Idaho Veterinary Group Won’t Appose New Humane Society Law

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The Idaho Veterinary Medical Association won't put its backing behind proposed legislation that would limit the kind of veterinary care offered by the Idaho Human Society's hospital.

The Idaho Statesman reports that the industry group voted last month on whether the organization would support the campaign for a new state law, and decided against it. Some veterinarians in the Boise region fear the Idaho Humane Society's planned hospital expansion would hurt their business by offering more affordable services than the for-profit clinics nearby.

In November, a group of veterinarians said it would pursue a new law to limit the Boise shelter's hospital services. IVMA executive director Vicki Smith says she's not sure if the private veterinarians will continue to pursue legislation without the backing of the industry group.