Ala. Admin. Code r. 930-X-1-.35 - Certified Euthanasia Technicians (CET) For The Humane Euthanasia Of Animals

For the purposes of Act No. 2004-523, the following terms shall have the following meanings ascribed by this section:

(1) CERTIFIED EUTHANASIA TECHNICIAN (CET). A person employed by a registered animal euthanasia facility (RAEF) that has been trained and has obtained a certified level of competency and knowledge of:

(a) the pharmacology and proper method of humanely euthanizing animals by injecting solutions for euthanasia or use of alternative euthanasia methods approved by the board;

(b) proper storage and security precautions of euthanasia solutions and chemical restraint agents;

(c) the federal and state laws regulating the storage, accountability and record keeping procedures of scheduled drugs;

(d) OSHA Safety and Material Safety Data Sheet Regulations;

(e) Euthanasia stress management;

(f) Proper disposal of euthanized animals

(2) CHEMICAL RESTRAINT DRUGS. Drugs that are administered prior to a lethal drug to reduce aggressiveness and/or mobility of the subject animal.

(3) DIRECT SUPERVISION. Veterinarian, Veterinary Technician or CET responsible for the training of a prospective CET and being physically present during euthanasia when performed by a prospective CET.

(4) DRUG ENFORCEMENT AGENCY (DEA). Federal agency responsible for enforcement of controlled narcotics laws.

(5) EUTHANASIA SOLUTION. A solution used for the humane death of an animal; accomplished by a method, that produces rapid unconsciousness and subsequent death without evidence of pain or distress, or a method that utilizes anesthesia produced by an agent that causes painless loss of consciousness and subsequent death. The solution shall be approved by the AVMA Panel on Euthanasia.

(6) LETHAL DRUG. Drugs that, when administered to an animal, cause humane death.

(7) REGISTERED ANIMAL EUTHANASIA FACILITY (RAEF). Any facility that operates for the collection, care and/or euthanization of stray, neglected, abandoned, or unwanted dogs and cats or any federally licensed wildlife rehabilitation centers that employs a CET.

(8) CONSULTANT VETERINARIAN. An Alabama licensed veterinarian who holds a currently active license and a current State and Federal Controlled Substance Registration and who acts as primary veterinary consultant to any registered animal euthanasia facility for matters involving euthanasia procedures used in the RAEF.

(9) INITIAL CERTIFICATION OF TECHNICIANS:

(a) Applicants for initial certification as euthanasia technicians must complete or provide the board with proof of the following:

1. Satisfactory completion of an approved euthanasia training course which may include but not be limited to:

(i) The theory of euthanasia methods;

(ii) Proper animal handling to ease trauma and stress;

(iii) Dosages, record keeping and documentation of usage of euthanasia solutions and chemical restraint drugs;

(iv) Proper injection techniques.

2. Satisfactory completion of a supervised training period of not less than two months within the past twelve months.

3. Satisfactory completion of an oral and practical examination.

4. Proof of employment at an approved RAEF;

5. A sworn affidavit that he or she does not have any drug-related convictions, and which discloses any pending drug-related criminal charges.

6. A sworn affidavit stating the applicant has received, read and understands the Alabama Veterinary Practice Act and the Administrative Code promulgated by the Board.

(b) CETs will receive a certificate which will expire on December 31 of each year. The certificate will be displayed on the wall of the euthanasia room of the RAEF.

(10) RECERTIFICATION OF EUTHANASIA TECHNICIANS:

(a) CETs must submit on or before December 31 of each year an application for recertification with the following information:

1. Proof of satisfactory completion of an approved euthanasia course or refresher course within the previous three years.

2. Proof of employment at an approved RAEF.

3. A sworn affidavit that he or she does not have any drug-related convictions, and which discloses any pending drug-related criminal charges.

(11) CERTIFICATION STANDARDS FOR EUTHANASIA TECHNICIANS:

(a) The CET administering euthanasia solutions or supervising others in training is fully responsible for all actions that take place in the euthanasia area.

(b) Each animal shall be held with the least amount of restraint necessary but human safety shall always be the primary concern. The use of chemical restraint is the option and the decision of the CET.

(c) No animal shall be left unattended between the time euthanasia procedures are first begun and the time that death occurs, nor may the body of the animal be disposed of until death has been confirmed by a licensed veterinarian, licensed veterinary technician or a CET.

(d) Injection techniques for euthanasia solutions and chemical restraint drugs:

1. Intravenous injections: The CET shall be able to perform intravenous injections humanely. Intravenous injections on cats are not required but if performed shall meet the standards for dogs.

2. Intraperitoneal injections: The CET shall be able to efficiently insert the needle into the proper injection sites. After the injection the animal shall be placed in an appropriate enclosure separated from other animals. Exception: Litters of less than six weeks of age may be housed in the same enclosure after the injection. The front of the enclosure shall be covered with a cloth or other material that can keep the cage isolated from the normal activities in the euthanasia area. The animal shall be observed regularly until death occurs.

3. Intracardiac injections are acceptable but can only be used on unconscious animals.

4. No other injection procedure for euthanasia solution is permitted in any type of animal.

5. Chemical restraint drugs administered prior to euthanasia solutions may be given intravenously, subcutaneously, intramuscularly or orally.

(e) Acceptable euthanasia alternatives to the use of injectable agents:

1. Inhalant anesthetics

2. Oral euthanasia solution

(f) The CET must understand the concern for individual animal needs:

1. Injected animals shall be lowered to the surface on which they are being held after they have collapsed. Injected animals shall not be permitted to drop or otherwise collapse without human support except when the animal is restrained by a mechanical restraint device.

2. All animals shall be handled with minimum stress while maximizing personal safety. Animals that cannot be handled with a limited amount of physical restraint shall be given an approved chemical restraint drug. Under these circumstances, if the facility has insufficient chemical restraint drugs available, it should contact the consulting veterinarian. Handling includes all aspects of moving an animal from one area to another.

3. Animals awaiting euthanasia shall not be placed in cages or kennels with other breeds or species that are incompatible with the animal in question. The animals shall not be overcrowded in any cage or kennel.

(g) The CET must have:

1. The ability to verify death. Each animal shall be checked to verify death. The verification is the responsibility of the CET and shall be made by physical examination of the individual animal. One or more of the following three indicators of death shall be met:

(i) Complete lack of palpebral, corneal and pupillary reflexes, complete lack of heartbeat determined by use of a stethoscope and complete lack of respiration; or

(ii) Cardiac standstill as indicated by a complete lack of movement of the previously placed intracardiac needle; or

(iii) Rigormortis.

2. The ability to handle difficult situations if they arise during the euthanasia process.

3. The ability to communicate with handlers during the euthanasia process.

(h) Use of Assistants:

1. To assure safe and humane euthanasia technique, a minimum of two persons shall be required for any intravenous injection. One person shall be a CET and one or more persons shall be handler(s). The handler does not have to be a CET but the handler should be trained in human safety and in animal handling techniques.

2. Intraperitoneal injections and intracardiac injections may be administered by a CET without a handler to unconscious animals.

(i) Chemical restraint drug: Xylazine, acetylpromazine and other board approved chemical restraint drugs shall be used according to their label instructions. The storage requirements for controlled substances and non-controlled substances shall apply to euthanasia and chemical restraint drugs according to their classification.

(j) Proper Record Keeping:

1. CET of record shall record all euthanasia and chemical restraint drugs received and used by the RAEF shall be kept in a consecutively numbered bound book. The record for controlled substances shall meet the requirements of the DEA.

The records shall contain at least the following information:

(i) The species, weight and individual identification number of each animal on which the drug is used.

(ii) The amount of the drug that was used and the total amount of drug left after use.

(iii) The date and name or initials of the person who administered the drug.

2. All records shall be Filed in chronological order and labeled with the name of the RAEF.

3. Outdated Drugs: Outdated drugs shall be labeled as such and properly disposed of. Outdated drugs shall not be injected into living animals.

4. All records shall be kept for a period of three years from the purchase date of the drug.

(12) CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES.

(a) All CETs or RAEFs that handle or house controlled substances must register annually with the State Board and get a state controlled substance number from the Board. In addition:

1. A controlled substance fee is due at the time of the annual renewal.

2. The controlled substance fee for RAEF's will be $3 5.00 annually.

3. Controlled substance violations will be prosecuted as prescribed by law.

4. CET's may use their State Controlled Substance Registration and DEA Number for the purpose of ordering only those drugs approved and listed by the Board for euthanasia or restraint.

Euthanasia drugs currently approved are:

(i) sodium pentobarbital

(ii) sodium pentobarbital with lidocaine

(iii) any other approved drug Chemical restraint drugs currently approved are:

(i) xylazine

(ii) acetylpromazine

(iii) any other approved drug

Notes

Ala. Admin. Code r. 930-X-1-.35

New Rule: Filed November 30, 2004; effective January 4, 2005. Amended: Filed January 10, 2007; effective February 14, 2007. Amended: Filed November 28, 2012; effective January 2, 2013.

Author: Alabama State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, § 34-29-69 (Act 2004-523 being codified).