Protect The Harvest | AAHA Weighs In on Legal Personhood

The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) is a nonprofit organization for companion animal hospitals and is the only accrediting body for small animal hospitals. The organization develops standards for veterinary business practices, publications and educational programs. Any hospital can join as an AAHA member, but the must pass a rigorous evaluation to receive AAHA accreditation which include the areas of diagnostic imaging, laboratory, pain management, pharmacy, safety, surgery, client service and multiple other areas. Because AAHA standards are so thorough and rigorous, some states are replacing state inspections with AAHA accreditation.

These are one of their member’s thoughts regarding “legal personhood” for animals and how it will negatively impact veterinarians and pet owners.

Pets Aren’t Persons Yet, But Action is Needed

By Candace Hardesty, MS

October 15, 2021, was a big day for hippos. That day, you might remember (who could forget?), the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) announced an Ohio judge ruled that the late Pablo Escobar’s ‘cocaine hippos’ are ‘interested persons’ in a lawsuit taking place in Colombia. Across the spectrum of those concerned about animal rights, eyebrows raised in hope or skepticism.

The ALDF’s headline stated, “Animals Recognized as Legal Persons for the First Time in US Court,” despite the fact that the Court made no such ruling. Stephen Wise, president of the Nonhuman Rights Project,