March 2025

Dear AVMLA Members,

Exciting AVMLA Events Ahead—Don’t Miss Out!

We'd like to remind you to join us tonight for an engaging and informative AVMLA Monthly Member Meeting on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at 8 PM ET. Our expert panelists will delve into critical legal issues in veterinary medicine, specifically focusing on this month’s pivotal topic: "Recruitment & Retention."

Membership Perks: AVMLA offers invaluable benefits for both its members and the veterinary field. Make sure to renew your membership or join us at avmla.org/membership.

Mark Your Calendars: The AVMLA Continuing Education Conference and Members' Annual Meeting will be held on July 19-20, 2025, in conjunction with the AVMA Conference in Washington, D.C. Our President-Elect, Rob Simpson, DVM, JD, will chair the 2025 AVMLA Conference Program. This year’s conference theme focuses on regulatory topics, poised to greatly benefit our members. Watch for sponsorship opportunities and consider submitting a speaking proposal to share your insights at this premier event. Let’s collaboratively shape the future of our profession!

As the year progresses, I hope you continue to find time to relax and rejuvenate with your loved ones. Thank you for your unwavering support of AVMLA. Looking forward to connecting with you soon!

Kenyon Conklin, VDM

AVMLA President 2024-25

Kenyon Conklin, VDM, JD

AVMLA Member Highlight

AVMLA Monthly Members Meeting

AVMLA Upcoming Member Meeting, March 25, 2025, 8PM, ET

Join us on March 25th, 2025, for an engaging and informative discussion on Recruitment & Retention. Bring your questions and expertise to exchange ideas with the AVMLA community.  

REGISTER NOW! (This event is only for Tuesday, March 25, 2025.)

AVMLA NEWS

Equine Fatality Rate Lowest Since Advent Of Injury Database In 2009

The rate of fatal injury in equine athletes for 2024 was 1.11 per 1000 starts, the lowest rate since the creation of the Equine Injury Database (EID) back in 2009, according to the initial data analysis from the 16th year of reporting to the EID. Based on the 2024 data, 99.89% of all flat racing stats at racetracks participating in the EID were completed without a fatality. Thoroughbred Daily News

Keeping Pace: An Unhappy Fifth Anniversary For Horse Racing

First came the indictments and the horrific allegations contained in them. People conspiring with one another in both Thoroughbred and Standardbred racing to give dangerous “blood building” drugs to racehorses – and then trying to hide their crimes and the damage done. There were tapes. There were transcripts. There were misbranding and obstruction charges. There were angry animal rights protesters. There were frustrated legislators and state regulators. It’s hard to believe that five years have already passed since the March 2020 indictments were handed down by federal prosecutors in New York City. Paulick Report

Curriculum finalized for Colorado's voter-approved veterinary professional associate position

The curriculum for Colorado's new veterinary professional associate (VPA) position has been finalized.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the country will need around 40,000 new veterinarians by the year 2030. In November 2024, Colorado voters approved the creation of the VPA position in order to address the shortage. Denver7.com

Toxicological evaluation of certain veterinary drug residues in food: prepared by the ninety-eighth meeting of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (‎JECFA)

The monographs contained in this volume were prepared at the ninety-eighth meeting of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), which met at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Rome, Italy, on 20–29 February 2024. These monographs summarize the data on the safety of residues in food of selected veterinary drugs reviewed by the Committee, namely Clopidol, Fumagillin dicyclohexylamine and Imidacloprid. World Health Organization

Staying Ahead of the Curve: Navigating Legislation Affecting the Veterinary Profession

Between 2023 and 2024, the 118th Congress passed just under 150 bills. Although that’s less than half enacted by the previous Congress, it’s still a sizable number of legislation and regulation changes to track. Many of them are unrelated or tangentially related to equine veterinary medicine, making it easy to overlook the importance of keeping pace with them all. 

“It’s easy for us to go along our merry way and assume things aren’t happening to us fundamentally,” says Stacey Cordivano, DVM, owner of Clay Creek Equine Veterinary Services LLC and host of The Whole Veterinarian podcast. “I think we tend to think we’re insulated in such a small niche, but ultimately decisions are being made, whether it’s drugs or how we’re allowed to practice, that affect all veterinarians.” Equine Management

Veterinarians and Animal Welfare Professionals Speak Out Against Gas Executions

Veterinarians and Animal Welfare professionals in Louisiana and across the country are speaking out against the use of nitrogen hypoxia, also known as gas suffocation, as a method of execution for human beings.

These professionals, who have a diverse range of knowledge and experience with the appropriate methods of humane euthanasia for dogs and cats, are sharing their concerns over gassing and asking Governor Jeff Landry to reconsider its use. Big Easy Magazine

The College of Veterinarians of Ontario is reinventing itself under new governing legislation

Like many professional regulators, such as those for doctors or teachers or lawyers, the College of Veterinarians of Ontario does not wish to attract public attention only, or frequently, for its discipline cases.

But now that Ontario’s drastically outdated veterinary oversight laws are being updated and new legislation brought into effect, with sharper disciplinary teeth to bring veterinary professionals into line when they stray, a few recent prosecutions give a sense of just what a professional regulator sometimes has to deal with at the extremes. National Post

The Human-Pet Connection and Domestic Violence: ABA’s New Resolution to Consider the Pet in Domestic Violence Legal Cases

Sponsored by the Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section, the Family Law Section, and the Commission on Domestic and Sexual Violence



Laura Mezzanotte 

On February 3, 2025, the American Bar Association (ABA) adopted Resolution 504, urging all levels of government, including federal, state, local, territorial, and tribal, to enact legislation and judicial processes that protect both victims of abuse and their pets. The resolution seeks to safeguard pets through three primary means: (1) considering a history of animal cruelty when issuing orders or assigning pet ownership, (2) including pets in civil protection orders for abuse, and (3) removing barriers to housing and pro bono legal services for victims of abuse with pets.

Growth of Pet Ownership Triggers Need for Additional Protections

The resolution report (the “report”) highlights a significant increase in pet ownership over the last several decades in the U.S., with 66% of households owning pets and 97% of owners viewing pets as family members. The ABA asserts that the growth of pet ownership in the U.S. and the growing emotional connection between owners and pets necessitates additional protections, not only for the animals but also for their human owners.

The Link Between Domestic Violence and Animal Abuse

The report emphasizes that as pet ownership has increased in the U.S., the link between domestic violence and animal abuse has become a well-researched issue, providing strong support for the additional protections the resolution advocates. It cites several studies showing that pet abuse is one of the four most significant risk factors for domestic violence, with domestic abusers often harming animals, regardless of whether the abuse involves a spouse, elderly person, child, or is related to stalking, dating violence, or sexual assault. The report also notes that abusers often threaten, harm, neglect, or even kill pets to assert control and emotionally damage their victims. Strong emotional bonds between victims of abuse and their pets frequently lead victims to stay in or return to dangerous situations, putting both themselves and their pets at greater risk. 

Action to Take: Civil Legal Tools to Protect People and Their Pets

The report stresses the importance of considering pets in domestic violence cases to prevent further harm to victims of abuse and their pets. The resolution and report list several legal changes which could address this issue and are listed below.

• The report states eight states and D.C. have enacted legislation which allows for pet custody disputes to consider the best interest of the pet which either implicitly or explicitly allow for consideration of a history of abuse. The resolution urges more states to adopt such legislation.

• The report states 41 states and D.C. support the protection of pets by enacting statutes which allow for pets to be included in domestic violence protection orders. The resolution urges more states to adopt similar legislation.

• The report advocates for more emergency and transitional shelters that accommodate pets, as well as increased access to pro bono legal services for victims of abuse with pets. This would help remove barriers and ensure victims of abuse can access safe housing while maintaining their bond with their pets.

The Effect of Adopting Resolution 504

Resolution 504 urges the remaining states and governments to enact legislation and support programs that are gaining popularity. This push from the ABA demonstrates the growing acceptance of these legal concepts and acknowledges the established link between animal abuse and human violence, which has often been discussed but is frequently dismissed. This is underscored where the report states the ABA is building upon the progress they have already witnessed in changing legislation and court opinions, citing states that have already adopted these practices, and referencing recent studies that support the link between domestic violence and animal abuse.

Furthermore, while this resolution is grounded in the idea that these actions should not be taken for the pet’s sake but to ensure the safety of their owners, these changes in pet custody and protection order law signal a shift from the traditional perspective of animals as property to one where pets are treated more like children and their best interests are considered. If these changes are adopted in other states, the knowledge that their pets will be protected to such an extent could empower victims of abuse and allow them to rely on the housing and legal services they need. This would likely provide invaluable and immeasurable protection for both pets and their owners as they leave abusive situations.

New Mexico- Senate Bill 8- A new bill aimed at tackling the state’s shortage of food animal veterinarians is one step away from becoming law. Senate Bill 8, which passed through both the New Mexico House and Senate, is now on its way to the governor’s desk, ready to offer student loan debt relief for veterinarians committed to working in underserved areas of the state.

The bill specifically targets food animal veterinary care, aiming to provide better care for livestock in rural and frontier areas, where access to veterinary services is often limited. Veterinarians who agree to practice full-time for at least four years in these underserved counties can apply for the loan repayment program.

Illinois- House Bill 2410- Dogs, cats and cows are the subjects of legislation under consideration at the Illinois Capitol.

State Rep. Barbara Hernandez, D-Aurora, has filed 23 bills this year and co-sponsored more than 50. Hernandez said she cares about a lot of legislation in different categories.

“But, of course, I also care about animals. I want to make sure we protect them from unfortunate surgeries,” Hernandez told The Center Square.

Hernandez filed House Bill 2410 to restrict pet euthanasia in shelters. The measure would amend the Humane Euthanasia in Animal Shelters Act to provide that no person may euthanize a cat, dog or other pet in an animal shelter except for health reasons, attitude issues or aggressiveness.

Illinois House Bill 1902- State Rep. Jennifer Sanalitro, R-Hanover Park, filed House Bill 1902, which would require breeders to genetically test dogs. Canines with genetic defects or diseases that cause early death or impairment would have to be sterilized.

Michigan- House Bill 4200- A new bill introduced in the Michigan House would allow telemedicine for veterinary visits, with conditions. This comes at a time when getting a veterinary appointment can be a lengthy process due to a shortage of veterinary services nationwideA new bill introduced in the Michigan House would allow telemedicine for veterinary visits, with conditions. This comes at a time when getting a veterinary appointment can be a lengthy process due to a shortage of veterinary services nationwide., the retirement of older veterinarians, high turnover rates, and increased demand.

Florida- SB 652- Based on Wednesday’s action in the Legislature, your cats, dogs and other pets may have some extra help during future vet visits.

Sen. Jennifer Bradley’s legislation (SB 652), which qualifies “veterinary professional associates,” moved forward in the Regulated Industries Committee and now has two stops before the floor.

Hours later, the companion bill from Republican Rep. Lauren Melo cleared its first hurdle in the Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee.

South Dakota- House Bill 1176- The Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee killed a bill (March 5, 2025) that would have allowed non-veterinarians to perform dental work on horses. House Bill 1176 sought to authorize certified equine dental practitioners to perform dental procedures. DRG News

National- H.R. 597- The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), an independent organization that guides state, federal and international feed regulators with ingredient definitions, label standards and laboratory standards, recently expressed concerns for the newly reintroduced H.R. 597, the "Pet Food Uniform Regulatory Reform Act of 2025," also known as the "PURR Act of 2025."

AAFCO reports concern the proposed legislation, as it is currently presented, could negatively affect consumer protection, reduce transparency in pet food labeling, and jeopardize the safety of pet food products. Veterinary Practice News

New York- SPARE Act- Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (R – Staten Island/South Brooklyn) is working to pass legislation to end the government testing on animals for medically unnecessary procedures.

“It’s cruel, it’s inhumane, it’s unnecessary, and it’s costly,” Malliotakis, an animal lover, told the Advance/SILive.com. “There’s a way we can save taxpayer money, be humane and protect these animals, as well as focus on modern technologies that can be used for some experimentation.” silive.com

Virginia- General Assembly bill looks to address shortage of large animal veterinarian

The Virginia General Assembly wrapped up its 2025 legislative session over the weekend, and one of the bills passed is aiming to help farmers by addressing the shortage of large animal veterinarians across the state. If it’s signed into law, the bill could have an impact across Southwest Virginia.

Most large animal vets serve many clients and often have to travel great distances to do so. But there aren’t enough of these vets around the region to meet the needs of farmers efficiently.

“The nature of our practice, being that we’re mobile, makes it so that we cannot be as efficient as small animal veterinarians. Where it takes us an hour to drive somewhere, a small animal veterinarian can see four to five appointments in that same time period,” said Dr. Alexandru Pop, one of four large animal vets at Appalachian Veterinary Services in Christiansburg. “We definitely do stay busy and unfortunately busy enough to where we have to turn things down because we just don’t have the people to see it.” WDBJ7

National- Senate Bill 620 Reintroduced

Today, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs (SCIA) and Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM), with the support of U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI), Vice Chairman of SCIA, and Gary Peters (D-MI) as original co-sponsors, reintroduced S.620, the Veterinary Services to Improve Public Health in Rural Communities Act. The bill, which Senator Murkowski originally introduced in June 2024, authorizes the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Indian Health Service (IHS) to provide Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations with veterinary services, including spaying and neutering of domestic animals. These services aim to help prevent and control severe and life-threatening zoonotic diseases (infections that spread between people and animals), in rural, Tribal communities. Studies show that Native children have the highest rate of dog bite injuries in the nation, and the highest rate of dog bite hospitalizations occur in rural Alaska and the Navajo Nation. United States Senate on Indian Affairs

Kentucky- Senate Bill 69

 The Kentucky Senate has passed bipartisan legislation, Senate Bill (SB) 69, sponsored by Sen. Robin Webb, D-Grayson, and co-sponsored by Sen. Jason Howell, R-Murray, that aims to expand and modernize the state’s veterinary laws by establishing new allied animal health professional licenses for equine dentistry and animal chiropractic practice. The bill will also establish an Allied Animal Health Professional Advisory Board, a news release said. Murray Ledger

California- AB 697

Assemblymember Alex Lee introduced legislation to safeguard the welfare of cats by protecting them from the harmful and barbaric surgical procedure of declawing. AB 867 affirms California’s stewardship of our  pets by prohibiting cat declawing in the state.

“Cat declawing, the amputation of the first knuckle of each cat’s toes, is an outdated, cruel, and unethical surgical procedure that results in lifelong disfigurement and pain,” said Assemblymember Lee. “Many countries have already outlawed this inhumane practice. AB 867 shows the nation and world that California does not endorse surgical mutilation performed electively on healthy cats for human convenience.” Contra Costa News

Arizona- SB 1658

In a significant development within Arizona's veterinary landscape, Senate Bill 1658 (SB 1658) is proposing to remove the educational requirements for individuals seeking to become credentialed veterinary technicians in the state. This bill, which has sparked a wave of discussion among professionals in the veterinary field, aims to broaden the pool of candidates eligible to work as veterinary technicians by easing the current education-based eligibility restrictions. However, this proposed change also raises questions about the impact on the quality of care provided to animals and the professionalism of the veterinary workforce. Arizona previously allowed for an alternative pathway of on the job training but that ended in 2010. My Vet Candy

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!

American Veterinary Medical Law Association | AVMLA.org