College Universities Create Animal Welfare ProgramsApril 17, 2009Humane Society University, the educational arm of the Humane Society of the United States, has partnered with The George Washington University Graduate School of Political Management in Washington D.C. to offer a Graduate Certificate in Community Advocacy. The program, consisting of online and brief onsite components, is geared for students interested in becoming a leader of community activism or agent for public policy in any area of animal welfare. Courses include leadership styles, grassroots politics, state and local government politics, focus group research, media relations and advanced practicum in community advocacy. Once completed, students can apply their coursework toward the Political Management Master's degree. The program begins spring 2009. HSU has also partnered with Duquesne University's School of Leadership and Professional Advancement in Pittsburgh to develop an online Bachelor of Science degree program with a major in Humane Leadership. The program, which begins Aug. 23, is designed for individuals working in animal care and control facilities in the United States. In addition, the pair has developed a Master of Science in Community Leadership degree. It is intended to develop management skills that are directly transferable to leadership positions within one's animal care and control organization. Students …
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HSUS Agenda On Par With That Of PETAApril 17, 2009 If you graduated from vet school after 1981, you’ve heard of the Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights. The AVAR is an organization of 3,000 vets dedicated to the protection of the rights of animals in laboratory, agriculture, wildlife, shelter and in-home settings. On Jan. 14, the Humane Society of the United States launched a new organization in conjunction with AVAR inviting veterinarians to participate in an amalgamation of the two groups. It’s calls the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Assn., or HSVMA. In case you believe this alphabet soup has nothing to do with your life as a veterinarian, you may want to reconsider. The HSUS wants you to join the HSVMA. It entreats all vets to reject the AVMA’s milquetoast stance on crucial animal-welfare imperatives, such as sow confinement, force-fed foie gras production and other practices that impinge on the basic rights of animals to live their lives free of human subjugation. Come join the alternative movement to better the lives of animals beyond the scope of your daily practice, it urges. Specifically, the HSVMA has set its sights on young veterinarians who may elect not to walk lockstep with the AVMA on hot-button animal-welfare …
Vet Task Force Creates Spay, Neuter GuidelinesApril 17, 2009A task force of 22 veterinarians, convened by the Association of Shelter Veterinarians, has compiled medical care guidelines for spay and neuter clinics targeted to reduce pet overpopulation and euthanasia. The guidelines are an effort to ensure a consistent level of care within these spay-neuter programs, especially since such a wide variety exists, including stationary and mobile clinics, shelter services and feral cat programs. "We are very excited about the publication of a document describing medical care guidelines for spay-neuter programs," said Miranda Spindel, DVM, president of ASV. "Our hope is that by providing a consensus document created by a group of professionals with expertise in these areas, the guidelines for consistent, quality care in spay-neuter programs will be set." The guidelines, which are published in the July 1 issue of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, are based on acceptable practices that all spay-neuter programs can attain, said Brenda Griffin, DVM, one of the task force members and a member of the ASV Board. The guidelines include recommendations for preoperative care (patient transport and housing, patient selection, client communication, record keeping and medical considerations), anesthetic management (equipment, monitoring, perioperative considerations, anesthetic protocols …
Idexx Animal Division Up 15%April 17, 2009 Idexx Laboratories Inc.’s companion animal division reported revenue of $157 million for its fourth quarter ended Dec. 31, compared to revenue of $135.94 million in the year-ago period. The fourth quarter 15 percent increase can be attributed to higher sales in the division’s product and service categories, with the largest growth in revenue from laboratory and consulting services. Year to date, the division reported revenue of $606.32 million, compared to revenue of $520.83 million. Idexx said it expects to launch its next generation chemistry analyzer, Catalyst Dx, in January 2008 along with a second platform, SnapShot Dx, which will augment the immunodiagnostic capability of the Idexx VetLab suite of instruments. “Through these launches, we expect to take the pet-side diagnostic capability of the Idexx VetLab suite to a whole new level of performance and value,” said Jonathan Ayers, chairman and chief executive officer. Overall, Idexx reported net income of $24.67 million on revenue of $192.21 million for its fourth quarter, compared to net income of $20.03 million on revenue of $166.97 million in the year-ago period. Year to date, the company reported net income of $93.68 million on revenue of $739.12 million, compared …
Elanco Moves Global HeadquartersApril 17, 2009 Elanco Animal Health, a division of Eli Lilly and Co., is moving its global headquarters to a new facility in Greenfield, Ind., off I-70 and State Route 9. The new headquarters will centralize the company’s operations and will save at least $1 million in annual operating expenses, said Jeff Simmons, president of Elanco. Elanco sold its current location at Greenfield Laboratories off U.S. 40 and Meridian Road to Covance, a life sciences company, but will lease the existing space until spring 2010 when the new facility is completed. The construction marks the launch of a 52-acre business and life sciences park being developed by Browning Investments, a commercial development company. Elanco’s new headquarters, which will be owned and managed by Browning, will encompass about 135,000 square feet and more than 20 acres. “The park’s proximity to I-70 and Greenfield amenities, along with the city’s commitment to infrastructure improvements, will be a powerful draw for more businesses to come to Greenfield, as well as for companies that want easy access to Indianapolis,” said Dale Pfeifer, director of real estate development for Browning. <HOME>
PetMed Express Reports 16% Increase In Revenue For Second QuarterApril 17, 2009 PetMed Express Inc. of Pompano Beach, Fla., recently reported net income of $5.82 million on revenue of $59.57 million for its second quarter ended Sept. 30, compared to net income of $4.53 million on revenue of $51.54 million in the year-ago period. This represents a net income increase of 33 percent and revenue increase of 16 percent. Year to date, the company reported net income of $12.44 million on revenue of $127.94 million, compared to net income of $10.71 million on revenue of $110.56 million in the year-ago period. The company’s reorder sales increased 18 percent to $41.4 million for the second quarter, compared to $35 million in the year-ago period. Year to date, reorder sales increased 17 percent to $87.6 million, compared to $75 million in the year-ago period. New order sales increased 11 percent to $18.2 million for the quarter, compared to $16.5 million in the year-ago period. <HOME>
Exotic Mammal Vet Group Is GrowingApril 17, 2009 The Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians membership is on the rise. When the association began in 2000 it had 125 members. As of September, it had grown to about 582 members. A 2008 goal for membership is to increase awareness and participation by veterinary technicians, international veterinarians and students. Committees formed to reach these goals include panels on public relations, education, conferences, ABVP, international membership, technicians, student chapters and policies and regulations. <HOME>
Menu Mediation Yields SettlementApril 17, 2009 Parties involved in settlement talks for class-action litigation stemming from last year’s melamine-spurred pet food recalls have reached a comprehensive, cross-border agreement, Menu Foods Income Fund, parent of Menu Foods, reports. The settlement is subject to various conditions, including the approval of certain other parties, the execution of a definitive settlement agreement, and U.S. and Canadian court approval. Furthermore, Menu expects the definitive terms of the settlement and a motion for preliminary approval will be filed in U.S. District Court in New Jersey on May 1, with a hearing scheduled for May 14. The Canadian court is expected to consider the matter at about the same time, Menu reported. Menu and its insurer would fund the settlement, and Menu estimates its direct recall costs (which don’t include lost sales) will remain at about $55 million Canadian (about $54 million U.S. at early April exchange rates). If approved, a settlement administrator will notify pet owners on how to make claims on the settlement fund. <HOME>
Peanut Butter Recall List Expands To Include Shaw's SupermarketsApril 17, 2009 In light of a nationwide recall issued by Peanut Corporation of America of peanut butter and peanut paste produced in its Georgia plant, Shaw’s Supermarkets became the latest company to voluntarily recall dog biscuit products. Shaw’s, a supermarket chain with locations throughout New England, said it is voluntarily recalling Happy Tails and Shoppers Valu multi-flavored dog biscuit products “because they may contain peanut butter that has the potential to be contaminated with salmonella.” The products were sold at Shaw’s stores. According to the Food and Drug Administration, pets with Salmonella Typhimurium infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Pets that don’t show any symptoms can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If an animal consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, pet owners are advised to contact their veterinarian. The identified items have not been directly linked to the salmonella outbreak. However, Shaw’s recalled the products as a precautionary move. This product recall includes the following: • Happy Tails Multi-Flavored Dog Biscuits, 26 oz., UPC#: 41163-42406. • Happy …
San Francisco SPCA Opens $29 Million Vet HospitalApril 17, 2009 The San Francisco SPCA will celebrate the opening of the Leanne B. Roberts Animal Care Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Jan. 30. A public open house will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 31, complete with tours, children's activities and a cat claw-clipping clinic. Dogs and cats will be available for adoption. The $29 million, 44,000-square-foot center is the new home of The SF/SPCA’s nonprofit veterinary hospital, spay/neuter clinic and shelter medicine program. The previous 10,000-square-foot medical facility, built in 1932, became too small and inadequate for the levels of care the organization was prepared to provide. The new center has significantly more space for examination rooms, surgery suites, laboratories, quarantine and intensive care wards. It also has: A dedicated dentistry suite. A tranquility room dedicated for euthanasia. A large staff lounge. A kibble kitchen containing dry food for dogs and cats, courtesy of Purina. Separate areas for feral cats and shelter animals to create a more stress-free environment. A small pet store. In addition, the facility has upgraded much of its equipment. For example, The SF/SPCA has transitioned to digital radiography and digital record keeping, incorporated better and brighter …
