Animal Welfare

Tallahassee, Fla. - The definition of domestic violence in Florida may be expanded to include animals, according to new legislation.

Zanesville, Ohio - "One of the captains ... said to me, 'We all knew this was going to end badly, we just didn't know how badly it would (end).'"

The door may have re-opened to horse slaughter, following a five-year federal ban.

New York, N.Y. -- ASPCA and other advocacy groups hosted a rally to announce their support of legislation calling for a phase-out of horse carriages in Manhattan.

Dr. Pamela Corey speaks out for the first time about her suspension from ASPCA over her comments about a carriage horse's death.

The Teamsters are among those calling for the reinstatement of Dr. Pamela Corey.

Dr. Lewellen recounts her experience with the question of whether to treat or euthanize a pet with a behavior problem.

Concrete steps you can take in reaching a decision.

Our Practitioner Advisory Board weighs in on this critical topic.

A look at the positive and negative indicators for anxiety and aggression treatment outcome.

Document everything, and four other tips to help identify and report potential animal abuse

Oakville, Ontario -- The number of cats and dogs euthanized by North American animal welfare organizations declined 12 percent and 3 percent, respectively, over the last year.

Columbus, Ohio -- After the killing of 49 exotic animals last week, Ohio's governor is calling on agencies to track wild animal ownership and craft new rules.

National Report - A new rule further curtailing the use of double-deck trailers to transport horses bound for slaughter is being applauded by veterinary groups.

Schaumburg, Ill. -- The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE) released new statements on the most critical issues facing veterinary medicine.

Detroit, Mich. - Dr. Karen Hrapkiewicz, former clinical veterinarian and director of the Division of Laboratory Animal Resources at the Wayne County Community College District Veterinary Technology Program at Wayne State University, is suing the school, alleging she was fired in retaliation for protesting the university's laboratory animal practices and for her age.

Baton Rouge - Louisiana State University (LSU) School of Veterinary Medicine received $200,000 from the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) for its shelter medicine program.

Austin, Texas - Dog and cat breeders in Taxas have new licensing requirements.

National Report - Ballot initatives, backed by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) to change egg-production standards, were dropped in Oregon and Washington after HSUS and the United Egg Producers announced a deal to work together on new federal legislation that would apply to all egg-laying hens in the United States.

National Report - Animal-welfare groups and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) have butted heads for some time about wild-horse gathers, but BLM recently announced it will work more closely with the Humane Society of the United States to develop a "new normal" for doing business in the future.

St. Louis - Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon allocated $1.1 million in the 2012 state budget to crack down on substandard commercial dog breeders.

To further understand the loss and need for support after a pet or patient dies, the veterinary professional must have an understanding about the human-animal bond. This relationship between humans and pets dates back to the beginnings of civilization. The benefits to owning a pet can be emotional, social and physical.

New York City - A chance encounter between a New York City veterinarian and a wolfhound-mix puppy, hours away from death, was enough to recruit the doctor into a battle to end pet overpopulation.

Schaumburg, Ill. - The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) will spend $60,000 on an animal welfare symposium after noting discrepancies in euthanasia recommendationsamong various agencies and organizations.

Madison, Wis. - In rural Wisconsin, purebred dogs have been showing up in people's driveways, and some fear irresponsible breeders are dumping their "stock" ahead of new, stricter laws aimed at puppy mills.

National Report -- Equine welfare in the United States has generally declined since domestic equine slaughter was banned, according to a new report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO).

Los Angeles -- Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously in favor of banning the sale of pets bred in ?puppy mills? or ?kitten mills? June 8.

Improving the welfare of farm animals.

How veterinarians in Europe are helping to determine public policy.

Cheyenne, Wyo. -- Wyoming lawmakers have created a new account aimed at giving local law enforcement agencies more resources to fight animal cruelty.