FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Veterinarians for Equine Welfare Launch New Website
(WASHINGTON, D.C.), March 14 – A group of veterinarians from all disciplines
has created Veterinarians for Equine Welfare (VEW) out of concern about the
misinformation being transmitted to the public regarding the national debate on
horse slaughter.
Members of VEW believe that the veterinary profession’s integrity is being
undermined by the hard line stance of a few misinformed individuals whose
opinions have been swayed by unfounded logistical concerns, as opposed to what
should be a primary concern for animal welfare.
VEW consulted with representatives of the horse industry, the field of equine
rescue and the humane community to respond to their concerns, with the goal of
facilitating a dialog that will improve the life-quality of all horses. It has
been common practice in the veterinary profession to marginalize animal welfare
advocates, and the veterinarians involved in VEW believe that it is time for a
change.
“As a veterinarian, my first concern is for the health and well-being of my
patients, which come from all walks of equine life. They represent the spectrum
from equine royalty to wild horses,” said VEW Founding Executive Committee
Member Nena Winand, DVM, PhD. “I support VEW and the dialog it has engendered,
because I believe it will truly strengthen our ability to improve the life-
quality of all of our patients.”
The coalition recently launched
www.vetsforequinewelfare.org as a resource to
educate other veterinarians, animal health professionals and horse owners about
the options available for day-to-day proper treatment of horses, and to provide
humane information and options to those who can no longer care for (or must end
the lives of) their horses.
"The views of individual VEW vets are, and should be, more respected than
any "body" that represents them, as they are aimed at educating politicians and
laymen alike on issues that have escaped their attention," said Theo Antikas,
DVM, PhD. "In the words of Heraclitus, 'education is the sun to the educated.'
It is hoped that educated vets will put an end to the unwarranted, immoral
suffering of horses prior to and during slaughter."
The website will also serve as a forum to inform other veterinarians, horse
owners, politicians and the American public about the truth behind horse
slaughter, a practice that has never been considered a legitimate form of
euthanasia by veterinary professionals or organizations.
For More Information:
www.vetsforequinewelfare.orgNicholas Dodman, DVM - 202-640-9606
