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Topic: Animal Welfare
The new items published under this topic are as follows.
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Animal Welfare: Animals that cyclone survivors depend on need help now
Posted by: JimEdwards on Thursday, May 08, 2008 - 02:52 PM
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 An emergency veterinary team from the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) is on stand-by in Thailand awaiting entry authority to cyclone struck Myanmar to assess and then relieve the suffering of thousands of animals that human survivors depend on for food and their livelihoods.
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Animal Welfare: BVA Animal Welfare Foundation 2008 Discussion Forum
Posted by: JimEdwards on Thursday, May 01, 2008 - 04:10 PM
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Can people afford animal welfare in food production?
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 The latest in the increasingly popular BVA Animal Welfare Foundation discussion forums takes place this year at the Royal College of Physicians on Tuesday 20 May. As part of the Foundation’s aim of improving animal welfare through debate, it holds an annual Discussion Forum which brings fellow vets, animal welfare and government organisations together in order to identify and discuss important welfare-related issues.
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Animal Welfare: AVMA brochure on animal welfare targets veterinary students
Posted by: JimEdwards on Thursday, May 01, 2008 - 04:09 PM
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Source:
 May 1, 2008
"Animal welfare: Seeing the forest and the trees" is a new brochure that describes the AVMA's philosophy regarding animal welfare.
Veterinary students are the primary audience for the brochure, which also is available at www.avma.org/issues for public access. The brochure states that science and ethics should be the basis of decisions about animal welfare, as well as a whole-system approach and careful consideration of the consequences of decisions—such as how changes to improve the behavioral aspects of animal welfare may result in detriments to the health aspects.
The brochure's introductory section defines animal welfare and lists the AVMA Animal Welfare Principles. Other sections address production animals and laboratory animals.
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Animal Welfare: WSPA helping Vets Worldwide Learn about Animal Welfare
Posted by: JimEdwards on Thursday, May 01, 2008 - 04:09 PM
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In a bid to ensure veterinarians around the world are familiar with the latest developments in animal welfare, the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) has launched an updated version of its international syllabus, ‘Concepts in Animal Welfare’.
The WSPA’s Programme Manager, Bridget Vercoe, says the content has been updated by WSPA to reflect new developments in animal welfare. The revised version comprises 34 interactive modules on CD-ROM and encourages inclusion of specific topics within established veterinary syllabuses. It tackles a diverse range of subjects affecting farm and working animals, wildlife, companion animals and those used in experimentation.
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News: World Small Animal Veterinary Association supports Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare
Posted by: JimEdwards on Friday, April 25, 2008 - 03:06 PM
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 The President of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA), commended the recent call by the BVA President Nick Blayney for veterinarians worldwide to sign up to Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare and the support of the BVA for the Declaration. Dr Romberg said that the WSAVA, which represents over 77 veterinary association and 77,000 veterinarians, had supported the Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare from the outset and supported its adoption by the United Nations.
On World Veterinary Day (WVD), which is held annually on the last Saturday of April and this week (Saturday 26 April) around the world, veterinarians will be celebrating the profession’s diversity and its contributions to human and animal health and welfare and many of the WSAVA’s member associations are included in these activities.
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Animal Welfare: AVMA testifies against keeping primates as pets
Posted by: JimEdwards on Monday, April 14, 2008 - 02:35 PM
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Source:
April 15, 2008
Citing concerns about the spread of disease and injury, inhumane treatment of animals, and ecologic damage, Dr. Gail C. Golab, director of the AVMA Animal Welfare Division, recently spoke before a House subcommittee on the dangers of private ownership of nonhuman primates by unlicensed individuals.
The legislation would make chimpanzees, monkeys, and other nonhuman primates prohibited wildlife species, thus strictly limiting commerce in pet primates. Persons or agencies licensed or registered by the government, such as zoos and research facilities, are exempt under the proposal.
Dr. Golab told subcommittee members that the evidence is clear that primates kept as pets are unsafe. Not only are these animals a physical threat, they may also be a source of the herpes B virus and other zoonotic pathogens. "Make no mistake about it," Dr. Golab, said, "nonhuman primates kept as pets—while cute and often very entertaining—can also pose serious injury risks for their human caretakers and other domestic animals."
For these reasons, the AVMA opposes private ownership of these animals as well as their use as assistance or service animals, Dr. Golab said. The AVMA does strongly support animal health professionals who work with primates in conservation and biomedical research efforts, she added.
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Pets and Poisons - Keeping your animals safe
Posted by: JimEdwards on Sunday, April 13, 2008 - 01:24 PM
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The BVA Animal Welfare Foundation (BVA AWF) in conjunction with the Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS) has announced the launch of an update of its popular Pets and Poisons - Keeping Your Animals Safe leaflet, first produced in 2004.
Based on information compiled by the VPIS, the leaflet provides a valuable and easy reference guide for owners on preventing poisoning in the home, in the garden or in open spaces along with advice on what to do if you think your animal has been poisoned.
Veterinary practices can obtain batches of 50 leaflets for the waiting room, free of charge (although a donation to AWF is encouraged) directly from the BVA agents Ten Alps while members of the public can request a copy of the leaflet from BVA AWF direct.
The leaflet can be downloaded at: http://www.bva-awf.org.uk/resources/leaflets/pets_poisons_leaflet_2008_FINAL1.pdf.
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Animal Welfare: WSPA launches revised version of Concepts in Animal Welfare CD ROM
Posted by: JimEdwards on Sunday, April 13, 2008 - 01:24 PM
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WSPA is Helping Veterinary Students Worldwide Learn About Animal Welfare
Source:
A revised and expanded international syllabus to assist with the teaching of animal welfare in veterinary faculties has been launched by the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) this week. The 2003 version of the ‘Concepts in Animal Welfare syllabus’ was the result of a long-standing collaboration with the University of Bristol’s School of Veterinary Medicine, one of the world’s first academic institutions to pioneer animal welfare teaching and research.
The content has been revised and updated by WSPA to reflect new developments in animal welfare. The revised version comprises 34 interactive modules on CD-ROM and encourages inclusion of specific topics within established veterinary syllabuses. It tackles a diverse range of subjects affecting farm and working animals, wildlife, companion animals and those used in experimentation.
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Animal Welfare: ‘Best practice’ farm project shows results in China
Posted by: JimEdwards on Thursday, April 10, 2008 - 02:18 PM
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Chinese farms participating in the Model Farm Project – which spreads awareness of humane and sustainable farming practices – hosted representatives from project founders WSPA and Food Animal Initiative (FAI) in April for their first official visit.
The Model Farm Project began in 2006, when WSPA teamed up with the Oxford-based FAI to promote best practise animal welfare to farms in China and Brazil, two of the world’s biggest meat producing countries.
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Animal Welfare: Experts turn out for farm animal welfare in China
Posted by: JimEdwards on Thursday, April 03, 2008 - 05:03 PM
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World renowned animal welfare experts traveled to China to take part in a landmark conference on farm animal welfare last week.
WSPA, along with three other leading animal welfare organisations - Compassion in World Farming, the Humane Society International and the Royal Society for the Protection of Animals – joined forces to host the two-day conference.
Amy Firth, WSPA’s Farm Animal Welfare Programme Manager, described the standard of presentations and the interest in the conference as truly heartwarming.
“There is a real desire to improve farm animal welfare in China and WSPA will do all it can to assist with this,” she added.
Peter Davies, Director General of WSPA, said: “The commitment to and knowledge shared at this conference is another hugely significant step for farm animal welfare in China.”
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Animal Welfare: Free Veterinary Treatment Camps in Kamonki, Gujranwala
Posted by: JimEdwards on Tuesday, April 01, 2008 - 06:02 PM
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Report By, Waseem Shaukat
Media Coordinator, University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences Lahore
Source:
Vets Care Organization Pakistan organized free veterinary treatment camps in three villages of Kamonki Tehsil of Gujranwala District on Sunday March 30, 2008. About 36 veterinary students; members of Vets Care Club from the University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences Lahore along-with veterinary doctors participated in the camp in the supervision of Dr. Zia-ur-Rehman (Advisor, Vets Care Club). A briefing session was held at the Civil Veterinary Hospital Wahndo. Past President of VCO and Veterinary Officer CVH Wahndo Dr. Qamar Majeed told about the status of animal health in the area, major diseases, their effects and prevention moves against those diseases. He told that Liver fluke is a major problem in the area which affects the health of animals and animals go through extreme stress which also decreases their production. ?To save the animals from parasites, de-worming is very necessary after every three months? he told; adding, "Due to financial problems and lack of knowledge, farmers don't care their animals".
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Animal Welfare: Veterinary training manikins
Posted by: JimEdwards on Thursday, March 27, 2008 - 01:57 PM
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Rescue Critters make animal training manikins and alternatives for a number of organizations.
The concept of "Rescue Critters" came from realizing that there was a need for training mannikins to teach people pet first aid skills. Our realistic K-9 & cat mannikins are perfect for Veterinary Teaching Universities, K-9 Search and Rescue Units, Veterinary Technical Skills, Police K-9 unit & pet owners.
They allow Students to use a realistic animal mannikin before working with live animals.
More information at: Rescue Critters.
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Animal Welfare: VCO organizing a free veterinary treatment camp
Posted by: JimEdwards on Tuesday, March 25, 2008 - 10:08 PM
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Report By WASEEM SHAUKAT
Media Coordinator, University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Lahore
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Vets Care Organization, Pakistan (VCO) is organizing a free veterinary treatment camp at village "Wahndo" Tehsil Kamonki, District Gujranwala on March 30. Veterinary doctors of Vets Care Organization and veterinary students of Vets Care Club, University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences Lahore will participate in the camp. Sick animals will be provided technical services and free medicines in order to save their lives.
This camp is continuation of field activities of VCO for the welfare of animals. This camp will not only help the farmers to get their animals treated freely but will also enhance professional skills of the veterinary students by directly working in the field.
VCO apeals all its readers to help us for successful organizing of this camp in all te ways you can. i.e. donations, medicines, gifts for volunteers etc...
Volunteers who want to join this camp are requested to contact with Camp Coordinator Mr. Sajjad Ahmad at freecamp@vetscare.org or 0333-4105134
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Animal Welfare: UK: Vets' shortage hits farm welfare
Posted by: JimEdwards on Tuesday, March 18, 2008 - 06:53 PM
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Ed Foss
Source
A serious shortage of farm vets in parts of East Anglia could, according to this story, lead to failures in curbing devastating animal diseases such as bluetongue and impact animal welfare.
The number of vets working with large animals has declined drastically in some areas, meaning they have to travel longer distances and charge higher prices for their visits.
With many livestock farmers facing tough financial pressures linked with rising costs of fuel and feed alongside depressed market prices, the prospect of increasing vet bills is leading to fewer calls to vets.
This is turn threatens disease surveillance at a time when transport processes and travelling habits have brought ruinous animal illnesses such as foot and mouth and bluetongue to the fore.
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News: Thousands of horses to benefit from new clinic
Posted by: JimEdwards on Monday, March 17, 2008 - 02:12 PM
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WSPA and member society El Refugio have opened a clinic to help the overloaded and overworked horses of Colombia’s capital Bogota.
The new clinic is equipped with an examination box, surgery, laboratory, classroom and farriery and x-ray units, and will be able to provide medical care to at least 3,000 horses.
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Animal Welfare: Heat Stress Model Keeps Cows Cool
Posted by: JimEdwards on Monday, March 17, 2008 - 02:12 PM
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By Laura McGinnis
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It's hard to relax if your cattle are stressed, so the ability to predict and avoid potential stressors is essential.
Fortunately, an online model developed by scientists with the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) provides information to help cattle—and producers—keep their cool when temperatures rise. ARS is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's chief scientific research agency.
For years, producers relied on the National Weather Service for livestock weather warnings. When that service was discontinued in the mid-1990s, many producers turned to university websites. The university warnings, like those they'd replaced, were based on temperature and humidity predictions, but did not account for other influential factors.
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Animal Welfare: Battling Bolivia’s floods
Posted by: JimEdwards on Thursday, March 13, 2008 - 02:27 PM
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March 2008: WSPA and member society Animales S.O.S. are feeding thousands of animals left stranded during increasingly severe floods in Bolivia which began late last year.
The Bolivian Government has now declared 57 municipalities areas of natural disaster. Around 13,000 cattle are estimated dead and farmers have responded by moving their families and surviving livestock to higher ground.
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Animal Welfare: Help for Free-Range Poultry
Posted by: JimEdwards on Saturday, March 01, 2008 - 01:19 PM
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The BVA: Animal Welfare Foundation has announced the availability of an updated version of its A3 poultry poster designed to assist veterinary surgeons identify diseases in free-range birds. Based on information compiled by Victoria Roberts, Honorary Veterinary Surgeon to The Poultry Club, the poster provides an invaluable source of information on diseases affecting exhibition chickens, hens, ducks, geese, turkeys, ornamental waterfowl, quail, ornamental pheasants, guinea fowl and peacocks.
The poster details, in an easy to follow format, symptoms of different diseases, the cause, treatment and species affected as well as sections covering common problems and some causes, common diseases by age and life expectancy for the various bird species. A separate highlighted box contains useful tips for veterinary surgeons to pass on to their clients.
Copies of the poster have been circulated to BVA members as an insert in this week’s Veterinary Record. For further copies (free of charge) please ring 020 7636 6541 and ask for the BVA AWF or email bva-awf@bva.co.uk stating your name and postal address, and quoting AWF Poultry Poster.
Download the poster ...
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Animal Welfare: WSPA acts as volcano threatens communities and animals
Posted by: JimEdwards on Saturday, March 01, 2008 - 01:19 PM
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The Tungurahua volcano in Ecuador’s Sangay National Park has showered the local region with ash, contaminating water, crops and animal feed. A WSPA disaster management team is working with member society Proteccion Animal Ecuador (PAE) to prevent animal suffering and sustain local livelihoods.
Volcanic activity slowly increased in January 2008, mirroring the behaviour of Tungurahua prior to the violent eruption of 2006. While that level of devastation has not yet been repeated, the ash pollution has already killed animals and many others are suffering.
In rural Ecuador, animals provide transport, livelihoods and food as well as the companionship that domestic animals give the world over. In an area like this, maintaining a healthy animal population during emergency situations contributes to the recovery of local communities.
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Animal Welfare: Veterinary behavior society announces position on punishment
Posted by: JimEdwards on Tuesday, February 12, 2008 - 05:36 PM
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February 15, 2008
In response to the popularity of television shows such as "The Dog Whisperer," the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior has issued a position statement and guidelines on the use of punishment for dealing with behavior problems in animals.
The guidelines clarify that while punishment can be effective in specific contexts, it also has an association with many adverse effects.
"A major problem with using punishment is that it suppresses behavior temporarily but does not necessarily modify the underlying cause of the behavior," said Dr. John Ciribassi, AVSAB president.
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Animal Welfare: Practical Guide to Caring for your Pet Ferret
Posted by: JimEdwards on Wednesday, January 30, 2008 - 03:33 PM
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 The BVA Animal Welfare Foundation (BVA AWF) has today launched a new practical guide designed to enable owners to provide the very best of care for their pet ferrets. Produced in association with the Ferret Education & Research Trust (FERT), the leaflet reflects the growing popularity of these intelligent and curious animals as household pets.
Carl Padgett, Chair of the BVA AWF Trustees explained that “while ferrets can sleep for a large period of the day, when they are awake they are very active and need a lot of stimulation to occupy their time. They live an average of eight to ten years so a high level of commitment and care is needed but our new guide should ensure that even the novice owner has all the information necessary to ensure their pet’s health and welfare.”
Covering the basics such as housing, feeding, health care and toilet training, the guide also offers advice on ‘ferret-proofing’ your home and garden, advice on games – ferrets particularly love hide-and-seek – and, very importantly, breeding and neutering as well as vaccination against Canine Distemper should owners be tempted to take their ferret for a walk on a lead and harness.
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Animal Welfare: Taiwan to ban live bird markets
Posted by: JimEdwards on Tuesday, January 29, 2008 - 04:51 PM
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WSPA and member society the Environment and Animal Society of Taiwan (EAST) welcome the government of Taiwan‘s public confirmation that a ban on live bird markets will come into effect in April 2008.
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Animal Welfare: Animal Birth Control Programme on 24th January’08 by JBF(INDIA)
Posted by: JimEdwards on Sunday, January 20, 2008 - 04:56 PM
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JBF(INDIA) is organizing an Animal Birth Control Programme on 24th January’08 at its Animal Relief Centre, 4, Chandan Nagar, Survey, Beltola, Guwahati, Assam as a part of its animal welfare activities. Besides treating & rehabilitating Homeless Animals at the centre, JBF runs a Mobile Animal Clinic which provides On the Spot treatment at Guwahati streets for Homeless Animals also organizes Special Health Check-up, Vaccination and Awareness drive every Saturday of the month at a particular place.
In this ABC Programme both the Homeless and local Homed dogs will be sterilized free of cost. Registration for Local Homed dogs is open till 19.00hrs of 23rd Jan’08. The main goal of organizing the Programme is to promote the advantages of Animal Birth Control & adoption of Homeless local dogs. Sterilization promotes their welfare by not killing them cruelly, prevents maltreatment in the form of cruelty, abuse, the unwanted puppies that becomes the part of the homeless population, helps the health of individual animals and also have behavioural benefits such as aggressiveness and reduced roaming. Also hindrances arising from homeless animals are significant with human health issues like rabies, bites etc.
Dr.Sashanka, Managing Trustee
Dr. Smriti, Co-ordinator
Dr. Sashanka, Manging Trustee
JBF(INDIA)
New Delhi - India.
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Animal Welfare: EU confirms 2012 date for ban on raising hens in small battery cages
Posted by: JimEdwards on Wednesday, January 09, 2008 - 03:20 PM
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Source: PR-inside.com
BRUSSELS, Belgium -- A European Union-wide ban on keeping laying hens in small battery cages will, according to this story, come into force as planned in 2012, the European Commission said Tuesday. The commission pointed to a new report showing the ban will benefit animal welfare benefits without significantly harming farmers' incomes.
"There is scientific and economic support for the ban on conventional battery cages," EU Health Commissioner Markos Kyprianou was quoted as saying.
EU nations agreed in 1999 to phase out the cages by Jan. 1, 2012, after lengthy campaign by animal rights groups who claimed that farming hens in small cages was cruel. After the deadline, laying hens will have be raised in the open air or barns, or be kept in cages of at least 750 square centimeters (116.28 sq. inches) per bird equipped with a nest, litter, perch and clawing board.
In a statement, the European Commission cited a report which said that cost of switching to the so-called "enriched cages" could be less than 1 percent per egg. The EU's executive branch said improving conditions for hens could boost sales, as consumers are increasingly concerned about animal welfare.
«This is the right decision for the welfare of millions of hens kept for egg production across Europe,» said Sonja Van Tichelen, director of the Eurogroup for Animals. The Brussels-based federation of animal welfare organizations said some battery hens are currently kept in wire cages no bigger than a sheet of typing paper.
Some leading supermarket chains in Britain announced last week they were planning to phase out sales of eggs from battery hens before the ban.
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Animal Welfare: USDA proposes end to acclimation certificates
Posted by: JimEdwards on Tuesday, January 08, 2008 - 08:24 PM
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 The Agriculture Department's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has proposed amending Animal Welfare Act regulations regarding transportation of live animals other than marine mammals by removing ambient temperature requirements for various stages in the transportation of those animals. Marine mammals are not addressed because of their unique requirements for care and handling.
If approved, the amendment would make acclimation certificates for live animals other than marine mammals unnecessary. The amendment also replaces a previously published proposed rule, which is being withdrawn, that would have required the acclimation certificate for a dog or cat to be signed by the owner of the dog or cat being transported rather than by a veterinarian.
The USDA-APHIS wants to adopt a single performance standard under which a carrier would consider all climatic and environmental conditions—alone and in combination—to eliminate unnecessary discomfort and stress. Among the conditions that would be considered are temperature, humidity, exposure, ventilation, pressurization, and travel and holding times.
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Animal Welfare: John Webster: Consumers have power to end this cruelty
Posted by: JimEdwards on Tuesday, January 08, 2008 - 08:24 PM
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Source: The Independent
John Webster, emeritus professor of animal husbandry at the University of Bristol, and author of Animal Welfare: Limping towards Eden writes in this opinion piece that the modern commercial broiler is, according to Webster reared in enclosed sheds that may contain 50,000 birds to reach killing weight at an age of 42 days. This rate of production has been achieved mainly by genetic selection for rapid growth, and it has created a number of welfare problems, the most serious of which is "leg weakness": an industry euphemism for a range of painful limb disorders sufficient to cause lameness.
Webster goes on to say that Fifteen years ago he wrote that "approximately one-third of the heavy strains of broiler chicken are in chronic pain for approximately one-third of their lives". This view was shared by the UK Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC), who stated: "The current level of leg problems in broilers is unacceptable. The Council intends to look at this aspect of broiler production in five years' time, when significant improvements should be apparent. If no reduction in leg problems is found, we may recommend the introduction of legislation to ensure the required improvements."
New evidence presented to Defra reveals that, with notable exceptions, fast-growing strains of broiler chickens are as prone to leg disorders as ever. Moreover, research from Bristol University shows the problem is worse than we thought. Birds that appear only slightly lame will select food containing drugs to ease their pain. All lameness hurts.
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Animal Welfare: Domestic Animal Behaviour and Welfare
Posted by: JimEdwards on Sunday, January 06, 2008 - 01:19 PM
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RCVS Trust Library hosts author evening
Source:
 The RCVS Trust Library is hosting an author evening on 11 February 2008 at Belgravia House, 62-64 Horseferry Road, London SW1P 2AF, from 5 to 7pm.
It’s your chance to meet author Donald M Broom, who will be talking about his new book Domestic Animal Behaviour and Welfare (4th edition). Signed copies of the book will be available to purchase. There will also be refreshments and an opportunity to put your questions to the author.
The event has been organised by AHIS – Animal Health Information Specialists (UK & Ireland) – a group of library and information professionals working in the area of animal health.
The event is open to all and promises to be of interest to anyone involved in animal welfare issues. Attendance is free; however, we would be grateful if anyone interested in attending would confirm this with the RCVS Trust Library – 020 7202 0752 - so that we know how many attendees to expect.
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Animal Welfare: U.S. horse slaughter exports to Mexico increase 312%
Posted by: JimEdwards on Sunday, January 06, 2008 - 01:19 PM
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January 15, 2008
Despite American plant closures, slaughter continues across the border
Since all three U.S. horse slaughter operations were ordered closed last year, the number of horses exported to Mexico for slaughter has exploded. As of Dec. 20, 2007, 44,475 horses had been shipped to Mexico for processing for human consumption compared with 10,783 shipped at the same time in 2006—a 312 percent increase.
Especially troubling is the treatment of the horses once they cross the border into Mexico. In October, the Humane Society of the United States released a video showing the brutal stabbing death of a fully conscious horse at a Mexican slaughter facility. "It is time for this carnage to end," said Nancy Perry, HSUS vice president of government affairs, who called on Congress to close the border to horse slaughter exports.
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Animal Welfare: Animal welfare policies revised
Posted by: JimEdwards on Sunday, December 30, 2007 - 04:19 PM
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Euthanasia, animal use addressed in various ways
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January 1, 2008
The Executive Board approved a series of recommendations from the Animal Welfare Committee, including changes to some animal welfare policies.
The board approved revisions to a policy on euthanasia of unwanted animals. The new wording broadens the scope to include animals unfit for adoption, better describes individuals who should be performing euthanasia, and references the AVMA Guidelines on Euthanasia.
Another newly revised policy approved by the board is Use of Animals in Research, Testing, and Education.
The board approved revisions to the policy Use of Random-Source Dogs and Cats for Research, Testing, and Education to ensure that it is consistent with the requirements of the Animal Welfare Act and with local and state laws governing acquisition and use of animals for such purposes.
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Animal Welfare: Inauguration of “JBF Animal Relief Center for Street & Stray Animals” at Guwahati, Assam, India
Posted by: JimEdwards on Wednesday, December 26, 2007 - 07:02 PM
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Guwahati 24th December 2007: JBF Animal Relief Centre has started functioning from today, 24th December 2007 at 4, Chandan Nagar, Survey, Beltola, Guwahati - 28. The primary objective of the centre is to help the Street and Stray animals. The center have a Treatment Cell where ownered animals will also be treated, of which donations received from the owners will be used to run the Animal Relief Centre smoothly. The Treatment Cell will have two vets and three assistants on weekdays and one Senior Consultant with prior appointments on Sunday and Holidays. The cell will have an OPD and an Operation Theatre with minimum facilities initially. Besides, it will have one Rehabilitation Room for the most needy patients from the street.
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Animal Welfare: Reducing animal suffering in disaster prone Bangladesh
Posted by: JimEdwards on Friday, December 21, 2007 - 10:48 PM
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The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) will direct its efforts towards long-term sustainable solutions that will reduce the affect of disasters such as cyclone Sidr on animals and the communities that rely on them in Bangladesh.
The need for a longer-term approach was confirmed by the organisations second post-disaster assessment in four months, carried out over the past fortnight. A previous assessment in August of this year, following the country’s worst floods in living memory, led to WSPA delivering veterinary treatment and emergency feed aid.
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Animal Welfare: Bangladesh braced for devastation
Posted by: JimEdwards on Thursday, November 15, 2007 - 02:13 PM
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A WSPA Disaster Assessment and Response Team is poised to help the communities and their animals expected to be devastated by Cyclone Sidr when it hits the country on Friday 16 November.
The Category 4 storm, which is heading for Bangladesh at speeds of more than 135 knots, is set to sweep across the heavily populated southern coast and on to the capital, Dhaka.
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Animal Welfare: Sun bear added to Red List of Threatened Species: WSPA's response
Posted by: JimEdwards on Thursday, November 15, 2007 - 02:11 PM
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All bears in South East Asia are now vulnerable to extinction following the recent announcement by The World Conservation Union (IUCN) that the Sun Bear is has joined the Red List of Threatened Species.
WSPA considers the potential extinction of these animals a serious issue, and understands that, as well as habitat destruction, human exploitation is largely to blame. In addition to their numbers falling rapidly in the wild, tens of thousands endure pain and suffering in bear farms across south east Asia and by being forced to dance and fight for human entertainment.
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Animal Welfare: Improved Monitoring of Retired Greyhounds
Posted by: JimEdwards on Thursday, November 01, 2007 - 07:54 PM
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The BVA has welcomed the agreement reached between the National Greyhound Racing Club (NGRC) and Dogs Trust aimed at improving the monitoring of rehomed Greyhounds through the provision of data identifying irresponsible owners.
“We wholeheartedly welcome this initiative and its aim of providing extra security to protect the welfare of retired Greyhounds” said BVA President Nick Blayney. “As a member of the Associate Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare - which previously highlighted the need for the Greyhound industry to improve its tracking of dogs – BVA would commend the initiative to all members of the Association of Dogs and Cats Homes as a very positive means of assisting the NGRC with its ownership education programme.”
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Animal Welfare: WSPA and Animal Planet take on the illegal wildlife trade
Posted by: JimEdwards on Thursday, November 01, 2007 - 07:53 PM
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WSPA has provided undercover footage of bear farms and the sale of bear products for the final episode of Crime Scene Wild, which tackles the ugly world of illegal wildlife trade.
The programme – airing on Animal Planet on Sunday 4th November at 10pm – focuses on the cruel practice of bear farming and the illegal trade in products containing bear bile, particularly those used for Traditional Asian Medicine.
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Animal Welfare: Free Veterinary Treatment Camp
Posted by: JimEdwards on Thursday, November 01, 2007 - 07:53 PM
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Under the auspices of Vets Care Organization, Pakistan (VCO), the Vets Care Club of the University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Lahore organized a free veterinary treatment camp in vicinity of “Wahndo” Tehsil Kamonki District Gujranwala on Sunday 28th of October 2007. About 55 veterinary students; members of Vets Care Club alongwith veterinary doctors of Vets Care Organization participated in the camp in the supervision of Dr. Tanveer Hussain (Advisor, Vets Care Club). The move was designed in connection with the “World Animal Day” celebrated on October 4, 2007.
Firstly the participants attended a briefing session at the “Civil Veterinary Hospital, Wahndo” in which Dr. Qamar Majeed (Veterinary Officer, Civil Veterinary Hospital Wahndo) briefed the students about the field practices and the status of animals in his area along with major diseases in that area. Afterwards, the participants were divided into four teams and sent to different villages. Team 1 headed by Dr. Tanveer Hussain visited village “Raam Daas”. Team 2 headed by Dr. Asif Ch. Visited village “Bhopar”. Team 3 headed by Mr. Muhammad Asad Ali visited village “Thatha Gulab Pura”. Team 4 headed by Dr. Qamar Majeed visited village “Nadha”. All the teams in their respective villages approached large number of animals. All animals were freely de-wormed against parasites (Parasites are the major cause of disturbance and make the animals uncomfortable with poor health status and low production). Large number of sick animals were checked, treated and provided with the medicines accordingly. This camp not only enhanced the professional skills of the students but also made the lives of animals comfortable. It also helped the poor farmers to get their animals freely treated because they are unable to get their animals treated due to financial problems usually. According to official records more than 700 animals were approached including donkeys, sheep, goat, cattle and buffaloes in all the four villages.
VCO is thankful to ICI Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd, Symans Pharmaceuticals (Pvt) Ltd, Prix Pharma, Medi-Vet (Pvt) Ltd and Zaidi’s International for providing medicines for this free veterinary treatment camp. We are also thankful to the University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Lahore for providing the transport facility; without which the camp was never possible. We are equally thankful to Dr. Qamar Majeed and his colleagues for their efforts in arranging this camp. Last but not the least; we would like to pay special thanks to all the camp participants for sparing their whole day for this noble work; especially Dr. Tanveer Hussain for supervising this camp.
Vets Care Organization Pakistan commits to continue its efforts in making Pakistan a friendly and cruelty free environment for the animals.
See Pictures of this camp ...
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Animal Welfare: World Animal Day
Posted by: JimEdwards on Thursday, November 01, 2007 - 07:36 PM
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Vets Care Organization Pakistan celebrated the World Animal Day by running an awarness compaign at the University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Lahore on October 4, 2007. The objective of the compaign was to create awarness among the students about the animal welfare issues. Posters and banners about the aimal welfare and animal rights were displayed all over the campus. A special meeting was also held on the occassion in which the work about animal welfare was reviewed and it was pledged that Vets Care Club, UVAS under the auspices of VCO will continue its work for the welfare of animals. In connection to World Animal Day, a special free veterinary treatment camp has also been announced to be held on Sunday October 28, 2007 in district Gujranwala. More oever, local media was also involved for public awarness on animal welfare issues.
See Pictures ...
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Animal Welfare: WSPA hosts World Animal Week events in Africa and Brazil
Posted by: JimEdwards on Wednesday, October 10, 2007 - 02:54 PM
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WSPA’s African office celebrated the start of World Animal Week for the first time on 4th October 2007 in Tanzania.
The WSPA office in Brazil held a series of high profile educational and campaigning events to mark World Animal Week.
The activities, involving politicians, schoolchildren and teachers, embodied the aims of the week – to celebrate animals and raise the standard of animal welfare worldwide.
Read more about the African and Brazilian events ...
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Animal Welfare: JBF Celebrated World Animal Day in New Delhi
Posted by: JimEdwards on Saturday, October 06, 2007 - 09:58 PM
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JBF celebrated World Animal Day with two different activities. JBF (INDIA), the animal welfare wing of JBF that runs Mobile Cattle Clinic in New Delhi & Mobile Animal Clinic at Guwahati celebrated the occasion along with JBF Welfare Organization that runs Informal schools for the children from Slum & Street.
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Opinion & Comment: World Animal Week
Posted by: JimEdwards on Thursday, October 04, 2007 - 02:44 PM
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The World Veterinary Association marks World Animal Week by reflecting on the services that veterinarians provide to animals around the World. By definition, a veterinarian is an animal doctor and that is still what we are primarily recognized as, despite our wider contributions to society, especially in the provision of safe food.
Veterinarians care for the health and welfare of all animals and provide these services to animal owners and managers around the World.
Animals kept for companionship and recreation provide enormous benefits for their owners, especially for those who have little contact with other animals or people. Having the company of, and caring for, another living being has benefits for psychological health and self esteem of the person involved. In these days of ever increasing urbanization, the companionship of animals is invaluable. Animals are treated as an important member of the family and often in the community in which they live.
Animals are a very important source of protein and other products necessary for human health and welfare. Veterinary care for the health and welfare of these animals is very important for food security and food safety. The provision of a veterinary service to all these animals is important, not only to the animals, but also represents the most important veterinary contribution to society.
The World Veterinary Association supports the international networking of veterinarians around the World. Communication between veterinarians helps share expertise and provide support for colleagues. Networking helps manage the risk of spread of diseases, not only those affecting animals but also those that have the potential to affect humans too.
Dr Jim Edwards, Editor
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Animal Welfare: 2nd OIE Global Conference on Animal Welfare
Posted by: JimEdwards on Thursday, September 27, 2007 - 02:21 PM
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Cairo , Egypt 20- 22 October 2008
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400 participants from all corners of the world and from all fields concerned with animal health and animal welfare will gather for the Second OIE Global Conference on Animal Welfare, set to take place in Cairo , Egypt on 20- 22 October 2008.
“This is the first time a developing country will host an international conference on animal welfare. A strong gesture that demonstrates a growing grasp of the high stakes attached to animal welfare practices worldwide, and not only in developed countries as it used to be so far,” Dr Bernard Vallat, OIE Director General said.
With an agenda to effectively implement its science-based animal welfare standards on a global scale, the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) in partnership with key partners including the European Commission, will review progress made by countries, the world veterinary community and livestock industries in the fields of sea, air and land transport of livestock, livestock slaughter for human consumption and killing for disease control.
Veterinary scientific expertise, the views of governmental representatives (including countries' Chief Veterinary Officers), livestock industries and non-governmental organisations representatives will be brought together with the goal of raising the profile of animal welfare in all parts of the food production chain.
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News: WVA meets WSPA
Posted by: JimEdwards on Sunday, September 23, 2007 - 04:30 PM
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Dr Jim Edwards, past president and chair of the WVA working group on animal welfare met last week with Major General Peter Davies CBE from the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA).
They discussed whether and how the WVA could work in closer collaboration with each other in the interests of global animal welfare. Dr Edwards said that "We have a lot in common and we should be able to work together on many issues. The WVA acknowledges the WSPA initiative to develop 'Concepts in Animal Welfare' which has helped the implementation of animal welfare into veterinary undergraduate education."
Dr Edwards has recommended to WVA President Prof Leon Russell that he meet with Major General Davies for formal talks.
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Animal Welfare: WSPA opens office in Asia
Posted by: JimEdwards on Thursday, September 20, 2007 - 03:10 PM
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On the 13th September 2007, Thailand, HRH Princess Soamsawali of Thailand presided over the official opening of the WSPA Asia Headquarters in Bangkok. This new office allows WSPA Asia to work closely with more than 100 Member Societies from 27 countries in the Asian region.
During the opening ceremonies HRH Princess Soamsawali added her name to the Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare (UDAW), which seeks global recognition of the importance of the proper treatment of animals.
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Animal Welfare: AVMA backgrounder warns against transporting dogs in truck beds
Posted by: JimEdwards on Monday, September 17, 2007 - 05:03 PM
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The AVMA has released a backgrounder cautioning against transporting dogs in truck beds because the animals are at risk of severe injury.
Similar to injuries resulting from vehicular strikes, truck bed-related injuries for dogs tend to be severe and multiple and to include fractures and abrasions, according to the backgrounder prepared by the AVMA Animal Welfare Division.
Alternatives to unsecured truck bed travel are suggested in the backgrounder, which notes that many states have outlawed traveling with dogs in the truck bed or require that the animals be secured.
The backgrounder, "Welfare implications of dogs traveling in trucks beds," is available at www.avma.org; go to Animal Welfare in the Issues section of the site, then click on Backgrounders.
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Animal Welfare: AVMA releases updated euthanasia guidelines
Posted by: JimEdwards on Sunday, September 16, 2007 - 09:35 PM
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The AVMA recently updated its 2000 Report of the AVMA Panel on Euthanasia, now called the AVMA Guidelines on Euthanasia. The guidelines are available at www.avma.org by clicking on the dark blue Issues bar.
In July 2006, the Executive Board approved a recommendation that the AVMA convene a panel of scientists at least once every 10 years to review all literature that scientifically evaluates methods and potential methods of euthanasia for the purpose of producing the AVMA Guidelines on Euthanasia.
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Animal Welfare: WSPA helps animals and people in Bangladesh floods
Posted by: JimEdwards on Tuesday, August 21, 2007 - 03:53 PM
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After three weeks of heavy monsoon rains, Bangladesh experienced the worst floods in living memory. As a result animals are unable to feed as their fodder has become waterlogged and heavily polluted.
WSPA is working in partnership with the Bangladesh Government and Bangladesh Animal Welfare Organisation (BAWO) to provide emergency feed as a short term emergency relief measure to keep animals alive and to provide effective treatment with antibiotics, vaccination and de-worming.
It is believed that over two million people and their animals have been made homeless due to the flooding, and are being housed in temporary camps in government buildings and facilities. Cattle, sheep and goats account for 80% of the income of the families affected, and their survival is critical to the survival of these already fragile rural communities and their livelihoods.
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Animal Welfare: Urgent Veterinary Advice required in Bangladesh
Posted by: JimEdwards on Wednesday, August 15, 2007 - 01:38 AM
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The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) has responded to the disastrous floods in the Bangladesh area.
Philip Russell, our Director of Operations has been in Bangladesh for the last 4 days and has just telephoned in to say he needs urgent veterinary advice.
He is looking at a major animal welfare problem involving farm livestock.
We are hoping to find a veterinarian with the following “talents”: Must have knowledge of farm livestock health and welfare. Must have some experience of conditions in developing countries. Most importantly, must be willing to leave for Bangladesh within the next 48 – 72 hours and be prepared to stay for a week and possibly a few days longer.
Any veterinarian who feels he/she fits the requirements should contact James Sawyer at WSPA HQ. His email address is jamessawyer@wspa.org.uk.
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Animal Welfare: Patterson-Kane joins AVMA Animal Welfare Division
Posted by: JimEdwards on Thursday, August 02, 2007 - 03:41 PM
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Emily Patterson-Kane, PhD, has accepted the position of animal welfare scientist in the AVMA Animal Welfare Division.
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August 1, 2007
 The AVMA Animal Welfare Division was established for the purpose of monitoring the science of animal welfare and assisting the Association in proactively addressing developing issues of animal well-being. Dr. Patterson-Kane is the first person to serve as an animal welfare scientist in the division. In the division, she joins Dr. Lyle P. Vogle, director; Dr. Gail C. Golab, associate director; and Kathy Sikora, administrative assistant.
In her new role, Dr. Patterson-Kane will provide scientific support to the AVMA in the area of human-animal interactions, specifically animal welfare and the human-animal bond. She will work with volunteer leadership and staff to identify and research related issues of importance to the veterinary profession. She will also develop and maintain informational and educational materials and programs addressing animal welfare and the human-animal bond for use by veterinarians, governmental agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and the public.
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Animal Welfare: Intervet Dieter Lutticken Award
Posted by: JimEdwards on Thursday, June 28, 2007 - 03:31 PM
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Intervet’s award to reduce the number of animals used in testing for development and production of animal veterinary medicines
 Intervet offers the Dieter Lutticken award to promote scientists or life science research institutions working in research areas that serve the 3R-concept i.e. reducing, refining or replacing the use of animals in testing for development and production of veterinary medicines. The total funding for the award is 20,000 Euro. Application deadline is November 15, 2007.
This international award, established in 2004, will be given to scientists or public institutions that have delivered excellent contributions to the 3R's for the development and production of veterinary medicinal products. The award’s scope covers in vitro models used in R&D which replace animal testing for licensing purposes as well as studies avoiding the use of animals in efficacy, safety and quality testing in the production of biologicals and pharmaceuticals for animals.
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Animal Welfare: International recognition for animal welfare expertise
Posted by: JimEdwards on Monday, June 25, 2007 - 03:18 PM
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 The University’s Animal Welfare Science and Bioethics Centre has been named a collaborating centre of the OIE, the World Organisation for Animal Health, and will provide expert scientific, bioethical and educational advice for the OIE and its 169 member countries.
The centre is the first in New Zealand to be acknowledged as a collaborating centre, and the only collaborating partner with a sole focus on animal welfare.
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Animal Welfare: Plans for farm animal welfare
Posted by: JimEdwards on Sunday, June 24, 2007 - 08:32 PM
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Following years of scientific research, the UK RSPCA is poised to pioneer a new way to improve the lives of farm animals.
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 The RSPCA is looking at new methods of assessing the physical condition and behaviour of farm animals to help farmers on our Freedom Food assurance scheme to ensure the wellbeing of their livestock.
Our farm animal scientists have developed a system of measuring the welfare of animals through focusing on key indicators of their health and welfare.
Dr Julia Wrathall, head of the RSPCA farm animal department, said: "This is great news for animals, and the RSPCA is very proud that we first commissioned the work on animal welfare outcomes many years ago."
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Animal Welfare: Animal protection breakthrough in Taiwan
Posted by: JimEdwards on Thursday, June 21, 2007 - 03:27 PM
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WSPA and member society Environment and Animal Protection Society of Taiwan (EAST) have achieved a major step forward in animal protection in Taiwan - thanks to a hard-hitting video campaign.
The video spearheaded a campaign calling for stricter legislation and codes of practice to protect animals at slaughter. It provoked over 8000 actions from WSPA supporters around the world – WSPA would like to thank everyone who responded.
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Animal Welfare: Dog cull in China
Posted by: JimEdwards on Thursday, June 14, 2007 - 05:38 PM
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WSPA has received reports that on Sunday 10th June, authorities in Chongqing, China began a mass cull of all dogs in the region; The cull is thought to be in response to a human rabies death.
The Government of the Changshou District in Chongqing rapidly brought in a law making it illegal to own a dog, and urged all dog owners to kill their dogs or hand them over to the authorities before Sunday’s deadline.
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Animal Welfare: Microsoft funds animal rights organization
Posted by: JimEdwards on Thursday, June 14, 2007 - 05:37 PM
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ARLINGTON, VA -- The Animal Agriculture Alliance has learned that Microsoft, the software giant, plans to make a $100,000 donation to animal rights behemoth Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and is partnering with the vegan-led group on a pilot program called the ''i’m Initiative.'' Through the new program, whenever a Windows Live Messenger user has a conversation using i’m, Microsoft will give a portion of the program’s advertising revenue to one of ten organizations selected by the user. HSUS is one of the choices, and there is no limit to the amount of money that can be donated.
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Animal Welfare: Launching of JBF Mobile Animal Clinic for Street & Stray Animals
Posted by: JimEdwards on Tuesday, June 12, 2007 - 02:08 PM
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Guwahati 11th June 2007: “JBF Mobile Animal Clinic for Street & Stray Animals” was launched at the stakeholder meeting at Sangeetacharya Laxmiram Baruah Sadan, Guwahati on 10th June 2007. This Mobile animal clinic shall run through major roads at Guwahati starting from its Guwahati Chapter office at Beltola and also attend cases on call to its Helpline number. This mobile clinic will provide “On the Spot” free veterinary care to the injuries, diseases and emergencies on the street of Guwahati. The present mobile clinic shall be operated by one Veterinary Doctor (on call) and two regular assistants managed by Dr. Sashanka Shekhar Dutta, Managing Trustee of JBF(INDIA). The Helpline number of the mobile clinic is – 9954449528. The mobile clinic was inaugurated by Mr. Prasenjit Duara, renowned photographer at the end of the meeting.
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Animal Welfare: Veterinarians testify about improving the welfare of farm animals
Posted by: JimEdwards on Tuesday, June 05, 2007 - 02:13 PM
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Witnesses from the AVMA and other organizations testify about current concerns
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A subcommittee of the House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture held a wide-ranging hearing in May to review the welfare of animals in agriculture.
Several veterinarians were among a dozen witnesses who testified before the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry about improving the welfare of farm animals while protecting the food supply, consumer choice, and biomedical research.
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Animal Welfare: The effectiveness of humane teaching methods in veterinary education
Posted by: JimEdwards on Tuesday, May 29, 2007 - 04:39 PM
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Knight A. in Alternatives to Animal Experimentation 2007;24(2):91-109
Source: Humane Learning
ABSTRACT
Animal use resulting in harm or death has historically played an integral role in veterinary education, in disciplines such as surgery, physiology, biochemistry, anatomy, pharmacology, and parasitology. However, many non-harmful alternatives now exist, including computer simulations, high quality videos, “ethically-sourced cadavers,” such as from animals euthanased for medical reasons, preserved specimens, models and surgical simulators, non-invasive self-experimentation, and supervised clinical experiences. Veterinary students seeking to use such methods often face strong opposition fr |
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