The AAHA/OVMA Conference - Toronto 2011 had a total of 5,596 attendees.

by Jared Jacang Maher Feral cats have been the topic of much political debate in Utah this year as a result of two bills that presented very different methods for how to deal with feral animals. HB 210, which would have allowed for the shooting and killing of feral animals, failed to pass through the Utah Senate before the end of the state’s legislative session last month. Meanwhile, a separate bill making it easier for animal welfare organizations to sterilize and return feral cats to the places where they were found passed both houses. SB 57 is awaiting signature by Utah Governor Gary R. Herbert. Though these bills were unrelated, the fact that HB 210 died while SB57 prospered shows greater support for policies that take a more humane approach to controlling feral animal populations, says Best Friends Animal Society spokesman John Polis. Best Friends, a non-profit, sponsors around 40 programs throughout southern Utah that trap, neuter and then release free-roaming cats, which otherwise might be euthanized. The bill allows for ear-tipped cats to be returned immediately to their colonies without being held in a shelter for what is currently a mandatory three-day holding period.

by Jolene Craig By using human trauma centers as a model, the University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center recently launched the nations first animal trauma center. The Animal Trauma Center has been in the making for roughly six decades as part of the programs animal hospital, according to Dr. David Lee, director of the Veterinary Medical Center. "We based our center on the human model regulations in order to provide faster, more efficient care for animal traumas," Lee said. "Weve been taking care of trauma patients for about 60 years and decided to take it to the next level."

Regular NEWStat coverage will return on April 6. Check Trends Today daily for updates from the AAHA/OVMA Conference, covering major events, including the AAHA/VetStreet State of the Industry report, the Ontario VMA’s report on how the economic slowdown has affected practices in Canada, the Trends Executive Edge session: Evidence-Based Innovation Strategies, and more.

Don’t miss out on the timely and informative stories on Trends Today. Some recent stories that have appeared are: Phenobarbitol recalledHow to help animals in JapanPig ear treats recalledCamel meat is not dog-friendlyCheck out the Tip of the Day!

Could lives have been saved in Japan if people had been more alert to behavioral changes in their pets prior to the disaster?

The AVMA has accredited Ross Universitys DVM program.

Check Trends Today daily for updates from the AAHA/OVMA Conference, covering major events, including the AAHA/VetStreet State of the Industry report, the Ontario VMA’s report on how the economic slowdown has affected practices in Canada, the Trends Executive Edge session: Evidence-Based Innovation Strategies, and more.

Jones Natural Chews Co of Rockford, IL is recalling 2,705 boxes of Pig Ears dues to possible Salmonella contamination, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reports.

If, for some reason, you happen to have camel steak for dinner tonight, make sure you dont feed any scraps to your dog.