PRACTICE GOT A QUESTION? THE FVMA CAN HELP.
One of the benefits of membership in the FVMA is our Helpline, (800) 992-3862, available to members daily, Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. Our Helpline also provides insight to the FVMA staff, of the challenges and concerns of our members. In this feature we will highlight topics from the questions we received in preceding weeks, in an effort to keep our members up-to-date on current concerns as well as regulatory and legislative changes.
QUESTION:
I was wondering if the FVMA could assist me in giving me their opinion on the matter of acclimation letters. I used to refuse to sign acclimation letters, and I would have the clients sign them directly. Now, the airline (American in particular) will only accept a pet if it has an acclimation letter signed by a veterinarian. I have no way of knowing any temperatures that my patient might be “acclimated” to since I only see them in a setting of a veterinary hospital at 72 degrees. Also, we all know that a pet’s ability to sustain a temperature depends on the duration of time they are exposed to that temperature as well as air flow and access to water. My clients are putting a lot of pressure on all of our staff veterinarians to sign acclimation letters that include temperatures that may be detrimental to their pet. The reason for this is that if the pet is rejected from the trip, they are either out of finances and have nowhere to stay in this country and/or will miss their flight or they will have to travel and leave their pet in the US, and there is no one for the pet to stay with. I had a client countersign a form releasing me from any harm that would come to their pet due to issues of temperature on the flight. We all realize that the airline is only looking for a scapegoat should the pet become sick or die under their care. Unfortunately, that scapegoat is the veterinarian. Where does the FVMA stand on this issue and what is the best way we can protect ourselves? I would appreciate your guidance on this matter to enable all of us as veterinarians to protect our licenses.
be higher than 85° F for more than four consecutive hours while in animal holding areas of airport terminals, or for more than 45 minutes while transferring the animal between the aircraft and the animal holding area. Veterinarians should exercise sound professional judgment when asked to make declarative statements about the safety or risks that arise from shipping specific animals outside of the provisions of the AWA. Carriers or intermediate handlers whose facilities fail to meet the minimum temperature allowed by the standards may accept for transportation or transport, in commerce, any live animal if the consignor furnishes to the carrier or intermediate handler a certificate executed by an accredited veterinarian stating that such live animal is acclimated to air temperatures lower than those prescribed in the CFR (45° F). Acclimation certificates/statements issued in accordance with 9 CFR section 3 no more than 10 days prior to delivery of the animal(s) for transportation should only be provided as a statement attached to a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection and shall include at least the following information: (1) Name and address of consignor; (2) The number and identification of animals in the shipment; (3) An acclimation certificate/statement; (4) The signature of the USDA accredited veterinarian, accreditation number, and date.
A: In the absence of a position of its own on this issue, the FVMA is
Veterinarians who sign acclimation certificates/statements for the transportation of pet animals that may be exposed to adverse temperatures should word their certifying statement as follows:
Acclimation Certificates/Statements Acclimation certificates/statements are used to allow airlines to ship dogs and cats when the airline cannot guarantee compliance with existing requirements as stated in the federal Animal Welfare Act regulations, Part 3, Subpart A – Specifications of the Humane Handling, Care, Treatment, and Transportation of Dogs and Cats (9 CFR § 3.13[e]) and, specifically the minimum temperature allowed by the regulations. Veterinarians may advise clients not to ship animals with transporters or airlines that cannot guarantee compliance with animal welfare regulations. In accordance with the requirements of the Animal Welfare Act, regardless of the temperature range suggested by the owner/authorized agent or veterinarian, ambient temperatures listed in the acclimation certificate/statement cannot
"The animal(s) in this shipment appear healthy for transport but need(s) to be maintained at a range of ambient temperatures (in Fahrenheit) to which the animal(s) has/have been acclimated, as determined in consultation with the owner/authorized agent to be no lower than (W degrees) for (X) minutes and no higher than (Y degrees not to exceed 85° F) for no longer than (Z) minutes."
guided by the position/policy of the AVMA. Below is AVMA policy on acclimation certificates.
24 | FVMA ADVOCATE
Also, we find nothing wrong with the prudent use of the disclaimer note you shared with us.