WASHINGTON – The HSUS is releasing a euthanasia training manual
designed to assist veterinarians, veterinary technicians and
animal shelter personnel with ensuring that euthanasia of
animals is performed humanely and with minimal stress on
everyone involved in this emotionally difficult process.
“The Humane Society of the United States Euthanasia Training
Manual fulfills an acute need for explaining proper techniques
for humanely ending an animal’s life,” said Martha Armstrong,
senior vice president for companion animals and equine
protection for The HSUS. “While we all wish for the day when
euthanasia is limited to only ill, injured or elderly animals
whose quality of life is severely compromised, the reality is
that there aren’t enough homes for the millions of animals
entering shelters every year. In many cases, the most humane
option available is euthanasia. The Humane Society of the
United States is determined to end inhumane methods of killing
animals in shelters and this training manual is an important
step towards achieving that goal.”
While the book discusses various methods for euthanasia, it
focuses primarily on the use of sodium pentobarbital, which is
the most humane method available for animal shelters and is
recommended by the American Veterinary Medical Association, The
HSUS, the American Humane Association and the National Animal
Control Association.
Other topics in the book include:
• Legal requirements for the use of sodium pentobarbital
• Sources for obtaining sodium pentobarbital
• Setting up a euthanasia area, with recommendations for
design, lighting and supplies
• Criteria for determining whether animals should be
euthanized
• Physical restraint of animals
• Administering injections of sodium pentobarbital
• Determining death and disposal of bodies
• The toll that performing euthanasia takes on those
performing the procedure and techniques for addressing
euthanasia related stress
Dr. Rebecca Rhoades, D.V.M. is the author of the manual. Dr.
Rhoades is the director of the Kauai (Hawaii) Humane Society.
“I hope that this book serves as a valuable resource for
anyone involved in the sad but necessary task of euthanasia,”
said Dr. Rhoades. “We tried to present the information in a
straight-forward and user-friendly manner so that it’s useful
for training new staff as well as a reference for seasoned
professionals.”
“Every person involved in euthanizing homeless and unwanted
animals should strive to ensure that the act of euthanasia is
performed as compassionately, painlessly, and professionally as
is humanly possible,” said Franklin M. Loew, D.V.M., Ph.D.,
president, Becker College and former dean of veterinary
medicine at Tufts and Cornell universities. “This book helps
the animal caregiver ease both the physical and emotional
strain in providing animals with a humane death.”
While the book focuses primarily on euthanizing dogs and
cats, it also includes information on proper techniques to use
with small mammals such as ferrets and hamsters, amphibians,
reptiles, birds, farm animals and wildlife such as raccoons and
skunks.
The Humane Society of the United States Euthanasia Training
Manual Humane Society Press
ISBN 0-9658942-6-6
192 pages
$19.95
The book is available on-line through amazon.com or can be
ordered directly from The HSUS. Contact Deborah Salem at
202-452-1100 or dsalem@hsus.org for ordering information.
