Yaw Reintroduces Bill Creating Animal Welfare Board
HARRISBURG –Sen. Gene Yaw (R-23) recently announced the reintroduction of legislation to create an Animal Welfare Board in Pennsylvania. Senate Bill 785 would create an 18-member Animal Welfare Board to review existing laws and regulations and make recommendations to the General Assembly for action. The board would meet at least once each legislative session or at […]
Statement on Xylazine
On behalf of the of The Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association, we want to thank Governor Shapiro’s Office for their quick action to hear our concerns and their willingness to work with us regarding the scheduling of xylazine as a Schedule III controlled substance.
Xylazine is an FDA-approved prescription sedative with pain-relieving and muscle relaxing properties for use in animals. It is one of the most widely used veterinary drugs across many species, including cats, dogs, horses, cattle, deer, elk, rats, mice, wildlife, and zoo animals.
Updating Pennsylvania’s Dog Law: Proposed Increases to Dog and Kennel License Fees and Changes to Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement Operations
January 25, 2023 – The Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement (BDLE) has been operating in a deficit for several years and annually requires a transfer of funds to maintain operations. This has prevented the BDLE from hiring a new warden when a position is vacated, thus resulting in the Bureau being understaffed. It is for this reason that in 2022 the Department of Agriculture reached out again asking for increases to both dog and kennel license fees. Representative Eddie Day Pashinski plans to introduce legislation to return the BDLE to solvency and make other important changes to updates to the Dog Law.
Proposed Law for Fair Pet Insurance in Pennsylvania: Mike Schlossberg’s Effort to Protect Pet Owners
January 20, 2023 – For many Pennsylvanians, pets are chosen family who deserve all the love, affection and care their human family receive. As a proud parent — to two humans and two dogs — state Rep. Mike Schlossberg takes that seriously.
“Scope of Practice” Alert – Authority of the PA Board of Veterinary Medicine Upheld
As part of our mission to ensure the vitality of the veterinary profession and enhance animal health and welfare, PVMA continues to take appropriate action against those who practice veterinary medicine without a license. Our profession recently saw a significant win in the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania, released the final adjudication of Maria McElwee v. Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, State Board of Veterinary Medicine.
Senate Panel Discusses PA Dog Law, Animal Welfare Issues During Capitol Hearing
On October 20, 2020, the Pennsylvania Senate Judiciary Committee discussed the PA Dog Law and animal welfare issues during a Capitol hearing. In summary, PVMA absolutely opposes overbreeding, inhumane breeding of dogs, as well as breeders that are acting illegally. PVMA opposes SB 44 (Victoria’s Law) and supports SB 1267. Dr. Mary Jane McNamee, PVMA’s […]
Illegal Practice of Veterinary Medicine
PVMA has received many reports of bovine technicians engaging in the practice of veterinary medicine without a license, specifically performing ultrasounds and issuing diagnoses. In the past, the state of Pennsylvania fined three individuals and ordered them to cease and desist their activities. We have received reports that some of these individuals have not stopped […]
SB 44 (Victoria’s Law)
The Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association is PA’s only statewide professional membership organization for the veterinary profession representing over 3,800 veterinarians, certified veterinary technicians, assistants, practice managers, and other support staff. Our mission is to ensure the vitality of the profession by promoting excellence in veterinary medicine, advancing animal health and welfare, and protecting and enhancing […]
Veterinary Use of Controlled Substances Survey Summary
Many thanks to all of our members who responded to the survey on the prescribing of controlled substances in your practices. We received well over 200 responses, giving us enough data to make a convincing presentation to our legislators why veterinarians should continue to be exempt from PA’s Prescription Drug Monitoring Program. For now, the […]
Endorsement and Expansion of the AAEP Position Statement on Therapeutic Medications in Non-Racing Performance Horse
PVMA’s Position The Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association (PVMA) endorses and expands the American Association of Equine Practitioners’ (AAEP) Position Statement on Therapeutic Medications in Non-Racing Performance Horses (2002). Three specific areas of emphasis modify the position statement and make it more applicable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Notice: JavaScript is required for this content.
