JVMS Meeting Notes

January 22, 2009

Guest Speaker

Scott Trebatoski, the new Division Chief for Jacksonville’s Animal Care and Control was the invited guest speaker.  Scott discussed becoming more active in the community and AC and C’s role as educators.  Scott proposed additional collaborative efforts between local veterinarians and AC and C to promote important programs such as vaccination and spay/neuter.  He used his experience with distemper in foxes while working in Lee County as an example of this collaboration.  Other long-term goals planned for the organization include mandatory sterilization, microchipping and updating the rabies tag program to include provisions for a 3-year tag.

Scott discussed the opening of the new shelter this August.  This new, more convenient location will facilitate cooperation with various pet placement partners such as JHS and various rescue organizations.  A more prominent public relations campaign will begin after the new facility has been opened.  This new facility will be located at the I-10 and I-95 merger and it will occupy the equivalent of an entire city block.   AC&C is planning to keep the old shelter open as well.

Other topics

Animal Care and Control has run out of funds for medical supplies.  There was a motion made for JVMS members to voluntarily donate items to AC and C.  Desired items include 1cc syringes, 3cc syringes, size 61/2 surgery gloves, pyrantel, parvo tests, heartworm tests, and heparin.  A more thorough list can be found at the JVMS website.  If you have items that need to be picked up, please call AC and C’s dispatch at 904-630-CITY.

Committee Reports

FVMA
Dr. Stephen A. Shores gave this report.

Dr. Shores discussed the HCCE Permit.  The status of this permit may have changed.  Since the Department of Health does not regulate the DBPR, veterinarians MAY be exempt.  Do not be surprised if the rule is changed after the next regular session.  Currently, this is a rule, not a law.  At this point it is not known if there will be any refunds.  Here is a link to the most current information about this permit (last update 1/16/09): http://www.fvma.com/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=233

Dr. Shores also discussed the controversial American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act.  The AVMA has opposed this bill because it does not address the long-term welfare of the unwanted horses, which would no longer be slaughtered under the act.  Allegedly the HSUS is advocating that veterinarians join an organization other than the AVMA.  He also stated that none of us eat horsemeat but we do support the humane disposition of unwanted horses.

Here a link to the AVMA position statement:

http://www.avma.org/advocacy/federal/legislative/issue_briefs/ahspa.asp

Here is a link to the HSUS position on this issue:

http://www.hsus.org/legislation_laws/citizen_lobbyist_center/help_end_horse_slaughter.html

Dr. Shores thanked all the members for his nomination as the AVMA alternative delegate (District 2) and is requesting that those of us who are AVMA members vote for him when the time comes.  He asserted that he is passionate about veterinary medicine and that he is committed to supporting vet med at the local, state and national level.  He also urged all JVMS members to support our profession by joining the FVMA and the AVMA.

FVMA Annual Conference will be held at the Marriott Waterside Resort, April 17-19, 2009.

The legislative day will be held on April 19th.

Dr. Snyder announced that Dr. Walt Widdowson has suffered a stroke and, as a result, now has paralysis and a speech impediment.

Dr. Sutliff congratulated the JVMS for its cooperation with AC and C, especially during this difficult budgetary year.

Dr. La Due reported that the Holiday party was a huge success; we had 17 product vendors and 71 attendees!  Great job Dr. La Due and Dr. Esser!

Dr. Winter reported that there would be continuing education sponsored by Hill’s on March 29th.  The topics presented include dermatology and the annual pharmacology review.  Dr. Winter also mentioned that many members felt that several shorter CE topics were preferable to a single long topic.

Peer Review: nothing to report at this time.

Treasurer’s report was reviewed and accepted.

The minutes from the November 13, 2008 were accepted.  Copies will be provided at the next meeting.

The password for the website is pope in honor of Dr. Bill Pope.

Kim NIessen