Repeal Updates to The Maine Veterinary Practice Act

The Issue

On June 16, 2015, the state of Maine enacted to law LD 814 (SP 288)
"An Act To Update the Maine Veterinary Practice Act." The impacts of this law directly result in the closure of low-cost vaccination and wellness clinics across the state of Maine.

What does this mean for Maine pet owners?

  • Dramatic spike in the cost of basic veterinary care
  • Those who struggle to afford costly veterinary bills will forgo basic care
  • An increase in un-vaccinated pets will put puppies, kittens, and elderly animals at risk of disease
  • Deadly diseases, such as Parvovirus, will increase in prevalence
  • Pets that otherwise might be adopted will no longer be "in the budget" and may perish in kill shelters

In late September, Dr. Joel Hokkanen suspended his popular traveling clinics indefinitely, directly citing the updates to Maine law:

 “Our vaccination and wellness clinics have for years provided pet owners with a lower-cost option for basic veterinary care. In this challenging environment, however, some veterinary practice owners see lower-cost options such as vaccination clinics as a threat to their businesses. The Maine Veterinary Medical Association has responded by pushing through the legislature changes to the Maine Veterinary Practice Act which are specifically designed to limit lower-cost veterinary care options in Maine. In light of this situation, we have suspended our monthly clinics.”

The state of Maine now asserts by law that in order to practice veterinary medicine, a veterinarian must be engaged in a “veterinarian-client-patient relationship.” This includes being readily available for a follow-up evaluation. This premise isn’t even asserted for people. In the state of Maine, one could easily receive a flu vaccine at a local pharmacy or temporary clinic. There is no expectation from the vaccine recipient to be able to follow-up with these clinics. If you have an adverse reaction to treatment, you see your regular doctor. Proposing these kinds of stringent restrictions on veterinary clinics only benefits established veterinary practices. Not pets. Not pet owners. Not the people of Maine.

These changes are having very real effects right now. Sign the petition, and write your local legislator.

avatar of the starter
Mia PerronPetition Starter
Media inquiries
This petition had 496 supporters

The Issue

On June 16, 2015, the state of Maine enacted to law LD 814 (SP 288)
"An Act To Update the Maine Veterinary Practice Act." The impacts of this law directly result in the closure of low-cost vaccination and wellness clinics across the state of Maine.

What does this mean for Maine pet owners?

  • Dramatic spike in the cost of basic veterinary care
  • Those who struggle to afford costly veterinary bills will forgo basic care
  • An increase in un-vaccinated pets will put puppies, kittens, and elderly animals at risk of disease
  • Deadly diseases, such as Parvovirus, will increase in prevalence
  • Pets that otherwise might be adopted will no longer be "in the budget" and may perish in kill shelters

In late September, Dr. Joel Hokkanen suspended his popular traveling clinics indefinitely, directly citing the updates to Maine law:

 “Our vaccination and wellness clinics have for years provided pet owners with a lower-cost option for basic veterinary care. In this challenging environment, however, some veterinary practice owners see lower-cost options such as vaccination clinics as a threat to their businesses. The Maine Veterinary Medical Association has responded by pushing through the legislature changes to the Maine Veterinary Practice Act which are specifically designed to limit lower-cost veterinary care options in Maine. In light of this situation, we have suspended our monthly clinics.”

The state of Maine now asserts by law that in order to practice veterinary medicine, a veterinarian must be engaged in a “veterinarian-client-patient relationship.” This includes being readily available for a follow-up evaluation. This premise isn’t even asserted for people. In the state of Maine, one could easily receive a flu vaccine at a local pharmacy or temporary clinic. There is no expectation from the vaccine recipient to be able to follow-up with these clinics. If you have an adverse reaction to treatment, you see your regular doctor. Proposing these kinds of stringent restrictions on veterinary clinics only benefits established veterinary practices. Not pets. Not pet owners. Not the people of Maine.

These changes are having very real effects right now. Sign the petition, and write your local legislator.

avatar of the starter
Mia PerronPetition Starter
Media inquiries

The Decision Makers

James Dill
James Dill
Former State Senate - Maine-5
Responded
“On behalf of Jim Dill, who sponsored the legislation: The legislation (which had many sections, because Maine's law was so outdated) was not intended to adversely impact vaccination clinics but simply to require what most already do. Please note: the follow-up care provision requires a followup evaluation "OR has arranged for veterinary emergency coverage and continuing care and treatment". This veterinarian doing the vaccinations can meet this requirement by providing pet owners with the contact information for the nearest emergency clinic and of a local veterinarian who has agreed to respond to any post-vaccination problem. The intent here is to protect pets and their owners so that they are not left hanging, such as with the occasional post-vaccination reaction. Just as Rite-Aid, where I just got a flu shot, sends a note with the shot information to my family physician. This section of the legislation repeats, word for word, the language in the American Veterinary Medical Association's Model Practice Act. Maine was one of only a handful of states without such a provision. This bill, particularly this section, was carefully reviewed by the Maine State Director of the Humane Society of the United States, who added a constructive amendment which we readily adopted. We're on the side of the pet owners here, and regret Dr. Hokkanen's website posting, which he has since taken down. Bill Bell, Executive Director, Maine Veterinary Medical Association. ”

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Petition created on November 10, 2015