Hillsborough County Veterinary Medical Society Hosts Workshop Examining Trends, Legislation in Growing National Animal Rights Movement.

Lifestyle Editors/Business Editors

TAMPA, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 11, 2003

Goal-- Forge Consensus Among State's Veterinarians

For Florida Solution

In a first-of-its-kind seminar and workshop featuring noted national expert James F.Wilson, DVM, JD of Yardley, PA, veterinary leaders from throughout the state gathered for an in-depth look at what many feel is an inevitability, the elevation of the status of pets from property to something higher than that.

Among the concerns from such a major change for veterinarians are increases in the costs for animal services brought on by higher standards of care and medical record keeping, and more costly professional liability for all animal care givers.

Most significantly, the workshop was designed to encourage state and national veterinary leaders to identify potential allies who can help them address these changes, determine an appropriate professional response to this issue, and to take a proactive role in helping Florida forge a practical legislative solution that addresses these changes constructively without destroying important legal precedents.

"My main message to the veterinary community is that we can no longer 'have our cake and eat it too'," said Dr. Wilson. "We cannot extol the value and uniqueness of the human-animal bond, and encourage pet owners to go to greater and more expensive lengths to protect the quality of life of their animal companions, and then expect the law to continue to treat animals as inanimate property.

"While we grapple with the complex issues involved in redefining and expanding animal and pet owner rights, most people already are quite sure that Fido is most definitely not a chair, and should not be treated as such legally."

Dr. Wilson applauded the Hillsborough County Veterinary Medical Association (HCVMS) for spearheading this statewide look at the vast new array of legal activities and precedents that are changing the position pets occupy under the law. "There is no longer any doubt that these changes are coming," said Dr. Wilson. "The only question is how we, as a profession, are going to respond."

Neil Shaw, DVM, Diplomate ACVIM, and president of the HCVMS, said that forging a pro-active response to the new legislation that is bound to come was the primary objective of the workshop. "This issue cannot be ignored," said Dr. Shaw. "It is not going to go away. We want to do everything we can to contribute our profession's unique perspective and views on how to best protect the rights of all involved, and to help guide new legislation." He said that the ultimate goal is to develop a clear agenda for what Florida's veterinary professionals can and should do 1) as individuals, 2) as members of their individual county veterinary medical associations (VMA's), 3) as members of their statewide association,the Florida Veterinary Medical Association (FVMA) and 4) working with their national associations, i.e. the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Animal Hospital Association. "We need to make sure our voices are heard and our point of view is known and appreciated," said Dr. Shaw.

Dr. Wilson and Dr. Shaw said the presence of representatives from the Florida Veterinary Medical Assocation (FVMA), American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) and California Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) at this workshop was greatly appreciated, and an indication of the importance of this issue. Dr. Shaw said the next step for the HCVMS was to share the results of the workshop with the HCVMS membership at large, establish a consensus position and share those priorities with the FVMA and the AVMA.