In light of Andrea, the cat who survived a gas chamber twice at a West Valley City animal shelter, PETA urges Utah lawmakers to join the growing number of states that have banned the cruel practice of gassing homeless animals, and instead require that animals be euthanized exclusively by injections (EBI)—the method preferred by national experts on animal shelter euthanasia.

Death by carbon monoxide (CO) is slow and terrifying for animals, who often gasp for breath, claw frantically, and even attack one another in the chamber. And as Andrea’s case shows, gassing isn’t always effective—some animals who have survived have even been found stumbling around landfills.

With EBI, death is painless, peaceful, and fast. It’s also cheaper: CO gas costs $4.98 per animal, according to one study, while EBI costs only $2.29. Using EBI protects shelter workers, too: Repeated CO exposure, even at low levels, can cause cancer, infertility, and heart disease, while an overdose can—and has—caused death.

Until spay/neuter and adoption efforts result in no more animals paying with their lives for lack of homes, the least we owe those who must be euthanized is a painless, peaceful passing in the arms of caring shelter workers. To learn more, visit www.PETA.org.