Animal Welfare

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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05 January

National Directory of Abuse Investigation Agencies Published

wsvma   |   Animal Welfare

The National Link Coalition – the National Resource Center on The Link between Animal Abuse and Human Violence—has announced the publication of a free National Directory of Abuse Investigation Agencies, covering more than 6,500 counties, cities and towns, that identifies which agency in that jurisdiction investigates reports of suspected animal cruelty, abuse and neglect. The Directory was created in response to laws in 34 states, and policies from AVMA and AAHA, which require or permit veterinarians to report suspected animal cruelty....

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03 November

States consider animal welfare, dogs dining in restaurants

Sherri Dean   |   Animal Welfare

Although most state legislatures are currently out of session, a number of state proposals related to animal welfare came forth this month from D.C., Michigan, New York, and Ohio. In Michigan, a new bill would prohibit any person from leaving or confining an animal in an unattended motor vehicle under conditions that endanger the health or well-being of the animal. The District of Columbia proposed a bill that would allow food establishments to permit dogs in outdoor dining areas and...

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