Massachusetts Prioritizes Animal Safety and Health
In partnership with: Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources
From cats to cattle, the mission of the Massachusetts Division of Animal Health is to prevent the introduction and spread of infectious diseases in domestic animals. Consumer protection is another core focus, going beyond animal welfare and health.
“There’s always a consideration of human health and safety involved in what we do,” says Michael Cahill, MDAR’s Division of Animal Health director. “People may be susceptible to diseases that begin in animals, and we want to control the spread to keep both animals and people healthy in the Commonwealth.”
With 21 employees, the division’s responsibilities involve overseeing various animal-related activities in Massachusetts. Animal welfare is essential since stressed-out animals can have a weakened immune system and be more susceptible to disease.
With the assistance of approximately 500 municipal animal control officers and animal inspectors, the division receives reports and responds to complaints related to animal issues in each community. In addition, municipal animal inspectors conduct annual inspections at every property where livestock or poultry are kept as part of the division’s disease surveillance system.
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In the Field
Preventing animal homelessness and assisting animals in need is another focus of the division through the Massachusetts Animal Fund, which was set up in 2012. Funded primarily through a voluntary tax check-off box on the Massachusetts resident income tax form, the fund raises approximately $500,000 annually.
The fund pays for two main initiatives: a voucher program – which provides vaccinations and spay or neuter surgeries for homeless animals and animals owned by low-income families – and a mandatory in-person two-day training class for all animal control officers.
Rabies vaccinations help prevent disease in pets and protect other animals and people in the home. Rabies is frequently found in wildlife in Massachusetts, including raccoons, skunks, woodchucks and foxes.
“We take rabies very seriously because it is 100% fatal for animals,” Cahill says. “There is a series of shots for exposed humans, but no such shots are available for animals. That is why vaccination is so important.”
Licensing and inspecting pet shops, pet rescue organizations, livestock and poultry dealers, dairy farms, horseback riding stables, and other animal-related businesses are critical operations as well. The division’s comprehensive regulations for these businesses establish animal health and welfare standards and serve to protect the public.