January 2025

Dear AVMLA Members,

Don't Miss Out on AVMLA's Upcoming Events!

Bring your questions for an informative Town Hall Meeting on Tuesday, January 28th, 2025, at 8 PM ET. In this session, our accomplished panelists will share their expertise on important legal issues in veterinary medicine. This is your chance to delve into crucial topics that impact your practice and profession.

Our organization offers significant benefits to its members and the veterinary profession. Renew your membership or join us today at avmla.org/membership.

If you're attending the Western Veterinary Conference from March 2-5, 2025, in Las Vegas, be sure to stop by the AVMLA booth 4464 (located in the non-profit section) to connect with fellow members and learn more about our initiatives. Watch for additional WVC information to be announced soon!

Mark your calendars for the AVMLA Continuing Education Conference and Members' Annual Meeting on July 19-20, 2025, held in conjunction with the AVMA Conference in Washington, D.C.

Our President-Elect, Rob Simpson, DVM, JD, will serve as the 2025 AVMLA Conference Program Chair. This year's primary conference theme focuses on regulatory topics that are sure to benefit our membership. We invite you to watch for sponsor opportunities and consider submitting a speaking proposal to share your expertise at this premier event. Help shape the future of our profession by contributing to this extraordinary learning and networking experience.

As the new year begins, I hope you'll take the opportunity to refresh and recharge with your loved ones. Thank you for your continued support of AVMLA, and I look forward to connecting with you soon!

Warm regards,

Kenyon Conklin, VDM

AVMLA President 2024-25

Kenyon Conklin, VDM, JD

AVMLA Member Highlight

Neil Shaw, DVM, DACVIM, Medical Founder and Chief Veterinary Officer of veterinary technology company SignalPET

Neil Shaw’s life has always been intertwined with Veterinary Medicine. Born in South Africa; he and his two brothers essentially grew up in their father’s small animal practice in Tampa, Florida. He graduated from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, remaining in Gainesville for internship and residency in Small Animal Internal Medicine, and is a Diplomate of the ACVIM. He founded the nation’s largest group of specialty hospitals, BluePearl Veterinary Partners; and then served as the first Chief Medical Officer for the Mars, Inc Veterinary health Group. Neil subsequently founded SignalPET in 2018; an independent company dedicated to bringing the benefit of advanced Artificial Intelligence assisted diagnostics to veterinary practitioners in any location. The technology enabled: advancement of care, ability to set new standards of care, immediacy of information to practitioners, ease of implementation, and low cost is “proving to be exciting for veterinary medicine beyond the wildest of imaginations”.

2025 Annual AVMLA Continuing Education Program

Final Call For Speakers

Final Call for Speakers: We invite experts in veterinary medicine, law, and related fields to share their knowledge and insights at this premier event. Join us in making the 2025 Annual AVMLA Continuing Education Program an extraordinary learning and networking experience. The theme for this year’s conference will focus on regulatory topics. July 19-20, 2025 - AVMLA Annual Meeting (in conjunction with AVMA) Washington, DC

Submit your proposal by January 31, 2025.

Questions: info@avmla.org

AVMLA Monthly Members Meeting

AVMLA Upcoming Member Meeting, January 28, 2025, 8PM, ET

Join us on January 28th, 2025, for an engaging and informative discussion. Bring your questions and expertise to exchange ideas with the AVMLA community.

Monthly Member Meeting Registration

Make plans to join us for engaging discussion on the Monthly Members Meeting! Join us the 4th Tuesday of each month at 8pm ET for discussion with our distinguished speakers, who offer a unique blend of expertise as both veterinarians and attorneys. Mark your calendars and register today to attend. Select the date of the session you are interested in. The program will only be offered in the month advertised.

AVMLA NEWS

FDA asks for veterinarians’ comments on cannabis

Products derived from cannabis are being marketed and sold to animal owners as remedies for everything from anxiety to allergies to atopic dermatitis. These products come in many formulations, such as tinctures or oils, treats and chews, pellets for large animals, capsules, and sometimes as food toppers or infused in foods such as peanut butter.

Limited research on the use of cannabis-derived products (CDPs) to treat various conditions in animals has been published, leaving data gaps. AVMA.

Novel bird flu strain continues to threaten animal, public health

As the epizootic of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI, more specifically avian influenza type A H5N1) spreading globally approaches its fourth year, animal and public health officials are monitoring how quickly a new variant of the H5N1 virus—the clade 2.3.4.4b viruses—can jump to new animals, including people.

Given H5N1's circulation among wild and migratory bird populations, along with clade 2.3.4.4b's knack for infecting a broad range of mammalians species and the associated morbidity and mortality rates, experts worry H5N1 will eventually mutate into a lethal strain capable of human-to-human transmission, setting off another pandemic. AVMA News

California- Antimicrobial Use and Stewardship — CDFA Efforts Continue to Moderate Antibiotics in Animal Care

California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (CDFA) Antimicrobial Use and Stewardship Program, created by legislation in 2017, provides leadership in animal health circles for innovative approaches to antibiotic resistance and responsible use of medications.

The program looks closely at antibiotic sales, surveys producers about on-farm practices, and analyzes veterinary feed directives. These activities improve the understanding of the use of antibiotic drugs in livestock and guide the development of relevant materials to promote stewardship and judicious use. Morning Ag Clips

New AVMA tool connects veterinary responders with state officials during emergencies

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) recently shared a new tool that connects trained veterinary first responders with state officials in need of their assistance during disasters and emergencies. This new resource—the veterinary first responder registry—expands upon the AVMA Axon Veterinary First Responder Certificate program, according to the organization.

The AVMA Veterinary First Responder Certificate program is designed to ensure that veterinarians and veterinary students are prepared to respond effectively to disasters and animal health emergencies. “The program serves as a framework for ensuring veterinarians and veterinary students have the knowledge and skills to serve as first responders,” wrote the AVMA in its program description. DVM 360

Veterinary Bills of Interest

Washington- H.B. 1097--

According to a report by the Animal Legal Defense Fund, Washington state is considering a bill to protect against animal testing for cosmetic products. H.B. 1097, if enacted, would ban manufacturers from selling or offering for sale cosmetics developed or manufactured using animal testing in Washington state beginning on Jan. 1, 2025.

Update: H.B. 1097 banning the sale of cosmetics tested on animals is now in effect. Cosmetics and Toiletries

Massachusetts- Bill S. 190-

Today, the Massachusetts Legislature voted to approve legislation filed by Senator Mark

Montigny (D-New Bedford) that will ban inhumane cat declawing practices. Montigny has championed

the legislation since 2019.

“Declawing is an abhorrent practice that most veterinarians view as inhumane,” said Senator Mark

Montigny (D-New Bedford), a longtime legislative leader for the humane treatment of animals. “But it

is also a procedure that is widely misunderstood and requested by owners. By passing this legislation,

veterinarians will no longer have to weigh the choice knowing that if they don’t provide the procedure

an owner is likely to just look for someone who will. New Bedford Guide

Florida- HB 79-

A Florida Republican filed a new bill that would increase penalties for animal cruelty during a state of emergency, prompted by public outrage over a Florida man tying up and abandoning his dog as Hurricane Milton approached.

Navarre Rep. Joel Rudman, who will leave office on New Year's Day to pursue a congressional seat, filed HB 79 on Monday. If passed, the legislation would up the first-degree misdemeanor animal cruelty charge to a third-degree felony if committed during a declared state of emergency. Floridian Press

Oklahoma- H.B. 1046

State Representative Mickey Dollens (D-Oklahoma City) filed a bill focused on helping animal shelters cover the costs of spaying and neutering the animals in their care.

Multiple animal rescues and shelters across Green Country pay thousands of dollars to spay and neuter rescued animals every month, a cost these rescues rely on volunteers and donations to meet.

Shelters state they're doing their best to keep up, but with the large overpopulation of stray animals in Oklahoma, they say it's been difficult to keep up. Fox 23 News

A special thanks to ASPA sponsors:

ASPCA, Robson Forensics, Michael Best & Friedrich LLP, Recellerate

Do you have a case that you'd like to see covered?

Send it to us, and we will feature it in a future AVMLA News Brief

Want to be published in the AVMLA News Brief?

We are always looking for writers, legal/veterinary information, and your input on the AVMLA News Brief. Join the committee, volunteer to write an article and/or send us your state legislation for inclusion. More information can be found at www.AVMLA.org or contact the office to get involved!

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