Tax Department Releases Guidance on new Sales & Use Tax Statute:  click here to read it!  

Blue Green Algae on the Lakes.  Pet owners need to be mindful around algae blooms. If animals ingest the toxin, they can be quickly paralyzed and die. Signs of poisoning include weakness, staggering, difficulty breathing, convulsions and death. For more information on the dangers of blue green algae and a map of current conditions, please visit healthvermont.gov.

It's Fair Time!  Here is some information on how to stay healthy at the fair.

Rabies Drops are underway!  To prevent the spread of disease among wildlife, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is conducting an aerial bait drop in eight Vermont counties (Addison, Caledonia, Chittenden, Essex, Franklin, Grand Isle, Lamoille and Orleans). The baits will be dropped by plane into carefully plotted corridors of remote lowland areas and valleys in Vermont and will also be placed by hand in urban areas. Officials say the baits are not harmful to children or pets if touched or eaten, but say they should not be handled or disturbed. If you have any questions, contact the Vermont Rabies Hotline at 1-800-472-2437. More information is available on the State of Vermont's website.

2019 NEVMA Conference in Portland, Maine, September 26-29. 

Registration is Open!  Click here for more information.

2019 Animal Welfare Investigation Training Dates - Scholarships Available for VVMA Members.  For more information, click here.

Free arboviral testing July 1 - November 15, 2019.  More info



 

IF YOU LOVE THEM, LEAVE THEM AT HOME! PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE YOUR PETS IN THE CAR!!!

Every year, hundreds of pets die from heat exhaustion because they are left in parked vehicles. Vermont state law shields people from civil liability when they break into a locked vehicle to rescue a dog in "imminent danger of harm."  The law requires people to call 911, fire or police before breaking into a car.  They must check that the doors are locked, must use no more force than necessary to enter the vehicle, must stay with the child or dog until emergency personnel arrive, and must leave a note on the vehicle about what happened. 

The Vermont State Police recommends that people call police rather than take matters in their own hands.  This law is intended to be used only in emergency situations.

Study of the economic impact of equine events in Vermont
The Vermont Horse Council just released a study on the economic impact of equine events in Vermont.   A second phase of the study will look at expenditures of Vermont residents who own horses, including feed and hay, veterinary and other service fees, transportation, barn and fencing costs and other costs associated with equine ownership.  To learn more about the results of Phase One of the Study or to donate to support Phase 2 go to www.vthorsecouncil.org.  The VVMA was pleased to support this study.

VVMA Dog Bite Prevention Program Between 2012-2016, 550 Vermont children were treated at the hospital by dog bite wounds.  That number doesn't include children who were bitten for whom medical help was not sought or needed, or where actual contact didn't occur but unsafe interactions happened.

The VVMA has a program geared to elementary school-aged children to teach them how to interact safely around dogs in order to avoid bites.  If you are interested in participating in the VVMA's effort or in learning more about bringing the program to your local school, please contact VVMA Executive Director Kathy Finnie at 802-878-6888 or kathy@vtvets.org.  VVMA Members:  login to the Members Only section of our website for information on our program.  Public information on dog bite prevention is available here on our website, and educators interested in learning more about our program click here.  VVMA press release on the program.

Vermont Legislature
The VVMA monitors the legislature for bills impacting animal health and welfare, and the practice of veterinary medicine.  We are mid-way through the 2019/2020 Legislative Session, and the VVMA has a list of all the bills we are tracking.  Click here and you will be directed to log in as a VVMA member to view this information, then go to Government Affairs - State Government.  If you have any questions about legislative activity or would like information on becoming part of the VVMA Government Relations Committee, contact GRC Chair Dr. David Hyde at dbhyde71g@gmail.com.