To: Dr. Larry Kornegay AVMA President and Executive Board

Email: avmainfo@avma.org  

The published American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Policy titled “Euthanasia of Animals That Are Unwanted or Unfit for Adoption” states: “the AVMA is not opposed to the euthanasia of unwanted animals or those unfit for adoption, when conducted by qualified personnel, using appropriate humane methods as described in the AVMA Guidelines on Euthanasia.”

In the AVMA Guidelines on Euthanasia it is stated: the "preferred method" for euthanasia is lethal injection by barbiturate sodium pentobarbital: "A primary advantage of barbiturates is speed of action. This effect depends on the dose, concentration, route, and rate of the injection. .. Barbiturates induce euthanasia smoothly, with minimal discomfort to the animal.” In other words more humane.

The use carbon monoxide gas chambers are not an appropriate humane method to kill any animal. It is cruel, barbaric and inhumane; the animals suffer a terrible, slow and agonizing death, while they gasp for air while being suffocated to death.

The AVMA still finds their use acceptable. Not to mention the warnings the AVMA cites “for personnel about the dangers of carbon monoxide and other similar gases, due to the risk of explosions and health effects from chronic exposure.” 

 So why does the AVMA still endorse the use of animal gas chambers by finding their use acceptable?

Public shelters in 17 states point to the AVMA's acceptance of carbon monoxide gas chambers as an excuse to continue using them!

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