Methodology developed to count dogs in shelters

Researchers at Mississippi State University presented a study at the NAVC conference last week that suggests numbers of available dogs in shelters are at an all-time low. The goal of the study was to put quality science behind shelter population estimates. Results show common cited figures underestimate the numbers of dogs taken in by shelters every year and overestimate the number of dogs euthanized. According to a write up by MSU, “The study found that shelters take in 5.5 million dogs every year, 2.6 million dogs are adopted from shelters, 969,000 are returned to an owner, 778,000 are transferred and 776,000 are euthanized.”

PetPlan awards honor AAHA-accredited hospitals

The 2017 PetPlan Veterinary Awards were announced last week. These awards seek to honor the passion of veterinary professionals that might otherwise be overlooked. AAHA-accredited hospitals made a strong showing, in three of the six categories.

Practice of the Year: Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Center (VSEC) of Levittown and Philadelphia, Pa.

Practice Manager of the Year: Andy Pertuset, CVPM, Western Carolina Regional Animal Hospital & Veterinary Emergency Hospital, Flat Rock, N.C.

Receptionist of the Year: Amie Zimmerman, Deer Grove Veterinary Clinic, Cottage Grove, Wis.

Budget cuts could affect Pennsylvania veterinary school

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf has proposed state budget cuts that would eliminate $30 million in funding from the University of Pennsylvania’s veterinary school. This funding supports the school’s animal hospitals, agricultural research, and teaching. In a statement responding to the budget, the school stated, “This is an opportunity to expand awareness of the Vet School’s historic partnership with the Commonwealth, which was designed to protect the health and safety of the citizens of Pennsylvania and its largest industry, agriculture.”

PetSmart and Against the Grain issue recalls

On Feb. 9, PetSmart issued a voluntary recall of its Grreat Choice® Adult Dog Food due to metal contamination that could potentially be a choking hazard. The recall was initiated after the manufacturer notified PetSmart of consumer complaints. The products included were sold between Oct. 10, 2016 and Feb. 7, 2017. Customers can contact PetSmart Customer Service at 1-888-839-9638 between 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. CST.

On Feb. 14, Against the Grain Pet Food issued a voluntary recall for one lot of Pulled Beef with Gravy Dinner for Dogs that was manufactured and distributed in 2015. The recall was due to a potential presence of pentobarbital. The affected lot number is 2415E01ATB12, and the second half of the UPC code is 80001. Consumers can contact the company at 708-566-4410 between 11:00 a.m. – 4 p.m. CST Monday – Friday.

German Shepherd wins Westminster

Rumor, a German Shepherd, won top honors at the 141^st Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on Feb. 14. She is the second German Shepherd to win in the show’s history—the last won in 1987. Originally, her owners had planned to retire her, but they decided to bring her back one last time for the show. The runner-up was an Irish setter named Adrian.