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AVMA 2020 Euthanasia Guidelines

The AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) periodically updates its animal euthanasia guidelines. The latest is the AVMA 2020 Euthanasia Guidelines which now replaces their AVMA 2013 Euthanasia Guidelines. Given the weight that the animal rights protest industry (and even many parts of the wildlife management industry) give to this document, I thought it would be wise to highlight some of the main points and issues this edition raises for wildlife control operators. (I have a training class on euthanasia for wildlife control operators (WCOs). If interested in having me present it to your group, contact me.)

AVMA Definition of Euthanasia

The AVMA understands euthanasia as involving more than just the method used to kill the animal. In their understanding, euthanasia includes why the decision was made to dispatch the animal, how the animal was handled prior to and during the dispatch process and how the carcass was disposed. According to the AVMA, euthanasia must be for the animal’s interest AND done in a manner that is stress free, painless and rapid. The takeaway for WCOs is that we rarely dispatch an animal for it’s benefit. So by AVMA standards, we rarely if ever perform animal euthanasia.

Interestingly, the AVMA does recognize that using a method to kill an animal, even if it caused the animal distress, may be considered euthanasia if the situation made it difficult to use a less painful method. The AVMA understands that some situations, such as free-ranging animals, make laboratory-style implementation of euthanasia methods difficult, if not impossible. Thus even if the technique was not perfectly humane, the AVMA could consider it euthanasia.

Carbon dioxide euthanasia chamber for wildlife
Carbon dioxide euthanasia chamber for wildlife is commonly used by wildlife control operators to dispatch wildlife.

Carbon Dioxide Induced Euthanasia

In my reading of the AVMA materials, it appears that the the Panel on Euthanasia continues to have concerns about the humanness of CO2. They point out that while CO2 exposure can suppress pain it also can cause burning in the nostrils (think soda going up your nose) as well as a feeling of air hunger to name two.  They noted that how CO2 was administered also played a role in the animal’s reaction. Animals reacted differently when placed in a pre-filled container versus being exposed gradually to increasing concentrations of CO2. Even the rate of exposure could play a role with  different volumes effecting different species differently. If you think it’s a bit complicated, you are right. It is.

Thankfully, they have not eliminated the method yet, but they did change the recommendation for use on rodents. They now recommend a chamber volume displacement rate of 30 to 70% per minute where previously the recommendation was 10-30%. As before, WCOs should ensure animals are calm and relaxed prior to placement in the chamber. Animals should be dispatched alone or in family groups. Do not place different species together and certainly not a predator with a prey.

Bottom Line

While I believe that wildlife managers and wildlife control operators have placed too much weight on the recommendations of the AVMA, WCOs who wish to claim that they are “following AVMA recommendations for the application of the euthanasia method” should be aware of these changes. Better yet, they should read the document itself, at least the sections discussing the methods they prefer to use. In the meantime, I hope the wildlife control industry gets moving and creates its own dispatch standards perhaps using those by the American Society of Mammologists.

 

Stephen M. Vantassel, CWCP, ACE, is the owner of Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. He helps people restore their balance with nature through publishing, training, consulting, and the internet. He has published numerous articles in trade and academic publications available at {Stephen’s Academia.edu Page} along with several books {WCC Store}). Listen to his podcast “Living the Wild Life” at {Pest Geek Podcast}. Please subscribe to {Stephen’s YouTube Channel} He is a sought after speaker and trainer. If you would like to have Stephen speak at your event or use his consultation services, send an e-mail to wildlifecontrolconsultant@gmail.com. Copyright All postings are the property of Stephen M. Vantassel and Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. Text (not images) may be reprinted in non-profit publications provided that the author and website URL is included. If images wish to be used, explicit and written permission must be obtained from Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC.

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AVMA Guidelines

The AVMA guidelines refer to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) publication entitled, AVMA Guidelines for Euthanasia of Animals: 2013 Edition (AVMA.org). The AVMA Guidelines are the result of work performed by the AVMA Panel on Euthanasia. This working committee reads the scientific literature and uses 14-point criteria to establish the best practices for killing animals in the least painful/stressful way possible. The panel periodically updates the standards every few years. Previous standards were published in 1986, 1993, 2000, 2011, and 2013.

Euthanasia Standard

Being Kind to Animal Pests, 2nd ed.
Being Kind to Animal Pests, 2nd ed.

Since the AVMA guidelines are considered by researchers, animal activists, and the public to constitute the platinum standard for euthanasia, many wildlife control operators (WCO) state that they and their respective companies follow AVMA guidelines when euthanizing animals. But is this in fact true?

Does Your WCO Follow AVMA Guidelines?

I suggest that many WCOs do not follow the AVMA guidelines, at least not as the AVMA has presented them. The issue lies in a lack of awareness of what the AVMA guidelines actually are. For instance, the AVMA says that euthanasia (good death) must be done for the benefit of the animal AND in a manner that is free of suffering. Clearly, WCOs are not killing animals for their benefit. Thus, by AVMA standards, WCOs are not following the standard. What WCOs should say is that they use the techniques approved by the AVMA euthanasia panel. That would be far more accurate or should I say, likely.

Bottom Line

If your WCO says he/she follows AVMA guidelines for animal euthanasia, be aware that the WCO likely does not understand exactly what the AVMA standards for euthanasia are. Instead, interpret the WCO’s comment as referring to the technique(s) used to kill the animal.

Stephen M. Vantassel, CWCP, ACE, is the owner of Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. He helps people restore their balance with nature through publishing, training, consulting, and the internet. He has published numerous articles in trade and academic publications available at {Stephen’s Academia.edu Page} along with several books {WCC Store}). Listen to his podcast “Living the Wild Life” at {Pest Geek Podcast}. Please subscribe to {Stephen’s YouTube Channel} He is a sought after speaker and trainer. If you would like to have Stephen speak at your event or use his consultation services, send an e-mail to wildlifecontrolconsultant@gmail.com. Copyright All postings are the property of Stephen M. Vantassel and Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. Text (not images) may be reprinted in non-profit publications provided that the author and website URL is included. If images wish to be used, explicit and written permission must be obtained from Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC.

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Euthanasia & Carcass Disposal

Surface carcass disposal is one, albeit a rare option, for disposing of animal carcasses. Photo: Stephen M. Vantassel
Surface carcass disposal is one, albeit a rare option, for disposing of animal carcasses. Photo: Stephen M. Vantassel

I recently gave a talk entitled, “Euthanasia & Carcass Disposal: Tips and Pitfalls” at the National Pest Management Association’s (NPMA) 2018 Pestworld in Orlando Florida on Friday, October 26. It was a tough time for a presentation as it was right after lunch (1:00 pm) and on the last day of the conference. Plus, let’s just say that animal euthanasia & carcass disposal are not the most riveting and profit making topics for a pest control operator (PCO) or wildlife control operator (WCO) to attend.

But I was grateful for the opportunity. I was honored that the NPMA chose me to present on this important and controversial topic. The fact is, unlike bugs, the public cares deeply about how vertebrate animals are killed and disposed of. Even if the animal is a pest, the public cares. I explained to the approximately 32 people in attendance, that failure to have proper animal handling protocols in place can put your business in a public relations nightmare. Not all publicity is good publicity.

Attendees learned the distinction between euthanasia and humane dispatch and why that distinction matters. Likewise, I spoke on why translocation is not necessarily a humane way to handle nuisance wildlife. I ended the presentation discussing various ways to dispose of animal carcasses. I described methods that would work in either rural or urban settings, and sometimes both.

If you would like to see the Powerpoint, visit my Academia.edu site and download the pdf.

Stephen M. Vantassel, CWCP, ACE, is the owner of Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. He helps people restore their balance with nature through publishing, training, consulting, and the internet. He has published numerous articles in trade and academic publications available at {Stephen’s Academia.edu Page} along with several books {WCC Store}). Listen to his podcast “Living the Wild Life” at {Pest Geek Podcast}. Please subscribe to {Stephen’s YouTube Channel} He is a sought after speaker and trainer. If you would like to have Stephen speak at your event or use his consultation services, send an e-mail to wildlifecontrolconsultant@gmail.com. Copyright All postings are the property of Stephen M. Vantassel and Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. Text (not images) may be reprinted in non-profit publications provided that the author and website URL is included. If images wish to be used, explicit and written permission must be obtained from Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC.

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Chloroform & WCOs

Chloroform & WCOs (Wildlife Control Operators) may sound like a strange topic but it’s not as strange as you think because WCOs have been using chloroform to euthanize wildlife for years. Why? Simple. Chloroform is readily available without a license and it’s highly effective in putting animals to sleep. Chloroform doesn’t require WCOs to have any special tools like syringes and needles. Just a place the animal in a air-tight environment, such as putting a cage trap inside a plastic bag, and pour about 1 fluid ounce into the bagged trap, taking care not to get the chloroform into the animal’s eyes, and the animal will go to sleep and then die in a few minutes.

Chloroform is used by WCOs to euthanize wildlife. Photo: Seaborg - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=20392784
Chloroform is used by WCOs to euthanize wildlife. Photo: Seaborg – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=20392784

If you think chloroform is a great way for WCOs to euthanize wildlife, consider that the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) in its 2013 edition of animal euthanasia standards disallows the use of chloroform on animals. The AVMA disapproves not because they think it is cruel to the animal, but due to its risk to the user (Panel on Euthanasia. (2013). Schaumburg, IL: AVMA. (1–102) p. 102).

How could a chemical used historically to anesthetize humans, be so bad? According to Science Direct, chloroform is a suspected carcinogen (cancer causing chemical) and has been associated with harm to unborn children. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also classifies chloroform as a Group B2 chemical meaning it is a suspected human carcinogen.

OSHA (Occupation Safety and Health Administration) is the agency that establishes rules on worker safety. It set the chloroform PEL (Permissible Exposure Limit) at 50 ppm or 240 mg/cubic meter. All well and good right? Not so fast. It appears that chloroform’s concentration in the air has to reach 85 ppm before the applicator can smell it (Amoore, J.E. and Hautala, E. 1983. Odor as an aid to chemical safety: odor thresholds compared with threshold limit values and volatiles for 214 industrial chemical in air and water dilution. Journal of Applied Toxicology 3(6):272-290). In other words, if the applicator smells the chloroform, he/she has already exceeded OSHA’s exposure limits.

What should be done? I think WCOs who choose to use chloroform should be careful to protect the safety of themselves, their clients, and the public. WCOs choosing to use the product should limit their exposure by watching wind direction and minimize use to the absolute necessary occasions. If they transport bottles in their trucks, care should be made to secure the bottle against breakage and to capture the volatile gases should breakage occur (such as in a motor vehicle accident).

I also hope the AVMA, wildlife agency personnel, and the WCO industry will work together to provide WCOs with acceptable and practical ways to anesthetize and euthanize wildlife. Many of the AVMA recommended methods are either impractical for WCOs or are not legally available to WCOs. Given the need for WCOs to euthanize wildlife, limiting WCO access to euthanizing products is a detriment to the industry, clients, and of course, wildlife.

Stephen M. Vantassel, CWCP, ACE, is the owner of Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. He helps people restore their balance with nature through publishing, training, consulting, and the internet. He has published numerous articles in trade and academic publications available at {Stephen’s Academia.edu Page} along with several books {WCC Store}). Listen to his podcast “Living the Wild Life” at {Pest Geek Podcast}. Please subscribe to {Stephen’s YouTube Channel} He is a sought after speaker and trainer. If you would like to have Stephen speak at your event or use his consultation services, send an e-mail to wildlifecontrolconsultant@gmail.com. Copyright All postings are the property of Stephen M. Vantassel and Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. Text (not images) may be reprinted in non-profit publications provided that the author and website URL is included. If images wish to be used, explicit and written permission must be obtained from Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC.

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The Burden of Trapping

The Burden of Trapping

Cage-trapped Raccoon. Photo by Stephen M. Vantassel.
Cage-trapped Raccoon. Photo by Stephen M. Vantassel.

Unlike traditional pest control that relies on toxicants to kill unwanted animals, cage, box, and other forms of live trapping require wildlife control operators (WCOs) to euthanize or translocate the animals in accordance to state and local laws. Typically, WCOs remove captured animals from the client’s property and place them in the back of the truck and deal with the animal back at the office. The burden of trapping is that WCOs have to have the right equipment, place it and then return to it. Thus WCOs are in effect married to their trapping, thus the burden of trapping.

Burden of Memory

Unfortunately, sometimes a WCO may “forget” about the animal in the back of truck. This is a rare occurrence. And usually if it does happen, the WCO rectifies it the next morning. But sometimes, something disastrous occurs, such as what happened to Christy Clark, a WCO in Rhode Island.  According to the news story published by The Westerly Sun on June 28, 2013, http://www.thewesterlysun.com/news/pest-control-franchisee-charged-with-cruelty-to-animals/article_31b79c3c-dffc-11e2-92e2-0019bb2963f4.html Ms. Clark had a cage-trapped raccoon in the back of her truck that was not attended to for 6 days because she had left on a trip and forgot about it. A neighbor, hearing the animal’s scratching etc., notified authorities. Upon their arrival, they found the raccoon dead from thirst/heat. Ms. Clark was charged with animal cruelty.

Distractions Can Cost You

My point is not to wag a finger at Ms. Clark, whom I am confident feels terrible about this situation. Rather I want to emphasize to WCOs the importance of staying focused on the tasks at hand by instituting procedures that help you avoid tragic mistakes like this. Owning and running a business is extremely taxing not only on your body but also on your attention and memory. Customer calls, being tired, thinking about the rest of the day or how much paperwork you have to do or an employee that got a customer angry, etc. can prevent you from following procedure. Break procedure and bad things happen, whether it is forgetting to tie down a ladder, stopping for a red light, or forgetting to remove a raccoon from the back of the truck.

Bottom Line

Learn from this tragic event. Recognize that but for the grace of God go you. And lastly, institute methods and fail safe processes to prevent these sorts of tragedies. In this way, you will not only endure but survive the burden of trapping.

Stephen M. Vantassel, CWCP, ACE, is the owner of Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. He helps people restore their balance with nature through publishing, training, consulting, and the internet. He has published numerous articles in trade and academic publications available at {Stephen’s Academia.edu Page} along with several books {WCC Store}). Listen to his podcast “Living the Wild Life” at {Pest Geek Podcast}. Please subscribe to {Stephen’s YouTube Channel} He is a sought after speaker and trainer. If you would like to have Stephen speak at your event or use his consultation services, send an e-mail to wildlifecontrolconsultant@gmail.com. Copyright All postings are the property of Stephen M. Vantassel and Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. Text (not images) may be reprinted in non-profit publications provided that the author and website URL is included. If images wish to be used, explicit and written permission must be obtained from Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC.

Copyright

All postings are the property of Stephen M. Vantassel and Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. Text (not images) may be reprinted in non-profit publications provided that the author and website URL is included. If images wish to be used, explicit and written permission must be obtained from Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC.

 

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