§ 64.110. Euthanasia requirements.

(a)  Registry. All public and private sheltering agencies that euthanize animals must maintain a registry of organizations willing to accept animals as follows:

(1)

Public or private sheltering agencies, as well as rescue groups or organizations, may be placed on this registry upon their request, provided they are located within two hundred (200) miles of the public or private agency and the agency or group complies with the articulated rescue approval process of the public or private agency. The public or private agency shall post their rescue approval process on their website or on premises for public review. The sheltering agency retains the discretion to deny registration if there is reason to believe the animals will not be treated in a humane manner.

(2)

The public or private sheltering agency may, but is not required to, include on the registry any individual rescuers or rescue groups that are not designated as nonprofits under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

(3)

The registry must include the following information as provided by the registered organization:

a.

Organization name, mailing address, and telephone number.

b.

Website and email address, if any.

c.

Emergency contact information for the organization.

d.

The types of animals about which the organization wishes to be contacted, including species and breed.

e.

Whether or not the organization is willing and able to care for unweaned animals, sick or injured animals, or aggressive animals.

(4)

A sheltering agency may require that registered organizations provide summary information, on no more than a monthly basis, to include the total number of animals the organizations currently has in its care, the number of foster homes they have in use and available, the total number of animals the organization has taken from the agency who have been adopted, died, were transferred, were euthanized, or are still under the organization's care, which information may be provided in an informal format such as via electronic communication.

(5)

No public or private sheltering agency may euthanize a savable animal unless and until the agency has notified, or made a reasonable attempt to notify, all organizations on the registry described in subsection (a) that have indicated a willingness to take an animal of that type. The notification must take place at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to the euthanizing of the animal unless medically necessary as determined by a veterinarian. At a minimum, the notification must include verifiable electronic communication. A notification is considered complete as to each individual group when this has been accomplished. No animal may be euthanized if an organization on the registry indicates, before the euthanizing of the animal, its willingness to take possession of the animal. The agency having possession of the animal may find another disposition for the animal if the organization agreeing to take the animal does not take possession of the animal within two (2) business days.

(6)

Nothing in this section prohibits a sheltering agency from euthanizing an irremediably suffering animal which must be euthanized without delay. The determination that an animal is irremediably suffering must be made upon verbal or written determination by a licensed veterinarian.

(b)

Procedures.

(1)

Generally.

a.

All public and private sheltering agencies, as well as rescue groups and organizations, must ensure and provide appropriate protocols, developed in conjunction with a licensed veterinarian, for the humane euthanasia of any animal.

b.

No savable animal in a public or private sheltering agency may be euthanized simply because the holding period has expired.

c.

Prior to euthanizing an animal, the public or private sheltering agency must document the reasons for employing euthanasia. Such reasons may include, without limitation:

1.

That the sheltering agency does not have sufficient and appropriate housing, budget, or staff to adequately care for the animal.

2.

That a foster home has not been identified to take the animal.

3.

That a rescue group or organization has declined or is otherwise unable to take the animal.

d.

Animals may only be euthanized by lethal IV, IP, or IC (if the animal is in a state of unconsciousness and other methods of euthanasia are not possible) injection of sodium pentobarbital. The method used shall adhere to the established policy and protocol and shall be the most humane method for the situation and individual animal.

e.

No animal may be allowed to witness another animal being euthanized or being tranquilized or sedated for the purpose of being euthanized or see the bodies of animals that have been euthanized.

f.

An anesthetic shall be administered prior to euthanasia to minimize the animal's stress or discomfort or, in the case of vicious animals, to ensure staff safety. The recommended anesthetic to utilize shall be established by a supervising licensed veterinarian.

g.

Following their injection, animals must be lowered to the surface on which they are being held and not be permitted to drop or otherwise collapse without support.

h.

An animal may not be left unattended between the time procedures to euthanize the animal are commenced and the time death occurs, nor may the body be disposed of until death is verified.

i.

Verification of death must be confirmed for each animal in all of the following ways:

1.

By lack of heartbeat, verified by stethoscope or cardiac stick.

2.

By lack of respiration, verified by observation.

3.

By lack of eye response, verified if lid does not blink when eye is touched.

j.

The room in which animals are euthanized must be cleaned and regularly disinfected as necessary, but no less than once per day on days the room is used, except that the area where the procedure is performed must be cleaned and disinfected between each procedure.

k.

The room in which animals are euthanized must have adequate ventilation that prevents the accumulation of odors.

l.

Euthanasia may be performed by a licensed veterinarian, a licensed or registered veterinary technician, a properly trained and approved animal care technician, or properly trained and approved animal control officer. All non-veterinarians shall perform euthanasia under the authority of a licensed veterinarian.

(2)

For sick and injured wildlife.

a.

The gas chamber may be utilized to bring about a humane death for wildlife.

b.

The gas chamber shall be maintained and in good working order.

c.

Personnel operating the chamber shall be authorized by MACC and properly trained on all safety and operational procedures.

d.

Animals euthanized via gas chamber shall not be left unattended between the time euthanasia procedure begins and the time death occurs, nor may their bodies be disposed of until death is confirmed by a qualified person.

e.

Where MACC no longer operates a gas chamber, appropriate euthanasia protocols shall be developed to provide humane euthanasia of wildlife. ( Ord. No. 2016-009 , § 1, 2-12-16)