Education

**URGENT – HELP FLORIDA OBTAIN VACCINE FOR RHDV2

Posted on

URGENT ANNOUNCEMENT AND REQUEST:

With the recent confirmation of the dreaded Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus 2 (RHDV2) in Lake County, we are imploring you to help in reaching out to the State of Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FLDACS) to request they approve the import and use of vaccines to prevent the spread of the disease to rabbits in our care.

 

  • Please Click on this link to access a sample letter (Vaccine Letter-Individual) that you can email to the FLDACS.  Email addresses and telephone numbers are at the top of the sample letter.
  • Please tailor the letters for your own use.  There are additional topics that you might want to include in your letter bulleted at the bottom of each sample.
  • The number of letters sent can make a difference!
  • Please share this message to friends and family and ask if they will help.
  • Please keep all communications positive in tone, asking FLDACS to keep our animals safe.

Additionally, if you would like to inform your political leaders of the situation and seek their assistance in influencing FLDACS, please do so.

Sample Letter to Use:

→ For Individuals

More Information for Pet Parents:
→ Letter to Pet Parents

RHDV2 Update

Posted on

Do not panic, but be aware of the progress of this deadly disease. We will post as soon as we hear of the vaccines becoming available in Florida.

On December 30, 2020, The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) was notified of a single premise that had rabbit mortality and tested positive for Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus Type 2 (RHDV-2). The premise was cleaned and disinfected, and the investigation is ongoing. The source of the virus has not yet been determined and there are no other confirmed or suspect cases in Florida at this time.

Biosecurity is the key to prevention of RHDV:

• Keep a closed rabbitry.
• Exclude wild and feral rabbits from the rabbitry.
• Wash your hands between handling rabbits in different pens.
• Control flies and biting insects.
• Clean and disinfect equipment, tools, footwear, feed and water containers, cages.
Recommended disinfectants include those in the phenol class or 10 percent bleach. Clean
thoroughly with soap and water first and apply disinfectant for recommended contact
time. Rinse well and allow to dry before allowing animal contact.
• House rabbits indoors if possible.
• Do not share equipment with others who raise rabbits.
• Contact your veterinarian if sick or dead rabbits are observed and submit carcasses for
examination and prompt sampling.
• Do not transport rabbits into or out of RHDV quarantine areas.
• Separate new rabbits or those returning from shows for one month.
[Source: Borrowed from https://www.fdacs.gov/…/file/RHD2Website200519_FWCFix.pdf]
[Image:  https://www.facebook.com/Hops.a.lot.rescue/photos/a.667415256794481/1711226522413344]

City College Open House!

Posted on

Want something fun to do with the kids and family On May 19th? City College Gainesville has a fun Community event planned to celebrate our 30 year anniversary. Join us along with our distinguished guest, Mayor Lauren Poe, National Recording artist: Ashley Scott, FREE community resource workshops, LIVE music by KISS 105.3 and so much more!

UF Vet OPEN HOUSE 2018

Posted on

Come one, come all to the UF College of Veterinary Medicine’s Annual Open House, set for April 21, 2018 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The college and our UF veterinary students work together to put on this wonderful, fun and educational event each year for the community. And it’s all free!

There will be:
– How to Get Into Veterinary School/Pre-Vet Advising Sessions
– Talks and Educational Demonstrations about various techniques used by UF veterinarians to treat animals for a variety of health problems
– Demonstrations by the Marion County mounted patrol, Gainesville Police Department’s K-9 team, and the UF Police Department’s K-9 unit
– Florida SART disaster response/rescue Demonstration
– Lameness Locator Demonstrations
– Equine Treadmill Demonstrations
– Games and prizes for kids provided by CVM student organizations
– Food truck rally featuring local eateries
– Teddy Bear Beach Clinic for the kids – bring your torn teddy bears for repair by UF veterinary students and the Alachua Veterinary Medical Association
– Meet the Gypsy Gold Vanner Horses
– Gainesville Rabbit Rescue will perform hourly handling demonstrations
– Meet Chris P. Bacon, the pig on wheels
– Veterinary Forensic Science Mobile Unit

For more info, click here to see their brochure:  2018-Open-House-Program

UF Vet Open House :: April 9th

Posted on

UF Open House

Come one, come all to the UF College of Veterinary Medicine’s Annual Open House, set for April 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The college and our UF veterinary students work together to put on this wonderful, fun and educational event each year for the community. And it’s all free!

Click here for the Event Brochure

There will be:

  • Tours of the UF Large and Small Animal Hospitals (ongoing)
  • How to Get Into Veterinary School/Pre-Vet Advising Sessions
  • Talks and Educational Demonstrations will highlight various techniques used by UF veterinarians to treat animals for a variety of health problems (ongoing)
  • Demonstrations by the Marion County mounted patrol, Gainesville Police Department’s K-9 team, and the Alachua County K-9 unit
  • Lameness Locator Demonstrations
  • Equine Treadmill Demonstrations
  • Dog Agility Demonstrations
  • Games and prizes for kids provided by CVM student organizations
  • Food truck rally featuring local eateries
  • Teddy Bear Clinic for the kids – bring your torn teddy bears for repair by UF veterinary students and the Alachua Veterinary Medical Association (ongoing)
  • Gypsy Gold Vanner Horses (ongoing)
  • Gainesville Rabbit Rescue will perform hourly handling demonstrations
  • Chris P. Bacon, the pig on wheels (ongoing)
  • ASPCA Forensic Crime Scene Mobile Unit (ongoing)
  • Special appearance by Albert and Alberta (noon-1:00 p.m.)