Vet Groups Voice Support For Online Retail Tax BillJanuary 19, 2012 The American Veterinary Medical Association and 26 state veterinary medical associations called on Congress today to support the Marketplace Equity Act (H.R. 3179), which would force remote businesses, including online retailers, to collect and remit sales and uses taxes into states where they do business without regard to the location of the seller. The Marketplace Equity Act, currently pending before the U.S. House Committee on the Judiciary, would end the prohibition on states from collecting sales tax from out-of-state businesses established by a 1992 Supreme Court ruling. Under the act, “small sellers,” or retailers with gross annual receipts under $1 million in the U.S. or $100,000 in a particular state or a larger amount as determined by a state, would be exempted from the rule. Brick-and-mortar businesses, including veterinary clinics, are required to charge and collect sales taxes on many items they sell. The prohibition on states from collecting sales tax from remote sellers created an unfair price disadvantage for many retail businesses, the AVMA contends. The American Veterinary Medical Association said it actively supports sales tax fairness for small businesses and giving states the authority to manage their sales tax …
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American Humane Bolsters Senior Management, StaffJanuary 18, 2012As it embarks on a series of new initiatives, including increased outreach and prevention efforts and the establishment of the Animal Welfare Research Institute, the Washington, D.C.-based American Humane Association today unveiled eleven personnel moves designed to support Robin Ganzert, Ph.D., its president and CEO since October 2010, in those endeavors. "With these newest top-tier additions and promotions in our leadership team, American Humane Association is making great new strides in meeting the key challenges facing the welfare, wellbeing and wellness of America's children and animals—society's most vulnerable—over the next century," Ganzert said. The personnel changes include five new senior staff members, including Paul Raybaud, formerly executive vice president at Morris Animal Foundation, as strategic philanthropic advisor. Sean Hawkins, formerly executive director of the Cesar and Illusion Millan Foundation, was named director of strategic partnerships. Hawkins, who was credited for pioneering the concept of mobile spay-and-neuter clinics while at Cleveland Amory’s Fund for animals, is also creator and executive producer of the televised American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards program. In addition, Ken Mountcastle was named corporate relations officer to recruit new corporate relationships, Kemi …
Ueber Adds CEO Role With BanfieldJanuary 17, 2012As part of Banfield's strategic executive succession plan, Tony Ueber moved into the role of president and CEO. Tony Ueber stepped into the role of president and CEO of Portland, Ore.-based Banfield Pet Hospital, the company reported today. Ueber already held the title of president, and his transition into the added role of CEO was part of Banfield’s strategic executive succession plan, which began when Ueber joined Banfield in January 2009 as an executive vice president and chief operating officer. “Over the past three years, Tony’s leadership role at Banfield has been instrumental in creating a solid foundation for growth and a culture of trust and teamwork throughout the practice,” said Pierre Laubies, global petcare president for Mars Inc. Banfield is a member of the Mars Global Petcare family of companies. Since being promoted to president in July 2011, Ueber and other members of the Banfield leadership team have focused on initiatives relating to preventive care for pets, enhancing client experience in Banfield hospitals and improving associate engagement levels in the U.S. Former Banfield president and CEO John Payne will serve as an advisor to the Mars Global Petcare business.
AAFP Rolls Out Cat Friendly Practice InitiativeJanuary 16, 2012The American Association of Feline Practitioners unveiled its “Cat Friendly Practice” initiative Monday at the North American Veterinary Conference in Kissimmee, Fla. The initiative provides strategies to help practices become more accommodating to the needs of cats and certifies practices as "Cat Friendly Practices." The AAFP launched the program in response to declining clinic visits by cat owners and intends to help clinics increase veterinary visits for felines and boost the level of healthcare cats receive. Certification requires a practice to have at least one staff member who belongs to the American Association of Feline Practitioners, though a practice does not need to specialize specifically in cats. Practices must comply with a 10-item checklist and send it to the AAFP for review. If approved, the clinic earns the “Cat Friendly Practice” designation and receives marketing materials to promote its new status to customers and is listed in the “Cat Friendly Practice” online database. The AAFP is working with the American Animal Hospital Association on the initiative and has meetings planned with the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Partnership for Preventive Pet Healthcare. The initiative …
Hill’s Plans To Bolster Sales ForceJanuary 13, 2012 Hill’s Pet Nutrition plans to expand its network of national and regional selling agents to make regular visits to more than 22,000 veterinary hospitals and clinics beginning in April 2012. The Topeka, Kan.-based company is making the expansion to advocate “nutritional recommendations” as the “5th Vital Assessment” in pet healthcare, alongside temperature, pulse, respiration and pain. Hill’s is also increasing its number of direct representatives in both the pet specialty and veterinary channels. The combined representation includes more than 1,200 sales-related personnel. For the expansion, Hill’s is partnering with Butler Schein Animal Health of Dublin, Ohio; Webster Veterinary of Devens, Mass.; MWI Veterinary Supply of Boise, Idaho; and Merritt Veterinary Supplies of Columbia, S.C. <HOME>
Deadline For Shelters To Apply For Free Equine Vaccines Is Feb. 1January 12, 2012 The Unwanted Horse Veterinary Relief Campaign is accepting applications through Feb. 1, 2012, from equine rescue and retirement facilities in the United States for free horse vaccines. The campaign, sponsored by Summit, N.J.-based Merck Animal Health and the American Association for Equine Practitioners, has provided vaccines for more than 15,000 horses since its inception in 2008. Qualifying facilities are provided with vaccines to protect against eastern equine encephalomyelitis (EEE), western equine encephalomyelitis (WEE), rabies, tetanus, equine influenza and equine herpesvirus. To qualify for the horse vaccines, facilities must have 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status and abide by the “AAEP Care Guidelines for Equine Rescue and Retirement Facilities.” Facilities are required to work with an AAEP-member veterinarian when applying for vaccinations. Downloadable applications can be found on the Unwanted Horse Veterinary Relief Campaign website. <HOME>
VCA Antech To Acquire Canadian Hospital Chain For $76 MillionJanuary 11, 2012VCA Antech to Acquire Canadian Hospital Chain for $76 MillionVCA Antech to Acquire Canadian Hospital Chain for $76 Million, veterinary, animal hospitalsVCA Antech Inc. will purchase Canadian animal hospital operator Associate Veterinary Clinics Ltd. for CDN $77 million (about U.S. $75.5 million).VCA Antech Inc. will purchase Canadian animal hospital operator Associate Veterinary Clinics Ltd. for about U.S. $75.5 million, VCA reported today.newslineVCA Antech to Acquire Canadian Hospital Chain for $76 MillionPosted: Jan. 11, 2012, 2:15 p.m. EST VCA Antech Inc. will purchase Canadian animal hospital operator Associate Veterinary Clinics Ltd. for CDN $77 million (about U.S. $75.5 million), VCA reported today. Los Angeles-based VCA made an initial investment in Associate Veterinary Clinics in January 2008 and will complete its purchase of the company at the end of the month. The acquired company and its network of 44 animal hospitals in British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario, will operate as VCA's Canadian business unit, giving the companies a combined North American network of 585 animal hospitals across 41 U.S. states and three Canadian provinces. Associate Veterinary Clinics, formed in 1981, has pro forma annual revenue of about CDN $95 million (about U.S. $93.2 million). VCA plans to make additional investments in Associate …
UW-Madison Organizes Search Committee For Vet School DeanJanuary 10, 2012UW-Madison Organizes Search Committee for Vet School DeanUW-Madison Organizes Search Committee for Vet School Dean, Daryl Buss, medical sciences, veterinary medicineThe University of Wisconsin-Madison appointed members to a search-and-screen committee to assist in the university's search for the next dean of its school of veterinary medicine.Daryl Buss, DVM, Ph.D., dean of the school since 1994 and the second dean in the school's history, will step down in June.newslineUW-Madison Organizes Search Committee for Vet School DeanPosted: Jan. 10, 2012, 5:55 p.m. EST Dr. Tony Goldberg is heading up the search for University of Wisconsin's next vet school dean. The University of Wisconsin-Madison appointed members to a search-and-screen committee to assist in the university's search for the next dean of its school of veterinary medicine. Daryl Buss, DVM, Ph.D., dean of the school since 1994 and the second dean in the school's history, will step down in June. Tony Goldberg, DVM, Ph.D., professor in the department of pathobiological sciences, is chairing the search committee. Other appointees include: Lisbeth Ambrosius, doctor of veterinary medicine student; Ellison Bentley, DVM, clinical associate professor, department of surgical sciences; Mark Cook, Ph.D., professor, department of animal …
Pets' Sentimental Value Raises Larger QuestionJanuary 9, 2012Pets' Sentimental Value Raises Larger QuestionPets' Sentimental Value Raises Larger Question, texas dog euthanized, pets nonecomic damages, texas dog lawsuitA Texas appeals court ruled in November that the owners of a dog accidentally euthanized at an animal shelter could be awarded damages based on the animal's sentimental value. A Texas appeals court ruled in November that the owners of a dog accidentally euthanized at an animal shelter could be awarded damages based on the animal's sentimental value. The finding appeared to reverse 120 years of Texas law that held that sentimental value was not recoverable for harm to a dog. newslinePets' Sentimental Value Raises Larger QuestionBy Steve Barghusen, DVM, JDFor Veterinary Practice NewsPosted: Jan. 9, 2012, 4:45 p.m. EST A Texas appeals court ruled in November that the owners of a dog accidentally euthanized at an animal shelter could be awarded damages based on the animal's sentimental value. The finding appeared to reverse 120 years of Texas law that held that sentimental value was not recoverable for harm to a dog. In the recent case, Avery, an 8-year-old mixed-breed dog, escaped from his owners' yard and was picked up by animal control in Fort Worth, Texas. The owners could …
Electronic Consultation: A Tool To Increase Pets’ Standard Of CareJanuary 9, 2012 In addition to being economically feasible, consulting with specialists via telemedicine is smart medicine, those in the business say. Telemedicine keeps patients at the primary care office, retaining revenue, while providing real-time specialty care through a board-certified consultant. Clients are assured of expert care and save time by not having to make an appointment elsewhere with a specialist. In the middle are the consulting companies, which report that they work hard to accommodate practitioners’ schedules. “Many of the cases we see cannot be referred due to cost or the need for a short turnaround on results,” says Jennifer S. Fryer, DVM, executive director of Veterinary Answers LLC in Harrison, N.Y. “We work with specialists in anesthesia, small animal internal medicine, large animal medicine, dermatology and nine other specialties. “The turnaround time is based on the veterinarian’s need, but typically it’s within a few hours,” Fryer continues. “When it comes to imaging, we collaborate with PetRays, which offers stellar radiology, cardiology and dentistry consultations.” Services such as Veterinary Answers, Idexx Telemedicine Consultants and North Carolina State University’s Veterinary Telemedicine Group all report that their technology is easy to use when connecting general practitioners with board-certified veterinarians. …
