Mailing Address
1472 Manning Parkway
Powell, Ohio 43065 (map)

Phone Number
614.436.1300

Fax Number
614.436.1301

Our Web site, toll-free number, and e-mail addresses are all the same.

COLUMBUS, OHIO – MARCH 6, 2013 – In response to the new state budget bill, Ohio Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA) Executive Director Jack Advent will testify today against the addition of a sales tax to veterinary services. Previously exempt, veterinarians, along with many other service providers, now face charging sales tax to their clients if the bill passes.

“The sales tax proposal may well change pet owners’ already cautious approaches to health care, putting Ohio jobs and economic growth in harm’s way,” Advent will tell the House Ways and Means Subcommittee. “It all adds up to an economic recipe that hinders rather helps Ohio’s veterinary facilities and the important services they provide—not just for animal health, but human health as well.”

Advent will point out that because none of Ohio’s neighbors currently tax veterinary services, pet owners along Ohio’s borders may choose to visit out-of-state veterinarians to avoid paying more for animal care and, in particular, surgical procedures. Lower-income pet owners may avoid veterinary care entirely, he will say, leading to a potential increase in pet relinquishment and euthanasia.

Furthermore, a tax on veterinary services could impact human health as well, Advent will tell lawmakers. With the majority of diseases being transmissible between humans and animals, veterinarians are on the front lines of diagnosis and prevention of many of these illnesses, including rabies, West Nile and Lyme disease. A decline in veterinary visits caused by expanding the sales tax on services could cause an increase in zoonotic prevalence and transmission.

“Veterinarians, like most small business owners, are simply trying to provide the best service and care they can to their clients, at a fair price and within the context of fair government oversight that does not place them at an economic disadvantage,” Advent will conclude. “The sales tax on veterinary services fails on all counts.”

Read OVMA’s full testimony (pdf)

ABOUT THE OVMA
The Ohio Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA) is a non-profit organization providing services to its members in the areas of continuing education, advocacy on public policy matters, and access to variety of professional resources. The OVMA represents more than 2,400 veterinarians practicing in various fields and specialties. The OVMA’s mission is to foster life-long learning, stewardship, compassion and community in veterinary medicine.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Ohio Veterinary Medical Association
3168 Riverside Drive Columbus, Ohio 43221
614.486.7253 / 800.662.OVMA
communications@ohiovma.org / www.ohiovma.org

The grant guidelines stipulate that assistance can be requested for relocation, housing, veterinary care and general care and feeding of species needing a new sanctuary home as a result of owner’s relinquishing their animals under  Ohio’s new law. Complete grant guidelines can be found at http://oahf.org/grants.html, and those wishing to add needed resources to the Foundation’s initial funding commitment can make a donation of any amount at the Web site by clicking on the DONATE NOW button.

As part of its public outreach campaign, OVMA is airing educational commercials on ONN radio stations across the state. The fourth and final commercial of 2012 will air in December and deal with responsible pet ownership. OVMA invites members to link to the commercial from their Web sites and social media profiles to help educate their clients about the responsibilities that come with owning an animal.

Additional pet ownership resources are available for member use as well, including:

• New Pet Health Checklist (pdf)
• Hold Your Horses! What you need to know about buying a horse (pdf)
• Help control pet overpopulation! Spay/neuter your pet (pdf)
• Pet Identification: Proper ID could bring your pet home (pdf)
• Disaster Planning (mp3)
• Pet Medications Safety (mp3)

Find more resources from the OVMA and the Public Education Committee online at http://ohiovma.org/veterinarians/publiced.html.

The potentially affected lots of Nature’s Recipe Oven Baked Biscuits with Real Chicken were distributed nationally, primarily through pet specialty retailers.
Nature’s Recipe Oven Baked Biscuits with Real Chicken is sold in 19-ounce stand-up resealable pouches. The product affected by this recall is identified below and has the following “Best If Used By” dates:

• 9-ounces Nature’s Recipe Oven Baked Biscuits with Real Chicken: Lot Code 2199TP; Best-by Date 10/11/13
• 19-ounces Nature’s Recipe Oven Baked Biscuits with Real Chicken: Lot Code 2200TP; Best-by Date 10/12/13

Consumers who have purchased the above products should stop feeding the treat and discard immediately. For further information about the recall and for instructions on obtaining replacement product, consumers can use the Contact Us form at www.naturesrecipe.com or call the Consumer Hotline at 800-237-3856.

All the recalled products may be returned to the place of purchase for a full refund. No other Dog for Dog products are included in this recall, which includes products manufactured from May 1 through Oct. 1.

To view the complete list of Sunland’s recalled products, visit the FDA’s website.

The recalled products were distributed nationwide through Target retail stores from April through September 2012, according to FDA. The product comes in a clear plastic bag containing six bully sticks marked with bar code number 647263899189. Kasel Industries is recalling all lot numbers of the product.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. No illnesses have yet been reported.

Consumers who have purchased the 6-count 5-inch packages of Boots & Barkley American Beef Bully Sticks are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact Kasel Associated Industries at 1-800-218-4417.

Cobalt-60 is a radioactive material commonly used in industrial gauging equipment and other uses. The radioactive levels in the affected products are far below federal regulatory limits, and Petco claims that all testing conducted on these products indicates that there is no health risk to the public or to pets.

SKU numbers can be found on labels inside and on the bottom of the bowls.

SKU 1047493  PETC-3.75C DEEP TWO TONE NOTIP 9.25” diameter; 3.75 cup capacity

SKU 1386956  PETC-3.5C NO-TIP SS HAMMRD BWL 9” diameter; 3.5 cup capacity

SKU 1047477  PETC-7C TWO TONE NONTIP BOWL 9” diameter; 7 cup capacity

Customers who purchased these products between the dates of May 31 and June 20, 2012, should bring it to their local Petco store for a full refund. If you have any questions, please call Petco Customer Service at 877-738-6742.

Petco tested other stainless steel pet products it carries from other suppliers and found no similar issues.

The VitaKitty treats were distributed nationwide via retail stores and mail order from April 13 through June 14, 2012. This product is packaged in a re-sealable 2 ounce orange plastic bag with a clear window.

The lot codes affected are:

• SEW12CH032701/03c with a best before date of 09/10/13
• SEW12CH032702/03c with a best before date of 09/11/13

Consumers who have purchased products with the affected lot codes should return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Contact Arthur Dogswell at 888.559.8833 with any questions or visit the company website.

The recalled AquaMax products include:

The expanded LabDiet recall includes: 

The expanded Mazuri recall includes:

 Recalled Purina Feed products include:

Land O’Lakes urged customers to return remaining products to their local dealers to receive a refund.