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Info for Animal Control & Field Officers
Info for District Attorneys & Judges |
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Scope of Humane Euthanasia Pilot Project: Summary
Ideally, to perform IV injections of sodium pentobarbital, it is easiest to have two people, but one person can perform humane euthanasia alone using certified training techniques which may include use of pre-euthanasia anesthetic. At least three organizations regularly offer certified training classed in humane euthanasia: American Humane Association (AHA); The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS); and National Animal Control Association (NACA). Classes are held in cities around the country — including Albuquerque (the next class is scheduled for 2/22-23/02 and is offered by AHA). The cost of a two-day certification course is usually around $200, though there may be associated costs for out-of-state training. Many organizations offer limited scholarships for tuition, including Animal Protection of New Mexico (APNM) due to a small training grant from the New Mexico Federation of Animal Care, Control and Humane Agencies.
It is best to have a designated euthanasia area that is quiet and out of sight of other animals. A designated euthanasia area requires a sturdy table and all euthanasia should be performed in a well-lit area. Some shelters prefer to reduce animal stress by euthanizing in the "home" kennel or cage using sheets or blankets to prevent other animals from viewing euthanasia or carcasses EUTHANASIA DRUGS and PRE-EUTHANASIA DRUGS Humane euthanasia is accomplished
with sodium pentobarbital (brand names include Fatal Plus, Sleepaway,
Beuthanasia-D; which is a lower classification, less restricted
drug with specific uses), a controlled substance subject to federal
Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and state NM Board of Pharmacy (NMBP)
rules and regulations that mandate use, record keeping and storage.
Pre-euthanasia drugs, (such as Ketamine Xyalzine, Telazol and Acempromezine)
many of which are also controlled substances, are stocked to assist
in providing humane euthanasia for fractious, aggressive and fearful
animals, as well as to assist technicians who perform euthanasia
without the aid of a handler. The NM Board of Veterinary Medicine (NMBVM) Veterinary Practice Act (NMSA 61-14-14A) stipulates that anyone administering a drug be under the direct supervision of a licensed veterinarian but exempts city or county employees from this provision. This means that a municipal or county animal shelter with trained employees can obtain a NM Controlled Substance License and a DEA License and legally perform lethal injections on animals. According to NMBVM Rules and Regulations 16.25.9.20, private or contracted animal shelters must have a veterinarian on premise to perform euthanasia. The department will need a relationship with a supervising veterinarian and supervising pharmacist (the state does have a traveling pharmacist who could fill this role) to fulfill DEA and NMBP requirements. COSTS According to data from a 1994 study, it is actually cheaper to use sodium pentobarbital (per animal, it costs approximately $1.27 with sodium pentobarbital and $1.32 with carbon monoxide), but even so, using the most humane method available is the right thing to do, for animals and people. ETHICAL CONCERNS |