Carry out euthanasia on animals in a Home Office designated establishment

This standard covers painlessly ending the life of animals in a Home Office designated establishment. The reasons for euthanising animals will vary but will be for one of the following: they have reached the end of an experiment; to relieve suffering; they are redundant breeders; they are surplus to requirements.

When working with research animals recognise humanity’s obligation to them and your responsibility for ensuring their proper care and treatment at all times.

Euthanasia can only be carried out by someone who is trained and whose details are held by the establishment Licence Holder or the Named Training and Competency Officer (NTCO). Someone competent to kill animals should be available at all times.

The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA) sets out in Schedule 1 the standard methods of humane killing for different research animals.

Details of which animals are to be euthanised will normally be supplied by your supervisor or the Home Office licensee responsible for them. On rare occasions it may be necessary to take the decision to end the life of an animal immediately without higher authority. You must recognise situations that allow this, and to whom, and how, you should report. You should have a good knowledge of the approved methods appropriate for the species with which you are working.

This standard is for those who are responsible for conducting euthanasia in Home Office designated establishments.

It is essential that you work strictly within the limits of the relevant project licence.

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1. confirm that your work is carried out in accordance with approved codes of practice and organisation procedures and within the limits of your authority, expertise, training, competence and experience
2. carry out all work in accordance with environmental and health and safety legislation, risk assessment requirements, codes of practice and the organisation’s policies
3. assess the risks to health and safety before starting and throughout the activity
4. comply with legislation, codes of practice and organisation policies relating to the care and welfare of animals in a Home Office designated establishment
5. use safe practices and the correct clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) for the activity
6. maintain the required levels of hygiene and biosecurity in accordance with the organisation’s procedures
7. maintain communication with colleagues and all those involved in, or affected by, your work
8. confirm the identity of the animal to be euthanised according to specified instructions
9. confirm the instructions with the relevant person and raise any concerns
10. use appropriate methods of euthanasia which take into account the life stage and weight of the animal as well as its welfare and the subsequent use of the cadaver
11. assemble the required facilities and equipment and prepare them for use
12. carry out euthanasia efficiently and humanely
13. confirm the death of the animal in accordance with the organisation’s procedures
14. deal with the cadaver safely and correctly in accordance with the relevant legislation and the organisation’s procedures
15. make the area and equipment ready for further use
16. keep accurate and up-to-date records as required by the relevant legislation and the organisation
17. conduct all activities within the provisions of the project licence

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1. your responsibilities under the relevant environmental and safety legislation, codes of practice and the organisation’s policies
2. your responsibilities for the care and welfare of animals in a Home Office designated establishment under the relevant animal welfare legislation and Home Office codes of practice
3. the reasons for using animals in scientific research and humanity’s responsibilities to them
4. the importance and correct use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when carrying out activities in a Home Office designated establishment
5. the importance of maintaining the appropriate levels of hygiene and biosecurity and the procedures for this
6. the general principles of humane euthanasia for animals
7. the reasons when animals under the scope of the ASPA can be humanely euthanised
8. the ASPA approved methods of euthanasia relevant to the species, life stage and weight
9. the factors affecting the choice of the method of euthanasia
10. the relevant legislation and organisational requirements relating to the conduct of euthanasia
11. the facilities and equipment required to carry out the euthanasia and how to prepare
12. the relevant legislation for the handling and storage of medicines and drugs
13. how to minimise stress in the animals prior to euthanasia
14. the animal handling and restraint techniques prior to euthanasia
15. the sites for intravenous and intra-peritoneal injections relevant to the species
16. the parenteral and inhalation euthanasia agents relevant to the species
17. how you and others may be affected by euthanasia
18. the principles of “culture of care” support structures provided for animal carers such as Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) and the importance of clear and open communication options
19. the methods and techniques to confirm death
20. the legal and organisational requirements for the disposal of cadavers and other waste produced by the activity
21. the information that needs to be recorded and the organisation’s procedures for this
22. the provisions of the project licence

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3

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2030

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Current

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Original

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Lantra

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LANAT13

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Animal Facility Manager, Animal Technologist, Licensed Animal Technologist, Team Leader, Senior Animal Technologist

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6129

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euthanasia; animal; research; intravenous; intra-peritoneal injections

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