何時符合倫理？
In everyday language, people may say that they had to “put down their dog” and “put their cat to sleep.”
在日常用語中，人們可能會說他們不得不「讓他們的狗離開」和「讓他們的貓長眠」。
put down 殺死in plain English用簡單的語言
However, what both of these statements refer to is the practice of animal euthanasia, which is the act of “killing an animal humanely.”
然而，這兩種說法都指的是動物安樂死的做法，即「以人道方式殺死動物」的行為。
practice(n.)作法humanely(adv.)人道humane(adj.)人道的
Despite the concept of compassion that is related to this choice to end an animal’s life, ethical considerations are necessary before deciding to euthanize any animal.
儘管這種結束動物生命的選擇與同情的概念有關，但在決定對任何動物實行安樂死之前，倫理方面的考慮是必要的。
compassion(n.)同情compassionate(adj.)有同情心的、憐憫的be related to~與～有關take sth. into consideration把～列入考量
In the past, companion animals like dogs and cats were kept as pets but were not treated as members of families like they are now.
在過去，狗和貓等的伴侶動物被當作寵物飼養，但並不像現在這樣被當作家庭成員對待。
companion(n.)伴侶、夥伴treat...as...把～當作～對待
At that time, the decision to put down an animal could be largely based on convenience to the owner, without concern for whether killing the pet was justified.
那時，是否對動物實施安樂死的決定可能主要是為了方便主人，而不考慮殺死寵物是否合理。
concern(n.)關心、關切justify(v.)證明⋯⋯正當(或有理、正確)
Healthy animals could be euthanized simply because they were a burden to the owner financially or otherwise.
健康的動物可能僅僅因為給主人帶來經濟或其他方面的負擔而被安樂死。
a burden to sb. 對～是個負擔bear the burden承受負擔carry the burden擔負負擔ease or reduce the burden減輕負擔otherwise(adv.)別樣地;以另外的方式;其他方面
Nowadays, though, dogs, cats and other pets hold closer relationships with owners than ever before.
不過，如今狗、貓和其他寵物與主人的關係比以往任何時候都更加密切。
intimate(adj.)親密的、親近的
Therefore, ethics have become more and more central to the decision to euthanize animals.
因此，在決定對動物實行安樂死之前，倫理問題變得越來越重要。
ethics(n.)倫理標準;道德準則a code of ethics道德規範central(adj.)主要的;重要的
The general consensus among veterinary practitioners and some animal rights groups is that euthanasia is ethical as a means to end an animal’s suffering, specifically in the cases of terminal illness, serious accidents or the “loss of major bodily functions” from old age that drastically impair the animal’s quality of life.
獸醫師和一些動物權益團體的普遍共識是，安樂死作為結束動物痛苦的一種手段是合乎道德的，尤其是在動物身患絕症、發生嚴重事故，或因年老而「喪失主要生理機能」，從而嚴重損害動物生活品質的情況下。
consensus(n.)共識veterinary(adj.)獸醫veterinarian(n.)獸醫practitioner(n.)執業者;從業人員as a means to 作為～的方法、手段means(n.)手段、工具、方法suffering(n.)疼痛;折磨;痛苦terminal(adj.)(疾病)晚期的;末期的terminal illness絕症drastically(adv.)重大地;嚴厲地;猛烈地drastic(adj.)極端的;猛烈的;劇烈地impair(v.)損害、削弱impaired(adj.)受損的speech-impaired(adj.)有語言障礙的
While these reasons may seem clear, the decision to put an animal down can still be very difficult due to the owner’s emotional attachment to their beloved pet and each individual animal’s unique situation.
儘管這些理由看似明確，但由於主人對心愛寵物的情感依附以及每個動物的獨特情況，決定對動物實行安樂死仍然可能非常困難。
due to因為;由於=owing to=as a result ofattachment(n.)深厚的感情;喜愛;愛慕beloved(adj.)深愛的;心愛的;熱愛的
Therefore, veterinarians and owners should have honest discussions about animals’ end-of-life care to make sure the decision to euthanize a pet is both ethical and appropriate.
因此，獸醫和主人應該就動物的臨終照護進行坦誠的討論，以確保對寵物實行安樂死的決定既具有倫理性，又恰如其分。
end-of-life care臨終照護appropriate(adj.)適當的;恰如其分的