Okay gang ... here's an important call to action for all Virginia wildlife rehabilitators. Summary: SB 413, introduced by Senator Emmett Hanger at the request of the Wildlife Center of Virginia, will rectify a conflict that currently exists in state law. The Board of Veterinary Medicine has recently ruled that wildlife rehabilitators, and other individuals and organizations who hold wildlife possession permits issued by the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, must also ...be licensed as a veterinarian or a veterinary technician if they provide any type of medical, preventative or therapeutic care to wild animals in their possession, since they do not “own” the animals they are authorized to possess. SB 413 would create a narrowly crafted exemption from this veterinary licensure for qualified individuals who hold a variety of wildlife possession permits issued by DGIF.
Please read the full document (attached) for all the details and talking points!
Please read the full document (attached) for all the details and talking points!
When you contact your elected representative:
• Provide your name and address, and let them know you supports wildlife rehabilitators in our area that are affected by this bill. If you live in the Senator’s district, be sure to mention it.
• Describe why you feel wildlife rehabilitation is important to the community at large and inform your Senators that wildlife rehabilitators proride care to our Native VA wildlife at no charge to the public.
• Be sure to inform your Senator that this bill does NOT allow wildlife rehabilitators to do the things only a vet can/should do. All wildlife rehabilitators work with a licensed veterinarian who signs their permits annually agreeing to perform veterinary services beyond our capabilities such as x-rays, surgeries, and lab work (just to name a few). It simply allows you to do the thing the vet does not need to do, or is not able to do.
• BE NICE and BE SPECIFIC…. You want them to VOTE IN FAVOR OF THIS BILL. Don’t ask them to “consider it”. Don’t stop by telling them why you support it. Ask for their vote in favor of the bill, and ask them to keep you informed of the progress of the bill.
• Remember, these people we elect work for us in Richmond, but will only do what we want if we tell them what that is.
Go to www.virginiageneralassembly.gov and contact the following to vote for SB 413 to help our wildlife.
Christie Ann Bieber Senator Hanger - district24@senate.virginia.gov
Senator Watkins - district10@senate.virginia.gov
Senator Puckett... - district38@senate.virginia.gov
Senator Ruff - district15@senate.virginia.gov
Senator Obenshain - district26@senate.virginia.gov
Senator McEachin - district09@senate.virginia.gov
Senator Petersen - district34@senate.virginia.gov
Senator Stuart - district28@senate.virginia.gov
Senator Marsden - district37@senate.virginia.gov
Senator Stanley - district20@senate.virginia.gov
Senator Black - district13@senate.virginia.gov
Senator Miller - district01@senate.virginia.gov
Senator Ebbin - district30@senate.virginia.gov
You can follow the progress of this Bill via the link listed below:
http://wildlifecenter.org/news_events/news/legislative-action-alert-sb-413
• Provide your name and address, and let them know you supports wildlife rehabilitators in our area that are affected by this bill. If you live in the Senator’s district, be sure to mention it.
• Describe why you feel wildlife rehabilitation is important to the community at large and inform your Senators that wildlife rehabilitators proride care to our Native VA wildlife at no charge to the public.
• Be sure to inform your Senator that this bill does NOT allow wildlife rehabilitators to do the things only a vet can/should do. All wildlife rehabilitators work with a licensed veterinarian who signs their permits annually agreeing to perform veterinary services beyond our capabilities such as x-rays, surgeries, and lab work (just to name a few). It simply allows you to do the thing the vet does not need to do, or is not able to do.
• BE NICE and BE SPECIFIC…. You want them to VOTE IN FAVOR OF THIS BILL. Don’t ask them to “consider it”. Don’t stop by telling them why you support it. Ask for their vote in favor of the bill, and ask them to keep you informed of the progress of the bill.
• Remember, these people we elect work for us in Richmond, but will only do what we want if we tell them what that is.
Go to www.virginiageneralassembly.gov and contact the following to vote for SB 413 to help our wildlife.
Christie Ann Bieber Senator Hanger - district24@senate.virginia.gov
Senator Watkins - district10@senate.virginia.gov
Senator Puckett... - district38@senate.virginia.gov
Senator Ruff - district15@senate.virginia.gov
Senator Obenshain - district26@senate.virginia.gov
Senator McEachin - district09@senate.virginia.gov
Senator Petersen - district34@senate.virginia.gov
Senator Stuart - district28@senate.virginia.gov
Senator Marsden - district37@senate.virginia.gov
Senator Stanley - district20@senate.virginia.gov
Senator Black - district13@senate.virginia.gov
Senator Miller - district01@senate.virginia.gov
Senator Ebbin - district30@senate.virginia.gov
You can follow the progress of this Bill via the link listed below:
http://wildlifecenter.org/news_events/news/legislative-action-alert-sb-413