HEALTH - Veterinarians Invited to Apply for AVMA Congressional Fellowship

Veterinarians interested in shaping public policy around issues such as animal welfare, food safety, and public health are invited to apply for the AVMA Congressional Fellowship Program.

The AVMA brings veterinarians to Washington, D.C., as congressional fellows, to spend a year in the office of a member of Congress advising on policy issues.

Applicants should have the following qualifications:

• Be an advocate for veterinary medicine
• Have an interest in public policy and/or politics
• Demonstrate competence in an area of veterinary medicine
• Exhibit an interest in applying scientific knowledge to address societal/public policy issues
• Have the ability to analyze, identify, and easily explain core scientific issues to a variety of audiences
• Be an AVMA member and U.S. citizen
• Possess the ability to pass a government background investigation.

The fellowship program provides an opportunity to help animal health and welfare on a national scale, not just local.

The selection process is conducted in 3 phases that occur between February and April.

• Phase 1: Selection Committee reviews applicant's application materials and selects individuals to move to Phase 2.
• Phase 2: Participants are given a case study that must be completed over two days. Selection Committee reviews and selects candidates for Phase 3.
• Phase 3: In-person interview with the Selection Committee at the GRD offices in Washington, DC.

The fellowship program is sponsored through the American Association for the Advancement of Science, which works to place qualified, scientific experts in congressional offices where they are needed.

To date, more than 60 veterinarians have participated in the AVMA program.

The application deadline is Friday, February 10th.

HEALTH - Hamilton Cat Tests Positive for Rabies

Hamilton Public Health Services was notified on August 25, 2016 by Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit that a cat that may have originated in a rural area of Ancaster tested positive for rabies.

They are asking anyone who may have lost, abandoned, fed, or came in contact with a grey adult male cat in the area of Alberton, from south of Highway 403 into Brant County, between August 10 and August 20 to contact them.

• City of Hamilton residents can call 905-546-2489.
• Brant County residents can call 519-753-4937.

It’s possible the cat is Hamilton’s first case of domestic rabies in over 20 years.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is conducting tests to determine if this case is related to the raccoon strain of rabies found in the wild animal population in the Hamilton area.

Results of the tests are expected next week.

After more than a decade without raccoon strain rabies, Ontario has seen cases throughout 2016.

To combat the outbreak, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry is planning a large scale aerial baiting operation in late August early September.

They will be distributing 500,000 more rabies vaccine baits by Twin Otter aircraft.

This is in addition to the 900,000 oral vaccine baits that have been distributed by the ministry in southern Ontario since December 2015 when the first case of raccoon rabies was confirmed.

As of August 23rd, 170 cases of raccoon strain rabies and 2 cases of fox strain rabies have been found in the province.

Raccoon strain rabies by area:

Hamilton 150

Haldimand 10

Niagara 5

Brant 5

In these cases, rabies was found in 118 raccoons and 52 skunks.

Hamilton Public Health is encouraging residents to:

• Always keep a safe distance from wild and unknown animals. Rabies can make animals aggressive or it can make them appear sick, scared, or friendly.
• Avoid contact with live or dead animals including raccoons, skunks, other land animals and bats, and unknown dogs and cats. Do not feed, help, or relocate any wildlife or keep them as pets.
• Keep your pets supervised.
• Vaccinate your pets against rabies, and keep rabies vaccinations current for dogs and cats to protect them, and prevent any spread to people. Visit their website for information on low cost rabies vaccine clinics.
• Report animal bites and scratches to public health by calling 905-546-2489. Wash wounds with soap and water and seek medical attention.
• If you see sick, injured or strange behaving wildlife report it to City of Hamilton Animal Services 905-546-2489.
  
  

Pet Sales - What Do Americans Prefer?

In a survey conducted by Harris Poll Online, Americans wanted to see higher dog breeding standards with enforcement (67%) versus banning the sale of animals in pet stores (33%). 2,025 adult Americans participated in the poll. 89% of participants believe that tougher breeder standards will decrease puppy mill operations. 81% believe that banning dog sales at pet stores will not end puppy mills.

National Alliance for Dog Breeding Reform founder and Senior Vice President, Ron Sturgeon said, "We would all like to see a world where dogs bred for profit are treated humanely, shown kindness and bred using medically sound principles. The American Pet Council's survey shows that the American pet owners understand the limitations of pet store sales bans. Working toward higher standards for dog breeding is the best long-term approach to improving the lives of dogs being bred for profit. Banning puppy sales at pet stores does not solve the problem of bad breeding practices.” Sturgeon continues, "I would like to see pet stores selling more puppies and even adding dogs from local shelters into the mix. When they do sell dogs from a breeder, they should chose local reputable breeders and display full information so that consumers can meet the breeder and visit the kennel.”

At the 2015 Summit for Urban Animal Strategies specialists from across North America will be participating in a discussion and brainstorming event regarding rescue dogs (Forum 2015.C). As dog overpopulation decreases in North America and negative pressure is increased on dog breeders potential dog owners are finding it more difficult to find a good dog. Shelters have fewer dogs to adopt out and many are participating in humane relocation. Humane relocation, or the importation of dogs, poses risks to dog owners and the public.

What is the solution to safe and positive pet acquisition in Canada and the United States?

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New Brunswick Exotic Animals Task Force Provides Recommendations to Provincial Government

New Brunswick’s Exotic Animal Task Force provided their report focusing on the management of exotic animals to the provincial government. The Department of Natural Resources has accepted all recommendations and is creating a committee to implement them. Natural Resources Minister, Denis Landry said, “Our government is committed to ensuring that New Brunswickers live in the safest communities possible. We thank the Exotic Animals Task Force for their hard work and dedication on this matter, and we look forward to working with stakeholder groups and New Brunswick residents to implement their strategic recommendations.”

The report contains 29 recommendations that are grouped in themes:

• Interagency Coordination
• Inspection and Enforcement Framework
• Education and Communication
• Documentation of policies and procedures
• Legislation

In 2014, the Exotic Animals Task Force was given a mandate to:

• Review existing provincial legislation, regulations, programs, and policies.
• Identify weaknesses that concern human health.
• Create a report that provides specific recommendations as to how the existing regulations can be modified.

Bruce Dougan, Chair or the Exotic Animals Task Force said, “I thank everyone who worked on the task force. I believe we produced a report that will help strengthen laws and regulations for the province. I also thank everyone who provided us with their invaluable input and advice.”

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