HSVMA Applauds Alabama Veterinary Board Decision on Nonprofit Spay/Neuter Clinics

October 11, 2012

The Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association applauds the Alabama State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners for unanimously voting against a rule that would have resulted in the closure of the state’s nonprofit spay/neuter clinics. The proposed rule would have prohibited licensed veterinarians from working for non-veterinarian owned organizations, such as nonprofit spay/neuter clinics for dogs and cats.

HSVMA submitted comments to the board prior to this week's hearing noting that there is widespread precedent throughout the United States for nonprofit organizations to operate spay/neuter clinics with high standards of care. The HSVMA comments also noted that nonprofit clinics have been instrumental in addressing animal overpopulation and decreasing the number of animals entering shelters. Furthermore, such clinics are often the first point of entry to veterinary care for many pet owners.

"Many of the unaltered animals who are brought to these clinics have never seen a veterinarian before," said HSVMA veterinary advisor Dr. Susan Krebsbach. "By providing access to sterilization services, these clinics introduce pet owners to the value of veterinary medicine for their pets and that improves the overall wellness of that individual animal as well as the animal population as a whole in that community."

Media Contact: Nicole Ianni, 301-548-7793, [email protected]