Americans, and others around the world, are paying more attention to animals’ welfare. You’ve seen the media coverage and controversies about “puppy mills” and livestock handling practices, and you’ve probably overheard or even participated in conversations about welfare issues. As … read more
Animal Welfare
Bill of the Week: Tennessee HB 1191/SB 1248
Over the past few years, several states have introduced bills that would ban the undercover filming of animal agricultural operations. Several of these bills would, in part, make it illegal for a person to obtain access to an agricultural operation by false … read more
New Bill Is Introduced to Protect Walking Horses from Abusive Soring
By: Dr. Whitney Miller, assistant director, Governmental Relations Division Congress has, once again, stepped forward with legislation aimed at ending the egregious and abusive practice of soring. A bipartisan group of congressman, led by U.S. Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-Ky.) introduced … read more
Texas Supreme Court Issues Important Decision for Pet Litigation Damages
Earlier today, the Texas Supreme Court issued an opinion refusing to allow noneconomic damages for loss of a pet in a case involving a local municipal shelter. You can read the entire opinion at http://www.supreme.courts.state.tx.us/historical/2013/apr/120047.pdf. The plaintiffs in the Medlen case … read more
AVMA Publishes New Euthanasia Guidelines
The long-awaited 2013 edition of the AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals is now available and it, along with an executive summary, can be accessed on the AVMA website. Originally published in 1963 and updated at least once every … read more
Congress Reintroduces the PUPS Act
By: Dr. Whitney Miller, assistant director, Governmental Relations Division U.S. Rep. Jim Gerlach (R-Pa.) and U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) reintroduced the Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety Act (H.R. 847/S. 395), also known as the “PUPS Act,” on Feb. 27. … read more
Veterinary Students Charge Capitol Hill With a Mission
Sixty-five veterinary students from around the country gathered this week in Washington, D.C., to let their elected officials know about important legislative issues that impact the veterinary industry. The two-day student fly-in, hosted by AVMA’s Governmental Relations Division, taught the … read more
Euthanasia Guidelines: The Gas Chamber Debate
Now that the 2013 edition of the AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals has been issued, the debate over the use of gas chambers for euthanasia of unwanted dogs and cats in animal shelters is likely to take center … read more
2013 Edition of the AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals Published
Good news! The long-awaited 2013 edition of the AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals has been published and it, together with an Executive Summary, can be accessed as a .pdf on the AVMA website. An e-reader-friendly version will be … read more
A black bear, bald eagle, and an alligator snapper walk into a veterinary hospital.
Although the title may sound like a lead in for a joke, it’s not. Every day, private practices across the nation are presented with or asked about wildlife species and their hybrids. This may be commonplace for some veterinary hospitals, while … read more
