WSAVA Names in the News
Dr. David Wadsworth, WSAVA Vice President, has been given the honour of being one of three Keynote Speakers at the Maximizing Companion Animal Products – exploring growth, profitability, and future prospects Congress to take place on January 24 & 25, 2006 at the Millenium Opera in Paris, France. Dr. Wadsworth will speak about the relationship between veterinary surgeons and the companies who produce the essential pharmaceuticals used in the treatment of veterinary patients. He will look to the future and discuss the part WSAVA can play in helping veterinary surgeons in emerging nations to have knowledge of new products and techniques. For more information visit: http://www.animalpharmevents.com/companion/
Dr. Terry Lake, WSAVA Executive Board Member and Treasurer, is the newly elected mayor of Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada. While there were three candidates in the running for the position of mayor, Dr. Lake won the election with a very convincing margin of greater than 2:1 against either of his rivals. Dr. Lake has been an active member of Kamloops City Council for a number of years holding various committee and liaison positions prior to his election to the position of Mayor. Located on the banks of the North and South Thompson Rivers in British Columbia’s interior, Kamloops is a city of close to 100,000 inhabitants that is within minutes of a variety of outdoor activities including skiing, hiking, and horseback riding. For more information on Kamloops visit: http://www.city.kamloops.bc.ca/index.html
WSAVA Member Association Updates
HSUS/AAHA Katrina Pet Wellness Program coming to an end
DENVER-The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) are pleased to announce that the HSUS/AAHA Katrina Pet Wellness Program has helped over 640 pets displaced by Hurricane Katrina receive basic veterinary care. The program, offered by the AAHA Helping Pets Fund through AAHA-accredited practices, ended November 30, 2005.
Over 80 AAHA-accredited practices have participated in the program, helping displaced pets access physical exams, vaccinations, heartworm medications, and short-term supplies of chronic medications. In an effort to help as many pets as possible, AAHA had asked accredited practices to consider reducing their fees for these special cases. Close to $6,000 in veterinary services has already been discounted by AAHA-accredited members.
The AAHA Helping Pets Fund continues to help pets displaced by Hurricane Katrina through a new fund made possible by the HSUS, ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), and the Humane Society of Greater Miami and Adopt-A-Pet. The Hurricane Heartworm Treatment Program allows heartworm-positive shelter animals to receive financial assistance for heartworm diagnosis and treatment through AAHA-accredited practices. For more information, visit www.aahahelpingpets.org.
The HSUS/AAHA Katrina Pet Wellness Program was made possible by a grant of more than $50,000 from the HSUS.
NEWS From Around the World
Animal Welfare in the News
ROME – The municipal government of Rome has enacted new animal welfare legislation drafted by the city of Rome’s Office for Animal Rights. The 59-point statute provides specific legislation dictating specific guidelines for the care of all pets, including dogs, cats, birds, lizards, and fish and went into effect at the beginning of November, 2005. Probably the most controversial law, and one quickly picked up by the news media, relates to the care of captive fish and prohibits the keeping of gold fish (or any other fish) in fish bowls, mandating instead a suitable, full-sized aquarium, citing fish bowls as failing to provide a healthy or suitable environment within which to live. Additional measures include:
• A $625 fine to dog owners for failing to walk their canines daily
• Outlawing the use of choke and electrical collars
• Forbidding declawing, tail docking, and ear cropping for cosmetic reasons
While being applauded by some as being an historic step for animal rights, many others wonder as to how the various components of this legislation will be enforced. To address this issue, city officials have announced specialized training for street officers so as they can both better understand the ordinances and recognize animal abuse. Additionally, a campaign to create awareness will be undertaken to help ensure compliance among pet owners.
UNITED STATES – Puppy Mill Legislation debated (from Associated Press)
A senate subcommittee is gathering testimony on legislation that would give the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) the power to regulate breeders and dealers who sell dogs and puppies directly to consumers. The Animal Welfare Act, passed in 1967, set standards for the treatment of animals by breeders, exhibitors, transporters, and researchers; however, it had exempted “retail pet stores,” and large breeding operations are considered retailers by the USDA if they sell directly to consumers. The bill’s sponsor says that this bill would give the USDA authority over those who sell more than 25 dogs per year. People who raise up to seven liters a year on their own premises would be exempted.
In related news from the American Veterinary Medical Association, AVMA president, Dr. Henry Childers, recently testified before the subcommittee in favour of this Animal Welfare Act amendment stating “The high-volume breeders and importers that this statute will affect have profits as their only goal. Neither morals nor ethics guide the misery they breed…They have been exempt from the law. (The AVMA) believes this must be corrected. Congress has the power to do that.” The act, titled PAWS (S. 1139) would also cover importers and Internet sellers and provide the authority for government access records of persons acquiring dogs for resale.
