Melbourne ResearchAnimal Ethics

Euthanasia and humane killing

Title
Methods of euthanasia for laboratory animals (pdf, 699kb)
Source
Code of practice for the housing and care of laboratory mice, rats, guinea pigs and rabbits (Victorian Department of Primary Industries, 2004)
Part
Section 3.9 and Appendices 2-3
Status
Mandatory standard
Description
The Code establishes minimum standards for the care and housing of laboratory animals in Victoria. Section 3.9 details generic minimum standards relating to euthanasia, while Appendices 2-3 summarise by species the preferred, acceptable, and unacceptable methods.


Title
Humane killing and euthanasia (pdf, 1.65mb)
Source
Guidelines to promote the well-being of animals used for scientific purposes (National Health and Medical Research Council, 2008)
Part
Part III, Factsheet H
Status
Guidelines
Description
A practical accompaniment to the more universal principles identified within the Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes. This particular factsheet (Part III, Factsheet H) identifies the essential animal welfare considerations relating to euthanasia, including current evidence around the optimal methodology for carbon dioxide use.
Table(s)
Title
Guidelines on humane killing and euthanasia of animals (pdf, 28kb)
Source
University of Melbourne, updated as at May 2008
Status
Guidelines/Mandatory standards
Description
University guidelines explaining the current standards and policy relating to the humane killing and euthanasia of animals used for scientific purposes. The guidelines reproduce the acceptable and unacceptable methods currently listed within Code of Practice for the Housing and Care of Laboratory Mice, Rats, Guinea Pigs and Rabbits.


Title
Humane endpoints
Source
National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research [UK]: website
Status
Help and advice
Description
Identifies the principles involved in designing an experiment around humane endpoints, also highlighting further resources in this area.

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