Dr. Katherine Polak

Receiving far less attention is the effect the COVID-19 pandemic has had on international companion animals, particularly those without an owner.

Maddie's Shelter Medicine Program alumna Dr. Katherine Polak was named 2019 Association of Shelter Veterinarians Veterinarian of the Year.

With an increase in international dog transport has come an increased risk of infectious disease.

Thanks to the efforts of a UF Shelter Medicine alum, the Cambodian dog meat trade may be coming to an end. 

Sulawesi, a tropical Indonesian island east of Borneo, is home to world class scuba diving and beaches. It is also home to the infamous Tomohon Extreme Markets, previously listed on TripAdvisor as recommended tourist attractions. At the market, thousands of dogs, cats, and other wild protected species are brutally treated…

Animal advocates met in in Vietnam last month to discuss and develop a collaborative strategy to tackle the illegal trafficking of dogs to supply the nation’s brutal dog meat trade.

In a presentation at the 2018 VMX Veterinary Conference in Orlando, Fla., Maddie's Shelter Medicine alum Dr. Katherine Polak spoke to the audience about the challenges of international adoptions.

During her time at the Soi Dog Foundation in Thailand, Dr. Katherine Polak was involved with many animal welfare initiatives, particularly focusing on ending the cruel dog and cat meat trade.

Maddie's Shelter Medicine Program at UF alumn Dr. Katherine Polak has teamed up with local activist Nami Kim and Save Korean Dogs to help create the first ever dog meat-free city in all of Korea.