More than 2,000 veterinarians signed!
Join us in demanding the AVMA reclassify all forms of Ventilation Shutdown (VSD) as a
“Not recommended” method of mass animal killing
We want future generations of veterinarians and animal advocates to be proud of how we protected these animals from inhumane treatment and immeasurable suffering. We ask the AVMA to defend the most vulnerable in our care, as well as our profession’s reputation, by ensuring compassionate treatment of all animals veterinarians have the honor of serving.
#EndVSDNow #VetsAgainstVSD
“Ventilation Shutdown is animal cruelty, causing unbearable agony and a slow death. Join us in asking the AVMA to support the humane care of all animals and reclassify all forms of VSD as a ‘Not recommended’ method of killing in their Depopulation Guidelines.”
- Dr. Ernie Ward
“When a practice is so horrifying we would never inflict it upon our dogs or cats, we know something is wrong. Other species should not have to suffer what is the equivalent of dying in a hot car. That is why I am asking the AVMA to end the practice of ventilation shutdown.”
- Dr. Crystal Heath
The AVMA's guidance to the pork and poultry industries approves and permits Ventilation Shutdown (VSD+) for the killing of chickens and pigs in “constrained circumstances.” Ventilation Shutdown fails to render the animals insensitive to pain or cause death quickly without distress. A 2015 animal industry presentation stated “VSD not considered humane.”
Ventilation Shutdown is performed by shutting off airflow in a barn and adding heat. According to the AVMA Guidelines, “death may result from any combination of excessive temperature, CO2, or toxic gases from slurry or manure below the barn.” These animals die from hyperthermia (overheating) and suffocation.
This process is traumatic and painful and has been shown to take several hours for animals to die. In the 2019 AVMA Depopulation Guidelines, they cite a study demonstrating pigs survived up to 16 hours after Ventilation Shutdown. The June 9, 2020 American Association of Swine Veterinarians Depopulation Recommendations also state that some pigs will survive VSD/VSD+ and alternate killing methods need to be available.
The use of any killing method that does not cause immediate loss of consciousness is considered inhumane and unacceptable. The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) - an intergovernmental body responsible for improving animal health worldwide - does not condone Ventilation Shutdown even for emergency disease control.
The American Association of Swine Veterinarians lists 10 other methods for depopulation in their June 9, 2020 Depopulation Recommendations.
It is important for veterinarians to know that all forms of Ventilation Shutdown are NOT listed in the AVMA’s Euthanasia Guidelines but that many other methods are considered humane enough to be included in both the Euthanasia and Depopulation Guidelines.
Growing Support to #EndVSDNow
22 Members of US Congress
Avoiding Prolonged Death for Animals in Meat Industry - May 2020: “When executed with heat, ventilation shutdown for poultry and pigs causes animals to die by hyperthermia. However, ventilation systems often fail, instead causing animals to slowly die from suffocation caused by the high levels of carbon dioxide and other gases that quickly accumulate in the barns. The process is inhumane, distressing, and painful for the animals who can take many hours to die. This method has not been approved as a depopulation method by the World Organisation for Animal Health, even in extreme cases. Water-based foam – often used in the poultry industry – essentially drowns or suffocates animals. Adapted from firefighting foam, the foam obstructs the animal’s airway and causes death over several, stressful, and agonizing minutes.” Primary sponsor Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas)
World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE)
VSD violates General Principles - “When animals are killed for disease control purposes, methods used should result in immediate death or immediate loss of consciousness lasting until death; when loss of consciousness is not immediate, induction of unconsciousness should be non-aversive or the least aversive possible and should not cause avoidable anxiety, pain, distress or suffering in animals.”
Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) and American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)
“The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) today criticized guidelines proposed by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) that permit the use of inhumane killing methods, including the use of water-based foam, ventilation shutdown, and live burial, for farm animals.” “The AVMA is proposing that these methods only be allowed in “constrained circumstances,” but less inhumane methods exist, even for exceptional cases. AWI and ASPCA are concerned that over time, use of these methods will become routine, making their availability a disincentive to use or research more acceptable methods.”
World Animal Protection
“We are writing to urgently request a conversation about two methods currently permitted in the AVMA Guidelines for Depopulation of Animals, 2019 Edition, and the need for these inhumane methods to be immediately removed from the guidelines.”
Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA UK)
“…therefore, strongly opposes to the use of ventilation shutdown on the basis that it would cause substantial suffering and distress to birds.”
Australian Veterinary Emergency Plan
For destruction of animals (AUSVETPLAN Edition 3.2) states that ventilation shutdown is an unacceptable method to depopulate birds given the animal welfare concerns and lack of scientific evidence around its effectiveness.
Compassion in World Farming
“It would cause substantial suffering and distress to birds and does not guarantee rapid unconsciousness. Ventilation shutdown is not an acceptable killing method; death could be slow and protracted, with the birds suffering over an extended period of time.”
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS)
“Animals suffer immensely with any outbreak of an epidemic like avian influenza, and we shouldn’t compound the problems for birds by subjecting them to a particularly miserable and protracted means of euthanasia. The industry and the USDA need to find a better way to contain the spread of bird flu. Meanwhile, research and field testing of more humane methods, along with a public comment period, must be an imperative for government agencies involved in responding to these types of animal health emergencies.”
