Humane slaughter
The AVMA guidelines for the humane slaughter of animals (PDF) offer best practices for humanely ending animals' lives when those animals are destined for use as food or fiber. The most recent edition of the guidelines features species-specific chapters for improved readability. Species coverage was expanded in this edition to include information on animals raised for fur as well as a variety of aquatic animals in addition to more traditional farmed species.
The AVMA guidelines for the humane slaughter of animals (PDF) provide guidance for veterinarians about how to prevent pain and distress in animals that are destined for use as food or fiber. The overriding commitment of these guidelines is to ensure that the treatment of animals during every stage of life is as humane and respectful as possible.
The recommendations in the guidelines are intended to guide veterinarians, who must then use professional judgment in applying them to the various settings where animals are destined for slaughter for use as food or fiber.
The guidelines address humane slaughter of animal species that are included in the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act (HMSA) or the Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA)—such as cattle, sheep, swine, equines, and poultry. They also address animal species not covered by the HMSA—such as fish, crustaceans, rabbits, mink, ratites and alligators among others—as well as the aspects of religious (kosher and halal) slaughter that are exempt from the HMSA. They do not address hunting or fishing of animals.