State news: North Carolina names May 23 Veterinarians Day

Gov. Beverly Perdue recently signed a proclamation naming May 23 North Carolina Veterinarians Day and urges citizens to recognize the impact veterinarians have on the health and safety of animals and humans.

The state joins the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Association to recognize veterinarians' dedication to preserving the human-animal bond and promoting standards of science based, ethical animal welfare.

"We are honored that Gov. Perdue has recognized May 23 as North Carolina Veterinarians Day," says Claire Holley, executive director of the NCVMA. "We hope this day will inspire citizens to observe and recognize the huge impact veterinarians have on animals and humans."

NCVMA hosted its annual Veterinarians Day at the Capitol May 23 where state legislators and veterinarians from around the state discussed animal welfare policy and veterinary medicine.

Here's more animal health news from across the U.S.:

Florida

Pet owners in the Marion County, Florida, area will soon have access to a brand-new, state-of-the-art pet emergency clinic, thanks to the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine and a team of local veterinarians. The new clinic will provide emergency care between 5 p.m. and 8 a.m. during the week and will be open 24 hours on weekends and holidays. The new clinic is scheduled to open July 2, 2012.

Indiana

The Indiana Veterinary Medical Association recently launched its Power of Ten Leadership Program, a new initiative designed to help cultivate leadership skills in recent veterinary graduates. The program will provide selected individuals with seven leadership development sessions over an eight-month period. The program is co-sponsored by Elanco Animal Health.

Maryland

The Maryland State Board of Veterinary Examiners (MSBVE) has announced that the state's veterinarians, veterinary technicians and veterinary hospital owners can now renew their licenses online. The MSBVE developed the new online registration system in order to streamline the process and make it more efficient for both veterinary professionals and MSBVE staff to keep veterinary licenses up to date.

Massachusetts

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health recently announced revisions to its guidelines for responding to eastern equine encephalitis (EEE). An expert panel convened earlier this year to address concerns that the risk of human illness from EEE may be on the rise in Massachusetts. The new guidelines provide information on environmental risk levels and mosquito control.

New Jersey

The sale of shark fins in New Jersey is a hot topic in the Legislature, thanks to a bill introduced by Sen. Raymond Lesniak. The bill would put an end to the practice of shark "finning," a practice in which sharks are caught, the fins cut off and their bodies returned to the water. Lesniak calls the practice "cruel and inhumane," as sharks are unable to survive without the use of fins. The bill would make it illegal to sell, trade or distribute any shark fin.

Wyoming

Wyoming State Rep. Sue Wallis has her sights on building another horse slaughter facility—this time in her home state. Wallis heads the group United Equine, which hopes to open a slaughterhouse in Riverton, Mont., within a year. The group also announced plans to open horse slaughter plants in Oklahoma and Missouri. The meat from the proposed facilities would be sold for human consumption overseas and in the United States.