Day: December 9, 2008

Advocacy continues amid spending curb

The Executive Board maneuvered its way through the fall agenda, exercising an added measure of fiscal restraint while forging ahead with AVMA priorities. The result was several decisive initiatives that did not strain AVMA finances. Executive Board Chair David McCrystle, District X representative from Healdsburg, Calif., navigated the board through some 200 agenda items. Most carried no price tag at all, and a few even translated to meaningful savings. Read more by clicking here

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AVMA supports Universal Declaration of Animal Welfare

The AVMA is supporting, in concept, the development of Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare, which is intended to serve as a global benchmark to guide member states of the United Nations when policies are formulated addressing animals nationally and regionally. The AVMA was asked by Dr. David Wilkins, chief veterinary adviser for the World Society for the Protection of Animals, to issue a statement supporting the universal declaration. The Animal Welfare Committee recommended that the Executive Board issue a statement of conceptual support, and the board agreed. The UDAW is described by WSPA as “an agreement among

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AVMA opposes cosmetic ear cropping, tail docking of dogs

The AVMA opposes ear cropping and tail docking of dogs when performed for cosmetic reasons and calls on breed organizations to remove mention of the procedures from their standards.  The Association’s Executive Board approved the revised AVMA Policy on Ear Cropping and Tail Docking of Dogs, Nov. 14. The statement reads: EAR CROPPING AND TAIL DOCKING OF DOGS The AVMA opposes ear cropping and tail docking of dogs when done solely for cosmetic purposes. The AVMA encourages the elimination of ear cropping and tail docking from breed standards. The former policy, approved by the AVMA House of

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