SPRING 2025 NEWSLETTER
Kicking into High Gear in the New Year
As VAFAW enters the second year since its launch, we celebrate the successes of 2024 and look towards the many opportunities for growth and engagement in 2025. THANK YOU to those who have shown their support of our mission by becoming a member, making a financial contribution, attending a webinar, offering words of encouragement, or building global awareness about VAFAW. We have been humbled by the enthusiasm of compassionate people like you!
Our work is just getting started, and we are so grateful for your support.
MEMBERSHIP BY THE NUMBERS
1100+
Current number of VAFAW members
790+
Number of members who are veterinarians or veterinary students
VISIT US AT THESE UPCOMING CONFERENCES
VAFAW is excited to attend two upcoming veterinary conferences where we’ll be sharing our work, connecting with colleagues, and exchanging insights on the latest innovations and developments in farm animal welfare. If you’re attending, we’d love to see you!
The Student American Veterinary Medical Association (SAVMA) Symposium
March 20 – 22, 2025
School of Veterinary Medicine
University of California, Davis
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Convention
July 18 – 22, 2025
Walter E. Washington Convention Center
Washington, D.C.
Stop by our booth, join the conversation, or reach out to schedule a time to meet. We look forward to great discussions and new collaborations!
SEEKING CHANGE
More than 860 Veterinarians and Veterinary Students Sign Comment Letter about Draft AVMA Depopulation Guidelines
In response to the American Veterinary Medical Association’s (AVMA) request for comments on its proposed revisions of the Guidelines for the Depopulation of Animals, VAFAW hosted a sign-on letter for veterinarians and veterinary students that provided recommendations to advance animal welfare. The letter was signed by 868 veterinarians and veterinary students from 44 states and 36 veterinary colleges. Of those who signed the letter, more than 500 are members of the AVMA. Depopulation refers to the large-scale killing of animals in emergencies, including for disease control purposes, such as in response to the current outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Depopulation methods, including ventilation shutdown plus heat (VSD+), water-based foam, and blunt force trauma were the focus of requested reforms in the sign-on letter. The submitted letter was drafted by veterinarians and others with expertise in depopulation. Thank you to all VAFAW members who signed on! In addition to this collective effort, VAFAW submitted more detailed technical comments about the proposed guidelines. In line with VAFAW’s goal of ensuring that research in fields like animal welfare science informs policies that impact animal welfare, we provided numerous peer-reviewed studies to substantiate our recommendations. The Veterinary Information Network (VIN) News Service published an article about the AVMA’s release of a draft of its revised depopulation guidelines, including the concerns raised in the sign-on letter and VAFAW’s technical comments.
The submitted sign-on letter can be viewed HERE.
The comments submitted by VAFAW can be viewed HERE.
The VIN News article can be viewed HERE.
VAFAW Sends Letter to U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee Leadership Opposing EATS Act
In October 2024, VAFAW sent a letter to leaders of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, opposing efforts to include the Ending Agricultural Trade Suppression (EATS) Act, or similar language, in a reauthorization of the Farm Bill. The EATS Act is federal legislation that would preempt a vast array of state and local laws governing farm animals. Its chief aim is to overturn measures like Proposition 12, a ballot initiative that received strong bipartisan voter approval. It prohibited the sale in California of products from egg-laying hens, breeding pigs, and veal calves raised in extreme confinement, including gestation crates and battery cages. VAFAW argued the EATS Act would have devastating consequences on animal welfare, public health, and food safety. VAFAW also emphasized the legislation compromises veterinarians' professional autonomy and jeopardizes their ability to meet the needs of local communities. The letter states, “A federal preemption of state laws under the EATS Act will force veterinarians to practice in a ‘one-size-fits-all’ environment that thwarts their judgment and compromises the profession’s integrity.” The Farm Bill provides funding and authorizations for a wide range of programs impacting the nation’s food supply and is supposed to be reauthorized every five years. It was set for renewal in 2023 but has been subject to several short-term extensions since then. Congress must now pass a new bill by September 30, 2025. VAFAW is working with other stakeholders to ensure that the EATS Act language is not included in the legislative package.
The submitted letter can be viewed HERE.
VAFAW Submits Comments on AABP’s Dehorning Guidelines
The American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP) is updating its Dehorning Guidelines. In mid-November 2024, VAFAW Board Member Jim Reynolds and Director of Education Abigail Zoltick provided comments and recommendations to AABP regarding the guidelines. Suggestions included greater emphasis on early disbudding (less than four weeks of age), consistent use of local anesthesia, judicious use of sedatives, the need for extended administration of analgesics post-surgically, and selection for polled genetics as a long-term remedy for the need to dehorn cattle.
WEBINAR SERIES
VAFAW-Hosted Webinar on the Ethical Considerations of Depopulation
On October 30, 2024, VAFAW hosted a webinar by Dr. Jessica Martin of Newcastle University titled “Humane Endings: Navigating the Ethical Maze of Animal Welfare in Depopulation Practices.” Mass depopulation presents significant ethical challenges, particularly regarding the humane treatment of animals, where standards may fall short compared to routine slaughter. The webinar investigated depopulation methods within the contexts of scalability, cost efficiency, and disease transmission reduction. It further explored the importance of ensuring preparedness in an emergency and maintaining a moral responsibility to safeguard both animal and human welfare. This webinar was the second in the VAFAW series “Ensuring Humane End-of-Life Practices.” More than 420 people registered for the event, more than 400 have viewed the online recording, and hundreds received free CE credit for attending the live event. More details about the webinar, including a replay link, are available at www.VAFAW.org/webinars.
VAFAW-Hosted Webinar about Nitrogen-Based Depopulation Technologies and Farm Animal Welfare
Last month, VAFAW hosted a free webinar about cutting-edge nitrogen-based technologies that protect animal welfare when disease outbreaks or other urgent events require the mass killing of large numbers of animals. The webinar, A Better Means to a Humane Ending? Nitrogen Anoxia for the Mass Depopulation of Livestock, was presented by Jeff Hill, a VAFAW board member and the founder of Livestock Welfare Strategies. Almost 200 people attended the presentation and learned about whole-house gassing, high-expansion nitrogen foam, and nitrogen gassing in containers and trailers, including critical factors in applying these technologies. The use of these higher welfare depopulation methods minimizes animal suffering by rapidly inducing loss of consciousness and eliminating or reducing negative affective states, such as pain, fear, helplessness, and respiratory distress. This was the third webinar in our series, "Ensuring Humane End-of-Life Practices for Farm Animals." More details about the webinar, including a replay link, are available at www.VAFAW.org/webinars.
Click for replay videos of past webinars.
Details about future webinars will be posted HERE.
WHAT WE'RE READING
A Consensus on the Definition of Positive Animal Welfare
Jean-Loup Rault, et al., Biology Letters
An interdisciplinary panel defines positive animal welfare (PAW) and notes that this concept encompasses more than maintaining physical well-being and preventing suffering. It includes animals experiencing pleasure, such as having options and opportunities to actively seek objectives and fulfill their desires. The panel considers potential implications for research, animal care practices, and legislation. article link
‘A Dangerous Virus’: Bird Flu Enters a New Phase
Apoorva Andavilli, The New York Times
Since its U.S. detection in January 2022, avian influenza has affected over 136 million commercial, backyard, and wild birds. H5N1 has infected dairy cattle, and the presence of virus in raw milk and raw pet food worries experts. A growing pandemic risk calls for measures to slow the virus's spread. article link
Cowpuppy: An Unexpected Friendship and a Scientist's Journey into the Secret World of Cows
Gregory Berns
Cowpuppy explores cattle behavior in a semi-natural environment, including herd dynamics, social interactions, time allocation, circadian sleep, learning, and self-awareness. A standout chapter on bovine brain anatomy reflects author Berns's neuroscientific expertise. Offering real-world insights and practical applications, the book enriches bovine ethology through an engaging narrative for both professionals and general readers. book link
FOSTERING CONNECTIONS
VAFAW Explores Collaborative Opportunities with ACAW
On January 23, VAFAW representatives met virtually with Diplomats from the American College of Animal Welfare (ACAW). We presented an introduction to our mission, goals, focus areas, and means by which we plan to achieve reforms for farm animals. Areas of potential collaboration were also discussed. We are excited about this and look forward to working together with ACAW.
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