§ 31.109. Area used for small domestic animal euthanasia; required equipment and supplies.
(a) A certificate holder shall provide an area used for small domestic animal euthanasia at a shelter that meets all of the following requirements:
(1) Is separated from the rest of the shelter and from public view, is not used for any other purpose while a small domestic animal is being euthanized and in which unrelated animals are not present.
(2) Has bright and even lighting. Additional lighting over the location where euthanasia agents are administered by injection is highly recommended.
(3) Has an ambient temperature that is between 60-degrees and 80-degrees Fahrenheit.
(4) Has adequate ventilation to prevent the accumulation of odors.
(5) Has flooring, which is dry and non-slip to prevent accidents, and is easy to clean and disinfect.
(6) Is kept clean and disinfected.
(b) A certificate holder shall provide, at a minimum, the following equipment and supplies for the area used for small domestic animal euthanasia:
(1) A table or work area where a small domestic animal can be handled and restrained while being euthanized. The surface must be easily disinfected and appropriate for the species and size of small domestic animals euthanized by the animal protection organization.
(2) A cabinet, table or workbench where the controlled dangerous substances, needles, catheters, syringes, clippers and other equipment and supplies can be placed while euthanasia is being performed. This surface should be adjacent to, but separate from, the area where the small domestic animals are handled.
(3) A hand-washing sink that can be easily accessed by the animal protection organization’s euthanasia technician and animal handler. For purposes of this provision, the sink must be no more than 30 feet from the area where euthanasia is conducted. Animal protection organizations with alternate physical layouts may request a variance from this provision.
(4) Emergency eye wash equipment in working order that can be easily accessed by the animal protection organization’s euthanasia technician and animal handler. For purposes of this provision, the emergency eye wash equipment must be no more than 30 feet from the area where euthanasia is conducted. Animal protection organizations with alternate physical layouts may request a variance from this provision.
(5) Documented procedure for providing clean and sanitary towels.
(6) Equipment and supplies as needed for adequate room sanitation, such as detergents, disinfectants, paper towels, brooms and mops.
(7) Eye or face protection for personnel reconstituting drugs for euthanasia, performing injections or restraining small domestic animals for injection.
(8) Disposable medical exam gloves.
(9) Suitable personal protective equipment, including animal handling gloves.
(10) An assortment of muzzles or appropriate disposable material which can be used for muzzles.
(11) A control stick for dogs.
(12) Capture/restraint nets suitable for the species and size of small domestic animals normally handled by the certificate holder and constructed of materials that can be sanitized.
(13) Towels of terry cloth or other fabric suitable for restraining small domestic animals.
(14) Hair clippers with a minimum of two sets of # 30 or # 40 or equivalent size clipper blades, maintained sharp and in good condition.
(15) Quick-release tourniquets appropriate for the sizes of small domestic animals normally handled by the certificate holder.
(16) A supply of 18-gauge, 20-gauge and 22-gauge disposable needles of medical quality in appropriate lengths and in other gauges and lengths as required by the species and size of small domestic animals normally handled by the certificate holder, in a quantity appropriate considering the number of small domestic animals euthanized by the certificate holder over a period of time and the schedule for ordering these supplies.
(17) A supply of disposable syringes of medical quality in sizes appropriate for the volumes of drugs which must be administered based on the species and sizes of small domestic animals normally handled by the certificate holder, in a quantity appropriate considering the number of small domestic animals euthanized by the certificate holder over a period of time and the schedule for ordering these supplies.
(18) A commercially available sharps container for used needles and syringes, constructed of puncture-resistant material and which complies with 29 CFR 1910.1030(d)(2)(viii) (relating to bloodborne pathogens).
(19) A stethoscope.
(20) A penlight and spare batteries.
(21) Hand soap.
(22) A first-aid kit for humans, which includes, at a minimum, the supplies suggested by the American Red Cross for a first aid kit for a family of four.
(23) A spill kit, as defined by OSHA, suitable for cleaning spills of drugs for euthanasia.
(24) A freezer, refrigerator or mortuary cooler for the storage of the remains of euthanized small domestic animals pending disposal.
(c) The equipment and supplies must be kept clean, free of dust or other foreign matter and in good working order. The equipment and supplies must be stored in an orderly, safe manner.
Cross References This section cited in 49 Pa. Code § 31.108 (relating to duties of certificate holders).
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