Thanks to everyone for your replies. It certainly isn't a pleasant subject to discuss, but as many of you have noted, I want to be prepared. Would anyone be kind enough to elaborate a little more on the procedures of pithing? Though I have heard it is the quickest way possible, I am worried I would mess up, and the last thing I want to do is cause my animals undue suffering. I tried cervical dislocation with my rats and....well...it didn't go well, and this is why we went with the animal welfare association CO2 standard.