September opening of Long Island University Post veterinary college in doubt

Fewer than seven weeks before the start of the fall term at Long Island University Post, the institution lacks an accreditation document it needs for its proposed new veterinary school. The university has projected admitting an inaugural class of 100 veterinary students by September. Multiple signs point to a delay; however, LIU officials have not confirmed it. “LIU is presently engaged in the AVMA [American Veterinary Medical Association] accreditation process, and we have no further comment or updates to provide at this time,” LIU’s public relations consultant said Thursday. . . . more

This pizza shop is helping pet owners find their lost dogs and cats

A New Jersey pizzeria is being praised for initiating a novel idea to help reconnect lost pets with their owners. John Sanfratello of Matawan, New Jersey, was surfing Facebook earlier this month when he came across a photo of a local cat who had gone missing but looked identical to his own cat. Since his cat had also recently gone missing—but was thankfully returned—Sanfratello decided that he really wanted to help out. So he came up with the idea to tape flyers on pizza boxes heading out for delivery from his restaurant, Angelo’s Pizza. “This will be this generation’s milk carton,” Sanfratello said. “We used to post missing persons and missing children on milk cartons—why can’t we put a flyer for missing pets on pizzas?” . . . more

This new space station tech is for the birds (and all wildlife, really)

On board the International Space Station, a new antenna has switched on and is gathering data from tiny tags attached to a very different type of flier. The antenna is part of a joint German-Russian project called the International Cooperation for Animal Research Using Space, nicknamed ICARUS, which scientists will be able to use to track wildlife, including birds. Two Russian cosmonauts installed the equipment during a spacewalk in August 2018. Testing to make sure the space- and ground-based pieces of the system are working properly should wrap up later this year, at which point scientists will be able to use the ICARUS system to track animals of a broad range of species as they move around Earth. . . . more

Japanese research into growth of human organs in animals gets preliminary approval

A science ministry committee of experts on Wednesday approved Japan’s first research involving the injection of human-induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells into fertilized animal eggs with the aim of growing human organs. The project, led by Hiromitsu Nakauchi, MD, PhD, a professor at the University of Tokyo, is expected to receive the final go-ahead by the ministry in August. In March, the government lifted a ban on research where human cells are placed into fertilized animal eggs, then planted back inside the animals so they can give birth. The team aims to use human organs obtained through the method for transplantation in the future. . . . more

Funding for veterinary educational grants program announced

The American Kennel Club (AKC), AKC Canine Health Foundation (AKCCHF) and Theriogenology Foundation (TF) are pleased to announce a three-year extension of the AKC/AKCCHF/TF Small Animal Theriogenology Residency Program for 2021–2023. The Small Animal Theriogenology Residency Program (sponsored by the AKC, AKCCHF, and TF) is a collaborative effort started in 2014 to increase the number of trained practitioners in companion animal theriogenology (reproductive health) and canine clinical genetics. As part of this ongoing program, three US veterinary colleges were just selected through a competitive grant application process to receive theriogenology residency program funding in 2020. . . . more