Volume 5, Issue 6 - Press Release

FLORIDA ALLIANCE FOR ANIMAL OWNERS RIGHTS

Supporting Choice in Animal Health Care - Promoting Optimal Animal Health
11445 Moccasin Gap Road
Tallahassee , Florida 32309
(850) 893-0693
nshorizons@att.net

OWNERS WANT HEALTH CARE CHOICES FOR THEIR ANIMALS

Tallahassee - With thousands of Floridians seeking alternative health care and wellness options for themselves, such as massage and acupuncture, those that are animal owners want the same kind of services for their treasured animals.

The Florida Alliance for Animal Owners Rights, Inc. (FAAOR), a non-profit corporation, established in July, 2003, is seeking to change laws, rules and policies in Florida in a manner that would allow:

a) animal owners to legally seek alternative health care and wellness therapies from non-veterinarians;

b) encourage veterinarians to provide animal owners with more options in health care for their animals; and

c) allow knowledgeable persons who wish to offer alternative health care and wellness therapies and counseling for animals to do so legally in Florida .

Today, in Florida and many states, any non-veterinarian who administers any treatment to an animal for the prevention, cure or relief of a wound, fracture, bodily injury, or disease may be found guilty of a third-degree felony. Also, any non-veterinarian who makes a determination of the health, fitness or soundness of an animal may be found guilty of a third-degree felony. The trigger is a complaint filed against the individual by anyone.

FAAOR has drafted legislation for 2004 to allow owners to have legal choices of alternative animal health care therapies and therapists, without becoming criminals or having the therapy providers become criminals. We are soliciting comments from legislators and interested parties at this time and incorporating their comments in each redraft of the bill. We are also appearing at legislative delegation meetings, animal clubs, and more to educate animal lovers about our efforts. The bill is expected to be filed in the Florida Senate in December 2003.

We are aware that similar efforts are also beginning in Alaska , Illinois and California . If you know of such efforts underway in additional states, please let us know so that we can network and share information. Also, at this time we need statistics for our legislative testimony. If you have any of the following information/statistics for any or all states, or can direct us to a source, please let us know as soon as possible. If you just know one thing, it would be helpful. We can piece it together. This database will be needed by all the states as they move forward with these legislative efforts.

• Number of animals (not wildlife)
• Number of veterinarians
• Number of animal massage therapists
• Number of animal chiropractors
• Number of equine dentists
• Number/names of animal alternative therapy schools
• Number of animal communicators
• Number of people using alternative therapies on their animals
• Trends for students in vet schools
• Vet schools teaching alternative therapies
• Number of people who use alternative therapies for themselves
• Number of veterinarians incorporating alternative therapies into their practices
• Names of alternative animal therapy magazines/periodicals we can publish articles in about our efforts

Let us hear from you!

CONTACT:

Nancy Stephens (850) 893-0693

FLORIDA ALLIANCE FOR ANIMAL OWNERS RIGHTS

11445 Moccasin Gap Road

Tallahassee , Florida 32309

(850) 893-0693

nshorizons@att.net

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