International Veterinary Forensic Sciences Association

01/17/2025

Changes to animal abandonment laws in Las Vegas...

https://www.8newsnow.com/news/local-news/las-vegas-city-council-stiffens-penalties-for-animal-abandonment/

01/16/2025

Are you involved with animal cruelty data research? The Animal Welfare Institute has opened nominations for the NIBRS Animal Cruelty Data Research Award! Applications are due January 31.

https://awionline.org/content/nibrs-animal-cruelty-data-research-award

01/14/2025

A busy veterinarian practice is intense, with life and death decisions made constantly. But as seasoned veterinarian Kathy Gervais shows us, it’s not just the pets whose lives are at stake.

Join us on February 5 for a screening of The Weight They Carry. Please secure your spot by February 1, register at

01/10/2025

Have you submitted a presentation abstract yet for the 2025 IVFSA Conference?? Don't wait much longer - there are less than 4 weeks until the due date (Feb 1)!!

Presentations can be on research, practices and protocols, case studies...anything of relevance to the veterinary forensic science community.

A total of four scholarships will be awarded in the following categories:

1. Student scholarship – awarded to a student member of the IVFSA – 30-minute presentation

2. Law/legal scholarship – awarded to an individual presenting on law enforcement and/or legal aspects of veterinary forensics – 60-minute presentation

3. Welfare scholarship – awarded to an individual presenting on the animal welfare aspects of veterinary forensics – 60-minute presentation

4. Veterinary scholarship – awarded to an individual presenting on the veterinary clinical or pathology aspects of veterinary forensics – 60-minute presentation

The abstract submission link, along with conference information and registration can be found here: https://whova.com/web/vZSHUpDyCTKQbStTJNxZenm7USlekbTsfHhbaqCDtJg%3D/

01/10/2025

The IVFSA membership includes not only veterinarians but also law enforcement officers, crime scene investigators, forensic scientists, social workers, attorneys, animal behaviorists, and more!

Check out this interview with one of our Board Members, in which she discusses her professional journey from Archaeologist to Forensic Analyst for the ASPCA. Then, visit the IVFSA webpage to see how you can become a member, too!

https://www.aspca.org/news/qa-aspca-forensic-analyst-amanda-fitch

01/08/2025

A new cruelty law is being pursued in Florida that will add animal cruelty to the enhanced penalty list of crimes committed during states of emergency.



https://floridapolitics.com/archives/714390-this-ones-for-trooper-don-gaetz-bill-targets-animal-abuse-during-natural-disasters/

01/06/2025

01/06/2025

Another reminder that ANYONE can be a perpetrator of animal cruelty. Last week, the former executive director of the Union County Humane Society (Ohio) and pit bull advocate was found guilty of 32 of 39 felony charges including bribery, tampering, telecommunications fraud, grand theft, engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity and cruelty (needless killing and failure to seek veterinary care).

Cudos to the Campbell Police Department and other agencies who worked for years to put this case together!

The article gives information that led to the trial.

A detective says Steffen Baldwin caused the death of at least 18 dogs on what he hoped was a path to stardom.

12/13/2024

Research article...

"Differentiation of Galliformes feather samples for species identification using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy and chemometric techniques: Application in wildlife forensics"

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666937423000045

12/11/2024

On December 15, New York State will introduce a new bill prohibiting the sale of dogs, cats and rabbits. The goal is to "encourage adoptions and stop illegal breeding practices aimed for profit; critics of the bill say the law will lead to black market animal trade."

https://www.ynetnews.com/environment/article/hjffwqfxjx

12/10/2024

Mark your calendars for this one!! FREE Justice Clearinghouse webinar on February 6 -
Due Process vs. Disposition: Holding Animals and Remains as Evidence.

https://www.justiceclearinghouse.com/webinar/due-process-vs-disposition-holding-animals-and-remains-as-evidence/?source=cal

12/09/2024

Another Justice The Justice Clearinghouse FREE webinar event tomorrow!
"Collaboration: The Secret Ingredient to Housing People and Pets in Crisis"

https://www.justiceclearinghouse.com/webinar/collaboration-the-secret-ingredient-to-housing-people-and-pets-in-crisis/?source=jchemail

12/08/2024

RECALL ALERT - Blue Ridge Beef is voluntarily recalling their 2-pound log Puppy Mix due to a contamination of Salmonella.

Lot Numbers: 08/06/N25 & 08/16/N25
UPC: 854298001696

These products were packaged in clear plastic and sold primarily in retail stores located in the States of: Virginia, North Carolina, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, & New York. More information: https://bit.ly/4giWTh0

12/07/2024

We’re looking for volunteer Wildlife Rescue Interns!

In this four month long, full-time volunteer position, interns will have the unique opportunity to work directly with our Wildlife Rescue Team out in the field. You will help with rescuing wild animals and releasing them once their rehabilitation journey is complete. This position is a great fit for any hardworking individual with prior experience working with wildlife, great interpersonal and communication skills and is looking for an impactful way to volunteer their time this summer. As the only wildlife centre in Canada with a Wildlife Rescue Team, this internship role truly is a one-of-a-kind experience!

*Note about Qualifications: applicants will need to have their full G license and be able to provide up-to-date rabies titre test results to be considered for this position.

The application deadline is fast approaching! Check out TWC’s website for more details and a link to apply online: https://www.torontowildlifecentre.com/volunteer/internships/

12/06/2024

In celebration of National Faux Fur Friday, here's an article about a new method wildlife specialists use to identify illegal furs and pelts.

https://www.forensicmag.com/611182-Furry-Forensics-Identifying-Animal-Furs-Based-on-Proteins/

12/05/2024

Great idea for spreading the word about a local animal cruelty resource!!

https://youtu.be/yK_Biaa36vI?feature=shared

12/04/2024

This training has been rescheduled for January 28-29! Register today!

FREE 2-day training in NC!!

The ASPCA is offering a FREE 2-day Dogfighting Investigations and Response Workshop on October 1-2, 2024. The program will be held in Concord, NC and is hosted by the Cabarrus County Sheriff's Office.

The agenda includes 1 1/2 days of speaker presentations, and 1/2 day of specialized breakout sessions. Open to Law Enforcement, Prosecutors, Veterinarians, and Sheltering Professionals. Registration is limit and closes next week!

If you can make it, be sure to say 'Hello' to two of the IVFSA's Past-Presidents - Dr. Rachel Touroo and Amanda Fitch!

https://www.aspcapro.org/nccares

12/04/2024

From Brazil... Case report: First criminal conviction of dog fighting in Brazil: an international network organization.

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2023.1327436/full