CVMA supports the current program and relationship between the Sacramento County Animal Shelter, the University of California at Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, and Sutter Hospital, for the purpose of utilizing unadoptable pound animals for teaching and research purposes. In addition, CVMA supports the use of pound animals in animal blood bank facilities in California.
Facts
- Veterinary medicine, unlike human medicine, does not require internships or training periods for veterinarians after graduation to acquire these skills. They must be prepared upon graduation to competently perform daily clinical responsibilities as well as life-saving surgeries on our best friends and companions.
- Live tissue labs, hands on access to observing and participating in surgery, training, transplantation and all basic procedures are essential to the development of skilled, prepared veterinarians.
- Forcing the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine to use purpose-bred animals for teaching and research will result in two animals dying instead of one.
- It is more humane and ethical to use an unadoptable shelter animal that is already destined for euthanasia than to unnecessarily euthanize a purpose bred animal.
- Animal blood banks are essential to the health and welfare of the animals in our state; this legislation will have a negative impact on California’s already low blood supply.
- Veterinarians devote their lives to healing sick animals and to preventing pain and distress. The decision to use a small number of unwanted animals already scheduled for termination, to attain proficiency and competency, is one that students and faculty at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine approach with careful reflection and ongoing review.
⇒ These animals are unwanted and have been scheduled for termination.
⇒ They will experience kindness and friendship during their last hours.
⇒ Euthanasia will be performed in a professional and caring manner.
⇒ The knowledge gained will be used for the greater good and betterment of all animals.