“PetSmart
Charities has been one of the biggest supporters of our shelter medicine
program,” Dr. Philip Bushby, professor emeritus and MSU College of Veterinary
Medicine’s Marcia Lane Endowed Chair of Humane Ethics and Animal Welfare, said.
“They fund a lot of the good work we do for shelter animals in Mississippi.”
The
College of Veterinary Medicine’s shelter medicine program currently works with
twenty-five shelters in the north Mississippi area. The program provides
guidance in shelter management and safety, and combats overpopulation by
offering high-volume, high-quality spay and neuter services through their mobile
veterinary surgical units. These services are offered at no cost to the
shelters.
“The
idea for this conference came from seeing the constant needs of the shelters
our program works with, but also recognizing that many shelters have similar
needs,” Bushby said. “We want every shelter employee to leave the conference
ready to make their shelters better than when they left them, regardless of
their level of resources.”
The
Shelter Educational Conference is open not just to veterinarians, but all
people involved in shelter work, from managers and staff to volunteers.
“Shelters
serve a key role in educating people to properly care for animals, and it is
important that shelters understand not only how to properly care for animals,
but also how to educate the people in their local communities on the proper
care of animals,” said College of Veterinary Medicine dean, Dr. Kent Hoblet.
“By opening the conference to such a broad group of attendants, it will serve
as a multiplier for that important educational component.”
Speakers
for the conference are all veterinarians and technicians from the College’s
Shelter Medicine Program. They will cover topics ranging from capacity for care
to shelter biosecurity to behavioral enrichment for dogs and cats.
Recognizing
the limited resources of most shelters, the generous support of PetSmart
Charities allows for registrants to attend the conference at no cost.
“PetSmart Charities’
continued support for the College’s shelter medicine program has been critical
to enhance the program and broaden its reach throughout the community,” said
Jimmy Kight, the College’s director of development. “By supporting grants such
as this one, PetSmart Charities helps make possible critical training for
shelter workers who directly address animal health and welfare needs on a daily
basis.”
The
Petsmart Charities Shelter Educational Conference will take place at the
College of Veterinary Medicine on April 21 and 22. Registration is available
through Friday, April 13, and individuals can register online: Conference Registration click here.
