Animal Welfare

26 August

Louisiana floods hit the veterinary community

wsvma   |   Animal Welfare, Uncategorized

In the wake of the devastating floods in Louisiana, many veterinary practices in the flood zone sustained heavy damage, with some veterinarians’ homes flooded. Veterinary students, faculty and staff at LSU have also suffered losses due to the flooding. The Louisiana State Animal Response Team (LSART) is providing veterinary care, search and rescue operations, and shelter for animals displaced by the disaster. Louisiana State University College of Veterinary Medicine is among the locations providing care and shelter for animals.  The National...

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19 August

“National Bring Your Cat to the Vet Day” aims to increase cat visits

wsvma   |   Animal Welfare, Uncategorized

Monday, August 22, 2016 is National Bring Your Cat to the Vet Day. Established by the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP), the purpose is to help cats get better healthcare by increasing routine visits to the veterinarian. According to AAFP, 83% of cats are taken to a veterinarian during the first year of ownership, but over half of them never return. AAFP has made free resources available for veterinary practices including a pre-visit checklist, carrier tips, tips to reduce...

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11 March

Mandatory microchips for all dogs in England

wsvma   |   Animal Welfare, Uncategorized

As of April 6, all dogs in England must be microchipped or face fines of up to $700 (U.S. dollars). England’s Department of Environment, Food and Rural affairs say that local authorities and pet charities will save nearly $50 million annually in kenneling, food and rehoming costs if every dog is microchipped. Approximately 1.5 million dogs in England are not microchipped and in 2015, nearly 48,000 dogs were left unclaimed in shelters across the country. Authorities say that microchipping is...

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20 November

“How Much Do You Charge to Declaw a Cat?”

wsvma   |   Animal Welfare, Uncategorized

The practice of surgically declawing cats has become a controversial topic. Veterinarians are faced with clients that threaten relinquishment or abandonment of cats if the surgery is not performed.  An opposing viewpoint is offered by an increasing number of anti-declawing activists that feel the procedure causes mutilation of the cat and is inhumane.  These activists, passionate about their cause, have become very aggressive toward veterinary hospitals that provide declawing services. In August, 2015 the AMVF’s “America’s Favorite Veterinarian” contest was abruptly...

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08 August

AVMA amends declaw policy

wsvma   |   Animal Welfare, Uncategorized

At the July meeting in Denver, the AVMA House of Delegates approved an amendment to their policy on the declawing of domestic cats. The updated version, not yet available online, clarifies that the procedure is major surgery that should only be performed after alternatives have been sought to prevent destructive clawing. The updated policy describes onychectomy as an amputation and emphasizes the importance of client education. The AVMA believes the decision to declaw rests with the owner, in consultation with...

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