I fully support this petition and the effort by the petitioner to protect our pets.  I believe that this is a great beginning but needs to go further in protecting our pets. 

This informed consent that an owner agrees to allow a student to care for the pet, MUST be in writing.

This consent must be given at the time that the pet is being cared for.  This consent needs to be a one time only consent for that day for that pet for that student.  The next time the customer brings a pet in to be treated, if a student is going to treat that pet, then the whole informed consent needs to be gotten again.

Owners MUST be given a copy of the consent.  This is very important.  The board requires that the acknowledgement of vet's hours be signed by the client. This is supposed to be given to the client as a separate document but it is usually given in with all the other first visit documents.   However, the client is not given a copy for their records, they only sign it on the first visit to the vet and 10 years later when the vet says the pet has to stay overnight so they can "keep an eye on her", the client believes that they will be doing so.

Owners must have a clear and easy way to "opt" out.  I will personally be notifying my vet that students are not to care for my furry family members.  This will be in writing.

We as pet owners must do everything that we can to protect our pets, the alternative is the pet is killed due to poor, negligent care and this board does not hold vets accountable, in my opinion.

Respectfully submitted

Molly Mittens (RIP) Mom  mollymittens7@gmail.com