Veterinary Clinical Services

Euthanasia

Euthanasia Guidelines

• 2000 Report of the AVMA Panel on Euthanasia

• Yale University Policy on Humane Euthanasia of Laboratory Animals

Yale University Policy on Humane Euthanasia of Laboratory Animals

The Yale Animal Resources Center (YARC) provides a euthanasia service. Animals must be euthanized using acceptable humane standards as described in the 2000 Report of the AVMA Panel on Euthanasia. The YARC requires investigators to legibly complete a Euthanasia Cage Card for each animal or cage of animals to be euthanized. Every animal must have access to a food and water source until euthanized.

In certain circumstances, the veterinarian may use their professional judgement determine a time within which euthanasia must be performed. Veterinary Clinical Services (VCS) will discuss this with the investigator. However, if humane considerations are paramount and VCS cannot reach the investigator or the animal(s) have yet to be euthanized within the designated time, the clinician will order euthanasia. VCS will inform the Director of YARC, the Manager of Regulatory and Safety Services, and the Director of YACUC of the specific circumstances and that VCS has ordered euthanasia.

Addendum:

1. YARC staff can only euthanize animals in a cage with a signed euthanasia card attached to it. All animals in that cage will be euthanized.
2. If VCS feels that an animal should be euthanized for medical or humane reasons, the investigator will be contacted. If the investigator agrees to euthanize the animal he/she will separate the sick animal and fill out and sign the euthanasia card.
3. If the investigator is unable to fill out the card in a timely fashion, VCS will fax a copy of the cage card to them (to avoid any question which animal is being discussed) and have them fax it back with their signed permission to euthanize. It this is not possible (e.g. weekends) VCS can offer to fill out the card for them. Based on verbal or written consent from the investigator a VCS technician or clinician must separate the sick animal(s) into a separate cage and fill out and sign the euthanasia card. Document the investigator communication, including  time, date, name of authorizing person, on the euthanasia card and in the VCS sick report or animal record.
4. If an investigator cannot be reached or is unwilling or unable to agree to the euthanasia, a VCS clinician may order euthanasia. The clinician will have to base his/her decision on a personal examination of the animal(s) in question. The clinician will have to sign the euthanasia card and make sure that the animal(s) are separated out properly. The approved protocol should be consulted  because some protocols have death approved as an endpoint.

AVMA Recommended Methods

Amphibians - Birds - Cats - Dogs - Fish - Horses - Marine mammals - Mink, fox and other mammals produced for fur - Non-human primates - Rabbits - Reptiles - Rodents and other small mammals - Ruminants - Swine - Zoo animals

* requires prior anesthesia unless scientifically justified and approved by the IACUC.

Send mail to Joan Bailie with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 1999 Yale Animal Resources Center, Yale University
Last modified: March 27, 2006