Illicit xylazine has been found to be an adulterant in illicit fentanyl and heroin and can contribute to overdose deaths and the development of chronic sores in drug users. Xylazine is an important veterinary sedative used to facilitate the safe handling of many species and is particularly important in livestock. Sedation of fractious animals is essential to keep people and the animals on which they work safe....
February 16, 2023 – This correspondence comes to inform you of the requirements of the Dog Law, specifically as it pertains to boarding kennel licensing. The statutory requirements of the Dog Law Act necessitate that all veterinarians who board a dog, regardless of whether the boarder is a client or not, must have a kennel license....
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...
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....
Failing an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) inspection can result in tens of thousands of dollars in penalties. To help Members avoid costly penalties by fully complying with mandatory health and safety regulations, the Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association (PVMA) is pleased to partner with, Certified Safety Training (CST)...
In 2017, NAVTA launched the Veterinary Nurse Initiative in part to address the ongoing credentialed veterinary technician shortage present in Pennsylvania and the rest of the country. NAVTA’s leadership proposes that standardizing the title to “veterinary nurse” enhances public awareness about the role of the CVT/RVT/LVT, as well as providing clarity about the role within the profession....
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....
PVMA needs you, our valued members, more than ever. Please take the time to share your support for Senate Bill 907 by contacting Pennsylvania State legislators today. What Is Senate Bill 907? SB907 is sponsored by Senator Gene Yaw of the 23rd District (Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan, Susquehanna, and Union Counties). PVMA worked closely with Senator Yaw and staff in crafting this important bill. The bill would create an Animal Welfare Board composed of stakeholders from different fields and perspectives with one common goal: improving the lives of companion animals....
In today’s society there are several factors that guide millennials in the workplace. They want to be happier than their parents, find more purposeful work and work with better companies. Millennials also want their employers to align with their personal values. Vacation and sick time are important, but an even bigger lure for young workers is flexible work time. Millennials want to work from home, design their own 40-hour workweek, or have the ability to purchase additional time off. Millennial motivation is also driven by health care and retirement packages. Keep...
Recently, veterinary professionals were sent a letter from the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs (BPOA) regarding the waiver lifting limitations on CE ending on September 30, 2021. We understand the confusion surrounding this matter and wanted to provide clarification from the BPOA. Today, we received the following statement. Veterinary Medicine was one of several boards permitting licensees to renew their license utilizing Continuing Education obtained through either in-person courses or distance learning at a ratio of up to 100% at their next renewal following January 1, 2021. Veterinary Medicine renewed November...
