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Humane Euthanasia

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Classifieds:

Jobs

Equipment

Animals

Prepared For:

New Mexico

Animal Control Department;

New Mexico Animal Shelter

Purpose of the Humane Euthanasia Pilot Project (HEPP)

This project is designed to facilitate an easy transition from the current euthanasia method (which may be carbon monoxide) to humane lethal injection of sodium pentobarbital in a New Mexico Animal Control Department/Animal Shelter.  The results of this transition can help other communities to implement humane euthanasia techniques while allowing the city to euthanize unadopted and unclaimed animals in the most humane manner possible, better serving the citizens of New Mexico while decreasing animal suffering.

Participants have the option of implementing the proposed Humane Euthanasia Model with or without participating in a Pilot Project, which allows a mechanism for data collection.  Participants who wish to participate in data collection can use the HEPP Data Collection Packets and follow related steps of this proposal.   Others can simply implement humane euthanasia in their departments using the information in this proposal. 

Scope of the HEPP

The HEPP will provide necessary information for implementing humane euthanasia and provide tools to document data from the project.  Appendixes to this proposal include:

•  One-page summary proposal for euthanizing animals with sodium pentobarbital exclusively;

•  How to Implement Humane Euthanasia: A Step-by-Step Guide;

•  Data collection packets for participants in HEPP;

•  “Frequently Asked Questions”, detailed with footnotes and in-brief;

•  Sample protocols for humane euthanasia (SOP that can be easily adapted for use in your  department);

•  Comparison of Sodium Pentobarbital vs. Carbon Monoxide;

•  Cost analysis of carbon monoxide vs. sodium pentobarbital;

•  Humane euthanasia training resources, schedules and course descriptions;

•  Supporting documents including reference material and DEA/NM Pharmacy Board Controlled Substances Registration information and forms; 

•  Funding sources/scholarship opportunities;

•  Ancillary information regarding euthanasia.

Results from this pilot project may be used to assist other New Mexico communities and the state of New Mexico in transitioning into the exclusive use of humane euthanasia methods.

HEPP Approach

The four elements of the proposal will enable administration and staff to: become familiar with the components necessary to implement humane euthanasia and garner support of the project in the community; lay the foundation for implementing humane euthanasia; implement humane euthanasia; and, compile data throughout the project, as shown below:

Phase One: Familiarize administration, staff, and volunteers with humane euthanasia.

Purpose

• The purpose of this phase is to confirm with all levels of administration, staff and volunteers (public), the need to implement humane euthanasia exclusively. 

Steps

• Administration and staff study the elements of the HEPP proposal (attached);
• Administration and staff convey information to volunteers/public as needed to garner support for HEPP (support documents attached);

·      Administration and staff agree to be part of the HEPP (attached);

·      APNM provides data collection packets for each participant (attached).

Time Required

·      Administration meets with APNM representatives to discuss HEPP proposal (one hour);

·      Administration meets with staff to confirm willing participation (one hour);

·      Administration conducts public meetings as necessary (to be determined).

Total time estimate: Commitment to HEPP within 60 days of receiving HEPP proposal.

Task Responsibility

• Administration and staff commit to project, using APNM representatives for support

Task Involvement

• Members of city administration (includes animal control department supervisor);
• Animal control department staff;
• Animal control department volunteers/public;
• APNM representative.

Phase Two: Lay the foundation for implementing humane euthanasia.

Purpose

• The purpose of this phase is to lay the foundation for phasing out the current method of euthanasia (carbon monoxide) and implementing humane lethal injection as the only form of euthanasia.

Steps

Follow “How To Implement Humane Euthanasia: A Step-by-Step Guide” (attached), including:

• Register staff for certified euthanasia training (two day course)  (attached);
• Confirm a supervising veterinarian and a supervising pharmacist to fulfill DEA and NM Board of Pharmacy Controlled Substances Licensure requirements (forms and instructions are attached);
• Complete DEA and NM Board of Pharmacy Controlled Substances Licensure requirements;
• Re-designate funding as necessary (funding sources/scholarship information attached);
• Obtain necessary equipment (supply list attached);
• Obtain necessary euthanasia and pre-euthanasia drugs;
• Re-designate space as necessary to perform humane euthanasia;
• Designate locked space for safe storage of controlled substances and log books;
• Administration, staff, supervising veterinarian and volunteers familiarize themselves with humane euthanasia SOP (attached);
• Administration, staff, supervising veterinarian and volunteers familiarize themselves with HEPP data collection including entering data onto “Phase Two” forms (given to participants at end of Phase One);
• Animal Control Department Director and supervising veterinarian schedule the starting date of Phase Three, including time for initial veterinary oversight until staff comfort level and technique is sufficient to ensure humane euthanasia of all animals;
• Administration and supervising veterinarian schedule announced and unannounced audits of euthanasia to ensure protocols and standards are adhered to (HEPP recommends monthly announced audits, and at least monthly unannounced audits to ensure compliance with humane protocols – schedule approximately 30-60 minutes per audit.  This task can be filled by another authorized, certified euthanasia technician, trainer or expert.  APNM has a certified euthanasia technician on staff and can assist as needed);
• Administration and supervising veterinarian schedule monthly interviews with staff to fill any need for support and/or feedback of HEPP (HEPP recommends 15-60 minutes depending on staff response.  APNM can assist as needed).

Time Required

• Variable depending on support staff and time allotted.   DEA/NM Pharmacy Board Registrations can be processed relatively quickly and other arrangements are not time-consuming overall. 

Total time estimate: If staff is trained out-of-state, completion of Phase Two could happen within 60 days of commitment to HEPP.  If staff is trained in-state, Phase Two could be completed by 3/31 (depending on in-state training date), plus time allowed for monthly audits and interviews as outlined above.

Task Responsibility

• Administration and staff follow steps in “How To Implement Humane Euthanasia: A Step-by-Step Guide” using APNM representatives for support as needed

Task Involvement

• Administration
• Staff
• Supervising Veterinarian
• Volunteers
• APNM representative as needed

Phase Three:  Implement humane euthanasia.

Purpose

• In this phase, the administration and staff phase out the current euthanasia method and implement humane lethal injection. 

Steps

Follow “How To Implement Humane Euthanasia: A Step-by-Step Guide (attached), including:

• Remove carbon monoxide chamber and arrange for disposal of chamber;
• Set up designated euthanasia space in a quiet area, out of sight of other animals (recommendations attached);
• Administration, staff, supervising veterinarian and volunteers reference SOPs;
• Perform initial humane euthanasia with supervising veterinarian and administration (and APNM staff or expert as needed) to ensure staff comfort level with process and technique
• Administration and supervising veterinarian (or authorized representative) perform announced and unannounced audits of euthanasia;
• Administration and supervising veterinarian (or authorized representative) participate in monthly meetings with euthanasia staff to ensure staff comfort level and offer support as necessary;
• Administration, staff, supervising veterinarian and volunteers complete HEPP data collection forms.

Time Required

• Time needed to set up facilities will vary in each location;
• administration and supervising veterinarian perform monthly audits and interviews as outlined in Phase Two (* initial supervising time should encompass the duration of euthanasia each day for 1-2 weeks depending on staff proficiency);
• * 30-60 minutes at least two times per month for audits;
• * 15-60 minutes per staff/volunteer per month for meetings to discuss issues surrounding the new euthanasia method including support and feedback;
• * 15-30 minutes per week to complete data collection forms.

Total time estimate:  Three months (data collection) -- Humane euthanasia ongoing

Task Responsibility

• Administration and staff follow steps in “How To” guide using APNM representatives for support as needed.

Task Involvement

• Administration
• Staff
• Supervising Veterinarian
• Volunteers
• APNM representative as needed

Phase Four: Compile data for APNM.

Purpose

• The purpose of Phase Four is to consolidate and evaluate all of the information gathered from the HEPP.  This data may be used to help other New Mexico communities and/or the state phase out inhumane methods and implement humane euthanasia.

Steps

• Administration, staff, supervising veterinarian and volunteers finish data entry;
• Administration gathers all information from interviews;
• APNM representative conducts brief final interview with administration, staff, consulting veterinarian and volunteers.

Time Required

• 15-30 minutes per participant, scheduled with deference to participant’s time-frame

Total time estimate: 30 days from completion of Phase Three data collection.

Task Responsibility

• APNM using data compiled throughout HEPP.

Task Involvement

• Administration
• Staff
• Supervising Veterinarian
• Volunteers
• APNM representative

Time Estimates for HEPP

Time

This project can be completed in approximately eight months to one year, depending on the preferred schedule, though the benefit of implementing humane euthanasia will remain with the community permanently.   The table below proposes some dates for the different phases although other dates are possible and acceptable.  The dates shown below are for illustration only, to show the sequence of phases and the time requirements for and between each phase.

Estimated Length of HEPP:

Phase One: 60 days

Phase Two: Two months–six months, depending on staff certification

Phase Three: Duration; Ongoing Humane Euthanasia (three months for project perimeters)

Phase Four:  30 days from end of Phase Three project perimeters

Total Time Frame: 8-12 months

Sample Timelines:

If staff is trained out of state:

Phase One: Project accepted by 11/15/02

Phase Two: Staff certified 12/5-6/02 Zanesville, OH and other foundation elements are implemented

Phase Three:  HE implemented 12/9/02; HEPP data collection completed 3/10/03

Phase Four: 4/10/03 – final data is collected by APNM

If staff is trained in New Mexico:

Phase One:  Project accepted by 12/15/02

Phase Two: Staff certified in 2/27-28/03 in Albuquerque and other foundation elements are implemented

Phase Three: HE implemented 3/3/03; HEPP data collection completed 6/3/03

Phase Four: 7/14/03 – final data is collected by APNM

Costs Estimates for HEPP

Animal services are a necessary part of every community in our state, mandated in part by NMSA 77-1-1-20 (specifically NMSA 77-1-12) and proven by the over 90,000 unwanted animals euthanized in NM animal shelters each year.  Until we institutionalize humane animal services at the state level, related costs are borne solely by each municipality or county.   Unfortunately, because of rampant pet overpopulation facilitated by careless, negligent and uninformed citizens, humane euthanasia is essential to any successful animal control program.

This proposal is designed to outline the steps necessary for any county or city in New Mexico to transition away from cruel or outdated animal disposition methods and implement humane lethal injection as the sole method of euthanasia.  The cost of implementing humane euthanasia is the responsibility of the municipality, county, or contracting agency.  APNM is not responsible for costs associated with this proposal, though a spreadsheet of grant opportunities and scholarship information is included. 

While humane animal services will always be necessary in every community, APNM encourages administrations and residents to implement and enforce aggressive spay/neuter programs to curb escalating animal control costs while institutionalizing humane animal care. 

Estimated start-up costs are outlined below:

In general, the cost of humane euthanasia per animal is approximately $1.27 with sodium pentobarbital and $1.32 with carbon monoxide. 

Based on training two staff members, though tuition could be covered

by an APNM grant (attached) decreasing the cost by  $438.

* Ongoing costs for items that will need to be replaced

as they are used/when new staff is hired.

** Costs could vary depending on quality of equipment purchased,

 total start up costs reflect an average of range noted.

Assuming another euthanasia method is already in use, which is more than likely carbon monoxide, items needed in the euthanasia room that are likely already in use include: pens, scratch paper; stethoscopes; pole syringes; restraint equipment (including squeeze cages, muzzles, leashes, control poles - New Safe Control Poles with bite proof safety balls are $149 + shipping); cadaver bags; paper towels; spray bottle of cleaning solution; spray bottle of deodorizer; first aid kit; bath towels.

1)    Roles, Responsibilities, and Requirements

Working with community representative, Animal Protection of New Mexico, Inc. is responsible for introducing the project to the administration and staff. 

The administration is responsible for making department staff available for the data collection and for interviews and for implementation of project as outlined above.

It is important for all managers and staff to be open and honest when responding to the survey and interview questions without fear of attribution or retribution.

Recommendation

Review the proposal and revise, as required, any terms, dates, tasks, language, or  wording in this proposal and notify Michele Rokke of the proposed revisions either verbally or in writing.

Proposal Submitted:     ___________________ 200___ , by

                                                Michele Rokke

Animal Control/Law Enforcement Program Manager