The Section of Private Veterinarians is composed of salaried and self employed individuals, most of whom work solely as small animal practitioners. With close to 300 members, it is the largest section in the Histadrut. In the summer of 1994, a number of colleagues formed an action group within the section that took upon itself the  mission to obtain greater professional freedom for private veterinarians.

As a result of their efforts, the legal restrictions on administering rabies vaccinations by private veterinarians have been modified. This was no simple accomplishment in light of the heightened concern over the control of rabies in Israel during the past 2 years. Vaccination of dogs  for rabies continues to be under the jurisdiction of the municipal veterinarians. With the new Knesset legislation that permits rabies vaccinations to be given irrespective of clinic location of the attending veterinarian, private veterinarians are viewed as partners in the "war against rabies" rather than competitors intruding on the turf of the municipality.

The Section has also become involved in other issues which serve the financial  benefit of the private veterinarians. These include the dispensing of pharmaceuticals and the sale of non-prescription items such as flea and tick control products and pet food.

Finally, much attention has been given to continuing education. A annual seminar  has been held in each the past three years. Dr. Gerald Snyder gave a 2 day seminar on Practice Management which he reported in his DVM News Magazine column (Wake Up America ! You've Got It All, January, 1996). The following year, a Surgery seminar by Professor Joseph Bojrab was well attended and last September, Professor Bernard Feldman received high marks for an interesting series of lectures on Hematology.

The next IVMA seminar by the Section of Private Veterinarians is being planned for this coming November. AVFI members are cordially invited to attend.