IVMA Winter Conference: Animal Neglect/Abuse Investigation

The SDMVC health care team attended the Animal Neglect/Abuse Investigation sessions at the Iowa Veterinary Medical Assocation (IVMA) Winter Conference on Wednesday, February 8th.  We attended nine different sessions on the topic and we were able to see worldly perspectives on animal care all the way down to how proper animal care is enforced right here in Des Moines.

                                    SDMVC Health Care Team at IVMA Conference 
           (From left to right:  Dr. Beyer, Dawn, Kathy, Kym, Lex, Cari, Dr. Flaming, Tami)

Some major points that we took away from this conference are:

1. In order to investigate and prosecute animal neglect,  people from many different professions must work together.   To name a few:  Police Officers, Animal Control Officers, Veterinarians, Cruelty Investigators, and Lawyers  We are very fortunate here in Des Moines that these groups already work together very well and each understand how important each role is in the process.    
2. If you suspect animal neglect/abuse, call your local animal control or law enforcement to report it.  Do NOT  trespass or try to remove the animal(s).   Leave that part to the officials!  If you live in the city of Des Moines, and you suspect animal neglect, please call the police dispatch at 283-4811, and request a "welfare check" be done on the animal.  They will send out an animal control officer to the address to check on the animal.
3. Many times people who are "animal hoarders" actually suffer from some kind of mental illness, so while we just want to remove the animals and get them help, the person needs help as well.

One particular session that we attended focused on the Animal Welfare Act (AWA).  The Animal Welfare Act protects certain animals from inhumane treatment and neglect.  Dr.  Heather Cole spoke to us about the licensed facilities that the USDA inspects, who must be licensed, and how the compliance inspection works. In the state of Iowa there are 1,980 licensed facilities.

The facilities that the USDA inspect include:

1. Breeders and Dealers  (a breeder must license their facility when they have 4 or more breeding females)
2. Exhibitors
3. Research Facilities
4. Transporters (i.e. airlines) 

This does NOT include: 

1. Pet Stores (unless exotic animals are sold there)
2. Rodeos
3. State and County Fairs
4. Dog and cat shows
5. Ag exhibitions
6. Dog/Horse racing
7. Unlicensed facilities
8. Private Ownership

What do the inspectors look for in a facility?

• The Animal's Condition
• Housing
• Ventilation
• Lighting
• Interior Surfaces
• Primary Enclosures
• Sanitation
• Pest Control
• Feeding/Watering
• Outdoor Shelter
• Compatibility
• Record Keeping
• Adequate Vet Care
• Transporting/Handling

All inspections are unannounced.  They want to see what a typical day is like at the facility.  Dr. Cole stated that most Licensed Facilities do follow the standards of the Animal Welfare Act.  It's the facilities that do NOT have a license that are usually the ones that have problems.  There are no limits to how many animals a facility has, as long as they are following the AWA. 

If a facility is not in compliance with certain things, they are given a certain amount of time to fix what the issue is, and then the inspector will visit again to make sure they are in compliance.  If the issue is not fixed in the allotted time, the facility may receive a fine, their license may be revoked, or the animals may be confiscated depending on the situation. 

For more information on the Animal Welfare Act, visit here