The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) continues to work at the legislative level to encourage all states to implement a law often called “direct licensing”, that allows animal care and control agencies to have, hold, and administer controlled substances to provide for euthanasia of shelter animals when needed. There are many existing variations of this law that allow agencies to use or have access to controlled substances. However, true “direct licensing” is a state law that allows the agency to have a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) license to obtain and administer controlled substances. This direct licensing allows the agency to have this license without a veterinarian on staff. The license is usually in the name of the director of the agency. This is the most effective licensing method for shelters, as there is more reason to ensure that the drugs are properly accounted for, secured, and administered if the person accountable is the leader of the agency.
Some states have a variation of direct licensing that does not allow the animal care and control agency to have their own license, but rather a relationship with a local veterinarian who signs on as medical director and allows the agency to use the veterinarian's license to have, hold, and administer the controlled substances. This approach creates significant responsibility and culpability on the part of the veterinarian that signs on as the medical director. The veterinarian is responsible for the method of administration, ensuring the staff of the shelter is properly trained, and for periodically examining the records that account for the substances used.
The responsibility to have and administer controlled substances is great, and all parties involved must be fully aware of their role and responsibility. When controlled substances are mishandled, unaccounted for, stolen, or administered improperly not only are the reputation and public perception of the parties involved affected, so too is the risk that allowing animal care and control agencies the ability to have and administer controlled substances might be rescinded by the DEA.
The HSUS urges that, with direct licensing laws, proper protocols be put in place to ensure accountability, oversight, and proper use so all parties can work effectively to ensure a humane death for the animals in our charge when necessary.
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