AVMA Launches Web Site Offering Free Searches of Aquatic Animal Veterinarians, Diagnostic Laboratories

(SCHAUMBURG, Ill.) February 10, 2006—Recognizing the growing demand among pet owners, aquaculture industries, veterinarians and other professionals, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has partnered with others to create AquaVets.com, the first free online database of aquatic animal veterinarians and diagnostic laboratories.

AquaVets.com allows users to perform searches of a comprehensive database that pools information on aquatic veterinarians and diagnostic laboratories. Users can search by species type, disease, location and other categories to quickly scan the 2,300 veterinarians and 110 diagnostic laboratories in the system and find the most appropriate resource.

“”The AVMA recognized that aquaculture is the fastest growing segment of agriculture,”” said AVMA President Dr. Henry E. Childers. “”More than 47 percent of all animal protein consumed is seafood, 1/3 of which is farmed, yet no single source of information on how to locate aquatic veterinarians or diagnostic laboratories existed. This has left aquaculture producers, animal owners, government agencies and other veterinarians at a disadvantage.””

AquaVets.com was developed through the collaborative efforts of the AVMA, Aquaculture Underwriting and Management Services and Global Vet Link as part of the National Risk Management Feasibility Program for Aquaculture. Partial financial support was provided by the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation of the United States Department of Agriculture Risk Management Agency, managed through Mississippi State University.

# # #The AVMA, founded in 1863, is one of the oldest and largest veterinary medical organizations in the world. More than 73,000 member veterinarians are engaged in a wide variety of professional activities. AVMA members are dedicated to advancing the science and art of veterinary medicine including its relationship to public health and agriculture. Visit the AVMA Web site at www.avma.org to learn more about veterinary medicine and animal care and to access up-to-date information on the association’s issues, policies and activities.