SUMMER 2024 NEWSLETTER
VAFAW Launches at VMX, Exhibits at AVMA Convention
In January, VAFAW launched our new nonprofit organization at VMX 2024 in Orlando, and the event was a terrific success. The conference, known for its high attendance, provided an ideal setting for us to connect with veterinarians and others in the field. Our first-year-free membership offer enticed many of them, leading to the sign-up of 114 new members in just 4 days. In June, VAFAW continued to build support for the organization at the 2024 AVMA convention in Austin. Almost 100 veterinarians, veterinary students, and other professionals signed up to become new members. At both events, visitors to the booth expressed genuine enthusiasm and support for VAFAW. They said they were excited that there was a veterinary group devoted solely to farm animal welfare and expressed interest in our three campaigns addressing farm animal pain, living environments, and end-of-life practices. We heard comments that the field desperately needs additional resources and a place for veterinarians to advocate for farm animal welfare. Our most unforgettable memory from these conferences was hearing attendees at our booth express how exciting and necessary they find the existence of VAFAW.
Veterinary Practice News highlights launch of VAFAW.
MEMBERSHIP BY THE NUMBERS
400+
Current number of VAFAW members
225+
Number of members that are veterinarians or veterinary students
38
Number of U.S. states represented by our membership
6
Number of countries represented by our membership:
the United States, Canada, Nepal, Australia, France and Mexico
1,300
Number of individuals who have visited the VAFAW website from 49 different countries
SEEKING CHANGE
VAFAW Supports Better Enforcement of State Anti-Cruelty Laws In March, VAFAW submitted comments in support of a rule-making petition seeking better enforcement of state animal cruelty and neglect laws when federal slaughter plant inspectors observe violations. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) is responsible for enforcing federal slaughter laws, such as the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act (HMSA) and the Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA). For most farm animals, slaughter is the only time their care and handling are subject to government oversight. FSIS inspectors annually report hundreds of incidents involving farm animal welfare. Inspectors can take enforcement actions for on-site violations only, not for injuries suspected of occurring during transport or on the farm. In many cases, FSIS-documented incidents clearly violate state cruelty and neglect laws. The U.S. Supreme Court recently affirmed that state law enforcement officials have the authority to investigate incidents that potentially violate such laws as long as relevant state laws do not mandate more stringent standards than those already imposed by federal laws like the HMSA and PPIA. Jurisdictional confusion and a lack of effective communication between FSIS and state law enforcement officials result in a widespread failure to enforce state animal abuse laws. Last year, Animal Partisan, an animal welfare legal advocacy organization, submitted a rule-making petition to FSIS, urging the agency to clarify state law enforcement’s authority to enforce state animal cruelty laws in federally regulated facilities and to improve the agency’s reporting system so that suspected violations are reported to state law enforcement for further investigation. In our comments, VAFAW provides a veterinary perspective on the importance of enforcing state laws against animal abuse. We note that state animal cruelty laws have a different purpose than federal slaughter protections, namely protecting the community and suppressing animal cruelty by identifying, sanctioning, and rehabilitating offenders. FSIS is considering the petition, and we hope a positive decision will be issued by the end of the year.
Food Safety News highlights VAFAW comments.
Attention AVMA members: In the coming months, the AVMA will likely release a draft version of its updated Guidelines for the Depopulation of Animals for member comment. Animal welfare is often compromised when animals are killed via depopulation, so this will be an excellent opportunity to use our veterinary voice to advocate for the use of more humane methods for farm animals. Stay tuned for more details.
Learn more about depopulation by reading this journal article from several of VAFAW's founding board members.
WEBINAR SERIES LAUNCH
In May, VAFAW launched a live webinar series with free RACE-approved continuing education credit. The first event, Pain in Farm Animals: Understanding the Barriers to Mitigation and Improving Welfare, was taught by VAFAW’s Director of Education, Abigale Zoltick, DVM. Dr. Zoltick currently conducts research on welfare and behavior in pigs and has years of experience working on farms with a variety of livestock. The learning objectives for the webinar were: •Gain a basic understanding of pain physiology and pathophysiology and how this relates to animal welfare. •Learn about the causes of pain in farm animals, including routine management procedures and common disease conditions. •Learn about the scarcity of FDA-approved drugs labeled for pain control in farm animals and consequent extra-label drug use. •Gain insight into the barriers to on-farm pain prevention and mitigation and explore how these barriers impact animal welfare. The first event had a great turnout; more than 230 people registered, and almost 100 attended.
Watch a replay of the pain webinar here. Stay tuned for more details about our next event.
WHAT WE'RE READING
What Are Farm Animals Thinking?
David Grimm, Science
This essay discusses research into the cognitive states of farm animals, revealing surprising complexity. article link
A Simple New Technique Could Make Your Eggs More Humane
Cara Buckley, The New York Times
A system that determines the sex of chicks before they hatch eliminates the need to routinely destroy young males. article link
Attitudes and professional values of veterinarians and veterinary students towards positive welfare states for dairy cattle.
Brunt, M.W., et al., Journal of Dairy Science
In a survey of Canadian vets and vet students, the most important obstacles cited to improve welfare for dairy cattle included practicality, resistance to change, and concerns for the cows. article link
THE BOARD'S CORNER
Dr. Barry Kipperman, VAFAW Board Member and Director of Research, Receives 2023 Shomer Award for Veterinary Ethics
We are delighted to share that Dr. Barry Kipperman received the 2023 Shomer Award for Veterinary Ethics from the Society for Veterinary Medical Ethics (SVME) at the 2024 VMX Veterinary Meeting & Expo. The Shomer Award, named in honor of Dr. Robert Shomer, co-founder and first president of SVME, is a distinguished accolade in the veterinary community presented annually to recognize an individual who has contributed significantly to veterinary medical ethics. Dr. Kipperman’s journey in veterinary medicine is guided by an unwavering dedication to advancing animal welfare and ethical practices in veterinary medicine. As a small animal internal medicine specialist, he has combined his clinical expertise with a deep ethical perspective, influencing both practice and policy. 1. Academic Influence: Dr. Kipperman, a prominent figure in veterinary education, teaches rigorous veterinary ethics courses at several institutions, challenging students to think critically about the moral dimensions of veterinary care. 2. Publication and Research: He has contributed numerous articles, co-edited the seminal textbook "Ethics in Veterinary Practice: Balancing Conflicting Interests," and authored "Decision-Making in Veterinary Practice." These works serve as key resources that shape ethical discourse in veterinary medicine. 3. Professional Leadership: Dr. Kipperman’s leadership roles in the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, the California Veterinary Medical Association, and the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association have been instrumental in promoting ethical standards across the profession. 4. Advocacy and Outreach: Dr. Kipperman’s commitment extends to advocacy for animal welfare policies. Board-certified in animal welfare since 2019, he has been a vocal advocate for the humane treatment of farm animals and the ethical considerations of veterinary interventions. Impact on the Veterinary Community: Dr. Kipperman’s work has inspired countless veterinarians and students to prioritize ethics in their professional lives, ensuring that animal welfare remains at the forefront of veterinary care. As we celebrate his achievement, we are reminded of the critical role that ethics play in our profession. Dr. Kipperman’s dedication exemplifies the values VAFAW strives to uphold. We are proud to have him on our board and look forward to his continued contributions.
Learn more about the SVME Shomer Award here.
VAFAW NEEDS YOUR HELP
VAFAW wants to offer impactful webinars, develop policies, conduct cutting-edge research, and provide robust membership benefits, but we cannot meet our goals without proper funding. As we consider funding opportunities, one of our greatest strengths is our network!
As a member of VAFAW, you've shown your passion for improving farm animal welfare. Now we are asking for your help to continue our mission in the coming months and years. If you are aware of potential funding sources or know of members in your communities who may be interested in connecting VAFAW with interested philanthropists, please email us at info@vafaw.org. Of course, we also always appreciate individual donations of any size! If you wish to donate to VAFAW, you can do this here.
We appreciate any help you can offer! Thank you for being a part of the VAFAW community!
HIGH FIVE FOR FARM ANIMAL WELFARE
VAFAW gives a virtual high five to Five Freedoms Dairy for providing exceptional farm animal welfare! Veterinarian Kevin McSweeney’s farm in Longmont, Colorado, centers on cow well-being, giving consumers a choice to support operations that prioritize animal welfare. Named after a visionary guide to assessing welfare in veterinary practice, Five Freedoms Dairy includes practices such as allowing calves to have access to their mothers during the first months of their lives and keeping fewer cows overall to ensure that human caretakers can have individual relationships with each cow. The Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare emphasize the importance of an animal’s lived experience. Incorporating concern for mental and physical well-being, the Five Freedoms framework emphasizes providing good lives for animals by ensuring they do not suffer from hunger, thirst, discomfort, pain, injury, illness, fear, or distress while ensuring they are able to express normal behavior. For cows, this might include providing enough nourishment and access to water, adequate resources for escaping inclement weather, receiving medical attention when pain or disease is present, and protecting them from predators who may threaten their safety. As mentioned, practices like allowing calves to spend the first five months of their lives with their mothers enable cows to express their maternal and youngling behaviors. This time and expression of natural behavior enriches the quality of the cows’ lives and creates mentally and physically healthier livestock. Five Freedoms Dairy is a shining example of the work VAFAW advocates for in action—it showcases a novel approach to raising animals for food. By prioritizing animal welfare in animal agriculture, it aligns with the goals of veterinarians, farmers, and consumers who care for the animals involved. While distribution is currently limited to stores and farmers’ markets in Colorado, we are optimistic that McSweeney’s approach will serve as a model for other dairies across the country. High five, Dr. McSweeney, for your pioneering work with Five Freedoms Dairy!
Learn more about Five Freedoms Dairy here.
Know of a producer that deserves a VAFAW high five,
share their information with us at info@vafaw.org.
