Veterinary Division

Board of Agriculture adopts rules
governing euthanasia at animal shelters

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 department developed the rules, which were approved Feb. 13, 2008, by the N.C. Board of Agriculture.

The rules await approval by the N.C. Rules Review Commission.

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

The rules contain strict requirements governing the use of carbon monoxide in euthanasia. They mandate the use of bottled carbon monoxide and commercially made chambers. They also require monthly inspections of shelters that use carbon monoxide.

Read the full text of the rules

What will these rules mean for my local shelter?
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 chose to use this method will need to purchase equipment. Others will have to upgrade their chambers to bring them into compliance with the rules, which are designed to help protect the workers who have to euthanize animals.

Updated March 14, 2008