Humane Animal Handling and Restraint

Professional Practice Standard

Published: April 2019

Introduction 

Veterinarians are well recognized by the public (both organizations and individuals) as the experts and leaders in the humane care of animals. The public, and the profession, expect veterinarians to model responsible and appropriate animal handling and restraint in all circumstances. The public trusts veterinarians, and looks to the profession for compassionate care and welfare advice in all animal species. 

The promotion and protection of animal health and welfare are encompassed in the fundamental commitments outlined in the Veterinary Oath, and are the foundation of the profession’s ethos. The Oath, provided below, emphasizes elements inherent to a veterinarian’s obligation in the responsible and humane animal handling and restraint: 

"As a member of the veterinary medical profession, I solemnly swear that I will use my scientific knowledge and skills for the benefit of society.  

I will strive to promote animal health and welfare, prevent and relieve animal suffering, protect the health of the public and the environment, and advance comparative medical knowledge. 

I will perform my professional duties conscientiously, with dignity, and in keeping with the principles of veterinary medical ethics. 

I will strive continuously to improve my professional knowledge and competence and to maintain the highest professional and ethical standards for myself and the profession."

Often the challenge with the provision of veterinary care is the public’s emotional reaction to methods of handling and restraint that are humane and necessary to ensure a safe outcome for all involved in the care of the animal. The method of humane handling and restraint of an animal by a veterinarian varies across species, and is influenced by a diverse number of factors and circumstances. Regardless of context, and in addition to the Veterinary Oath, a veterinarian should consider the Five Freedoms2, first described by the Farm Animal Welfare Council of the UK as a contemporary and internationally accepted approach to the care and handling of all animals. 

Definitions

Handling: The manner of treating or dealing with an animal in order to interact with or control their actions. Handling, which requires knowledge of the normal behaviour of an animal, particularly an animal that may be stressed or fearful, can include physical contact, as well as auditory, visual and olfactory cues and may involve use of physical barriers (e.g. gates) to properly direct animal movement. 

Restraint: The use of manual, mechanical, or pharmaceutical modalities to limit some or all of an animal’s normal voluntary movement. 

Practice Expectations 

A veterinarian meets the Professional Practice Standard: Humane Animal Handling and Restraint when they: 

1. Understand and recognize the normal behaviour and triggers for pain, fear, anxiety, aggression, and/or stress in a particular animal or species treated under their scope of practice. 
2. Seek, understand, and utilize current, evidence-informed knowledge of responsible animal handling and/or restraint techniques, that are relevant to their scope of practice. 
3. Utilize techniques and/or equipment that prevent or minimize pain, fear, anxiety, aggression, and/or stress in an animal for the service provided. 
4. Consider whether it is necessary to handle and/or restrain an animal for any interaction or procedure, and only utilize the degree of handling and/or restraint directly proportional to the specific context. 
5. Prioritize the safety of the veterinarian, veterinary team, and other individuals present while supporting the physical and emotional health and wellbeing of the animal when selecting a method of handling and/or restraint for a specific circumstance. 
6. Assess and monitor an animal’s capacity for pain, fear, anxiety, aggression, and/or stress through its behaviour, inclusive of its reaction to its environment (both physical and social), to ensure effective health and welfare outcomes. 
7. Recognize when an animal’s state of arousal requires modification to the chosen approach and adjusts the approach, including plans for future encounters, accordingly. A plan for future encounters is recorded in the medical record and communicated to the veterinary team and the client. 
8. Inform and educate an existing or a potential client about the humane handling of and/or restraint required for examination and/or treatment of a specific animal, as appropriate and necessary to ensure a positive animal health and welfare outcome. 
9. Understand their own limitations and/or the limitations of the situation in the handling and restraint of an animal within the specific context and, where appropriate, defer care or refer an animal to another veterinarian and/or terminates a veterinarian-client-patient relationship in accordance with College standards.

Appendix A

Farm Animal Welfare Council - Five Freedoms 

1. Freedom from Hunger and Thirst - by ready access to fresh water and a diet to maintain full health and vigour. 
2.  Freedom from Discomfort - by providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area. 
3.  Freedom from Pain, Injury or Disease - by prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment. 
4. Freedom to Express Normal Behaviour - by providing sufficient space, proper facilities and company of the animal's own kind. 
5.  Freedom from Fear and Distress - by ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering.