2013 Newsletter Archive

December 2013—Is there a change for community cats on the horizon?

In this issue:

  • Dr. Kate Hurley, director of the UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program, shares her vision for how shelters and the communities they serve can work together to make a real difference for community cats...more»
  • Last month, the AVMA and select members from diverse backgrounds discussed animals' welfare and the veterinarians’ responsibilities to protect it...more»
  • High-quality veterinary field medicine. Teamwork. Teaching. A Learning experience. Long days and short nights. The excitement of success...more»
  • HSVMA member, Dr. Rey del Napoles, has been working with Humane Society International to aid the animal victims of Typhoon Haiyan...more»

November 2013—How safe are pet food and treats?

In this issue:

  • HSVMA Senior Veterinary Advisor, Dr. Barry Kellogg, addresses questions about how pet food recalls impact the clients and animals we care for, and also interviews a pet food company owner about current industry regulations and oversight...more»
  • More than 600 veterinary professionals joined us this year in support of legislation aimed at improving the well-being of farm animals, companion animals, and wildlife species...more»
  • Each year, HSVMA-RAVS and our student chapter program team up to help first and second year veterinary students get a jump-start on their suturing skills...more»
  • Through their new campaign, Humane Alliance offers some great veterinary resources and hands-on training in pediatric spay/neuter...more»

October 2013—Smoking puts pets at risk, plus a new member benefit

In this issue:

  • HSVMA member, Dr. Alexandra Swanson, outlines the facts about how cigarette smoke causes multiple health problems in animals and explains why secondhand smoking is also an animal welfare issue...more»
  • It's not too early to begin planning for World Spay Day! Learn what past participants have to say about their experiences, plus get tips to help you get started. It's not too early to begin planning for World Spay Day! Learn what past participants have to say about their experiences, plus get tips to help you get started...more»
  • HSVMA-RAVS volunteers visited the Cheyenne River Sioux in South Dakota and help a young Shih-Tzu mix and her family on their way to a happy ending...more»
  • We're excited to announce a new member benefit from Abaxis Veterinary Reference Laboratory Services, and an upgraded member discount from Wiley-Blackwell...more»

September 2013—Improve human health through better animal welfare

In this issue:

  • Dr. Joann Lindenmayer explains why the Massachusetts legislature should pass a bill that would ban extreme confinement of animals for the betterment of human and animal health...more»
  • This summer, HSVMA and HSI presented the initial findings of their Veterinary Report on Bullfighting, which evaluated the distress experienced by bulls in the bullfighting arena...more»
  • Dr. Ahne Simonsen reflects on this year's HSVMA-RAVS equine clinics in Nicaragua, and how these trips have made a difference over the years by teaching community sustainability...more»
  • An informal survey conducted at this year's AVMA Convention shone some light on veterinary professionals' thoughts on animal welfare issues...more»

August 2013—Advances in non-surgical sterilization – surgery no longer required?

In this issue:

  • HSVMA Leadership Council Member, Dr. Zarah Hedge, shares updates from the Alliance for Contraception in Cats and Dogs' 5th International Symposium on Non-Surgical Methods of Pet Population Control...more»
  • In July, the House of Representatives passed its Farm Bill with the radical and overreaching King amendment, which threatens the health and welfare of farm animals and other species...more»
  • We are excited to announce the addition of RAVS Senior Staff Veterinarian, Paul Breckenridge, DVM, to the HSVMA staff. He brings a varied background and wealth of experience to the team...more»
  • Do you know a veterinary professional or student who goes above and beyond? We want to know about them! We are accepting nominations for our annual awards through October 15, 2013...more»

July 2013—Wolves at risk, plus RAVS blogs about recent clinics

In this issue:

  • A native Michigander and HSVMA member explains she supports a grassroots movement to stop a reinstated state wolf hunt -- the first hunt in decades -- that further threatens the state's already fragile wolf population...more»
  • Nearly 300 Northeastern veterinarians have endorsed legislative reforms that would protect breeding pigs and veal calves from extreme and continuous confinement in small cages...more»
  • Last month, HSVMA-RAVS returned to South Dakota for two weeks of wellness and surgery clinics serving the people and animals of the Sioux and Lakota tribes...more»
  • HSVMA Senior Veterinary Advisor, Dr. Barry Kellogg, reports on the results of the recommendations of the AVMA's Animal Welfare Committee...more»

June 2013—Should hunters be required to use lead-free ammo?

In this issue:

  • An HSVMA member and avian veterinarian shares her experience with lead toxicity in wild birds and urges other veterinarians to show their support for California legislation that would require only non-lead ammunition be used by hunters in the state...more»
  • Your support is needed to protect the ability of veterinarians to perform remote services in disaster response, cruelty cases, and other critical settings...more»
  • A former marketing professional enrolled in veterinary school and found her passion for animals, people, and medicine solidified while volunteering for HSVMA-RAVS in North Dakota...more»
  • How do you use social media -- both personally and professionally? Is your practice on Facebook? Are you a Twitter junkie? We want to know...more»

May 2013—Improving pet health in underserved communities

In this issue:

  • HSVMA members recently participated in three Pets for Life clinics that cumulatively served more than 1,200 animals. Learn how you can get involved with reaching populations of animals that may have never seen a veterinarian before...more»
  • HSVMA supports legislation designed to provide legal and financial recourse to people who unknowingly purchase sick animals from pet dealers...more»
  • A two-week surgical training course in El Salvador benefited local veterinary students, Salvadorans and their pets...more»
  • We are pleased to announce the recipients of our annual achievement awards for 2012 and honor these doctors for their contributions to animal welfare...more»

April 2013—Using your expertise to help animals outside the clinic

In this issue:

  • HSVMA member and senior veterinary medical advisor Barry Kellogg, VMD, recounts the not-so-typical extended weekend he spent helping a sanctuary relocate their animals...more»
  • A recent scientific, animal welfare-based conference addressed the issue of cats and wildlife, and allowed participants to work towards the goal of ways to humanely reducing the impact of outdoor cats...more»
  • A veterinary student volunteer recalls how reaching out to one family during a recent HSVMA-RAVS trip to White Mountain, Ariz. may have made a huge difference for them and their dog...more»
  • Get information about our upcoming webinar on ways to determine whether a client is a rescuer or a hoarder. Plus, view our previous webinars, including one on handling difficult cats presented by Dr. Sophia Yin...more»

March 2013—Do veterinarians have a responsibility to inform clients of lifetime veterinary care costs?

In this issue:

  • HSVMA member, Dr. Barry Kipperman, discusses why he believes the veterinary profession should inform clients of the lifetime costs of veterinary medical care and/or provide them with information about insurance coverage...more»
  • Find out how we are working to stop the extreme confinement of farm animals in several states, and how you can get involved...more»
  • A volunteer recalls her start with HSVMA-RAVS as a veterinary student, and how her involvement has evolved since she has graduated...more»
  • HSVMA's Wildlife Care Basics for Veterinary Hospitals handbook is now available, and HSVMA members can purchase this resource at the discounted rate of $25...more»

January 2013—Avoiding burnout through volunteerism

In this issue:

  • Will Mangham, DVM has discovered the secret to avoiding professional fatigue—by volunteering for The Humane Society of the United States' Pets for Life program...more»
  • Get tips for getting involved in World Spay Day this year, and download a customizable poster to advertise your event...more»
  • Sarah Hurley, CVT is the ideal volunteer. Read how this 10-year HSVMA-RAVS veteran volunteer gives back year-round...more»
  • Join us for a special presentation at NAVC and learn about upcoming webinars on World Spay Day and low-stress cat handling...more»

See another year's issues: 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008