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The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) has adopted the following policy to: (1) assist the research community by clarifying the specific procedures relating to the use of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) and (2) promote best practices and ensure that pain and distress are minimized when euthanizing laboratory rodents. Policy: Animals should not experience pain, fear, or other significant stress prior to or during euthanasia. Carbon dioxide is a frequently used euthanasia agent for small laboratory animals due to its rapid onset of action, safety, and availability. Any rodent used for research may be euthanized by CO2 by following the procedures described below. Species that can be euthanized by using CO2 include mice of the genus Mus, rats of the genus Rattus, hamsters, gerbils, and other laboratory rodents. Although CO2 may be considered an acceptable form of euthanasia for other species the IACUC will require specific justification for CO2 use in non-rodents. Procedures: I. ADMINISTERING CO2 a. All personnel administering CO2 to rodents must be properly trained and adhere to animal care and use protocols, policies, and guidelines. Training on the use of the equipment and appropriate methods of euthanasia is available from the Department of Comparative Medicine Central and Waterfront Campuses an