Donald Schaefer
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Tallahassee, Fla. — The Florida Veterinary Medical Association (FVMA) reports its lobbying fund is almost depleted after countering legislation
that allows an "independent contractor" to treat animals.
Agricultural application brought the issue to lawmakers, but if passed the legislation will bring much broader implications.
"We are hopeful that common sense prevails," says Donald Schaefer, FVMA executive director.
House Bill 791 and Senate Bill 958 are receiving strong opposition from the FVMA, requiring Ken Plante, the association's
lobbyist, to try to fend off the legislation. Farriers could diagnose animals; the profession would operate without practice standards, and human physical therapists could
legally practice on animals without answering to the Florida Board of Veterinary Medicine.
Sen. Carey Baker
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"We have one part-time lobbyist, and there are 15 lobbyists working to get these bills passed," says Don Schaefer, FVMA executive
director. "I don't think the politicians understand the ramifications of the bills and the negative impact such a law would
have on veterinarians, animals and owners."
The association reports having spent tens of thousands of dollars, including attorney and lobbyist fees in addition to an
exorbitant amount of staff time organizing the necessary avenues of opposition.
If the bill is made into law, it would permit a new category of unregulated veterinary healthcare. Officials say those giving
care to animals at the request of owners, or owners who practice medicine, would be exempt from the veterinary practice act,
and it might flirt with animal cruelty.
In a DVM Newsmagazine interview, Sen. Carey Baker, R-Eustis, expressed why he feels the legislation will be beneficial for the state.
"Right now it is considered a felony to perform certain procedures on animals. It's also considered a felony for the owner
if they know the act is happening," Baker says. "There just aren't enough large animal veterinarians in the state to tend
to the needs of all of the horses and millions of cattle. All of the business the independent contractors currently receive
is from word of mouth. These people deserve to have a job they can perform without fear of being arrested. We want to find
the right wording to make everyone happy, and we want to protect the animals, too."
The FVMA, licensed veterinarians and pet owners say they are concerned with the repercussions this legislation will have on
the millions of animals in the state.
Dr. Stephen Shores
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"The argument is that animals are property, and owners should be able to choose who cares for them," Schaefer says. "This
isn't just a veterinary concern; the current law would move from the agricultural side and include small animals."
The legislation spawned an FVMA drive to capture pet-owner opposition to the proposed law.
The association asked members to submit at least 30 client signatures per practice to prove these bills are also a concern
to animal owners.
Interest in changing the law according to some doesn't originate from interest of helping small ranchers or those who would
like to work with animals.
The legislation originated with two lobbyists with personal gain sought out politicians to legalize the practices in question,
so they could perform and receive the services themselves, says Dr. Stephen Shores, FVMA president-elect.
Shores has been an active voice for veterinarians in the state; he says the Florida law has been in place for decades, and
no one has been prosecuted to the level politicians are saying could happen by floating horse's teeth or dehorning cattle.
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