Some good news from Bama!

[bamacrat]

So my wife joined the Greater Birmingham Humane Society Women's Auxiliary. She has been to their meeting and volunteered etc.. well one thing they have been working on is to block a measure from the state board over veterinarians. The measure would have made it illegal for a vet to spay/neuter or vaccinate an animal if they did not own the building in which they practice. This would effectively shut the Humane Society down since this would cause them not to be able to adopt pets out.

She wrote a letter to the board voicing her displeasure and last night around 200 people showed up and demanded this be stopped. It was voted down today. The Humane Society can continue caring for animals.

The sick part of this is, the vet board is comprised of vets who are for profit vets and represent wealthy veterinarians in the state. No regard for the 12,000 animals spayed/neutered and vaccinated each year by Bham Humane Society.

Very proud of her.

[Bertha Venation]

1. That is wonderful news, bamacrat!

What a lame-ass idea.

[grilled onions]

2. What Are We If We Don't Care For The Animals?

We must love the mixed breeds,the mutts as much as we do the pure breds. We have to take a stand for them against those who feel animals are for vanity,profit or sport.
I am glad she took a stand and the victory will be with all those beautiful animals.

[OriginalGeek]

3. This begs the question

what kind of republican fuckery would make them try to pass this measure? What's in it for them? Who was trying to exploit defenseless animals and their (apparently somewhat less - hooray!) defenseless care-givers for profit?

Because I'm sure it was about putting money in some jack-asses pocket.

Bravo to Mrs. Bamacrat!

[bamacrat]

4. Apparently it was a well connected vet in Auburn.

He is close with the head of the veterinary board and was "losing out" to the Humane Society because they offer services so much cheaper.

I'm trying to get Mrs. Bamacrat to join DU, but she isn't very political...unless it deals with animals.

[bluedigger]

12. I knew there had to be an Auburn connection.

Their veterinary school is one of the best in the country. Assholes.

[HopeHoops]

5. Excellent.

[LynneSin]

6. I had to read that 3 times to try and make sense of it and it still doesn't

No not what you wrote but what these Vets want to do.

Why would these Vets even care if the person doing the Spay/Neutering owns the building. Aside from the impact that this would have on those Vets who volunteer to help out Rescue groups but what about Vets who rent their medical office, which is not uncommon.

[bamacrat]

8. I know, right.

That was the puzzling part of this. They specifically wanted to cripple the not-for-profit animal care. What kind of people would do that? Oh yeah, I know greedy, asshat pukes.

Side note: hi LynneSin, you were one of the first DUers to welcome me back in 2004. You and CaliforniaPeggy. Wow I'm older in DU years than CaliforniaPeggy...I'm shocked. Either way you two are two of my favorite DUers.

[LynneSin]

9. Clearly you haven't been in GD today

I think I added to my list of people who have me on ignore.

Thank you for that kind word - much appreciated. I can be an asshole at time but I mean well at heart!

I hope your wife is successful with what she is doing. It would be a shame for people to hamper these programs meant to curb pet populations. Perhaps the Anti-Choice people are going after the next untapped market in 'Save the Fetus' by protecting the fetuses of feral cats & dogs. A very common occurance when these rescue groups Spay & Neater these animals is that many time the female cats & dogs are probably pregnant. If the animal is clearly pregnant then they will allow the animal to carry to term. But if the animal is in the early stages normally pets don't get pregnancy tests before they are fixed.

[RebelOne]

7. Kudos to your wife. n/t

[hamsterjill]

10. This was great news!!!

If this had passed, it would have emboldened other states with rich veterinarians to try to get similar legislation passed. Alley Cat Allies has been all over this.

My thanks to your wife for her efforts!

[eppur_se_muova]

11. This has sparked outrage all over AL ...

the vets are obviously just protecting their lucrative practices. Some in our area charge $300 for neutering/spaying, and they resent the cheap competition.