2024 Hawaii Legislative Update

The 2024 legislative session is up and running! Several introduced bills may have direct impacts on veterinary practice in Hawaii. Here are the bills we are watching:

  • HB2086 / SB2749 RELATING TO HEALTH. Requires the administrator of the narcotics enforcement administration to make an emergency scheduling by placing xylazine into schedule III on an emergency basis. [HVMA working to include a veterinary use exemption]
  • HB1527 / SB2562 RELATING TO VETERINARY MEDICINE. Prohibits animal owners and their employees from performing any surgical procedures on the owner’s animal or animals. Prohibits the elastration, or castration via banding, of a pet animal. Provides that a violation of the prohibitions is a class C felony. Clarifies that the offense of cruelty to animals in the first degree does not apply to accepted veterinary practices and cropping or docking as customarily practiced when the procedures are performed by a licensed veterinarian.
  • HB1580 RELATING TO ANIMAL CRUELTY. Amends the criminal penalties for various animal cruelty offenses by increasing the category of offense
  • SB2114 RELATING TO FERAL ANIMALS. Prohibits the feeding of feral animals within a certain distance from Department of Education public school campuses; establishes fines
  • SB2564 RELATING TO PET ANIMALS. Prohibits insurers from refusing to issue, refusing to renew, canceling, or establishing higher rates for a homeowners insurance policy or dwelling fire insurance policy based on the breed of any dog that is kept on the premises. Requires any pet animal found on the premises during an eviction to be given to the owner or taken in by an animal control agency. Limits the monetary amount of pet deposits and pet rent. Clarifies that a provision allowing a lien on an animal to secure payment for caring for or feeding the animal does not apply to pet animals.
  • SB2692 RELATING TO DANGEROUS DOGS. Establishes requirements and penalties for owners of dangerous dogs. Allows for impounding of dangerous dogs under certain conditions. 

Please keep an eye out for calls to submit testimony on these bills in the near future. We will send out an alert once any of the bills that may impact veterinary practice are scheduled for a hearing. At that time testimony may be submitted online at https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/.

2024 Veterinary Leadership Conference Materials

The following resources have been made available by the AVMA in light of several critical issues that have the potential to make a significant impact on the delivery of care to patients, the structure of the veterinary profession, and veterinary medicine as a whole. These resources include:

  • Veterinary Information Forum (VIF) presentations
  •  House Advisory Panel presentations
  • Workforce, Mid-Level Position & Telemedicine and VCPR backgrounders

Links:

AVMA Update – January 2024

AVMA is seeking member feedback on proposed updates to the Principles of Veterinary Medical Ethics (PVME). Your voice matters! Submit your comments by March 4th, 2024 (you must be an AVMA member to access). 

We encourage you to pay particular attention to Section A, Part 4, Emergency Care, starting on line 151. The final wording may impact your own work life because in Hawaii, a veterinarian’s license can be revoked for failing to uphold the recognized principles of veterinary medical ethics adopted by both the HVMA and AVMA (HRS 471-10 (12)). Staying informed and engaged in shaping these guiding principles is crucial for protecting your practice while ensuring the highest ethical standards for animal care in our unique island community. Take action today by reviewing the draft PVME and sharing your feedback.

The House of Delegates met on January 4-6, 2024. Several resolutions were passed, updating and revising current policies ranging from pet loss support to animal safety. You can find the details here

AVMA has also published informative backgrounders on three hot topics in vet med: telemedicine and the VCPR, the veterinary workforce shortage, and the organization’s position on creating a mid-level practitioner position that would overlap duties of veterinarians and technicians. You can learn more on the AVMA blog

If you would like more information or have feedback for AVMA, feel free to reach out to one of us directly. 

Carolyn Naun (Hawaii Delegate) 
Jenee Odani (Hawaii Alternate Delegate) 

AVMA Update – Oct 2023

Are you looking to get more involved in influencing the future of the veterinary profession? AVMA has opportunities for you! Here are some action steps you can take right now:

  • A wide range of leadership positions are currently available. If you’re interested in volunteering some of your time, visit https://avma.org/volunteer for details.
  • Registration for the AVMA Veterinary Leadership Conference (VLC) 2024 is now open! Join us January 4-6 at the Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk. Whether you are just beginning to explore the possibilities, are already an experienced leader, or anywhere in between, workshops are available to hone your skills and strategies, and you’ll have the chance to connect with like-minded people throughout our amazing profession. 

As the charitable arm of the AVMA, the American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) provides veterinarians and veterinary students with charitable resources and programs that advance the science and practice of veterinary medicine to improve animal and human health. AVMF gave an initial $20,000 to Maui Humane Society and $10,000 to Greater Good to help with wildfire rescue and recovery efforts, and has raised an additional $25,000 which can be allocated as needed. If you were impacted or have incurred out-of-pocket expenses to help on Maui, it’s not too late to apply for support!

  • Disaster Emergency Veterinary Medical Care Reimbursements are available for veterinarians providing care to animal victims of a disaster. Covered expenses may include medical supplies, medications, diagnostics, and housing for patients. Up to $5000 is available per clinic/AVMA member. You have up to nine months after the disaster to apply. 
  • Individual Disaster Reimbursement Grants for Veterinarians and Veterinary Students can provide up to $2000 for those who were personally impacted, for the purpose of providing for emergency needs, such as food, water, clothing, temporary housing, transportation and other basic necessities. 

If you would like to apply for funds, please visit https://avmf.org/grants-and-scholarships/disaster-relief

If you would like to contribute to this or other AVMF programs, you can make a tax deductible donation at avmf.org.

With aloha,
Carolyn Naun (she/her)
AVMA HOD Hawaii Delegate

Updates on Pet Transport Off Maui

Updated Aug 17, 2023 – All information posted here is subject to change

USDA APHIS has provided the following information for transporting pets off Maui.

Maui Humane Society
Maui Humane Society is providing free health certificates and free air kennels for residents that need them to leave the island. 

OGG to HNL only
Kamaka Airlines – possible discount on flights

OGG to Continental USA
– Alaska Airlines – OGG to Seattle and LAX. Assisting with Maui shelters relocating pets. They recommended shelter groups send them a request. They are considering discount requests to pet relocation groups.
– Hawaiian Airlines – OGG to SEA and LAX (non-stop flights, no kennel limitations); OGG to SFO and SAN (non-stop  with max 28” height kennels)

HNL to LAX
– Pacific Air Cargo – book through IPATA Pet Transport Company
– Aloha Air Cargo – book through IPATA Pet Transport Company; accepts giant breeds, also flies to Seattle
– American Airlines Cargo (PetEmbark) – PetEmbark@aa.com; 1-800-227-4622, (only between HNL and continental US)

Local IPATA Pet Transporters
Island Pet Movers

– www.islandpetmovers.com/contact (please fill out inquiry)
– exotic pets, cats and dogs, fish on case-by-case basis
– discount Aug 15-25, OGG to HNL to LAX, $65 to HNL, $225 to LAX (100-500 size kennel); no breed restrictions to LAX
– other mainland locations $375 – $575, airport and breed restrictions apply
– utilizing Kamaka Air and Pacific Air Cargo
– crates and health certificate exams discounted 30%

Tails of Hawaii
– 808-676-9663 option 3
– tailmovers@tailsofhawaii.com
– Exotic & pocket pets, potbelly pigs, cats and dogs, birds, NO fish
– may offer discount for moves on case-by-case basis, submit request to
tailmovers@tailsofhawaii.com
– offering discount on health certificate issuance in HNL for those impacted by Maui wildfires

REMINDERS FOR VETS
Category I Accredited Veterinarians authorized through our National Veterinary Accreditation Program (NVAP) are NOT able to issue health certificates for pet birds or pet pot-bellied pigs.  Those animals would need to be examined by a Category II Accredited Veterinarian.  If AV’s have more questions as to which Category they are authorized, to please refer to the following website and feel free to reach out to the local NVAP Coordinator: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/nvap/ct_category1-2

For pets going to the mainland US, please issue a rabies vaccine certificate. 

Further VEHCS information and guidance:
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel/vehcs-info

Update on Maui Wildfire Response

August 14, 2023

Remember that disaster response is a marathon, not a sprint. Here is an update communicated to us by the team working under Maui Humane Society (MHS). 

Due to the severity of the fire and limited access following the event due to safety concerns, there were not nearly the amount of burn survivors as was anticipated. Most likely, those that could be saved have already been rescued, though the field teams are still looking. Thankfully many people were able to evacuate with their pets.

The next phase will include long term community outreach for those who are now living in Lahaina, Napili, and Kapalua, as they no longer have vets on the west side of the island. MHS is leading this effort. They and other nonprofit organizations will have mobile units in West Maui starting tomorrow that will need to be staffed. There won’t be a need for many trained vet professionals all at once, but more likely over a long period of time. We will be helping MHS coordinate the pool of volunteers.

If you are interested, please fill out this online form with your interest/availability in longer term volunteer efforts.

There have been many, many hours of meetings attended by HVMA leadership, Dr. Aleisha Swartz (primary HVMA liaison to HiEMA/ State Emergency Support Functions), Dr. Nate Lam (volunteer), MHS staff, all government agencies (county, state, fed) and non-governmental organizations (e.g. American Red Cross, ASPCA). We are doing our best to identify needs and respond appropriately in a rapidly changing and challenging situation. The right people are getting in place for the long term plan. Emergency management meetings are discussing the following considerations: getting feed & water to livestock whose pasture has burnt, disease management from decomposition, marine pollution, trapping feral/strays when they re-emerge, short and long term sheltering and feeding of displaced people and pets, keeping families together with pets, veterinary needs, etc.

HVMA’s role in this emergency currently is supportive to governmental agencies and organizations like MHS that are acting under the emergency declaration. We are making every effort to coordinate volunteers, gather information on needs, and share information on resources and identify information and needs gaps. We are also coordinating support offered from national organizations such as AVMF. Most of our time and work is remote and we may need remote volunteer support for this as well, as the board is all volunteering their time to coordinate this effort.

A call to action- if your HVMA membership is not current please RENEW today! The more members we have, the stronger we are in times like this, and the more resources we have to support these efforts.

We hope this helps with some of the questions and anticipation out there. Thanks again for all your care, concern, kokua, and patience! We are proud to be a part of the HVMA and the Hawaii vet community. Let’s continue to make our community stronger!

Your HVMA Board

HVMA List of Veterinarians

The Hawaii Veterinary Medical Association aims to gain information about our veterinarians practicing in Hawaii. We are gathering information about current veterinarians practicing in Hawaii, which includes hospital/clinic/employment names, year of graduation, and number of veterinarians practicing at your location. This list will help the HVMA board better serve the veterinary community with education, mentorship, and support. All obtained information below will be kept private and confidential for reference of the HVMA only. 

Please take your time to complete the HVMA List of Veterinarians form here.

If you work with a veterinarian or colleague who isn’t already an HVMA member, please share the form above with them and welcome them to check out our website.

HVMA Mentorship Program

Looking to connect with veterinarians in Hawaii from diverse backgrounds? Ready to build professional development and relationships amongst the community? The HVMA Mentorship program is looking for mentees and mentors to be a part of the program! Mentees are new and recent graduate veterinarians who are the part of class of 2018-2023 looking for mentorship and support from experienced veterinarians. Mentors are veterinarians who would like to educate and share their knowledge and experiences with mentees. If you’re interested in being a part of this program, please complete the Mentee application or Mentor application registration link. We look forward to having you be a part of the mentorship program!

AVMA Update – August 2023

AVMA continues to work hard to support your professional success. Your delegates just returned from the 2023 annual convention in Denver and have a few developments to share. Most notably, AVMA has come out strongly against creating a new “mid level practitioner” position, passed and updated several animal welfare initiatives, and discussed issues surrounding the spectrum of care and sustainability in veterinary practices. It has been very exciting to observe the increased diversity and representation of AVMA leadership to better reflect who is actually in our profession.

In January, AVMA solicited comments from members on the idea of creating a new role in veterinary medicine, the so-called “mid level practitioner” who would have the ability to diagnose, prognose, and prescribe without a veterinary degree, to address our workforce challenges. There was a broad consensus that patient health and safety would be better served if we focus on leveraging our technicians and assistants to support the role of the licensed veterinarian. Pursuant to your feedback and that discussion, Resolution 10, Safeguarding care for Veterinarian-Led Teams, was passed by the House almost unanimously. In addition, Immediate Past President Dr. Lori Teller delivered remarks to industry leaders dispelling myths about our workforce needs and outlining a path forward. You can read a summary of her comments here: https://www.avma.org/news/straight-talk-about-veterinary-workforce-issues

Measures updating policies on canine devocalization, docking of lambs’ tails, tail docking of cattle, physical restraint of animals, and a new policy of canine hybrids were also passed with strong support. Measures on sheep and goat castration as well as dehorning and disbudding were referred for further refinement. Finally, a statement to the profession outlining the need for better support of federal veterinarians to protect public health was passed. 

Veterinary Information Forum topics, for which we solicited your comments this spring, addressed the spectrum of care in veterinary medicine and environmental sustainability in veterinary practice. Regarding the spectrum of care, several comments were made that we should move away from language like “gold standard,” “low vs. high quality,” and other terms that may carry judgment and toward using terms like “basic versus advanced” treatment options. The House requested that the Board of Directors research these issues and develop tools to better support the profession in these areas. 

Dr. Sandra Faeh was elected President-Elect, marking the first time in history that women have occupied the roles of Immediate Past President, President, and President-Elect. We are seeing more BIPOC candidates and officers as well. This change means that AVMA’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion isn’t just idle talk, and that your AVMA is ready to evolve with our profession into a new era with expanded opportunities for people of varied backgrounds and identities. 

As always, if you have any questions or comments, or requests for more detail on any of these matters, feel free to reach out to your delegates!

Carolyn Naun, DVM, CHPV cnaun@armsofaloha.com
Jenee Odani, DVM, DACVP