euthanizing rats, how i kill mine

[jasbus]

Well, the reason(s) there are opinions are to find out what people are doing for a humane way of prekilling.

Give it enough time, and enough people talking non-chalantly about "how it's just a rat", etc.... and it will become an issue. Trust me, I own a pet store, and I get animal rights people in all the time. Lord forbid I have a hamster that was killed and partially eaten before I see it. We had a lady several months ago try to shut us down because we had a half eaten hamster in one of our cages.
Rodents eat rodents sometimes, what can you say?

It won't be much longer before they change the AWA laws and we'll all be criminals for feeding off rodents... As for now, rodents and fish are not covered under any law, and technically, you can do what ever you want to them. Not for the lack of ASPCA trying. You can see them coming, and I've had to literally run them out of my store before...
So, please for the good of all animal lovers and keepers out there, don't spread bad info on pre-killing and all that good stuff. It will come back to haunt all of us one day.

[Gto_402]

So I shouldn't express my opinion because people don't agree with methods such as cervical dislocation? I thought the point of a forum was for people to share their experiences and procedures? I'm not here to get in a pissing contest with anyone. That's exactly why I typically keep to myself on the boards.

[karls-snakes]

I should add that I kill very few rodents since I only have 4 snakes. If I had more I would probably do c02 but I have watched videos of c02 and dry ice and my bag method looks more peaceful and takes the same time.

[jasbus]

So I shouldn't express my opinion because people don't agree with methods such as cervical dislocation? I thought the point of a forum was for people to share their experiences and procedures? I'm not here to get in a pissing contest with anyone. That's exactly why I typically keep to myself on the boards.

I'm not pissing with you, or at you... I'm simply stating that the CD of a rodent to some looks inhumane. Personally, I think it's a quick and easy way to kill them, but it just doesn't "look" or "feel" humane to the people I was talking about above.

I've had a petition in my town on me Co2'ing my rats...but, like I said, there are no laws in place, so basically, it was just handed to me with a few dozen signatures on it...

I'm just sayin. Seeing it from the front lines already....

[karls-snakes]

I am ok with opinions and discussion of other methods on my thread, that's why I posted it lol
Its not like suffocating because they can still breathe, I leave a small amount of air in the bag. The 02 runs out and their breathing slows down and it looks like they are tired and go to sleep.

[Gto_402]

Sorry bro. It's just been a rough day. I apologize for coming off hostile. I understand what you are saying about PETA fans.

[jasbus]

No prob.

[wolfy-hound]

I approve of any method that is humane to the rat.

Personally I would THINK that suffacating in a plastic bag wouldn't be humane, but.... BUT.... I have not done so and from your description, it sounds just as humane as the CO2 gas.

Freezing them to death is inhumane in my opinion. Perhaps it's not as inhumane when they're pinkies, but freezing to death is painful.

Saying "It's just a rat" is a horrible thing. Especially when you think of how it looks to the general public. I mean... would you stab a rat slowly to death while it screams? After all, it's "just a rat" so who cares if it dies in pain? That's what a non-reptile keeper is going to think when you express no empathy what so ever to a living creature you are killing. It's the exact same mentality they see when someone beats a puppy to death and says "What? It's just a dog." We as reptile keepers MUST be aware of PR and how we present our image to outsiders. Appearing to be uncaring about the needed death of even a prey animal is a sure bet for the anti-pet crowd to use against us.

Yes, I kill rodents, and I eat meat, etc etc. But I do try to make sure it's killed humanely. Even the snakes kill quickly. I feed live a lot(to the pythons) and watching them hit and constrict, the rat is dead within seconds. Killing a rat by breaking it's neck is fast. CO2 is not painful when done properly. There are a lot of methods to kill your rodents humanely.

[Gto_402]

I wasn't meaning that any way of killing the rodents is ok. I should have better explained myself. I'm not ok at all with unnecessary suffering in any animal. When I said " just a rat" I meant it doesn't have to be an elaborate method just as long as the job is done. Lord I've caused a haywire mess lol.

[CoolioTiffany]

I don't know.. That does sound like it takes a little too long for me. I prefer it to be rather instant. I don't even want them to suffocate for a minute. I use the spinal/cranial separation.

x3