Hey, just by the way, it seems your characterization of the outcome with regards to vets at animal shelters is not correct. It's kind of the opposite. It starts on page 41 of the PDF (second link). The problem was: "Recent court decisions prevent the State Board of Veterinary
Medical Examiners from regulating shelter veterinarians or
veterinary medicine practiced in animal shelters."
"Strictly interpreted, the statutory exemption means anyone who practices
veterinary medicine in the context of animal shelters and rescue groups is exempt
from the Veterinary Licensing Act, including standard of care measures and
use of controlled substances. The impact of the decisions is already having an
effect on the oversight and regulation of veterinary medicine in Texas, as the
agency has begun to close all complaints against shelter veterinarians, declaring
them non-jurisdictional based on the decisions.
Taken to the extreme and assuming the Act does not apply in the context of
shelter medicine, animal shelters and rescue groups would not need to hire
licensed veterinarians. If the Act does not apply to the care of these animals,
any person regardless of training, education, or qualification, and regardless of
their criminal or disciplinary history, would legally be able to practice veterinary
medicine on shelter and rescue animals."
The recommendation from the Sunset Commission was therefore for the legislature to change the law to make sure veterinary medicine at rescue clinics WAS regulated.
"Strictly interpreted, the statutory exemption means anyone who practices veterinary medicine in the context of animal shelters and rescue groups is exempt from the Veterinary Licensing Act, including standard of care measures and use of controlled substances. The impact of the decisions is already having an effect on the oversight and regulation of veterinary medicine in Texas, as the agency has begun to close all complaints against shelter veterinarians, declaring them non-jurisdictional based on the decisions. Taken to the extreme and assuming the Act does not apply in the context of shelter medicine, animal shelters and rescue groups would not need to hire licensed veterinarians. If the Act does not apply to the care of these animals, any person regardless of training, education, or qualification, and regardless of their criminal or disciplinary history, would legally be able to practice veterinary medicine on shelter and rescue animals."
The recommendation from the Sunset Commission was therefore for the legislature to change the law to make sure veterinary medicine at rescue clinics WAS regulated.