Our Honor

🦠🚨 Rising Bird Flu Cases Raise Concerns Over Testing Limitations 🚨🦠 As bird flu cases increase in the U.S., testing access remains limited, with new tests only recommended for those closely interacting with animals. Recent reports reveal a second person in Missouri with H5N1, but without a clear animal contact, highlighting potential gaps in our containment efforts. Amidst this, troubling images shared by Our Honor veterinarian Dr. Crystal Heath show dead cows marked with Xs at a facility in California, raising serious concerns about biosecurity and the treatment of sick animals. While commercial labs are stepping up with prescription tests, public health officials stress that most flu cases don’t require H5N1 testing. As wild bird migration continues, the risk of further spread grows. It’s crucial for us to stay informed and vigilant. Read more about the current situation and what it means for public health: https://lnkd.in/gwMgMiTy #H5n1 #avianinfluenza #birdflu #farmvet #vetmed #veterinarymedicine #veterinarian #farmtofork #farmtotable #foodtruth #vetschool #veterinarystudent #animalwelfare #animalrights #vegan #plantbased

Today, Colorado’s highest court will consider animal rights for the first time. Jambo, Lucky, LouLou, Missy, and Kimba are currently confined at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and have shown signs of chronic stress due to their housing. Many advocates are calling for them to be moved to a sanctuary that can better meet their needs. This video of Jambo was taken on October 5, 2024. @NonhumanRights This case could help change the world for elephants in captivity. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/gWZV853a #FreeTheCMZElephants #vetwitter #vetmed #veterinarymedicine #zoovet #animalwelfare #animalrights

We were proud to contribute to this astonishing Vanity Fair investigation into the H5N1 avian influenza response and the many failures at the federal level. Katherine Eban exposes the retaliation veterinarians suffered for trying to obey their oath to protect public health and animal welfare. If you read one article about avian influenza, let it be this one. Are you a veterinarian who has first-hand experience with this avian influenza outbreak? Please reach out and share your story. We keep everyone’s information confidential unless you want it to be known. We hope more veterinarians feel empowered to speak out and share their stories. https://lnkd.in/eMPKBjnM #H5n1 #avianinfluenza #birdflu #farmvet #vetmed #veterinarymedicine #veterinarian #farmtofork #farmtotable #foodtruth #vetschool #veterinarystudent #animalwelfare #animalrights #vegan

Anja Raudabaugh, CEO of Western United Dairies, says, "They have to be placed near a public road so that the rendering truck does not come onto the dairy and potentially infect the healthy calves...The virus has been known at this point to be transmitted on something called fomite transmission, so boots, shoes, tires, and foreign cars in or around there." But leaving bodies out uncovered where other animals might scavenge on them and then track that into the facility or neighboring facilities would also expose other cows. This predicament highlights the impossible situation created by our dependence on animal-based protein production, and it's only going to get worse. In thinking about long-term solutions, Dr. Crystal Heath of Our Honor says, “We’re advocating for a redirection of public funds away from animal-based protein and towards supporting animal-free methods of food production to enhance our food security and public health...Our reliance and dependence on animal-based protein really puts us at risk for pandemic viruses like avian influenza." https://lnkd.in/geEi2A42 #h5n1 #onehealth #avianinfluenza #birdflu #vetmed #vettwitter #veterinarymedicine #veterinarian #plantbased #animalwelfare #animalrights #vegan

On October 8th, Dr. Crystal Heath visited Tulare County, California, where she found dead cows that had succumbed to H5N1 avian influenza lying on the side of the road. This was the first published footage of avian influenza-infected cows, and the story was published in Newsweek and on the local evening news. As of today, there are 125 positive herds and 13 affected dairy workers. The industry says that the rendering trucks are backed up, which is why the cows were left there. But things could get much worse very quickly. Nathaniel Donnay, director of dairy market insight with the financial services company StoneX, says the state could be looking at more than 600 cases in the next few weeks. #onehealth #avianinfluenza #h5n1 #vetmed #vettwitter #veterinarymedicine #veterinarian #animalrights #animalwelfare #vegan #plantbased #dairyvet #farmvet #tulare #tipton

The first published photograph of avian influenza-infected dead cows laying by the side of the road taken by Our Honor’s Dr. Crystal Heath recently appeared in KVPR | Valley Public Radio The news article suspects that these California cows might have contracted bird flu from cows exposed in Idaho. The virus has now infected 105 dairies in the Central Valley of California, the largest outbreak among dairy cows in any state. Now, there may be around eleven human cases of bird flu in Central Valley dairy workers. While no human-human transmission is known to have occurred, scientists believe this may well change: as the number of hosts for the virus increases, the greater the opportunity for mutations and resulting new strains. The USDA and the California Department of Food and Agriculture must act with greater urgency to protect the animals, workers, the public. Bulk milk tank testing should be mandatory across California. As long as we are dependent on animal-based methods of food production, we create an ever-escalating arms race against nature. With 73% of dairy revenue coming from some form of subsidy, the industry has denied us the ability to choose which business models to support. Are you near the Central Valley? Please share your photos and experiences with us! #onehealth #foodtruth #farmtofork #farmtotable #vetmed #vettwitter #veterinarymedicine #veterinarian #plantbased #vegan #animalwelfare #animalrights #avianinfluenza #H5N1

On October 8th, Our Honor’s executive director, Dr. Crystal Heath headed to Tulare to see what I could find. She saw a pile of dead cows on the side of the road outside of Mendonsa Farms. Just down the street at Land O Lakes Borges Dairy, she found a mother and calf lying dead near the street. Newsweek published the story, and it's clear the situation in the Central Valley is dire. They would not publish Dr. Heath’s footage saying it was too graphic. You can see those photos and videos here: https://lnkd.in/gYMukbbj Anja Raudabaugh, CEO of Western United Dairies—the trade organization representing Mendonsa Farms said, “There are so many cattle passing away from avian influenza that the rendering trucks are backed up, which is why [the cattle] had been left there for a period of time…We are desperately overwhelmed at this point.” But this does not explain why they couldn't at least put signs up warning the public of the risks. It seems they were hoping to keep the realities of this outbreak under wraps. The animal-based protein industry always finds itself in these predicaments. The large-scale confinement of animals creates an arms race against nature and puts us in impossible circumstances with no good solutions. But there are some things we can do—we can educate the public, protect workers and financially support them directly instead of bailing out large corporations, and redirect public funds towards supporting animal-free methods of food production—73% of dairy revenues come from some form of subsidy. We are forced to pay these companies, whether we buy their products or not. In the meantime, we need mandatory statewide bulk milk tank testing, public awareness campaigns and the assurance of worker access to seasonal flu vaccinations. We also need more people on the ground to document this unprecedented outbreak in real time. The media is ready and willing to write about this. Please reach out if you would like to join us! https://lnkd.in/gS2PSFfa #onehealth #h5n1 #avianinfluenza #birdflu #vetmed #veterinarymedicine #veterinarian #vetstudent #vetschool #animalscience #farmvet #farmtofork #farmtotable #foodtruth #Animalrights #plantbased #vegan #veterinaryschool #prevet

Those working for animal protection often avoid going to zoos, rodeos, and horse races. But is that the right approach? Or should we go to these places, understand the workers’ stories, carefully document the conditions, seek experts’ opinions, and report complaints when we see them? What do you think? Would you go to these places? #vetmed #vetstudent #veterinarystudent #veterinarymedicine #zoovet #zoomed #vetschool #prevet #animalwelfare #animalrights #vegan #animalcruelty #animalforensics #animallaw

Exciting news! Our very own Dr. Crystal Heath will be a guest speaker at the Tampa Bay VegFest on Saturday, November 2, from 11am-5pm! She’ll be sharing insights on 'Bridging the Divide Between Activists and Veterinarians,' discussing how we can unite for a more compassionate future. Tampa Bay VegFest is an incredible annual event, organized by Florida Voices for Animals, celebrating 10+ years of healthy, compassionate, and eco-friendly living. With 140+ veg-friendly vendors, amazing speakers, animal rescue groups, live music, vegan food, cooking demos, and more, it’s a fun-filled day for the whole family! Join us in Tampa for a day of learning, connection, and inspiration! 💚 #vetmed #vettwitter #veterinarian #vetstudent #vetschool #animalwelfare #animalrights #vegan #plantbased

We must stop handing over our public funds to billion dollar corporations until the people of western North Carolina are housed and safe. Despite Cal-Maine Food’s net revenue increasing 718% and its stock price surging 28% this year, taxpayers were still forced to bail out the company—to the tune of $44.8 million after their flock became infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza. And, Crumbl Cookies—Why are eggs even used in commercial baked goods anyway? #veterinarytechnician #rvt #foodpreparation #vetshool #ucdavisvetschool #kfchorrorstory #vetstudent #coollifehacks #stonks #stocks #eggrecipies #eggreplacer #eggallergy #flaxseed #mungbean #vegan #animalrights #animalwelfare #vetmed #veterinarian #veterinarymedicine #foodtruth #farmtofork #farmtotable #plantbased #veganrecipies #h5n1 #avianinfluenza #hpai