Lav is stepping in to counter the effects of the coronavirus emergency on domestic animals with a dedicated initiative. Meanwhile, the Associazione nazionale medici veterinari italiani is calling for updated guidance on the role of the vet in critical situations.
Coronavirus and four-legged friends: the dangers for them, too, are many and often underestimated. With this in mind, Lav (Lega anti vivisezione) has set up a front desk coordinated by Flavia Nigri – head of the emergency unit – which will operate in synergy with the association's leadership to address several thematic areas of intervention, with specific reference to companion animals in the home.
The Lav initiative aims to address a number of important areas:
To facilitate operations, Lav has circulated a template self-declaration required to justify movement for "situations of necessity". On this point, the association explains: "This form (downloadable from the website) will help those who genuinely need to travel in order to carry out animal protection activities which, if left undone, would cause suffering to the animals themselves, compromising their health or their lives. It is a personal declaration, completed under one's own responsibility, with full awareness that false statements made to a public official are subject to sanctions under article 495 of the Penal Code".
Also speaking out on the subject of coronavirus and its consequences for the four-legged friends who share our homes and lives is the Anmvi (Associazione nazionale medici veterinari italiani), which is calling for updated guidance on the provisions sent to prefectures last March, with particular regard to the carrying out of veterinary activities as independent professionals across all fields of practice.
In this regard, president Marco Melosi has requested "a briefing for veterinary surgeons across all fields of practice", with particular reference to controlled and conditional movement – such as that required to treat animal patients at home or to bring them to a veterinary practice – and to the movement of owners towards veterinary facilities.
Anmvi's statement on the matter reads: "These are circumstances that directly involve veterinary surgeons in their role of safeguarding animal health and welfare, as well as public veterinary health, for which clear and applicable directives are needed, ones that are compatible with the Dpcm 8 marzo 2020 [the decree of the President of the Council of Ministers on urgent measures to contain contagion, ed.]". Furthermore, Anmvi is developing, in collaboration with Sivar (Società italiana veterinari animali da reddito), a similar initiative for vets in the livestock sector.