Implementation of the Updated American Veterinary Medical Association Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals: 2013 Edition

---
identifier: "/us/fr/2013-06661"
source: "fr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "Implementation of the Updated American Veterinary Medical Association Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals: 2013 Edition"
title_number: 0
title_name: "Federal Register"
section_number: "2013-06661"
section_name: "Implementation of the Updated American Veterinary Medical Association Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals: 2013 Edition"
positive_law: false
currency: "2013-03-22"
last_updated: "2013-03-22"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
agency: "Health and Human Services Department"
document_number: "2013-06661"
document_type: "notice"
publication_date: "2013-03-22"
agencies:
  - "Health and Human Services Department"
  - "National Institutes of Health"
fr_citation: "78 FR 17679"
fr_volume: 78
comments_close_date: "2013-05-31"
---


#  Implementation of the Updated American Veterinary Medical Association Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals: 2013 Edition

**SUMMARY:**

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is providing guidance to Public Health Service (PHS) awardee institutions on implementation of the *American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals: 2013 Edition* ( *Guidelines* ). The NIH is seeking input from the public on any concerns they may have regarding the updated *Guidelines.*

**DATES:**

Public concerns regarding the updated *AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals: 2013 Edition* must be submitted electronically at *http://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/2013avmaguidelines_comments/add.cfm?ID=32* by May 31, 2013, in order to be considered.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:**

Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare, Office of Extramural Research, NIH, RKL1, Suite 360, 6705 Rockledge Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892-7982; phone 301-496-7163; email *[email protected].*

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:**

**I. Background**

The NIH Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) oversees PHS-funded animal activities by the authority of the Health Research Extension Act of 1985 ( *http://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/references/hrea1985.htm* ) and the PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (PHS Policy; *http://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/references/phspol.htm* ). The PHS Policy IV.C.1.G. ( *http://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/references/phspol.htm#ReviewofPHS-ConductedorSupportedResearchProjects* ) requires that Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (IACUCs) reviewing PHS-conducted or -supported research projects, determine if methods of euthanasia used in projects will be consistent with the recommendations of the AVMA Panel on Euthanasia, unless a deviation is justified for scientific reasons in writing by the investigator.

PHS-Assured institutions are encouraged to begin using the *2013 Guidelines* as soon as possible when reviewing research projects, and full implementation is expected after September 1, 2013. Previously approved projects undergoing continuing review according to PHS Policy IV.C.5. ( *http://grants.nih.gov/grants/olaw/references/phspol.htm#ReviewofPHS-ConductedorSupportedResearchProjects* ), which requires a complete de novo review at least once every 3 years, must be reviewed using the *2013 Guidelines* after September 1, 2013.

**II. Electronic Access**

The AVMA has issued and posted an update to the *2007 Guidelines on Euthanasia* with a new title, *AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals: 2013 Edition,* available at *https://www.avma.org/KB/Policies/Documents/euthanasia.pdf* (PDF).

Dated: March 14, 2013.

Francis S. Collins,

Director, National Institutes of Health.