Medicina veterinária do coletivo : uma nova especialidade

Abstract

Collective Veterinary medicine is a new branch in Veterinary Medicine which aims to improve the health and the welfare of animals living in close contact with humans and living at risk. This specialty was created in the United States of America (USA) with the Shelter Medicine denomination that seeks to provide a better quality of life for abandoned animals living in shelters. It also proposes the population control of dogs and cats through sterilization, reintegration and socialization of abandoned animals, management feral cats, research to control common diseases in shelters and campaigns to adopt these animals. In Brazil, the concept of Shelter Medicine was awarded to Veterinary Medicine's Collective, which obviously has the same principles, adapting them to local conditions. The rampant increase in the population of dogs and cats due to the lack of public policies for the problem, causes an increase in the spread of zoonotic diseases, euthanasia procedures, property damage and cases of aggression. It is believed that educating people about responsible ownership is the best way to change the reality of pets, for only thus understand that your actions directly involve all the problems caused by neglect and rampant reproduction. Hence, the dissemination of information relating to Collective veterinary medicine is very important, since veterinarians stand alone to improve the quality of life and well-being of the animal.