HSVMA creates leadership council

Bethesda, Md. - 4/15/08 - The Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association (HSVMA) is moving forward to develop the new group, including plans this month to announce leadership council members.

The council will be charged with organizing HSVMA and drafting plans for its future, says Holly Hazard, chief innovations officer for the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS).

HSVMA is an arm of HSUS, launched in January as an alternative for veterinarians unsatisfied with some of the American Veterinary Medical Association's science-based welfare stances. In the process, the 501c-3 merged with the Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights.

While HSUS officials hope HSVMA attracts AVMA members, officials applied for booth space at the AVMA's July convention in New Orleans. At press time, the nation's largest veterinarian membership group had not responded to the request.

HSVMA also plans to hire two veterinarians for part-time consulting positions within the group's advocacy division. The veterinary consultants would serve as resources and experts on veterinary medical issues as they relate to the association's animal-protection initiatives.

Contact Pam Runquist at pam@avar.org for more information.