Source: The Canine Review Nationwide Pet Insurance is sending non-renewal letters to policyholders across the country, sparking concerns among pet owners. The company has not clarified which policies or states are affected. Former executives reveal financial struggles, indicating layoffs and a failure to make the pet insurance segment profitable. Estimates suggest at least 300,000 policyholders could be impacted. The lack of transparency from Nationwide prompts criticism, with comparisons drawn to long-term care insurance practices. Retired NAIC consumer advocate Birny Birnbaum criticizes the ..read more

Source: Fox Carolina Warren Wilson College in Asheville, NC, will become pet-friendly, allowing students to bring pets to designated residence halls for an annual fee. Pet-free halls will also be available. Accepted pets include dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, and more. Dean of Students Tacci Smith explained the change aims to ease students’ transition to college and reduce anxiety by providing companionship. The policy also ensures pets’ comfort. Students, like Madison Sircy, anticipate the positive impact, expecting increased happiness, bonding among peers, and shared responsibility. The initiat ..read more

Source: Fox 8 Starting in July, Virginia will ban veterinarians from declawing cats except for therapeutic reasons. Governor Glenn Youngkin signed the bill from Del. Marty Martinez, prohibiting declawing unless it’s medically necessary or to protect the owner’s health. The law permits declawing only if it’s to address infections, diseases, injuries, or abnormal conditions jeopardizing the cat’s health, documented by a licensed vet. In addition, it allows declawing if the owner’s life or health is at risk due to a condition worsened by scratches from a cat, documented by a licensed physician. T ..read more

Source: Kansas State University Kansas State University Olathe introduces a unique graduate certificate in Data Analytics and Insights in Animal Health, aimed at professionals seeking to excel in the rapidly growing field of Animal Health data and technologies. The 15-credit hour program equips students with skills to address industry challenges, develop innovative solutions, and utilize data effectively in interdisciplinary settings. Dr. Doug Shane emphasizes the certificate’s alignment with industry needs, bridging the gap between animal health and analytics expertise. The program addresses ..read more

Source: dvm 360 The North American Veterinary Community (NAVC) awarded Texas A&M’s Veterinary Emergency Response Team (VET) $10,000 for their response to the historic Smokehouse Creek fire in the Texas Panhandle and dedication to Veterinary education. The fire, which burned over 1 million acres, led the VET team to deploy 36 faculty, staff, and students to assist affected animals. They treated 672 cattle and 271 other animals for burns, respiratory issues, and more. VET, formed in 2010, has deployed 26 times, aiding animals in disasters like wildfires and hurricanes. Director Deb Zoran emp ..read more

Source: LSU Media Center LSU researchers have developed a groundbreaking syringe that stores adult stem cells, streamlining the process of delivering them to patients for tendon injury treatment. Traditional methods involve multiple transfers, which can compromise cell viability. The new syringe reduces these steps, allowing cells or tissue grown in the lab to be directly transported and administered to the patient from the same device. Dr. Mandi Lopez, leading the project, emphasizes the significance of minimizing cell handling to maintain treatment effectiveness. LSU’s Office of Innovation ..read more

Source: The Guardian The Mendocino Coast Humane Society, facing a surge in animal intake, grapples with the daily challenges of animal cruelty and overpopulation. Despite efforts to communicate the crisis, public understanding remains limited. Workers like Sierra and Michael labor tirelessly, confronting heartbreaking cases of neglect and abuse. The shelter, inundated with animals, struggles with limited resources and personnel. The emotional toll on staff is profound, compounded by societal misconceptions and negative attitudes. Reforming public perception and improving working conditions are ..read more

Source: AVMA News  The AVMA Board of Directors has approved a plan to tackle the shortage of Veterinary specialists in academic roles at Veterinary colleges. Proposed by the AVMA Veterinary Specialty Organizations Committee (VSOC), the plan aims to establish a task force to identify and address issues hindering the recruitment of Veterinary specialists in academia. With the anticipated need for more Veterinary educators due to the expansion of Veterinary colleges, the task force will produce a report with recommendations for various organizations to enhance specialist recruitment, develop ..read more

Source: Feed Strategy The World Health Organization (WHO) identifies antimicrobial resistance as a major global health concern, with an estimated annual death toll of 4.95 million. Dr. Justin Tan, from Kemin Animal Nutrition & Health, underscores the importance of combating antibiotic resistance through effective animal protein production methods. At the Feed Strategy Seminar, Tan advocates for a holistic approach to phasing out antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs), emphasizing optimal farm management, diet, and biosecurity. Additives like prebiotics and bacteriophages are highlighted as alt ..read more

Source: dvm 360  Vetster has introduced the Pet Friendly Workplace Certification to promote pet-inclusive workplaces. Amazon, TribalScale, Spot Pet Insurance, and DECIEM are among the first recipients, recognized for their pet-friendly approaches. The certification aims to standardize safe environments for pets, regulate policies, and enhance employee well-being. Nicola Watson from TribalScale emphasizes pets’ importance and their inclusion in company culture. With 66% of US households owning pets, Vetster anticipates a rise in pet ownership, especially among Millennials. The certificatio ..read more