By Dr. Patricia Hill, DVM | The South Carolina Association of Veterinarians is committed to protecting the welfare of all animals in our state.
Part of this commitment is working to ensure animals have access to safe and reliable veterinary care. This means owners are safe in the knowledge that their pets are receiving the best quality care possible.
We are supporting legislation in the South Carolina Statehouse that puts safeguards in place that will protect pets and their owners from needless pain and suffering.
The animal welfare legislative plans are the results of consultations with concerned citizens and pet care professionals from across the state. The bills would maintain the long-standing relationships between animal shelters and veterinarians who volunteer their services, providing care to animals. In addition, the bills are an effort to strengthen and improve animal care services that families in South Carolina rely on
Nonprofit shelters perform a noble mission for our pets and veterinarians believe pet owners that are truly in need should be a priority for care. People who can afford private veterinary care should not be able to play on shelters’ compassion and charity for subsidized care while disadvantaged pet owners are left out. The animal welfare legislative plan calls for a study committee to review current pet care trends and ensure pet owners who are truly in need continue to have access to basic veterinary care at shelters.
Putting critical safeguards in place is needed for pets and their owners. Right now, there is no penalty for illegally distributing medicine to pets in South Carolina. And too often, medication is distributed to pet owners with no labels or dosage instructions. Imagine if a child were to ingest these medications and a parent cannot tell Poison Control vital information. This bill would give current law real force and move toward preventing potential tragedies.
In addition to establishing safeguards for pets and pet owners, these bills would establish critical record-keeping standards and veterinary care outcomes reporting. Information sharing is vital in our medical care. The same should be true for our pets.
Contrary to a lot of misinformation that has been leveled against this needed legislation, this bill will not close animal shelters. Citizens and pet owners in South Carolina deserve to know the truth. Here are the facts:
- Spays and neuters will not be limited. All animal care professionals know spaying and neutering are proven, humane ways to reduce the unwanted pet population.
- Access to emergency care will not be limited.
- Vaccinations will not be prohibited. Like spays and neuters, vaccinations are a proven way to prevent fatal animal diseases.
- This bill does not affect privately-owned mobile clinics.
The South Carolina Association of Veterinarians believe these bills are needed to protect pets’ lives and ensure pet owners continue to have access to the best quality of care.
Dr. Patricia Hill, a Greenville veterinarian, is immediate past president and current legislative chair of the South Carolina Association of Veterinarians.
We Can Do Better, South Carolina!