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| Advocacy > State legislative resources > Issues |
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| Issues |
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| General |
| • View all animal welfare policy statements |
| See all AVMA policy statements regarding animal welfare, covering a wide range of subjects such as physical restraint, euthanasia, animals used in research and teaching, animal abuse and animal neglect. |
| • Companion Animal Care Guidelines |
| These general guidelines for the proper care and humane treatment of animals in nonagricultural facilities pertain to settings such as humane societies, municipal animal control agencies, pet stores, boarding kennels, dog training establishments, grooming facilities, dealers, and veterinary hospitals and clinics. |
| • SUMMARY REPORT: Required reporting of animal abuse for veterinarians
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| The states that require a licensed veterinarian to report instances of animal abuse/cruelty include the following: Arizona, California, ... [more] |
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| Antifreeze |
| • LEGISLATIVE ANALYSIS: State legislation to add antifreeze bittering agent
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| In recent years there has been movement at both the state and federal levels to add a bittering agent (most commonly denatonium benzoate) to antifreeze in order to protect pets and small children from ingesting the substance. The AVMA provides an analysis of this important issue. |
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| Confinement rearing |
| • Confinement rearing of livestock and poultry, AVMA position on |
| The AVMA recognizes that confinement livestock and poultry production is well established, and should be humane and enable most normal behaviors. ... [more] |
| • Pregnant sow housing, AVMA position on |
| ... The AVMA recognizes that veterinarians approach the issue of pregnant sow housing from different viewpoints based on personal and societal values. This position statement is based on consideration of animal welfare as assessed through the scientific literature and professional judgment and experience. ... [more] |
| • A comprehensive review of housing for pregnant sows (PDF) |
| The AVMA Task Force on the Housing of Pregnant Sows conducted a thorough and objective review of the scientific evidence relating to the impact on the health and welfare of keeping breeding sows in gestation stalls. This report, printed in the November 15, 2005 issue of JAVMA, comprises their findings and recommendations. |
| • Veal calf welfare, AVMA position on |
| The AVMA recognizes that veal calf production is well established, can be humane, and can ensure the welfare of calves. ... [more] |
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| Debarking |
| • Canine devocalization, AVMA position on |
| Canine devocalization should only be performed by qualified, licensed veterinarians as a final alternative ... [more] |
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| Declawing |
| • Declawing of domestic cats, AVMA position on |
| Declawing of domestic cats should be considered only after attempts have been made to prevent the cat from using its claws destructively or when its clawing presents a zoonotic risk for its owner(s). ... [more] |
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| Disaster preparedness |
| • Animal disaster plans and resources by state |
| See states' disaster plans and resources, including information on Veterinary Medical Assistance Teams (VMATs) and disaster preparedness educational materials. |
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| Feral cats |
| • Free-roaming abandoned and feral cats, AVMA position on |
| The AVMA encourages and supports actions to eliminate the problem of free-roaming abandoned and feral cats. As a result of irresponsible societal attitudes, millions of these cats exist in the United States. Unfortunately, most of these cats will suffer premature mortality from disease, starvation, or trauma. ... [more] |
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| Foie gras |
| • Foie gras production, Welfare implications of |
| Foie gras (fatty liver) is a food product traditionally produced using geese, but now more commonly using ducks; ... [more] |
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| Pet lemon laws |
| • Pet lemon laws |
| There are currently 18 states that have lemon laws that provide legal recourse to people who purchase animals from pet dealers, later found to have a disease or defect. ... [more] |
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| Poultry |
| • Farm visits influence foie gras vote (JAVMA News, September 2005) |
| Two resolutions were before the HOD opposing the practice of force-feeding ducks and geese to produce foie gras. One of them was a compromise version that had garnered some bilateral support from the AVMA leadership and animal rights advocates. It became obvious as delegates began their discourse, however, that a groundswell of support was building to refrain from adopting an AVMA opposition statement. ... [more] |
| • Induced molting of layer chickens, AVMA position on |
| Molting is a natural seasonal event in which birds substantially reduce their feed intake, cease egg production, and replace their plumage. Induced molting is a process that simulates natural molting events. Induced molting extends the productive life of commercial chicken flocks ... [more] |
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| Spay/Neuter |
| • SUMMARY REPORT: Mandatory spay/neuter laws
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| This is a summary of state laws addressing spay and neuter of animals. Please contact the AVMA State Legislative and Regulatory Affairs Department for the actual text of any of the provisions. ... [more] |
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| Tail docking, ear cropping |
| • Ear cropping and tail docking, AVMA position on |
| Ear cropping and tail docking in dogs for cosmetic reasons are not medically indicated nor of benefit to the patient. These procedures cause pain and distress, and, as with all surgical procedures, are accompanied by inherent risks ... [more] |
| • Tail docking of cattle, AVMA position on |
| The AVMA opposes routine tail docking of cattle. Current scientific literature indicates that routine tail docking provides no benefit to the animal, and that tail docking can lead to distress during fly seasons. ... [more] |
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| Tethering |
| • SUMMARY REPORT: Companion animal tethering prohibitions
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| Several existing state statutes address the tethering issue in companion animals, specifically dogs. ... [more] |
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| Disaster preparedness |
| • Animal disaster plans and resources by state |
| See states' disaster plans and resources, including information on Veterinary Medical Assistance Teams (VMATs) and disaster preparedness educational materials. |
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| Patient records |
| • SUMMARY REPORT: Confidentiality of veterinary patient records |
| This is a summary of statutory and regulatory provisions specifically restricting the release of veterinary records without the consent of the client and generally providing for limited exceptions. |
| • SUMMARY REPORT: Records Retention |
| This is a compilation of state laws governing the retention of veterinary records. |
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| State taxes |
| • SUMMARY REPORT: State taxes charged on veterinary sales and services
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| In a December 2003 survey, 41 states (plus Puerto Rico) responded to our request for information on taxes charged for veterinary sales and services. This report provides a general overview of sales and service taxes as they affect veterinary practices. |
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| Veterinary liens |
| • SUMMARY REPORT: Veterinary liens
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| This is a summary of statutory and regulatory provisions addressing the availability of veterinary liens. Please contact the AVMA State Legislative and Regulatory Affairs Department for the actual text of any of the provisions. |
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| Veterinary loan repayment programs |
| • SUMMARY REPORT: State veterinary loan repayment programs
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| This is a summary of state laws addressing state veterinary loan programs. Please contact the AVMA State Legislative and Regulatory Affairs Department for the actual text of any of the provisions. |
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| • Solving a critical shortage in food supply veterinary medicine |
| Americans are demanding, now more than ever, healthy and wholesome food, and there aren't enough veterinarians on the front lines helping to make sure their expectations are met. This resource provides valuable information about the food supply veterinary shortage, what's being done to address it, and tools that you and your organization can use to meet one of society's greatest needs - a safe and healthy food supply. |
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| Breeds |
| • Breeds of dogs involved in fatal human attacks in the Unites States between 1979 and 1998 (PDF) |
| The purposes of this study, printed in the September 15, 2000 issue of JAVMA, were to summarize breeds associated with reported human dog bite-related fatalities during a 20-year period and assess policy implications. Breed-specific approaches to dog bite prevention were found to be problematic in concept as well as in implementation, while many practical alternatives exist and hold promise for prevention of dog bites. |
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| Community approach |
| • A community approach to dog bite prevention (PDF) |
| Dog bites are a serious public health problem that inflicts considerable physical and emotional damage on victims and incurs immeasurable hidden costs to communities. This report, printed in the June 1, 2001 issue of JAVMA, is intended to help leaders find effective ways to address their communities' dog bite concerns. |
| • Summary notes, adapted from "A community approach to dog bite prevention." |
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| Legislation |
| • Dangerous animal legislation, AVMA postion on |
| The AVMA supports dangerous animal legislation by state, county, or municipal governments provided that legislation does not refer to specific breeds ... [more] |
• LEGISLATIVE ANALYSIS: Sample letter, breed-specific legislation  |
| Use this thought-provoking and persuasive letter, compiled from scientific research by AVMA staff, to help legislators and thought leaders make informed decisions and bring effective, appropriate legislative solutions to problems of dog aggression. |
| • LEGISLATIVE ANALYSIS: Sample letter, breed-specific legislation |
| This sample letter was used by a state veterinary medical association to advocate against a breed-specific proposal in a large municipality. |
| • SUMMARY REPORT: Breed Specific Prohibited or Restricted (October 2007) |
| This is a summary of statutory and case law provisions addressing the adoption of breed specific local ordinances. |
| • "Stop BSL" Web site (www.stopbsl.com) |
| This Web site (not affiliated with the AVMA) is devoted to the subject of breed-specific legislation and provides an overview and background information, including tips for writing or talking about the subject. |
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| AVMA position |
| • Euthanasia of Animals That Are Unwanted or Unfit for Adoption
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| The AVMA is not opposed to the euthanasia of unwanted animals or those unfit for adoption ... [more] |
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| Guidelines |
| • Euthanasia, AVMA Guidelines on (Formerly Report of the AVMA Panel on Euthanasia) (PDF) |
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In 2006, the AVMA Executive Board approved a recommendation that the AVMA convene a panel of scientists at least once every 10 years to review all literature that scientifically evaluates methods and potential methods of euthanasia for the purpose of producing AVMA Guidelines on Euthanasia. During interim years, requests for inclusion of new or altered euthanasia procedures or agents in the AVMA Guidelines on Euthanasia are directed to the AVMA Animal Welfare Committee (AWC). The first interim revision occurred in 2007.
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| Authorization |
| • AVMA Model Euthanasia Authorization |
| This euthanasia authorization form is provided as a model for veterinary practitioners to download and use in their own clinics. |
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| State laws governing euthanasia |
| • State laws governing euthanasia |
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This is a summary of statutory and regulatory provisions addressing the euthanasia of companion animals. ... [more]
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| AVMA position |
| • Compensatory values for animals beyond their property value, AVMA position on |
| The American Veterinary Medical Association recognizes and supports the legal concept of animals as property. However, the AVMA recognizes that some animals have value to their owners that may exceed the animal's market value. ... [more] |
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| The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) believes the interests of animals and their owners are best protected by the current legal framework that allows for potential recovery of economic damages in negligence litigation involving animals. ... [more] |
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| Other views |
| • Resolution on animal liability and guardianship (American Legislative Exchange Council)
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| This resolution of the American Legislative Exchange Council, adopted in August 2005, presents a rationale for opposing reclassification of animal owners as guardians and the recovery of non-economic damages for the loss or injury of a pet. |
| • Non-economic damages – would it improve pet care? (Animal Health Institute)
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| The Animal Health Institute presents answers to key questions concerning awarding of non-economic damages and the impact on pet care. |
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| Pet food recall |
| • Q&A about pet litigation and non-economic damages
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| Answers to some of the commonly asked questions about damages raised in light of the pet food recall of 2007. |
| • Pet Plaintiffs |
| In the wake of the tainted pet-food scandal, some pet owners, aided by trail lawyers and advocacy groups are trying to achieve human-like status for their animals in our civil courts... [more] |
| • Sample Op-Ed letter, non-economic damages
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| Sample op-ed letter to a newspaper that can be customized by state and local veterinary medical associations. |
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| Talking points |
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| Expanding damages may seem warm and fuzzy, but will actually hurt animals, pet owners and their communities. |
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| Expanded damages will harm not only veterinarians, but also other providers of animal services. |
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| Allowing monetary recovery for emotional distress would place human-animal relationships above human-human relationships. |
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| The crisis in delivery of human health care should not be allowed to spill into delivery of care for animals. |
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| AVMA position |
| • Terminology describing the relationship between animals and their owners |
| The AVMA promotes the optimal health and welfare of animals. Further, the AVMA recognizes the role of responsible owners in providing for their animals' care. ... [more] |
| • Ownership vs. guardianship, AVMA issue paper |
| Some animal owners may like to refer to themselves as "pet guardians," however "guardian" is a legal term that has significant legal implications and repercussions. ... [more] |
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| Other views |
| • Ownership v. guardianship (National Association for Biomedical Research)
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| The effort by activist groups to change the term "owner" to "guardian" in local ordinances and state laws relating to pets is marketed as a feel-good exercise, but this "simple" change in language elevates animals above their current status as property – with potentially enormous legal implications. [more] |
| • "Owner or Guardian?" (Trends Magazine, March/April 2005)
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| What's afoot with movements to define pet owners as guardians? Do the changes bode well for veterinary practices and their clients? ... [more] |
| • "Pet Owner or Guardian" (Animal Health Institute, November 2005)
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| Pets play an important role in our lives, and it is common to refer to them as "companion" animals. Increasingly, in fact, Americans think of pets as members of their extended family. But should pets be treated legally as if they were people?
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| • "Now, it's the lawyers' turn" (JAVMA News, March 2005)
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| Over a crisp New England weekend in November 2004, some 200 people convened in the hallowed halls of Yale Law School with a singular purpose: identifying ways of strengthening animal protection laws through the legislatures and courts. ... [more] |
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| Compounding |
| • Compounding, AVMA position on |
| Compounding is the manipulation of a drug, other than in accordance with the FDA approved label, to make a different formulation of the drug to meet the needs of a specific patient. ... [more] |
| Florida case study: |
| • Sample letter, pharmacy dispensing standards |
| This letter, drafted by the AVMA in 2005, urged the Florida governor to veto legislation which if passed would have lowered standards for medications dispensed for animal patients. |
| • Bush nixes legislation weakening Florida pharmacy standards for animals (JAVMA News, July 2005) |
| A coalition of veterinarians and pharmacists persuaded Florida Gov. Jeb Bush not to support legislation that would have weakened the state's pharmacy-dispensing standards for animal drugs. ... [more] |
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| Internet pharmacies |
| • Internet pharmacies, AVMA position on |
| The following recommendations are offered as a guide to prescribing and client purchases: 1. Drug therapy, when medically indicated, should be initiated by the attending veterinarian in the context of a veterinarian-client-patient relationship. ... [more] |
| • Frequently asked questions |
| With the recent emergence of Internet pharmacies, many pet owners have questions regarding their safety and credibility. The AVMA appreciates the rising cost of health care for pets as well as humans, but cautions pet owners to be aware of the risks that may be involved. ... [more] |
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| Prescriptions |
| • Pharmacy board regulation of veterinary prescription drugs |
| This is a summary of the laws governing state pharmacy boards' authority to regulate the sale of veterinary prescription drugs sold by non-veterinarians. [more] |
| • Veterinary prescription drugs, Guidelines for |
| Key Points: · Veterinary prescription drugs are labeled for use only by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian. ... [more] |
| • Racehorse medications, AVMA position on |
| The AVMA endorses the American Association of Equine Practitioners' policy on therapeutic medications in racehorses, which reads as follows: "The AAEP policy on medication in pari-mutuel racing is driven by our mission to improve the health and welfare of the horse. ..." [more] |
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| Vaccination |
| • Administration of rabies vaccination |
| This is a compilation of state laws governing the administration of rabies vaccination. [more] |
| • Vaccination Principles |
| Medical decisions about vaccine selection and protocols have become more complex. Selecting vaccine products and recommending vaccine programs are among the most complicated of medical decisions facing the veterinarian. ... [more] |
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| Complementary and alternative veterinary medicine |
| • Complementary and alternative veterinary medicine, AVMA guidelines for |
| These guidelines are intended to help veterinarians make informed and judicious decisions regarding medical approaches known by several terms including "complementary," "alternative," and "integrative." Collectively, these approaches have been described as Complementary and Alternative Veterinary Medicine (CAVM). ... [more] |
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| States regulate CAVM inconsistently. This analysis by the AVMA explores the variety of ways CAVM issues are addressed throughout the U.S. and internationally. |
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| This chart summarizes key provisions of state veterinary practice acts and accompanying regulations relating to common complementary and alternative veterinary treatments such as chiropractic, acupuncture and physical therapy. Other common practice act exemptions such as animal owner and livestock management are also included. |
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| Dentistry |
| • Dentistry, AVMA position on |
| The performance of dentistry on animals is part of the practice of veterinary medicine and is regarded as such under state veterinary practice acts. ... [more] |
| • SUMMARY REPORT: Authority of veterinary technicians to perform dental procedures |
| This table was created to address the scope of practice for veterinary technicians (VT) with respect to dental procedures or dental surgeries. ... [more] |
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| Embryo transplant |
| • Embryo transplant procedures, AVMA position on |
| The AVMA believes that the embryo transplant procedure is a function of veterinary practice, because it requires diagnosis and the use of legend pharmaceuticals and/or use of pharmaceuticals in an extra-label manner ... [more] |
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| Expanding scope of practice |
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| Legislation was introduced in 2006 to change Arizona's law defining veterinary medicine. At the request of the Arizona Veterinary Medical Association, the AVMA prepared this analysis of the potential impact of the bill on the practice of veterinary medicine in the state. |
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| Model Veterinary Practice Act |
| • Model Veterinary Practice Act, AVMA |
| The 2003 AVMA Model Veterinary Practice Act (MVPA), like all previous versions, is intended to serve as a model set of guiding principles for those who are now or will be in the future preparing or revising a practice act under the codes and laws of an individual state. ... [more] |
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| Sanctions for unauthorized practice of veterinary medicine |
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| This is a summary of statutory and regulatory provisions pertaining to the unauthorized practice of veterinary medicine across the 50 states. Notably, Arizona, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts and Oklahoma all appear to authorize criminal penalties for unauthorized practice. ... [more] |
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| Veterinary Assistants |
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| The following is a list of state laws regarding the duties of veterinary assistants. For the full text of these regulations, please contact the AVMA State Legislative and Regulatory Affairs Department. ... [more] |
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American Veterinary Medical Association
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= AVMA/SAVMA Members Only
