WASHINGTON--The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) commends the Commonwealth of Virginia for phasing out the use of carbon monoxide gas to euthanize cats and dogs in animal shelters by the end of 2007.
"This move to a more humane form of euthanasia speaks volumes about the commitment of Virginia's animal shelters," said Kimberley Intino, director of animal sheltering issues for The HSUS. "It is our hope that other states follow in the footsteps of Virginia and phase out use of carbon monoxide. Euthanasia of any form is a tragedy; however, it is an unfortunate reality in the animal control field. Therefore the responsibility is to provide the most humane death possible when it becomes necessary."
In November 2000, animal welfare professionals Teresa Dockery and Kate Pullen began a statewide outreach program to improve conditions for municipal Virginia animal shelters, which included a mentoring program, increased training opportunities, improved reporting requirements, stronger emphasis on spay/neuter programs, and more. Generous grants from the Leonard X. Bosack & Bette M. Kruger Charitable Foundation and Sandy Lerner allowed The HSUS, in coordination with Dockery and Pullen's efforts, to assist more than a dozen shelters in Virginia to transition from carbon monoxide to lethal injection. The HSUS recommends injection of sodium pentobarbital, prepared specifically for use as a euthanasia product, as the preferred agent for the euthanasia of dogs and cats. This method, when properly performed, has been found to be the most humane, safest, least stressful and most professional choice.
Wythe County, one of the three remaining jurisdictions using carbon monoxide, recently finished the conversion to euthanasia-by-lethal injection. The City of Martinsville discontinued the use of carbon monoxide earlier this year. Lee and Scott counties have begun the conversion process, which will be completed by years' end.
"It is exciting to reach this milestone. I feel privileged to have worked with these localities, animal control officers and shelter staff in making this conversion," says Dockery. "I am grateful to Sandy Lerner for her financial support, which has allowed these localities to bring on additional staff and make the structural changes necessary to ensure this conversion."
The HSUS thanks everyone who contributed towards ensuring that animals in Virginia shelters receive only the most humane care.
For more information and resources on carbon monoxide and euthanasia methods, visit our resource library at http://www.animalsheltering.org/euthanasia.
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The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization – backed by 10 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty -- On the web at humanesociety.org.
