Welfare Assessment and Euthanasia Decision Procedure

Purpose. This procedure describes how welfare assessments are conducted for shelter animals and how a decision to euthanase is made, authorised, carried out and recorded.

1.Principles

Euthanasia is a last resort taken only when an animal's welfare cannot be protected through treatment, behaviour modification, foster care or transfer. Every decision must be based on a documented welfare assessment, must be authorised by a veterinarian and must be carried out humanely by a trained person. Workers must never be pressured to participate against their wishes.

2.Welfare assessment

A welfare assessment must be completed for any animal that is unwell, injured, showing serious behavioural problems or has been in care for more than 28 days. The assessment covers physical health, behaviour, quality of life in the shelter and realistic outcome pathways. The assessor records findings in the Animal Register and refers the animal to the Senior Veterinarian and the Shelter Manager.

• Physical examination findings and prognosis
• Behavioural assessment outcome
• Response to treatment or enrichment
• Availability of foster, rescue or transfer options

3.Decision meeting

The Senior Veterinarian, Shelter Manager and Senior Behaviour Trainer must meet, in person or by phone, to consider the assessment. They must consider all alternatives and record the reasons for the decision. Where the animal has an identified owner, the owner must be consulted unless the animal is suffering and immediate action is required.

4.Authorisation

Only a registered veterinarian will authorise euthanasia. The authorisation, the reasons and the names of those consulted must be recorded in the Animal Register before the procedure. In an emergency where an animal is suffering and no veterinarian is on site, the most senior worker must contact the on-call veterinarian by phone for verbal authorisation and record it immediately.

5.Carrying out the procedure

Euthanasia must be performed by a veterinarian or by a veterinary nurse under veterinary direction using the approved drug and route. The animal must be handled calmly with a second person present. Death must be confirmed by the veterinarian before the body is moved. Drugs used must be entered in the Controlled Drugs Register at the time of use.

6.Aftercare and support

The body must be handled respectfully and stored or disposed of as the owner requests or as the shelter code of practice requires. Workers involved will be offered a debrief and access to the employee assistance program. The Animal Register record must be closed with the outcome, date and veterinarian's name.

7.Records and review

All euthanasia decisions are reviewed at the monthly welfare and safety review. Trends are reported to the Chief Executive Officer.