Weekly Companion Animal News: September 2, 2024

DC Health Department to take over animal care

The DC Department of Health in Washington will take over animal care and control operations for the District starting next year. The Humane Rescue Alliance has been fulfilling animal care and control in D.C. through a contract since 1980. The current contract will expire at the end of September. HRA said that animal control services only accounted for a “fraction” of its activity.

Brooklyn asks NYC for help with overcrowded shelters

Brooklyn’s shelters are overcrowded, rescuers are working overtime, and a break seems unlikely. Advocates are calling for NYC to chip in more money to ease the crisis. Council Member Justin Brannan, an outspoken animal-lover and chair of the City Council’s finance committee, said the city currently spends less than 5% of its animal welfare budget on “upstream” measures like spay/neuter.

Legislation would create spay/neuter certification in California

A bill to help reduce overcrowding at animal shelters across the state by expanding access to low- and no-cost spay/neuter services will advance in the California State Assembly. Introduced by Sen. Scott Wilk, SB 1233 would establish a framework for California’s two accredited schools of veterinary medicine at UC Davis and Western University of Health Sciences to create a first-in-the-nation High-Quality High-Volume Spay/Neuter (HQHVSN) certification program.

Alarm sounded about proposed mid-level practitioner role

An alliance of veterinary professionals and organizations are sounding the alarm about a Colorado ballot initiative that could establish a Veterinary Professional Associate, or Mid-Level Practitioner, in the state. According to Keep Our Pets Safe, “The proponents of this measure are promoting a dangerous position that would allow individuals with minimal training … to perform surgeries along with the full spectrum of veterinary medicine.”

Private brands continue to capture market share

Private brands are projected to take 7% of U.S. dollar market share from national brands by the end of this decade, according to the Kearney 2024 Private Label Report. The study forecast private label to account for 24% of dollar sales across the food and beverage, household essentials, beauty and personal care, and fashion and apparel categories by 2030, with national brands representing 76% of sales. Last year, private brands were 17% of dollar sales in those categories versus an 83% share for national brands.

Navajo Nation endorses plan to step up fight against rabies

With as many as 250,000 dogs on the Navajo Nation, the tribe’s animal control program struggles to adequately monitor and manage rabies as a public health issue. Navajo lawmakers have registered their support for U.S. Senate bill S. 4365, which seeks to prevent and control zoonotic diseases by directing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Indian Health Service to provide veterinary services, including spaying and neutering of domestic animals, to Indian tribes and tribal organizations.

Verndale launches B2B e-commerce platform for Canadian distributor CDMV

Digital agency Verndale announced the successful launch of a B2B e-commerce platform for veterinarians for CDMV, a pan-Canadian distributor of medicine, food, and supplies. The new platform offers self-service shopping, product management capabilities and enhanced security measures.

SUPERZOO 2024 attendance surpasses 2023

SUPERZOO 2024, which was held in Las Vegas Aug. 14-16, drew more than 22,000 registrants, surpassing last year’s record-breaking numbers with a 2% increase in key retailers, buyers and decision-makers, according to World Pet Association officials. The event attracted nearly 3,000 international participants and more than 1,100 exhibitors from 79 countries, with a significant presence from Mexico, Korea, Japan, and Australia.