Animal Welfare

Shelters can adopt out only so many animals, says Kate Hurley, DVM, MPVM, director of the Koret Shelter Medicine Program at the University of California, Davis. So the biggest impact on euthanasia numbers will be on the intake side of the equation, not the adoption side.

Although it is obvious to veterinarians that a Border collie and a 96-year-old woman likely make a poor pet-owner match, it may not be obvious to a potential owner who has never been around Border collies. Indeed, one reason healthy animals wind up in shelters, says Gail Golab, PhD, DVM, American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) interim director for animal welfare, is because people "acquire a pet with an expectation the pet doesn't fulfill."

New York-The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is partnering with animal-welfare and community organizations in a nationwide effort to improve the quality of animal treatment and care.

Schaumburg, Ill. - Eight standards now serve as the American Veterinary Medical Association's (AVMA) overarching guide to evaluating future animal welfare policies, resolutions and actions.

Should zoos exist? And if yes, for what purpose?

The public views veterinarians favorably, regarding them as experts in animal care and welfare. But the veterinary profession has had a love-hate relationship with animal advocates.

Editor's Note: DVM Newsmagazine asked six thought-leaders to talk about five of the most pressing issues facing the veterinary profession at CVC East in Baltimore. During the succeeding months, each of the issues introduced at the first DVM Newsmaker's Summit will be presented for publication. This month, the panel takes on animal welfare and veterinary medicine's important role. Dr. Bonnie Beaver introduced the issue of animal welfare.

STARKVILLE, Miss. - 6/28/06 - Mississippi State University's (MSU)College of Veterinary Medicine received a $500,000 endowment to decrease the number of animals euthanized in the county.

CLEVELAND - 8/22/05 - Licensure for commercial dog and cat breeders would be strengthened if the Pet Animal Welfare Statute(PAWS)is amended.

ALAMEDA, CALIF. - 5/23/05 - Maddie's Fund founders donated $93 million to the fund, building on their original donation of $200 million.

SACRAMENTO, CALIF.-The California Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) endorses eight animal welfare guidelines designed to direct the group's position on controversial matters, such as cat declaws, tail docking and the production of foie gras.

PHILADELPHIA- Animal agriculture resolutions and Dr. Bonnie Beaver's presidential speech set a welfare-related tone for this year's American Veterinary Medical Association's (AVMA) House of Delegates (HOD) meeting.

The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) has some choice words to contribute to the evolving animal welfare dialogue.

Vancouver, B.C. - In his opening remarks, an international animal welfare chair poked jabs at cosmetic surgery practices in the U.S. and Canada that are willfully defended by kennel clubs, dog shows, breeders and pet owners.

Washington- Government officials are considering adding a definition for distress to animal welfare regulations and changing the way laboratory animal use is recorded in research, experiments and teaching.