Lisa Olsen

March 12, 2026

Lisa Olsen
And via email

NOTICE of WARNING and NOTICE of VIOLATION

Re: VIOLATION of TITLE 02 N.C. ADMINISTRATIVE CODE (“NCAC”) CHAPTER 52J SECTION .0402.

AWS-WL-2026-3

Dear Ms. Olsen:

On January 28, 2026, AWS received information that you had euthanized a puppy at the Brother Wolf Animal Rescue (“the shelter”) in violation of 02 NCAC 52J .0402 as you are not a licensed veterinarian or an AWS Certified Euthanasia Technician. Based on this information, AWS opened an investigation. The investigation centered on possible violation(s) of the N.C. Animal Welfare Act (“AWA”) as these statutes and associated regulations are the extent of the jurisdiction of AWS.

On January 29, 2026, AWS Veterinary Program Coordinator Bradley and Program Specialist James (“Inspectors Bradley and James”) conducted the site visit portion of the complaint investigation. The following information was obtained during this site visit:

1. A neonatal puppy that was being fostered was brought back to the shelter because it was not doing well. At the time Ms. Olsen evaluated the puppy, it was exhibiting agonal breathing and was non responsive.
2. Ms. Olsen administered 1 ml of Fatal Plus (sodium pentobarbital) euthanasia solution as an intracardiac injection to the puppy.

A review of the information submitted by the shelter and shelter staff appears to substantiate this information. A review of the statement from Ms. Olsen originally submitted to the NC Veterinary Medical Board (“NCVMB”) and later submitted to AWS contains the statement: “I administered Pentobarbital Sodium. . .” The sentence continues, “but I want to clarify that the administration was not for the purpose of euthanasia . . .” As there is no other labeled use for Fatal Plus other than for euthanasia, there is no valid reason to inject this substance into the heart (intracardiac injection) other than for euthanasia. Use of a euthanasia solution for any purpose other than its labeled purpose (euthanasia) is a misuse of a Schedule II controlled substance.

A request for veterinary license information from NCVMB showed that Ms. Olsen was not a licensed veterinarian but was a registered veterinary technician. A review of the AWS database showed that Ms. Olsen has never been registered as a Certified Euthanasia Technician.

Based on the findings of the AWS investigation, AWS finds violation of

02 NCAC 52J .0402 for conducting the euthanasia of a puppy at a shelter by a person who was not a NC licensed veterinarian or a Certified Euthanasia Technician on January 10, 2026.

Pursuant to NCGS § 19A-40, this violation can result in the assessment of a civil penalty of up to $5,000 per violation.

This Warning Letter serves as written notice indicating in which respects you violated the N.C. Animal Welfare Act (“AWA”) and the rules issued pursuant thereto.

Continued or future violations of these statutes or regulations will be considered a willful disregard or violation of the N.C. Animal Welfare Act and the rules issued pursuant thereto. Such willful disregard or violation may result in the assessment of a civil penalty of up to $5,000.00 per violation under N.C. General Statute § 19A-40.

(See Appendix for text of referenced General Statutes and Administrative Code)

Sincerely,

Patricia Norris, DVM, MS
Director, Animal Welfare Section

cc: Michael Martin, DVM, State Veterinarian
Jonathan Lanier, General Counsel, NCDA&CS
Christina L. Waggett, Assistant Commissioner, NCDA&CS
Lindsey Spain, Special Deputy Attorney General

Appendix

REFERENCED STATUTES AND REGULATIONS

§ 19A-40. Civil Penalties.
The Director may assess a civil penalty of not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000) against any person who violates a provision of this Article or any rule promulgated thereunder. In determining the amount of the penalty, the Director shall consider the degree and extent of harm caused by the violation. The clear proceeds of civil penalties assessed pursuant to this section shall be remitted to the Civil Penalty and Forfeiture Fund in accordance with G.S. 115C-457.2.

02 NCAC 52J .0402 AUTHORIZED PERSONS
Only a Certified Euthanasia Technician pursuant to 02 NCAC 52J .0403(1) or a veterinarian licensed to practice veterinary medicine in North Carolina, may euthanize an animal in a certified facility.

History Note: Authority G.S. 19A-24; Eff. March 23, 2009; Readopted Eff. September 1, 2022.