| (a) Only sodium pentobarbital may be used to euthanize
a dog or cat in the custody of an animal shelter.
(b) When sodium pentobarbital is used to euthanize
a dog or cat, the following requirements apply.
(1) The preferential route of administration of sodium
pentobarbital is intravenous injection by hypodermic needle. Other
routes considered to be acceptable are:
(A) intraperitoneal injection by hypodermic needle;
or
(B) intra-organ, limited to intraosseous, intracardiac,
intrahepatic, intrasplenic, and intrarenal, injection by hypodermic
needle.
(2) Any injection must be administered using a new,
undamaged sterilized hypodermic needle of a size suitable for the
size and species of the animal.
(3) Injection shall be conducted in an area out of
public view and out of the view of another animal, except when euthanizing
unweaned/nursing animals with their mother; when euthanizing a mother
animal with her offspring, the mother animal shall be euthanized first
immediately followed by euthanasia of her offspring. Additionally,
the carcass(es) of any animal(s) shall be removed from the euthanasia
area prior to a live animal(s) entering that area.
(4) The area used for injection shall be in a quiet
location and have sufficient lighting to allow for visual accuracy
during the injection process.
(5) A dose of sodium pentobarbital appropriate for
the animal's weight shall be administered to that animal through the
route most appropriate for that animal.
(6) Each animal given sodium pentobarbital by intraperitoneal
injection must be given 3 to 4 times the intravenous dose.
(7) Each animal given sodium pentobarbital by intraperitoneal
injection shall be placed in a quiet, darkened area and, except when
euthanizing unweaned/nursing animals with their mother, separated
from physical contact with any other animal(s) during the dying process.
When euthanizing a mother animal with her offspring, the mother animal
shall be euthanized first immediately followed by euthanasia of her
offspring.
(8) Intra-organ injection shall not be used unless
the animal is unconscious or anesthetized so that the animal is unable
to feel pain.
(9) The carcass of any animal(s) euthanized by sodium
pentobarbital must be stored and disposed of in a manner that minimizes
the potential for scavenging by animals or humans.
(c) Any animal other than a dog or cat, including birds
and reptiles, in the custody of an animal shelter shall be humanely
euthanized only in accordance with the methods, recommendations, and
procedures of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) in
the latest edition of the AVMA Guidelines
for the Euthanasia of Animals applicable to that species of
animal.
(d) When commercially compressed carbon monoxide gas
is used to euthanize an animal(s), the following requirements apply.
(1) It must be performed in a commercially manufactured
carbon monoxide chamber or one designed and constructed, at a minimum,
to equal the effectiveness of a commercially manufactured chamber.
(2) The chamber must be located outdoors or in a well-ventilated
room.
(3) The chamber must be airtight and equipped with
the following:
(A) an exhaust fan for indoor chambers which is capable
of evacuating all gas from the chamber prior to the chamber being
opened and is connected by a gas-type duct to the outdoors;
(B) a gas flow regulator and flow meter for the canister;
(C) a gas concentration gauge;
(D) an accurate temperature gauge for monitoring the
interior of the chamber;
(E) if located indoors, a carbon monoxide monitor on
the exterior of the chamber that is connected to an audible alarm
system, which will sound in the room containing the chamber;
(F) explosion-proof electrical equipment if equipment
is exposed to carbon monoxide;
(G) a view-port with either internal lighting or external
lighting sufficient to allow visual surveillance of any animal(s)
within the chamber; and
(H) if designed to euthanize more than one animal at
a time, independent sections or cages to separate individual animals.
(4) The gas concentration process must achieve at least
a 6% carbon monoxide gas concentration not to exceed 10% due to flammability
and explosiveness throughout the chamber within 5 minutes after the
introduction of carbon monoxide into the chamber is initiated.
(5) The ambient temperature inside the chamber should
not exceed 85 degrees Fahrenheit (29.4 degrees Celsius) when it contains
a live animal(s). For an outdoor chamber, achievement may be facilitated
by use of the chamber during early morning.
(6) All equipment, as specified in paragraph (3)(A)
- (H) of this subsection, must be in proper working order and used
at all times during the operation of the chamber.
(7) An animal(s) must be left in the chamber with a
continuous gas supply for a minimum of 15 minutes.
(8) The chamber must be thoroughly vented prior to
removing any carcasses.
(9) The chamber must be thoroughly cleaned after the
completion of each cycle. Chamber surfaces must be constructed and
maintained so they are impervious to moisture and can be readily sanitized.
(10) Operation, maintenance, and safety instructions
and guidelines must be displayed prominently in the area containing
the chamber.
(11) Carbon monoxide shall not be used to euthanize
any animal reasonably presumed to be less than 16 weeks of age. Carbon
monoxide shall also not be used to euthanize any animal that could
be anticipated to have decreased respiratory function, such as the
elderly, sick, injured, or pregnant. Such animals may be resistant
to the effects of carbon monoxide and the time required to achieve
death in these animals may be significantly increased. In animals
with decreased respiratory function, carbon monoxide levels rise slowly,
making it more likely that these animals will experience elevated
levels of stress.
(12) Only compatible animals of the same species may
be placed in the chamber simultaneously.
(13) No live animal(s) may be placed in the chamber
with a dead animal(s).
(e) Prior to using any method of euthanasia, all available
measures should be taken to minimize the fear, anxiety, and distress
of the animal scheduled for euthanasia.
(f) When using any of the allowable methods of euthanasia,
each animal must be monitored between the time euthanasia procedures
have commenced and the time death occurs, and the animal's body must
not be disposed of until death is confirmed by examination of the
animal for cessation of vital signs.
(g) As specified under the Texas Health and Safety
Code, §821.055, a person (excluding licensed veterinarians) may
not euthanize any animal in the custody of an animal shelter unless
the person has successfully completed a training course in the proper
methods and techniques for euthanizing animals not later than three
years before the date the person euthanizes the animal. The training
course must be pre-approved by the department. A person has until
the 120th day following the date of initial employment to complete
this training.
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