The Overview

If you run an Ohio wildlife rehabilitation center, you can now apply for a limited pharmacy license to keep euthanasia drugs on hand rather than waiting for a veterinarian to arrive. Ohio's Allow wild animal rehab facility to get euthanasia drug permit, SB 152, became law when Gov. Mike DeWine (R) signed it Dec. 3, 2025. ​

A 2023 review in *Animals* found that preserving wildlife welfare requires timely, humane decisions from initial assessment through treatment, release, or euthanasia, and it describes the difficulty rehabilitators and veterinarians face in balancing care with animal welfare. The law took effect on March 4th.

What the Law Does

The law amends Ohio's pharmacy and terminal distributor licensing statutes to let a facility holding a Division of Wildlife rehabilitation permit apply to the State Board of Pharmacy for a limited license to purchase, possess, and administer euthanasia drugs in manufactured dosage form. Staff must complete a euthanasia technician certification course of at least 16 hours, and euthanasia must be performed by injection or oral administration in a humane and proficient manner, the same rules that already apply to animal shelters and county dog wardens.

Unless the state board of pharmacy approves otherwise, the license does not allow a facility to distribute the drugs to anyone other than the original wholesale supplier. Licenses are valid for two years and renewable for the same fee.

Legislative Status

Sen. Andrew Brenner (R-OH) sponsored the bill, which drew 31 cosponsors, including Bill Reineke, Beth Liston, Paula Hicks-Hudson, James M. Hoops, and Jean Schmidt.

The Senate passed it 33-0 on May 28, 2025. The House passed it 93-0 on Oct. 29, 2025. The Senate then concurred in House amendments 33-0 on Nov. 5, 2025.

Brenner said the law means a rehabilitation facility can "have access to medications necessary for the humane euthanasia of severely injured or diseased wildlife" rather than waiting on an overwhelmed veterinarian, according to the Ohio Senate.

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