American Veterinary Medical Law Association

02/04/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GJCgRabgt/

This means, procedures done purely for appearance would be illegal. Surgeries would still be allowed only to treat injury or disease. The goal is to prevent lifelong pain, nerve damage, and behavioral issues caused by non-therapeutic surgery.

01/28/2026

AVMLA ​January 27 HOT Legal Topic – The Story Behind Payments Toward Student Loans as a Benefit in Employment Contracts

01/26/2026

Veterinarian Pleads Guilty to Falsifying Records and Pet Theft – Thoughts?

A Tonawanda veterinarian has admitted to falsifying business records and stealing a family’s pet. This raises serious questions about ethics and trust in our profession. How should the veterinary community respond to cases like this? What safeguards can help prevent similar incidents?

A vet admitted to stealing a Yorkshire terrier & falsifying records. She will be sentenced in March.

01/24/2026

Weigh in.

After the death of his cat, a man took sick leave because the emotional distress left him unable to work. His employer rejected the absence and later punished him, arguing that grief over a pet was not a valid reason to stay home.

The case went to court, where a judge in Finland ruled in favor of the employee. The court decided that the loss of a beloved pet can seriously affect a person’s mental health and work ability, and ordered the employer to pay around €40,000 in compensation, including damages and lost wages.

Tragically, the man died before he could ever receive the money, and the compensation became part of his estate. The ruling has sparked debate about grief, mental health, and how workplaces should treat employees after personal loss.

01/23/2026

Ginny reminds us that kindness knows no species. Her legacy lives on as a beacon of hope and love for all creatures in need. 🐾💜
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Ginny began her life as a shelter dog, but what followed was something no one could have
predicted. While out on walks with her owner, she started behaving strangely, pulling toward
alleys, abandoned buildings, and construction sites. When her owner followed, they often found injured or trapped stray cats. This wasn’t a coincidence. Ginny was actively searching for them.

Time after time, she would stop, refuse to move, or bark until her owner paid attention, leading
them directly to a cat in distress. Some were sick, some hurt, some barely alive. Her owner
would step in, providing care or arranging veterinary help, and Ginny would move on, searching again.

This became a pattern that continued for years. Ginny didn’t discriminate between kittens or adults, friendly or feral. If a cat needed help, she found it. Over her lifetime, Ginny is credited with helping rescue more than 900 cats, an astonishing number for an animal with no training, no commands, and no reward system. She acted purely on instinct and persistence. Ginny never carried the cats or treated their injuries herself. Her role was simpler and more powerful: she noticed who was invisible. Her story spread because it challenged assumptions about animal behavior and compassion. Ginny showed that care doesn’t always come from those who are asked to give it. Sometimes it comes from those who simply refuse to walk past suffering without stopping.

01/15/2026

Good News from FL!

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🐾🚫 A major win for animal protection.

Florida now blocks convicted animal abusers from adopting or buying cats and dogs by checking a public abuse registry first.

The new law, often referred to as “Dexter’s Law,” creates a statewide, publicly accessible registry of people who have been convicted of serious animal abuse. Before a cat or dog can be adopted or sold, shelters, rescues, and sellers can check the database to make sure the animal is not being placed back into the hands of someone with a history of cruelty.

The goal is simple:
👉 Stop repeat abuse before it happens.
👉 Protect animals who can’t protect themselves.

The law was inspired by real cases where abused animals were adopted out again to the same offenders due to a lack of shared information. Now, that loophole is closed. Depending on the conviction, offenders can be barred from owning pets for years or permanently.

Animal welfare groups have praised the move as a long-overdue safeguard, while supporters hope it sets a precedent for other states to follow.

🐶🐱
If you’ve hurt an animal once, Florida is making sure you don’t get another chance.

01/08/2026

The AVMLA proudly congratulates Dr. Sarah Babcock, a longtime member and dedicated supporter of our association, on receiving the 2025 AVMA Public Service Award!
Her commitment to advancing veterinary medicine, public health, and animal welfare is truly inspiring. We celebrate her remarkable achievements and the impact she continues to make in our profession.
Join us in congratulating Dr. Babcock!
Read more:

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) today honored Dr. Sarah Babcock, president of Animal & Veterinary Legal Services PLLC and The Island Vet LLC as the winner of the 2025 AVMA Public Service Award.

12/29/2025

https://worldanimalnews.com/2025/12/19/u-s-senate-votes-to-defund-the-dods-cruel-dog-bill-heads-to-presidents-desk-for-signature/

Breaking News Victory! President Trump Signs Bill Ending The DOD’s Funding Of Cruel Dog & Cat Experiments Share FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsApp WAN is thrilled to report that President Trump has officially signed into law a landmark measure cutting funding for the Department of Defense (DOD)’s ...

11/27/2025

This Thanksgiving, the American Veterinary Medical Law Association gives thanks for the dedicated professionals who bridge the worlds of veterinary medicine and law. We are grateful for our supporters, members, association leaders, and colleagues who advance education, foster collaboration, and strengthen the profession. May your holiday be filled with gratitude, warmth, and the joy of community.

11/17/2025

Help wanted...

Oklahoma State University President Dr. Jim Hess announced OSU has begun a national search for a new dean of its College of Veterinary Medicine.

10/31/2025

Happy Howl-o-ween!
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1344301857394741

10/29/2025

Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025 AVMLA Program Overview ET
AVMLA Monthly Member Meeting!

The Most Important Topics to Review When Buying & Selling Practices
The panel experts are breaking down the key financial, legal, and operational considerations that can make or break a practice transition. From valuation strategies and due diligence to staffing, patient retention, and compliance, we’ll cover what buyers and sellers need to know to navigate the process with confidence and clarity.