DENVER, Nov. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Millions of dogs and cats may face the
risk of deadly immune system disorders, cancer and other serious side effects,
because veterinarians profit from often unnecessary annual rabies shots.
    Jim Schwartz of suburban Denver, CO, and founder of Next-To-Kin Foundation
(see http://www.next2kin.org), concluded this only after his beloved standard poodle,
Moolah, developed autoimmune disease shortly after receiving an annual rabies
vaccination.  Moolah had to be euthanized.
    Upon extensively researching the situation, Schwartz learned of a United
Kingdom study showing that 1-in-10 dogs and cats suffer side effects from
rabies vaccinations.  The commonly stated side-effect rate of 1-in-10,000,
Schwartz further learned, is self-reported, on a voluntary basis, by the
veterinarians themselves.
    Mr. Schwartz learned another disturbing consequence: most small-pet
veterinarian practices have a vested pecuniary interest in under-reporting
side-effect incidents.
    A highly successful fee-only financial planner before early-retirement,
James D. Schwartz decided to follow the numbers: A rabies dose costs the
veterinarian about 61 cents.  The vet may charge as much as $38 to administer
the shot plus another $35 for the office visit - a total mark-up of 11,000%+.
Using the profession's own statistics, the financial planner determined that
many veterinary practices would not be profitable without annual rabies shots.
    "The fact is that for many small-pet dominant veterinary practices, the
shots are critical to their economic wherewithal," says Schwartz.  "In this
era of financial manipulation by Enron, WorldCom and Arthur Andersen, could we
now can add veterinarians?  Who can you trust?  In fact even veterinarians
have begun to question the necessity and ethics of this practice."
    One veterinarian in Texas has filed a complaint with the Attorney General
of Texas and the Texas State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners against his
colleagues for their over-vaccination practices.
    "Every year the people of Texas spend $360 million on unnecessary and
potentially harmful vaccinations for their pets," writes Dr. Bob Rogers of
Spring, TX.  "Charging for vaccines that have no benefit and are potentially
harmful is theft by deception and cruelty to animals."
    Schwartz has taken action of his own by incorporating the tax exempt
Next-To-Kin(SM) Foundation to advocate for dogs, cats and their owners.
Next-To-Kin's mission is to extend and enhance the quality of life of
traditional companion animals by preventing unnecessary death, illness and
suffering.  In addition to eliminating over-vaccination, the foundation seeks
to be a voice in support of legal efforts to recognize that dogs and cats have
value beyond that of mere property.
    "Dogs and cats have moved from the backyard to the bedroom," says
Schwartz, explaining that companion animals have become increasingly important
to their humans; their value exceeds that of mere property.
    Next-To-Kin is providing people who become members of the foundation with
a Vaccination Alert Consent Form.  The form documents that the veterinarian
has discussed vaccination issues -- such as shot frequency, benefits and risks
-- and appropriate alternatives with the owner.
    "This form empowers guardians to take charge of their companion-animal's
well-being," says Schwartz.  "Next-To-Kin is trying to encourage that kind of
dialog between guardians and vets."
    For information on the Next-To-Kin Foundation, its mission and
over-vaccination issues, visit the foundation's website, http://www.next2kin.org;
call (303) 850-9166; e-mail info@next2kin.org; or write to Next-To-Kin
Foundation, 8547 East Arapahoe Road, J197, Greenwood Village, CO 80112-1430.

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