The American Veterinary Medical Foundation distributed more than $2 million last year to support veterinary care, disaster relief, research and scholarships. The funding included $1 million through the REACH Program, which provides charitable veterinary care.

Rochester, N.Y., has been seeking a full-time veterinarian for its animal shelter for three years, prompting the city to consider hiring a veterinary staffing firm to help find a candidate. The city is offering a salary of $114,002 to $121,517 for the position, while the median salary for veterinarians nationwide is $125,510, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The income scale and the nature of the job make filling the position difficult, says Bridget Monroe, chair of the city council's Parks and Public Works Committee. A 2024 study found that nearly 75% of municipal and nonprofit shelters lack enough veterinarians and veterinary support staff.

A commercial broiler flock in Amite County, Miss., was quarantined and depopulated after chickens tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza.

A vaccinated cat in Savannah, Ga., received a booster vaccine after possibly having contact with a dead bat found on the cat's owner's front porch. The bat subsequently tested positive for rabies.

The Pet Circle Regional Animal Center in Waco, Texas, has reduced the number of animals in its care from nearly 900 to about 250 over the past year, following the city's takeover and a shift in operational focus. Animal Services Director Melissa Sheldon attributes the progress to an expansion of community services, including a pet food pantry, free microchipping clinics and other programs to help families keep their pets during temporary crises. The percentage of pets being returned to their owners has risen, and the average amount of time animals spend at the shelter before being adopted has fallen. A new clinic opening later this year is expected to further improve animal health and open more kennel space.

Broward County Animal Care in Florida is urgently seeking homes for three dogs whose mental health is deteriorating in the shelter environment. "We cannot continue housing them if their quality of life is continuing to deteriorate and everything we're doing isn't helping," said Assistant Director Alyssa Dazza. The dogs are good with other animals and with children, and Dazza said every adoption helps make room for other animals in need of shelter.

The AVMA's new biosecurity webpage provides veterinary professionals with comprehensive guidance and tools to prevent and control infectious diseases. The resource includes explanations of biosecurity principles and links to governmental and nongovernmental guidance for various settings and species.

The AVMA Advocacy Resource Library offers tools to help you stay informed, prepare for meetings with lawmakers, and take action—whether you're a seasoned advocate or just getting started. Visit the AVMA-Congressional Advocacy Network (AVMA-CAN) page to learn more about the AVMA Advocacy Resource Library.