Section I
DEFINITIONS
A. "Certified Euthanasia
Technician" (CET) means a person employed by a registered animal
shelter who is instructed in:
1.
the proper method of humanely euthanizing animals by injecting
solutions approved for euthanasia,
2. proper security
precautions;
3. proper
record keeping; and
4.
who has been certified by the Commissioner.
B. "Chemical Restraint Drugs" means
drugs that are administered prior to a lethal drug to reduce
aggressiveness and/or mobility of the subject animal.
C. "Commissioner" means
Commissioner of Agriculture, Food and Markets.
D. "Direct Supervision" means
responsibility for the training of the prospective CET and being
physically present during euthanasia when performed by the
prospective CET.
E. "Drug
Enforcement Agency" (DEA) means the Federal agency for enforcement of
narcotic laws.
F.
"Euthanasia Board for Animals" (EBA) means a board appointed by the
Commissioner to:
1. provide
training programs for certified euthanasia technicians;
2. recommend individuals for
certification as euthanasia technicians;
3. inspect registered animal
shelters for compliance with these or any other rules Promulgated
under
20 V.S.A., Section
3913 &
13 V.S.A. Section
371;
4. recommend registered animal
shelters for approval to purchase, possess and use solutions approved
for euthanasia; and
5.
make such other recommendations to the Commissioner as are
appropriate to insure humane and safe euthanasia of
animals.
G.
"Euthanasia Solution" means a solution used for the humane death of
an animal accomplished by a method that produces rapid
unconsciousness and subsequent death without evidence of pain or
distress, or a method that utilizes anesthesia produced by an agent
that causes painless loss of consciousness and subsequent
death.
H. "Lethal Drug"
means drugs that, when administered to an animal, cause humane
death.
I. "Registered
Animal Shelters" (RAS) means animal shelters registered with the
Vermont Department of Agriculture, Food and Markets under
20 V.S.A.
Section 3903.
J. "Veterinarian of Record" means a
Vermont licensed veterinarian who is the primary veterinary
consultant to the registered animal shelter for the euthanasia
procedures used in the registered animal shelter.
Section II EUTHANASIA
BOARD FOR ANIMALS
A. COMPOSITION:
The EBA shall consist of seven (7) members; three (3)
veterinarians recommended by the Vermont Veterinary Medical
Association; three (3) representatives of registered animal shelters
recommended by the Vermont Humane Federation; and the State
Veterinarian or another veterinarian representative of the
Commissioner.
1. Each member
with the exception of the Commissioner's representative shall be
appointed for three years except that the initial appointments for
each group will serve terms as follows: one member will serve for one
year, one will serve for two years and the third will serve for three
years.
2. Each member
except the Commissioner's representative may be reappointed to a
second term. No member except for the Commissioner's representative,
shall serve more than two full three year terms.
B. DUTIES:
Duties of the members of the Euthanasia Board for
Animals include but are not limited to:
1. Coordinating and providing
euthanasia training classes no less than once every two
years.
2. Evaluating
candidates for certification and recommending certification to the
Commissioner.
3.
Evaluating candidates for recertification and recommending
recertification to the Commissioner.
4. Reviewing the records,
performance, methods, procedures and inspecting the facilities of
registered animal shelters used for euthanasia and recommending
approval of registered animal shelters for purchasing, possessing or
using euthanasia solutions.
5. Recommending suspension or
revocation of:
(a) certification of
technicians, or
(b)
approval of registered animal shelters for cause.
6. Recommending
additions or deletions to the list of approved euthanasia solutions
and chemical restraint drugs for use in a registered animal
shelter.
C.
EUTHANASIA TRAINING:
The Euthanasia Board for Animals shall develop and/or
recommend training sessions and materials which may include, but are
not limited to the following topics:
1. The theory of euthanasia
methods;
2. Proper animal
handling to ease trauma and stress;
3. Dosages, record keeping and
documentation of usage of euthanasia solutions and chemical restraint
drugs;
4. Proper
injection techniques.
D. ON-SITE INSPECTION TEAM:
1. Composition: The inspection team
shall include at a minimum, a veterinarian, a humane society
representative and the State Veterinarian or his/her
designee.
2. Duties:
(a) To inspect registered animal
shelters for approval to use euthanasia solutions.
(b) To examine candidates for
certification as euthanasia technicians.
E. INSPECTION
DEFICIENCIES REQUIRING IMMEDIATE CORRECTION:
If there are deficiencies with either a CET or a RAS
facility, the member of the EBA shall document areas for correction
on the inspection form. The RAS and CET shall make corrections within
90 days and the EBA member will reinspect or re-examine the CET or
RAS facility within 90 days. If the deficiencies have not been
corrected the EBA member or EBA board may recommend that the
Commissioner:
1. not issue
the certification or approval,
2. revoke the certification of the
CET and the approval of the RAS as may be applicable.
Section III
WHO MAY ADMINISTER EUTHANASIA SOLUTIONS
A. GENERAL:
No person shall administer euthanasia drugs to an
animal in a registered animal shelter in Vermont unless that person
is a certified euthanasia technician or a Vermont licensed
veterinarian.
B.
EXCEPTION:
A person in training as a CET who is employed by a
registered animal shelter, may administer a lethal drug or chemical
restraint drug under the direct supervision of a certified euthanasia
technician or Vermont licensed veterinarian.
Section IV CERTIFIED
EUTHANASIA TECHNICIANS
A. INITIAL
CERTIFICATION OF TECHNICIANS:
1.
Application: Applicants for initial certification as euthanasia
technicians must provide the euthanasia board for animals with the
following:
a. Satisfactory
completion of an approved euthanasia training course.
b. Satisfactory completion of a
supervised training period of not less than two months within the
past twelve months.
c.
Satisfactory completion of an oral and practical examination by the
on-site inspection team.
d. Proof of employment at an
approved registered animal shelter;
e. A sworn statement that he or she
does not have any drug-related convictions, and which discloses any
pending drug-related criminal charges.
2. Procedure: The euthanasia board
for animals will review the request for initial certification at its
next meeting and submit its recommendations to the Commissioner. All
recommendations shall be supported by factual findings.
3. Certified euthanasia technicians
will receive a certificate which will expire on January 1 of each
year. The certificate will be displayed on the wall of the euthanasia
room of the registered animal shelter.
B. RECERTIFICATION OF EUTHANASIA
TECHNICIANS:
1. Certified
Euthanasia Technicians must submit on or before January 1 of each
year an application for recertification to the Commissioner with the
following information:
a. Proof of
satisfactory completion of an approved euthanasia refresher course
within the previous three years.
b. Proof of employment at an
approved registered animal, shelter.
c. A sworn statement that he or she
does not have any drug-related convictions, and which discloses any
pending drug-related criminal charges.
2. Recertification recommendations
for, or the denial of recertification shall be supported by factual
findings.
C.
CERTIFICATION STANDARDS FOR TECHNICIANS:
1. The certified euthanasia
technician administering euthanasia solutions or supervising others
in training is fully responsible for all actions that take place in
the euthanasia area.
2.
Each animal shall be held with the least amount of restraint
necessary but human safety shall always be the primary concern. The
use of chemical restraint is the option of the certified euthanasia
technician.
3. Injection
techniques for euthanasia solutions and chemical restraint drugs:
(a) Intravenous injections: The
certified euthanasia technician shall be able to perform intravenous
injections humanely. Intravenous injections shall be in the cephalic
vein in all dogs over the age of 3 months and any other large animals
unless the animal's physical condition or size makes this type of
injection impossible or the animal's behavior could make this type of
injection a serious danger to the CET or the handler. Intravenous
injections on cats are not required but if performed shall meet the
standards for dogs.
(b)
Intraperitoneal injections: The certified euthanasia technician shall
be able to efficiently insert the needle into the proper injection
sites. After the injection the animal shall be placed in an
appropriate enclosure separated from other animals. The front of the
appropriate enclosure shall be covered with cloth or other material
that can keep the cage isolated from the normal activities in the
euthanasia area. The animal shall be observed regularly until death
occurs.
(c) Intracardiac
injections are not required. At no time shall intracardiac injections
be used on conscious animals.
(d) No other injection procedure
for euthanasia solution is permitted in any type of animal.
(e) Chemical restraint drugs
administered prior to euthanasia solutions may be given
subcutaneously, intramuscularly or orally.
4. The CET must understand the
concern for individual animal needs:
(a) Injected animals shall be
lowered to the surface on which they are being held after they have
collapsed. Injected animals shall not be permitted to drop or
otherwise collapse without human support except when the animal is
restrained by a mechanical restraint device.
(b) All animals shall be handled
with minimum stress while maximizing personal safety. Animals that
cannot be handled with a limited amount of physical restraint shall
be given a chemical restraint drug. Under these circumstances if the
shelter has insufficient chemical restraint drugs available, it
should consult a veterinarian. Handling includes all aspects of
moving an animal from one area to another.
(c) Animals shall not be placed in
cages or kennels with other breeds or species that are incompatible
with the animal in question. The animals shall not be overcrowded in
any cage or kennel.
5. The CET must demonstrate:
(a) The ability to verify death;
Each animal shall be checked to verify death. The verification is the
responsibility of the certified euthanasia technician and shall be
made by physical examination of the individual animal. One or more of
the following three indicators of death shall be met:
1. Complete lack of palpebral,
corneal and pupillary reflexes, complete lack of heartbeat determined
by use of a stethoscope and complete lack of respiration;
or
2. Cardiac standstill
as indicated by a complete lack of movement of a needle inserted
directly into the heart; or
3. Rigormortis.
(b) The ability to
handle difficult situations if they arise during the euthanasia
process.
(c) The ability
to communicate with handlers during the euthanasia process.
6. Use of Assistants:
(a) To assure safe and humane
euthanasia technique a minimum of two persons shall be required for
any intravenous injection. One person shall be a CET and one or more
persons shall be a handler.
The handler(s) do not have to be CETs but the
handler(s) should be trained in human safety and in animal handling
techniques.
(b)
Intraperitoneal injection and intracardiac injections may be
administered by a certified euthanasia technician without a handler
to unconscious animals.
7. Chemical restraint drug:
Ketamine, xylazine, acetylpromazine and other chemical restraint
drugs shall be used according to their label instructions. The
storage requirements for controlled substances and non-controlled
substances shall apply to chemical restraint drugs according to their
classification.
8. Proper
Record Keeping:
(a) A record of all
euthanasia solution received and used by shelters shall be kept in a
consecutively numbered bound book. The record for controlled
substances shall meet the requirements of the DEA. The records shall
contain at least the following information:
1. The species and weight of each
animal on which the drug is used.
2. The amount of the drug that was
used and the total amount of drug left after use.
3. The name or initials of the
person who administered the drug.
(b) All records shall be filed in
chronological order and labeled with the name of the RAS.
(c) Outdated Drugs: Outdated drugs
shall be labeled as such and properly disposed of. Outdated drugs
shall not be inspected into living animals.
(d) All records shall be kept for a
period of three years from the purchase date of the drug.
Section
V CERTIFICATION STANDARDS FOR REGISTERED ANIMAL SHELTERS
TO BE APPROVED TO PERFORM EUTHANASIA
A. Standards for initial approval
of RAS:
1. An approved RAS should
employ a CET. A CET shall be responsible for the security and use of
euthanasia solutions and chemical restraint drugs; the verification
of animals for euthanasia; and the euthanasia procedures used by the
RAS. Any change in employment status by a CET must be reported in
writing to the Commissioner within 2 working days.
2. A RAS must demonstrate that the
shelter has a veterinarian of record. Any change in the veterinarian
of record must be reported to the Commissioner in writing within 2
working days.
3. A RAS
must pass a facility inspection by an inspection team appointed by
the EBA. This inspection will include but not be limited to:
(a) A DEA approved record system
for controlled and non-controlled substances.
(b) A DEA approved storage system
for controlled and non-controlled substances.
(c) An approved euthanasia
area.
(d) Sufficient
supplies and equipment to perform euthanasia humanely.
4. The RAS must provide
the inspection team with forms and information pamphlets used by the
RAS for animal surrender, animal adoption, euthanasia services and
other pertinent activities of the RAS.
5. The RAS must demonstrate to the
inspection team proper animal identification procedures to insure
euthanasia of the proper animal.
6. The EBA's recommendations or
approval or non-approval must be supported by factual
findings.
B.
Procedure For Initial Approval of RAS:
1. The Euthanasia Board for Animals
will review the request for initial approval of the RAS at its next
meeting and submit its recommendations to the Commissioner.
2. Approved registered animal
shelters will receive a certificate which will expire on January 1 of
each year. The certificate will be displayed on the wall of the
euthanasia room of the registered animal shelter.
C. Standards for the
euthanasia area:
1. Each shelter
shall have a specific area designated for euthanasia. That area:
(a) shall be a separate room;
or
(b) an area that is
physically separated from the rest of the shelter by a wall, barrier
or other divider; or
(c)
an area that is not used for any other purpose while animals are
being euthanized.
(d)
shall provide a separate entrance to the euthanasia area for injured
or contagious animals.
(e) shall provide a safe quiet
environment in which to perform euthanasia.
(f) shall provide adequate space
for two persons to perform euthanasia.
2. The following information shall
be posted in the euthanasia area of a RAS:
(a) a dosage chart for each
euthanasia solution or chemical restraint drug maintained at the
facility.
(b) response
protocols for accidental exposure of humans to euthanasia solutions
or chemical restraint drugs maintained at the registered animal
shelter.
3.
The euthanasia area shall meet the following minimum standards:
(a) Lighting shall be adequate and
even to provide sufficient illumination to aid in maintaining good
housekeeping practices, adequate inspection of animals, and safe
working conditions for personnel.
(b) The air temperate shall be
within reasonable comfortable range for both personnel and animals. A
minimum of 64 degrees and a maximum of 84 degrees fahrenheit is
recommended.
(c) The area
shall have adequate ventilation that prevents accumulation of odors.
At least one exhaust fan vented directly to the outside is
recommended.
(d) The area
shall have holding cages available to hold an animal while waiting
for the drug to take effect. These cages shall be clean and
sanitized.
(e) The floor
of the area shall provide dry non-slip footing to prevent
accidents.
(f) Drains
should be capped and sealed or able to be flushed and
disinfected.
4. The euthanasia area shall have
the following equipment:
(a) A table
or other work area where animals can be handled when euthanasia is
performed. The surface shall have a non-slip texture that provides a
comfortable footing for the animal.
(b) A cabinet, table, or work bench
where the drug, needle, syringe and clippers can be placed. This
surface shall be separate from the area where the animals are being
handled.
(c) A sink or
faucet shall be available within 25 feet of the euthanasia area for
emergency cleanup.
(d)
All equipment shall be in good working order.
(e) All equipment shall be stored
so that it does not create a safety hazard for the
personnel.
5.
The following equipment shall be kept in the euthanasia area or shall
be brought to the area each time euthanasia is performed:
(a) A first aid kit which meets
VOSHA standards.
(b) One
or more tourniquets.
(c)
Standard electric clippers with a number 40 Oster blade or an
equivalent blade.
(d)
Appropriate restraint devices for dogs and cats when euthanasia is
performed.
(e)
Stethoscope.
(f) Towels,
sponges and disinfectant.
6. All drugs and other chemical
agents used in the euthanasia area shall be clearly
labeled.
D.
HANDLING OF EUTHANASIA SOLUTIONS AND CHEMICAL RESTRAINT DRUGS:
1. List of approved drugs.
(a) The EBA will recommend specific
chemical restraints drugs and lethal drugs for use as euthanasia
solutions to the Commissioner for approval. Consideration will be
made for the pharmacological action of the drugs; the ease of humane
administration of the drugs; the animal species for which the drug
can be used to perform euthanasia; and human safety issues relative
to use of the drug.
(b)
The list of approved euthanasia solutions will be provided to
approved registered animal shelters and updated as required. This
list will:
1. include the generic
and the trade name of the drug.
2. indicate for record keeping
purposes whether the drug is a controlled or non-controlled
substance.
3. indicate
the species for which the drug is approved and the approved route of
administration.
2. Storage of Euthanasia Solutions:
(a) The CET shall be responsible
for compliance with storage requirements for euthanasia solutions at
registered animal shelters. Any violation of storage requirements
should be immediately reported to the Commissioner.
(b) Controlled substances shall be
stored in accordance with current DEA regulations and any DEA or
state regulations promulgated in the future.
1. Inventories of controlled
substances will be stored in a locked safe attached to a wall to the
building in a room other than the euthanasia room. Only controlled
substances will be in the safe.
3. Safes:
(a) The safe shall be securely
attached to the building in which it is housed.
(b) If a controlled substance is
stored in a safe that can be opened by employees other than the CET,
the controlled substance shall be kept in a separate locked metal
container within the safe. Access to this container shall be
available only to the CET and the veterinarian of record.
(c) The environment temperature of
the storage cabinet shall be adequate to ensure the proper keeping of
the drugs.
4.
Controlled substances for day use may be stored in a locked cabinet
in the euthanasia room with non-controlled substances, syringes, the
daily log and the record book. The controlled substance must be
returned to the safe at the end of the business day or whenever the
CET is not on duty. The key to the cabinet shall be available only to
the CET or veterinarian on duty.
5. Non-controlled substances may be
stored in a locked cabinet in the euthanasia room or secured under
lock in another room at the registered animal shelter. Non-controlled
substances may be kept with syringes, inventory records and daily
logs.
6. Sodium
pentobarbital in powder form shall be reconstituted according to the
manufacturer's instructions. Each container of sodium pentobarbital
shall be labeled with the name and strength, the date the drug was
received and prepared, a drug warning label and the name and address
of the RAS owning the drug.
7. Record keeping requirements are
in IV.C.8. of these rules.
E. STANDARDS FOR NEEDLES AND
SYRINGES:
1. Needles - four (4)
different needle sizes are required; 18, 20, 22 and 25 gauge. A RAS
may have other needle sizes according to its needs. Needles shall be
of medical quality and shall not be used more than once.
2. Syringes - three (3) different
syringe sizes are required; 3, 6 and 12 cc. A RAS may have other
syringe sizes according to its needs. Syringes shall be of medical
quality and may be reused only for euthanasia after proper
cleaning.
3. The
temporary storage cabinet shall be used to store all needles and
syringes when not in use.
4. Following use, needles and
syringes shall be disposed of in a manner that makes their reuse
impossible.
F.
CARCASS DISPOSAL
1. All carcasses
shall be disposed of in a manner according to law and the facility
procedures.
2. Until the
carcass can be disposed of it should be kept in a freezer used only
for this purpose.
G. REAPPROVAL OF REGISTERED ANIMAL
SHELTERS:
1. A RAS may submit a
request for reapproval to the Commissioner on or before January 1 of
each year with the following information:
a. A list of CETs employed by the
RAS, their employment status (including part time, full time, hours
on duty) and indicate which CET is responsible for all aspects of
euthanasia at the RAS.
b.
The name and address of the veterinarian of record and an indication
of the veterinarian's consent to serve the RAS as the veterinarian of
record.
2.
There may be an inspection prior to reapproval.
3. The Board may recommend that the
Commissioner revoke or suspend approval based upon investigation of
complaints, an inspection revealing deficiencies that are not
corrected, or any other violations of these rules.
4. The RAS's recommendations for
approval or non-approval must be supported by factual
findings.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY:
13 V.S.A., §
371; 20 V.S.A., § 3918; 3
V.S.A., Chapter 25