Veterinary Medicine - October 2007 - (Page 663)

Animal sheltering O P E E R - R E V I E W E D disease management from a herd health perspective, including detailed knowledge of each disease encountered, but they must also be knowledgeable about stress management techniques; animal behavior; shelter design; sanitation protocols; euthanasia techniques; husbandry of various small mammals, birds, reptiles, and farm animals; zoonosis; and veterinary forensics. Shelter veterinarians are on the front lines when it comes to animal cruelty by uncovering, preserving, and documenting evidence for the prosecution. Their diagnostic skills often rely heavily on physical examinations since diagnostic testing may not be available. Decisions that veterinarians must make have an impact on thousands of animals and are often made without the benefit of peer-reviewed, published veterinary data or the support of colleagues. Shelter veterinarians must be creative, resourceful, and independent-minded in order to try new and unproven healthcare strategies. The Association of Shelter Veterinarians was formed in 2001 and now has more than 500 members. The association has a Web site (www.sheltervet.org) and list serve and is in the early stages of seeking specialty board status. CONCLUSION Animal shelters continue to evolve. A dramatic shift from dog pounds, in which minimal care was provided and death was almost inescapable, to community service centers, which provide information and resources to protect both the public and animals from harm, has already occurred. Many shelters provide animal behavior classes; sanctuary for animals belonging to victims of domestic violence; programs that help at-risk youth and other populations; humane-education, bite-prevention, and animalassisted-therapy programs; and state-of-the-art veterinary care. They also offer externship and training programs for future shelter veterinarians and microchipping and vaccination clinics for low-income clients. In addition, shelters engage in various fundraising efforts, both educational and philanthropic, to benefit shelters and their animals. The veterinary community must engage in research and education to meet the challenge of maintaining and improving the health and well-being of shelter animals and help prevent the euthanasia of millions of dogs and cats in the United States. O REFERENCES 1. Zawistowski S, Morris J. The evolving animal shelter. In: Miller L, Zawistowski S, eds. Shelter medicine for veterinarians and staff. Oxford, England: Blackwell Publishing, 2004;3-9. 2. Edwards MA. The practice of veterinary medicine in a humane society facility. In: Kirk RW, Bonagura JD, eds. Current veterinary therapy X. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders Co, 1989;85-90. 3. Scarlett J. Pet population dynamics and animal shelter issues. In: Miller L, Zawistowski S, eds. Shelter medicine for veterinarians and staff. Oxford, England: Blackwell Publishing, 2004;11-15. 4. New York State Education Department. Veterinary medicine page. Available at: www.op.nysed.gov/article135.htm Article 135, 6705.10. Accessed Sept 05, 2007. 5. Edinboro CH, Janowitz LK, Guptill-Yoran L, et al. A clinical trial of intranasal and subcutaneous vaccines to prevent upper respiratory infection in cats at an animal shelter. Feline Practice 1999;27:7-11,13. VETERINARY MEDICINE October 2007 663 http://www.sheltervet.org http://www.op.nysed.gov/article135.htm

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Veterinary Medicine - October 2007

Veterinary Medicine - October 2007 Contents Leading Off The Veterinary Medicine Interview: Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald Toxicology Brief Idea Exchange Animal Sheltering in the United States: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow The Euthanasia Problem Offer Basic Behavior Counseling for Every Pet at Every Visit Promote and Perform Early Spaying and Neutering Assist Owners in Selecting the Best Pets for their Lifestyles Champion Animal Welfare in Your Community CE Form Product Review Advertiser Index Marketplace/Classifieds Mind Over Miller

Veterinary Medicine - October 2007

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