Animal Welfare

18 September

World Vets responds to Okanagan fires

wsvma   |   Animal Welfare

World Vets, the international veterinary aid organization based in Gig Harbor, WA, has sent their disaster response team to provide veterinary relief for animals impacted by the Cold Springs and Pearl Hill fires in the Omak, Washington area. There are four large and mixed animal veterinarians onsite, with a fifth veterinarian arriving today, working under the Okanagan County Fairgrounds Cold Springs Fire Relief. They’re providing mobile response to address the needs of primarily horses and cattle that have been impacted...

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11 September

Animal Health Import Requirements Waiver for animals affected by Oregon wildfires

wsvma   |   Animal Welfare, State Regulatory

The Washington State Veterinarian’s Office is waiving import requirements on livestock from Oregon, allowing these animals a temporary stay in Washington state, provided they do not change ownership and return to Oregon within 30 days. This temporary waiver comes as evacuations due to wildfires in Oregon have placed a significant strain in the state on available stalls and pastures for sheltering horses and other livestock. Facilities that house evacuated animals are asked to maintain records of any animals they take in...

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29 May

New animal anti-cruelty legislation signed into law, takes effect June 11, 2020

wsvma   |   Animal Welfare, Legislative, Professional News

Governor Jay Inslee signed into law Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill (ESSB) 6300 that added more teeth to current animal cruelty statutes. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Anne Rivers (R-La Center) and brought forward by Pasado’s Safe Haven included several amendments aimed at doing more to protect animals. Changes to Chapter RCW 16.52 animal cruelty statutes include: Only a licensed veterinarian may devocalize, ear crop or tail dock a dog. Veterinarians must use accepted veterinary surgical protocols and pain management when performing...

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29 May

Food Assistance for Pets

wsvma   |   Animal Welfare

As the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to increase the ranks of people in need of food assistance, the animals so many rely on for companionship, affection, and stress reduction need support too. WSDA is working with a collaboration of animal services in King County and a national animal-welfare organization to support a statewide pet food distribution hub and help make sure people have access to pet food. It’s an initiative that not only supports animal health, but...

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17 January

AVMF will match up to $50,000 in donations for Australian fires

wsvma   |   Animal Welfare

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Board of Directors last week approved a $25,000 donation to aid Australian veterinarians who are helping animals impacted by the bushfires ravaging their country. In addition, the AVMA is encouraging its 95,000 members and the general public to consider contributing to relief efforts by donating to the American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF), which will match donations up to $50,000. "People have been calling us, asking how they can help their colleagues in Australia," said Dr....

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05 April

AVMA releases its first-ever guidelines for depopulation of animals

wsvma   |   Animal Welfare

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has published its first ever Guidelines for the Depopulation of Animals to help veterinarians support animal welfare in situations where the difficult decision to depopulate has been made. These new AVMA guidelines are an important tool to help veterinarians make humane decisions in the most dire situations. Because emergencies can happen anywhere and at any time, this is vital guidance for veterinarians in every field of practice – from shelter medicine to agriculture, companion animal practice,...

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15 March

Veterinarians’ assistance sought on recent massive Kitsap County rabbit rescue

wsvma   |   Animal Welfare

The Kitsap Humane Society (KHS) recently rescued 200 of the 300 rabbits found in the home of an overwhelmed Poulsbo, WA resident. Some rabbits were found living in cages and some roamed free. They range in age from newborns to five years, and include a variety of breeds such as Rexs, Lionheads, Netherland Dwarfs, Angoras, French Satins, Holland Lops, Harlequins and New Zealand mixes. Most of the bunnies are sociable and in good health, although 45 of them required specialized...

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01 February

WSU’s Guy Palmer awarded AAVMC’s Excellence in Research Award

wsvma   |   Animal Welfare

The Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) has named Dr. Guy Palmer from the Washington State University (WSU) College of Veterinary Medicine as the recipient of the 2019 AAVMC Excellence in Research Award. "The AAVMC is proud to recognize outstanding educators and researchers like Dr. Palmer who elevate academic veterinary medicine and inspire others through their commitment to professional excellence and service,” said AAVMC Chief Executive Officer Dr. Andrew T. Maccabe. “We look forward to publicly honoring him for his...

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31 August

Serial cat killings continue

wsvma   |   Animal Welfare

At least thirteen cats have been killed in and around Olympia, the most recent cat being found yesterday. A task force to investigate the crimes has been formed that includes local law enforcement, animal services, the Thurston County prosecutor’s office and now, the FBI. Hundreds of tips have been submitted to the authorities. Law enforcement is working through direct investigation and using the tips and reports from around the county. There is a also Facebook group dedicated to finding the...

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26 January

Comments sought on proposed changes to AVMA Model Veterinary Practice Act

wsvma   |   Animal Welfare

The AVMA Model Veterinary Practice Act (MVPA) is under review, and AVMA members and the general public will have an opportunity to comment until March 25, 2018. This cornerstone AVMA policy is used as a primary resource during the writing and review of veterinary practice acts across the United States, and also includes the AVMA’s definition of the Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship. This means your comments will help inform a policy that directly impacts the daily practice of veterinary medicine. During the commenting period, AVMA...

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