Weekly companion animal news: March 20, 2023

Washington state court dismisses negligence claim, rules pets are property

The Washington state Court of Appeals dismissed a claim of negligent infliction of emotional distress and breach of contract against two veterinary entities, concluding pets are defined as property in the state of Washington. The court affirmed the ruling after concluding the corporate negligence doctrine hadn’t been applied to animal health care facilities in Washington and that Washington law had never provided for NIED claims arising out of the negligent injury or death of a pet, Law.com reports. The plaintiffs originally filed the complaint against BluePearl Specialty and Emergency Pet Hospital, Woodinville Animal Hospital and two individual veterinarians.

Oregon bill would ban pet store sales of dogs and cats

Oregon pet stores would no longer sell dogs and cats under a bill moving through the state legislature. The bill, meant to tamp down on puppy mills, would not apply to animal shelters that offer dogs and cats for adoption or pet stores that partner with animal rescue groups to offer shelter pets for adoption. Nor would it apply to existing pet stores until they change ownership. A committee in the state House approved the measure, which now heads to the House floor. Several states, including Washington and California, have similar laws in place, Oregon Public Broadcasting reports.

Recreational drugs make annual ASPCA list of top pet toxins for the first time

Recreational drugs for the first time have made the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center’s annual list of top toxins for pets. These drugs, including marijuana-based substances, hallucinogenic mushrooms and cocaine, replaced gardening products in the No. 10 spot on the 2022 list. The APCC team last year fielded nearly 11% more calls related to potential marijuana ingestion than in the previous year, and they’ve seen a nearly 300% increase in calls over the past five years, according to the announcement.

Florida company recalls pet supplements due to concerns over vitamin A levels

A Florida company has recalled dozens of dog and cat supplements that may contain too much vitamin A, the FDA announced. Stratford Care USA recalled 61 brands of omega-3 supplements. While vitamin A is an essential nutrient for pets, elevated levels can lead to health problems. “Vitamin A toxicity may include general malaise, anorexia, nausea, peeling skin, weakness, tremors, convulsions, paralysis and death,” the FDA said. Stratford received one report about a dog exhibiting signs of toxicity and initiated the recall for certain lot numbers, WKRC reports.

Vetoquinol launches employee engagement tool

Vetoquinol has launched a new software that the company says will help veterinary practices keep employees engaged and reduce burnout. Using VetPowerment, employees evaluate each other and the organization, completing a five-minute anonymous survey each week, according to the company. Managers can use the information to analyze work culture and implement appropriate development training.

Arkansas State University approves plan for state’s first veterinary school

The Arkansas State University board of trustees approved a plan to create a college of veterinary medicine at its Jonesboro campus, the only one in the state, according to the school. “We believe Arkansas State will attract even more undergraduate students who want to pursue degrees in science,” said ASU System President Chuck Welch. The university aims to open the program in the fall of 2025, said chancellor Todd Shields.

Chewy partners with more veterinarians as it tries to grab a bigger share of the $43 billion pet care market

Pet health care is a $40-$43 billion market in the United States, according to a Chewy executive, who said the company is partnering with a growing number of veterinarians. This comes as demand grows among pet owners for easier access to veterinary services and among veterinarians for more flexibility in when and how they work. The company offers free chat to anyone and video veterinary service to its Autoship subscription customers. “As demand comes in, as more people want to access the service, we’ve slowly been upping our headcount of veterinarians and capacity as well,” Mita Malhotra, vice president and general manager at Chewy, told PYMNTS.

$3.3 million grant program aims to support domestic violence survivors with pets

Applications are open for a federal grant program that aims to help domestic violence shelters support survivors and their pets. The $3.3 million Emergency and Transitional Pet Shelter and Housing Assistance Grant Program is a project of the U.S. Department of Justice. Grants will provide funding for shelter and transitional housing and other assistance for survivors of domestic violence with pets, service animals, emotional support animals or horses.