As shelter medicine becomes more widely recognized as an important part of the veterinary field, it is crucial to understand the role shelter professionals play in ensuring the wellbeing of animals and the challenges of treating and caring for pediatric patients in a shelter.
The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) and World Animal Protection have engaged in a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which will see them working together to raise awareness of animal welfare issues and promote animal welfare education globally.
A proposed law strengthening protection against cruelty for dogs and cats has been introduced and is gaining bilateral support in the Florida House and Senate. HB 621 Animal Cruelty, or Allie’s Law, provides guidelines regarding when a veterinarian or member of a veterinary medical facility is required to report signs of suspected animal cruelty to law enforcement or animal control.
The Senate unanimously passed the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act two weeks after the House passed it on a voice vote. If signed into law, it would make the torture of animals a federal felony punishable by fines and up to seven years in prison. The bill now goes to President Donald Trump.
Sadly, more than 400 of our Facebook fans said they suspected a pet owner of animal abuse. Congress hopes to change that with new legislation that makes animal cruelty a federal felony.
We asked our readers and Facebook fans: “New York has banned declawing procedures for cats. What do you think about this?” More than 2,000 respondents weighed in on the issue.
The first World Animal Day, held in 1925, was attended by 5,000 people. Today, it is a global movement celebrated by animal-rights activists in more than 70 countries.
Sadly, some animals have a rougher start in life than others. That’s the case for the Oregon kitten who has been named Lucky McFoamy. According to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Lucky was encased in spray foam and left to die in a trash can. Happily, this story has a happy ending.
Yes, we can. According to the National Coalition for the Homeless, 3.5 million Americans are homeless. Five to 10 percent of homeless people have dogs and/or cats. Here’s how we can help.
The veterinary community can encourage clients to adopt cats from shelters and also educate them about the importance of regular veterinary care for their feline pets.
