Animal Welfare Section

Euthanasia Rules

• Euthanasia rules have been entered into the administrative code | View code here

Frequently Asked Questions - NEW!

• FAQ - Certified Euthanasia Technicians
• FAQ - Certified Euthanasia Technician Trainers

Forms

• Application to be a CET
• Application to Train
• Notification of Practical Results
• Notification of Written Test

Approved CETS

• Approved Certified Euthanasia Technicians

Approved Training Classes

MEMORANDUM

To:              Managers of Registered Facilities

From:         Lee Hunter, Director
                   Animal Welfare Section
                   NCDA&CS

Subject:     Changes to the Animal Welfare Act
                   Rules on the euthanasia of animals
                   Effective date of enforcement
                   Informational meetings

The General Assembly wrote legislation requiring that the Board of Agriculture adopt rules on the euthanasia of animals at facilities required to obtain a certificate of registration under the NC Animal Welfare Act (AWA).  During that process, the Animal Welfare Section (AWS) also drafted changes to the current AWA.  The rules have now passed. 

Because of significant State budget constraints we are unable to automatically provide you with a printed copy.  Instead, you may obtain a copy of the rules through our web site:  www.ncaws.com  If you are unable to access the internet please contact our office at (919) 715-7111 to request a printed copy of the rules.

The rules on euthanasia consist of several sections including but not limited to:

1. Training requirement for those performing euthanasia of animals at registered facilities
2. Written tests for those wishing to become certified euthanasia technicians (CET)
3. Practical examinations to ensure CETs can perform euthanasia in a humane manner
4. Required training must be conducted by trainers approved by the AWS
5. Stringent requirements on the type of CO chambers allowed in registered facilities & requirements for the inspection and repair of Co chambers
6. Requirement for a detailed and thorough Policy and Procedure Manual on euthanasia

The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services recognizes that because these rules represent a significant advancement in euthanasia protocol enforcement will not begin immediately.  It will take time for registered facilities to have people trained as CETs, to arrange for the use of narcotics at registered shelters, to buy new CO chambers or retrofit existing commercially manufactured chambers or to arrange contracts to provide EBI.  The AWS anticipates it will begin enforcement of these rules on 23 August 2009.  However, depending upon circumstances (CET training, contractual arrangements, etc) it is possible that a phased enforcement may be necessary.

During the next month the AWS will hold a series of lectures across the state to inform you of the content of the rules and to allow you to ask questions.  Meetings will take place in the evening to allow the maximal number of people to attend.  The AWS Outreach Coordinator is arranging meeting dates and locations, please watch our web site for details.

Please note that there are several bills now before the General Assembly that may have a direct or indirect impact upon the euthanasia rules; a partial list of the rules is below.  You can read the bills on the web site of the General Assembly – www.ncleg.net

Passage of bills is never a certain process so it is important to have an understanding of the rules passed by the Board of Agriculture in order to understand how the bills listed below may affect those rules. 

Bills that may impact the euthanasia rules:
H6 – Humane Euthanasia in Shelters
H 27 – Regulate Euthanasia of Animals
H424 – Certified Technicians for Animal Euthanasia
S473 – Certified Technicians for Animal Euthanasia

Other bills that may impact your facility or that may interest you include:
H208 – Spay/Neuter Transfer/Funds
H460 – Commercial Dog Breeders
H733 – Regulate Commercial Breeding/Dogs
S460 – Commercial Dog Breeders
S467 – Disposal of Unclaimed Animals
S470 – Spay/Neuter Program Funding
S674 – Amend Rabies Laws

OCTOBER 2008:

Rules governing euthanasia at animal shelters receive Rules Review Commission approval

In 2005, the General Assembly adopted legislation instructing the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to develop rules governing euthanasia at animal shelters. The legislature could have banned the use of any particular method of euthanasia. Instead, it directed the department to develop rules for euthanasia using any one or a combination of methods and standards prescribed by the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Humane Society of the United States or the American Humane Association (Session Law 2005-345, Section 22).

The department developed the rules, and the N.C. Board of Agriculture approved them on Feb. 13, 2008. The board's vote came after a two-year period in which the department sought public comment, suggestions and corrections.

The N.C. Rules Review Commission gave final approval of the rules Oct. 16. The General Assembly will have the opportunity to approve or disapprove the rules when it reconvenes in January. If the legislature does not approve the rules, unregulated euthanasia will continue in animal shelters across the state. Click here to download the rules in pdf format.

What will these rules do?
These rules will establish standards for euthanasia that are consistent with North Carolina law and the standards set by an expert committee of the American Veterinary Medical Association. The rules will allow lethal injection and carbon monoxide as options for local governments that operate animal shelters.

The rules do not require that shelters use carbon monoxide as a method of euthanasia, and any county may prohibit the use of carbon monoxide if it wishes. Shelters that choose to euthanize animals with carbon monoxide will have to meet strict requirements governing its use. The rules mandate the use of bottled carbon monoxide and commercially made chambers. They also require monthly inspections of shelters that use carbon monoxide. Until these rules take effect, there are no standards governing the use of carbon monoxide or the safety of chambers.

The rules also will require anyone who euthanizes animals to receive significant training in the method for which they want to be certified. Periodic retraining also will be required. Any euthanasia technician who does not follow the rules will be subject to disciplinary action.

(NOTE: The Rules Review Commission objected to the original rule language on the grounds that the legislature authorized the department only to conduct training. The RRC said the law did not allow the department to require certification that technicians were properly trained to humanely euthanize animals. During the 2008 legislative session, Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler worked closely with the General Assembly to introduce and adopt legislation to address this issue and ensure that animal euthanasia technicians demonstrate competence in using approved euthanasia techniques before becoming certified.)

What will these rules mean for my local shelter?
Under the rules, shelters may use whichever method of humane euthanasia they believe is the most appropriate for their community. Shelters may choose one method over the other, or choose to use both methods, depending on their circumstances.

Staff members at shelters will need to undergo training, which veterinary personnel at the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will coordinate.

Because the rules will require the use of commercially made carbon monoxide chambers, some shelters that choose to use this method will need to purchase proper equipment. Others will have to upgrade their chambers to bring them into compliance with the rules, which are designed to ensure humane euthanasia and help protect the workers who have to euthanize aNovember 17, 2009er 3, 20099