Weekly Companion Animal News: December 30
An industry in flux: A look at 2024-2025
In December nine veterinary professionals and experts shared with Pet Care Weekly their perspectives on the year just ended and the one now upon us. Some topics they identified: The humanization of pets, the shortage of veterinarians and staff, and cost and accessibility of care. Technology improves but comes at a cost. Then there’s private equity, consolidation, and changing demographics of the veterinary profession. See the discussion in Pet Care Weekly
Massachusetts lawmakers consider banning retail pet sales
Massachusetts lawmakers are considering a bill, introduced in June, that aims to ban the retail sale of dogs, cats and rabbits in new pet shops in the state. It would allow pet shops to provide space for animal rescue or shelter organizations to showcase these animals for adoption without the pet shop having an ownership interest in them. Massachusetts already has 15 municipalities with laws prohibiting the sale of commercially raised dogs and cats in pet stores.
U of Minn pilots program combining human and animal healthcare
The University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine and College of Medicine received a three-year grant to pilot a program to bring human healthcare and animal healthcare under one roof, primarily for people who are underinsured or uninsured. “[P]eople are very attached to their pets and they’re more likely to seek care from themselves if they can keep their pets with them, especially people in really vulnerable situations,” College of Veterinary Medicine Dean Laura Molgaard told KARE11.
Small-animal owners exhibit stronger attachment to pets
A new report from the American Pet Products Association identifies deeper emotional connections and increased investment by owners in the health and wellness of their birds, small animals and horses. Among the findings: Eighty-nine percent of small animal owners now purchase gifts for their pets; small-animal owners have increased vitamin and supplement purchases by 44%; and in-store shopping remains popular, with specialized retailers preferred by bird and horse owners.
Zoetis responds to FDA’s letter about Librela
Following the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine’s recommendation that the label for Librela get a “Post Approval Experience” section and that “owners be advised of the adverse reactions that may occur following administration of Librela,” manufacturer Zoetis issued a statement, “The information shared by the FDA is consistent with what we’ve seen in our pharmacovigilance data. We maintain regular communication with the FDA to ensure the ongoing safety and efficacy of our products.”
GuardianVets names Dr. Lori Teller chief veterinary officer
Telehealth provider GuardianVets announced that Lori Teller, DVM, has joined the company as chief veterinary officer. She is a clinical professor of telehealth at Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences and former president of several organizations, including the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Pet Help and Rescue app developed for emergencies
Three years after the destructive Marshall Fire in Boulder County, Colorado, around 700 people have downloaded the Pet Help & Rescue app, developed by Dave Crawford, co-founder and executive director of Animal Help Now. He describes it as a neighbors-based messaging app that allows users to quickly and effectively locate and evacuate neighborhood animals who are home alone when disasters threaten.
Vetevate launches jobs board for veterinary profession
Tulsa, Oklahoma-based Vetevate is said to combine advanced AI technology, deep industry insights, and filtering to revolutionize veterinary hiring, streamlining the process for employers while empowering job seekers with unparalleled access to information. Features include an AI-powered job post assistant, toggleable job ads and multimedia integration.
