid the circumstance. This correspondingly invokes and urges

psychologists’ and Animal communities the need to take the soonest possible action and perhaps

lead to a future fundraiser or something that would befit both parties. Also, the authors rhetorical
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appeal is showcasing a cause-and-effect situation that comes with the situation. successfully

argues the necessity of making changes benefitting the need of animal shelters are not

comparable to military officers, it is crucial to develop mechanisms that will strengthen the value

of employees concerning activities beyond their personal values and beliefs. And the author’s

expert opinion regarding the matter provided foundation and credibility stakeholders,

psychologists and animal communities of the study can trust that the argument mad is intellect

and scholarly and develops connection with the audience to strengthen its value and achieve its

purpose.

In Conclusion, authors Andrukonis and Propotova he article study successfully serves its

purpose and aims to stakeholders, psychologists, animal communities including, modes of

persuasion, statistics, and additional insight from other credible sources to make their message

clearer and dissenting, that shelter employees' metal health and these animals health should be

taken seriously and supervisors being aware and attentive among their employees and making

them feel comfortable and stable and at ease meanwhile, psychologists and stakeholders should

take it seriously instead of simply avoiding it.   

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Work-Cited

Andrukonis, Alison and Alexandra Protopopova.

“Occupational Health of Animal Shelter Employees by Live Release Rate, Shelter Type, and

Euthanasia-Related Decision.”