Group issues new guidelines on pet care at U.S. shelters

Veterinary Medicine Update  Group issues new guidelines on pet care at U.S. shelters The Association of Shelter Veterinarians has released new standards for U.S. shelters, which include "Five Freedoms" for sheltered animals: Freedom from hunger and thirst, discomfort, pain and disease, and fear and distress, as well as the freedom of having enough space to express normal behavior. ChicagoNow.com/Steve Dale's Pet World blog (12/15)  Study indicates synthetic-surfaced racetracks are safer for horses An analysis by a University of Glasgow veterinarian indicated that the rate of fatal injuries among thoroughbred horses in the U.S. is lower for those racing on synthetic surfaces compared with those racing on dirt. The study was based on equine injury data gathered between Nov. 1, 2008, and Oct. 31 of this year. The Courier-Journal (Louisville, Ky.) (12/15), The New York Times (free registration)/The Associated Press (12/15)  Hundreds of Kansas dogs are euthanized after distemper outbreak Roughly 1,200 dogs at a kennel in Kansas were put down in the wake of a distemper outbreak that took place in Wyoming but had ties to the Kansas facility. The livestock commissioner in Kansas said the majority of the dogs were adults and that euthanizing the animals was the only means of preventing the disease's spread. The Kansas City Star (Mo.)/The Associated Press (12/15)  Learn more about canine distemper.   Commentary: Animal studies play a key role in medical advancement Advances in medicine for humans -- including flu shots and surgery -- are the result of decades of humane and carefully regulated animal research, writes expert Michael Goldberg. For example, studies on rats, mice and monkeys provide the building blocks for understanding Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases and finding treatments. San Diego Union-Tribune(12/16)  Researchers use thermal imaging to study sarcoptic mange in wolves Thermal imaging is one of the tools U.S. Geological Survey researchers are using to study gray wolves at Yellowstone National Park. Specifically, they aim to understand how sarcoptic mange disease affects the animals. The researchers also plan to investigate the spread of the disease across the park's wolf packs. LiveScience.com (12/15) Other News Rat studies lead to possible big break in the study of kidney disease The Birmingham News (Ala.)/Breaking News blog (12/14)  Military veterinarian teaches rabies prevention in Afghanistan DoDLive.mil (12/15)  Mississippi officials monitor feral swine diseases The Clinton News (Miss.) (12/16)  Integrated Talent Management Brings It All Together Identifying, developing, rewarding, and retaining talent is critical to the success of businesses in all industries. Learn how you can optimize processes to make the most of the people in your organization in this FREE white paper from SAP.   Animal News  Animal behaviorist shares tips for avoiding dog bites The number of U.S. hospitalizations involving dog bites rose to about 9,500 in 2008 from 5,100 in 1993, with most of the victims young children or the elderly. An animal behaviorist and veterinarian offers safety precautions in case of an encounter with a potentially aggressive dog in this Q-and-A. San Francisco Chronicle/Tails of the City blog (12/15) Learn more about dog-bite prevention.   Poll: People trust their pets more than humans More than half of Canadian pet owners responding to a recent poll said they find their animals more reliable than people, and 90% said they talk to their pets. Psychotherapist Shiri Joshua urges pet owners to use lessons learned from pets to improve relationships with people. The Gazette (Montreal)/PostMedia News (Canada) (12/15)  Other News Microchips help bring missing pets home Telegram & Gazette (Worcester, Mass.) (12/16)  Smithfield investigates hog operations in light of undercover video The Des Moines Register (Iowa)/Green Fields blog (12/15)  Animals surviving oil spill tops Time's list of best animal stories of 2010 TIME (12/9)  Olympic leadership lessons from USA Basketball Discover the tactics that Jerry Colangelo employed to overcome USA Basketball's Olympic losing streak. Learn how Colangelo and Coach K built a team that could compete internationally & how to adapt your leadership style to gain the same type of success. Check out Sustaining the Leadership Edge for just $75.   Around the Office  Uncertainty in U.S. tax code sparks debate The U.S. tax code contains an increasing number of temporary tax provisions that must be approved by Congress every few years. The provisions could discourage businesses from investing by creating an unstable and uncertain environment, some experts argue. The situation is even worse for small businesses that are unincorporated and must deal with frequent changes to income tax law. The Wall Street Journal (12/14)  Drive company revenue by simplifying IT strategies. Investments in IT are often seen as key to supporting core business operations. Microsoft Online Services offers technology solutions outfitted for small to mid-size companies that will free up resources and help employees focus on what matters most. Download this free whitepaper to find out more!   Policy Watch  Alabama bill seeks to phase out gas chambers A proposed bill in Alabama, if enacted into law, would end the use of gas chambers to euthanize shelter pets. The measure, backed by various animal welfare groups, may go before lawmakers for their consideration in March. CNBC (12/14)  Texas city considers prohibiting pet sales An ordinance being considered in Austin, Texas, would prohibit retail sales of cats, dogs and other small animals in a bid to clamp down on puppy mills. "I wanted to be sure no other puppy-mill businesses came to town, especially once the economy bounced back," said a member of the Animal Advisory Committee for the city. Austin American-Statesman (Texas)(free registration) (12/16)    Featured Content  When Opportunity Knocks, Jump! NELL MERLINO  Save Taxes With the 5 Year Business Credit Carryback Mike Periu  The Only Sure Thing in Social Media Guy Kawasaki  20 Percent Time: Offering Your Employees Autonomy Thursday Bram  Can Beliefs Keep You From Becoming Wealthy? MORTY LEFKOE    Association News  What's going on at the AVMA?  Want to learn more about recent and ongoing activities at the AVMA? Read AVMA@Work, the association's blog bringing you the latest news and updates on what the AVMA is doing to advance the veterinary medical profession and protect the interests of veterinarians and the animals and humans they serve. You can also join the discussion by commenting on these articles and reading the comments of your colleagues. 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