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 when they are being suffocated to death.

The AVMA still finds their use acceptable, as long as certain requirements are followed.  Even when AVMA post warnings "about the dangers of carbon monoxide and other similar gases, due to the risk of explosions and health effects from chronic exposure.”

But, even if certain requirements and conditions are met, gas chambers should be banned!

Can it not be possible for AVMA to be more in line with the National Animal Control Association (NACA)?  In September 2010 they stated: "NACA considers lethal injection of sodium pentobarbital, administered by competent, trained personnel, to be the only method of choice utilized for humane euthanasia of animal shelter dogs and cats."

And as for the Association of Shelter Veterinarians: "carbon monoxide euthanasia should be banned in shelters" ...individual or mass companion animal euthanasia in shelters is unacceptable due to significant humane, operational and safety concerns."

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 to use them.

Also EBI is less costly to use as a method to euthanize the animals versus gas: "the cost of gas per animal is (with tranquilizer) $4.98 and without $4.66 per animal.  EBI costs $2.29 per animal"

http://www.avma.org/issues/policy/animal_welfare/euthanasia.asp​

http://www.avma.org/issues/animal_welfare/euthanasia.pdf​

 http://www.americanhumane.org/animals/stop-animal-abuse/advocacy/campaigns/stop-gassing-campaign.html