Royal Guardian, CO2 is perfectly humane.
If you read on the subject: At high concentrations (70-100% concentration) CO2 will increase the pain threshold, and will have a anesthetic effect in 12-50 seconds for rats, depending on concentration used. (AVMA , p. 11)
WELL before the animal feels any sensation of suffocating. They are quickly knocked out and are not aware of the lack of oxygen. They have no sensation of hypoxia.