AVMA releases new resources to help clinics during COVID-19

The American Veterinary Medical Association is offering a webinar, free for members and nonmembers, to help animal care professionals stay up to date on the latest on COVID-19.

AVMA leaders on the webinar offer coronavirus-related resources to help practices keep employees and clients safe, as well as information on how practices and teams are affected by federal relief measures.

It’s led by the organization’s chief veterinary officer and chief government relations officer. It’s available here.

The AVMA is also offering other resources, including a template “essential employee authorization” letter.

Many states and cities have implemented stay-at-home orders that allow people only to go out for reasons deemed essential. So far, veterinary services have been considered essential in all orders. But employees are expected to carry a letter from their employer when they go out—for example, to take the train on their commute—that proves they do this essential work.

Jurisdictions have different requirements from one another for these letters, so employers will have to check their state or city’s stipulations. And while this kind of letter would only work in places where veterinary care has been deemed essential, it hasn’t been deemed otherwise so far.

The AVMA recently announced that its annual convention, set for the end of July, is still planned to take place as originally planned.