[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 89 (Friday, June 28, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S6322]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 297--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE THAT PET 
  OWNERS SHOULD REGULARLY VISIT THEIR VETERINARIANS FOR THEIR PETS TO 
RECEIVE CHECK-UPS, AND FOR ADVICE ON ISSUES LIKE FLEA AND TICK CONTROL, 
             ESPECIALLY DURING THE SPRING AND SUMMER MONTHS

  Mr. SMITH of New Hampshire submitted the following resolution; which 
was referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry:

                              S. Res. 297

       Whereas approximately 60 percent of American households are 
     pet-owning households;
       Whereas there are approximately 68,000,000 dogs in American 
     households;
       Whereas there are approximately 73,000,000 cats in American 
     households;
       Whereas pet owners typically have strong relationships with 
     their pets;
       Whereas pet owners love their pets as members of their 
     families and should consider veterinarians as partners in 
     helping to keep family pets healthy and happy;
       Whereas strong relationships between pets and veterinarians 
     are important for the diagnosis of major and minor pet health 
     issues;
       Whereas the spring and summer months are prime seasons for 
     infestation by ticks, mosquitoes, and fleas;
       Whereas ticks, as carriers of diseases like Lyme Disease, 
     mosquitoes, as carriers of parasites like heartworm, and 
     fleas all pose potential threats to the health of pets;
       Whereas many spring and summer threats to pet health are 
     silent and potentially fatal, but can be prevented with 
     regular visits to veterinarians;
       Whereas veterinarians know the best methods and best 
     products to provide for the healthy lives of pets; and
       Whereas 100 percent of dogs not on a preventive treatment 
     will contract heartworm when exposed to the parasite: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that--
       (1) pets should not face unnecessary health threats, which 
     frequently arise during the spring and summer months;
       (2) the spring and summer months are an important time to 
     provide dogs and cats with control products to protect 
     against illnesses caused or carried by ticks, mosquitoes, and 
     fleas;
       (3) pet owners should seek expert advice from their 
     veterinarians to learn how to protect dogs and cats against 
     potential spring and summertime diseases and illnesses caused 
     by ticks, mosquitoes, and fleas; and
       (4) pet owners should regularly visit their veterinarians 
     for their pets to receive check-ups, for prevention of 
     disease, and for advice on issues like flea and tick control.

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