Policies
The MVMA encourages its members to view, evaluate, and treat all persons in any professional activity or circumstance in which they may be involved, solely as individuals on the basis of their own personal abilities, qualifications, and other relevant characteristics. The MVMA confronts and rejects all forms of prejudice and discrimination that have led to misunderstanding, hostility and injustice, including those based on race, ethnicity, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious beliefs, military or veteran status, political beliefs, geographic, socioeconomic, and educational background or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal or state law.
Exhibitor & Advertising Policy
Eligible Products and Services
Acceptable products and services to be exhibited and/or advertised include veterinary specific products, business enhancement products and services, and financial opportunities appropriate for a family friendly event that are related to the veterinary industry. Ineligible exhibits and advertisements include but are not limited to: illegal services or activities; those supporting philosophies or actions in opposition to those of the MVMA; those that are harassing; discriminatory or violate any MVMA policy.
Medical Ethics
Those that offer products or services in competition with the MVMA; those that offer products or services that are not applicable to the veterinary profession; those that offer personal use products and those not appropriate for a family friendly event may be excluded. The MVMA reserves the ultimate right to determine eligibility or an exhibitor/advertiser at any time including onsite at a conference.
Massachusetts has an incredible history of advocating for the welfare of animals. The MSPCA was founded in 1868 and a year later Massachusetts was the first state to pass anti‐cruelty legislation. Our partners in animal welfare have made vast improvements in the lives of animals in the Commonwealth.
For many years in Massachusetts, the veterinary community has worked with the animal sheltering community to promote animal welfare. In other states, relationships between non‐profit animal rescues and veterinarians have been strained. Some of these relationships have become so dysfunctional that legislation has been passed to limit the reach of non‐profit groups.
It is the goal of the MVMA to continue our long held tradition of having healthy, positive relationships between non‐profit animal groups and the veterinary community. In general, the veterinary community provides care to owned animals, specifically clients with the means to pay for veterinary care. Animal rescue groups generally provide care to un‐owned animals, animals that are either stray or that have been surrendered by their owners to a humane society. Over the past few years, the scope of non‐profits has expanded such that some offer veterinary care to owned animals. This is often the spark that has ignited the ill will between the two groups.
The veterinary community acknowledges that there is a large group of animal owners that do no have the means to afford traditional veterinary care. We see these clients when they come into our clinics for the first time with an emergency and not even enough money to cover the exam fee. Or, perhaps we do not see these clients because we tell them they cannot make an appointment without the minimal exam fee.
There is without a doubt, a segment of animal owners who need subsidized veterinary care. The veterinary community is thankful that there are non‐profits that are funded by grants, donations, or municipal funding to care for animals whose owners cannot afford traditional care.
The MVMA would encourage non‐profits who aim to provide care to owned animals to follow the blue‐ print of Tufts at Tech. This non‐profit clinic sought the input of surrounding vets at the initial stages of the clinic, formed an advisor board, and established definitive criteria for patient selection. Tufts at Tech has become an incredible resource for veterinarians, animal shelters, and animal control officers.
The MVMA welcomes any group or organization to discuss how the non‐profit sector can work together with the veterinary community to assist animals in need.