PDFs (will open into a new window - please allow popups):

Links to Animal Health Monitoring & Surveillance (USDA):

2006 Vesicular Stomatitis Situation

Equine Encephalitides Reporting - West Nile Virus, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, and Western Equine Encephalitis State Summary Report

NAHMS Equine Studies

EQUINE LAW

Pet Evacuation & Transportation Act Becomes Law Read more>

Equine Protection:

• August 29, 2006 - A new Council has formed with the goal of an open interchange of ideas for groups who rely upon microchip identification. More>
• WSPA Launches National Speaking Campaign for Global Equine Welfare. The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) announces the launch of a national speaking tour covering nine cities from New York to California. Dr. Elly Hiby, companion animals director for WSPA, will be addressing an important topic that needs immediate attention: The Condition of Working Equines Globally and their Role in Society. Read more>

American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act:

• Dec. 2006 - No Senate Vote on Horse Slaughter. We Must Resume Our Fight Next Year. Despite a Herculean effort by those who are vehemently opposed to horse slaughter, the US Senate did not take action on the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (AHSPA) before the end of this Congressional session. Read more>

• October 4, 2006 - Eleven 'Habitat for Horses' Find Their Forever Home With Willie Nelson Read More>

• September 10, 2006 - Bill to End Horse Slaughter Passes House — Moves on to Senate. Habitat for Horses/North Florida Horse Rescue Urges Support Read more>

• September 9, 2006 - The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act Passes House Vote. The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (HR503) passed through the House by an overwhelming majority (263 – 146) on September 7th. Action Moves to the Senate - Now the action heats up and moves to the Senate. The Senate Bill, S1915, must be passed before the end of the year to become law. There is no time for celebration, for the job is only half done. More>

• Thursday, September 7, 2006, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (H.R. 503) by a vote of 263-146! More>

• August 30, 2006 - Nationwide Poll Reveals 7 Out of 10 Americans Oppose Horse Slaughter. Life-long animal lovers, T. Boone and Madeleine Pickens, are joining forces with key horse organizations, including The National Horse Protection Coalition, to launch a campaign in support of H.R. 503 which is scheduled to go to a vote by the U.S. House of Representatives on September 7. More>

• SAPL eAlert: Congress Must Act on Horse Slaughter Ban Before Session Ends. We hope the bill will be voted on by the Senate when Congress reconvenes following the election, but there will be limited time available and only issues seen as essential are expected to be addressed. We need to be sure Congress recognizes that this legislation is critical, as approximately 2,000 horses are being hauled to slaughter and brutally killed with every week this bill awaits action in the Senate. Read more>

• Urge Senator to Bring the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act Up for Vote. While the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act (AHSPA) enjoys wide support among both the public and legislators, the Senate has yet to approve their version of the Act (S 1915). If approved, the AHSPA would ban the slaughter of horses for human consumption and the domestic and international transport of live horses or horseflesh for this purpose. Read more & What You Can Do>

Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act:

• House Passes Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act. Controversial new law could criminalize currently legal activism. Animal advocates around the U.S. were stunned and dismayed on Monday, November 13th when Congress quickly approved the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act (AETA), a bill that threatens to seriously curtail Americans' basic civil liberties. The AETA even applies to third-parties that do business with animal enterprises, such as law firms, insurance companies and investment houses. Read more>

• Two bills are now before the Senate. One of them, the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act, may have a very powerful effect on our ability to investigate equine abuse and neglect and may be voted on Monday, Nov. 13. If this bill passes, it may prevent an investigation of any commercial operations by a nonprofit. That means all SPCA's and Humane Societies in the US will be restricted from an investigation into puppy mills, no matter how small. Cattle and horse feedlots may also be off limits. Read more & help! >

West Nile Mosquitoes Prefer Robins, Study Finds. Greater West Nile Threat? By examining the concentration of virus in the bird blood samples, scientists were also able determine how efficiently the birds reproduce and transmit the disease. Read more at National Geographic >

Oct. 2006 - Plants & Weeds Toxic to Horses: North Carolina - Some of these plants may surprise you and you will probably despair of ever learning them all. But learning them all is not the point. Your stock are living in a dangerous environment and the best way to protect them from toxic weeds is to develop and utilize a comprehensive weed control program. See the list - More>

Florida VETS Project Attends Veterinary Conference. Florida VETS is a special disaster-response unit based at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, ... Read more>

West Nile Mosquitoes Prefer Robins, Study Finds. Greater West Nile Threat? By examining the concentration of virus in the bird blood samples, scientists were also able determine how efficiently the birds reproduce and transmit the disease. Read more at National Geographic >

September 17, 2006 - Escherichia coli Infection and Farm Animals: Escherichia coli O157 is a species of bacteria. The most common type of E. coli infection that causes illness in people is called E. coli O157. Animals do not have to be ill to transmit E. coli O157 to humans. Read more at the CDC>

September - ACVIM 2006: Biosecurity and Equine Diseases. Probably one of the most well-attended equine sessions of the forum was a lunchtime discussion sponsored by Pfizer Animal Health, in which a panel of internists presented information on recent outbreaks of salmonella and fielded questions from attendees. Salmonella bacteria can cause debilitating intestinal problems and life-threatening diarrhea. Salmonella can affect foals and adults, and it is spread easily by horse-to-horse contact and by fomites (shared tools, water buckets, hands, etc., on which bacteria can "hitch a ride" to the next victim). Seemingly well horses can harbor the bacteria, and when stressed, they can shed it or become ill. Read more at TheHorse.com>