About BOAH
Welcome to the BOAH Web Site!
Bret D. Marsh, DVM, Indiana State Veterinarian
Indiana State Board of Animal Health
805 Beachway Drive, Ste. 50
Indianapolis IN 46224-7785
Email: animalhealth@boah.in.gov
Phone:317-227-0300 or 877-747-3038
Animals have contributed a lot to Indiana's history, providing food, income, recreation, assistance and companionship to millions of Hoosiers everyday. State lawmakers recognized the value of those relationships in 1889, when they created the office of the State Veterinarian and the Livestock Sanitary Commission.
Today, that commission, now known as the Board of Animal Health (BOAH), operates under the direction of an 11-member Board of animal industry professionals who meet quarterly to set agency policy.
While the original mission to "prevent and suppress contagious and infectious diseases among the livestock," has not changed in over 100 years, the scope of BOAH's work has expanded:
- to enhance Indiana's economy by protecting Hoosiers' investment in animal agriculture, wildlife, horses and companion animals.
- to protect public health by preventing and controlling the spread of animal diseases, such as rabies, which pose a threat to people.
- to maintain a vital link in a safe food supply through the state meat and poultry and dairy inspection programs.
- to help people and their animals who are victims of large-scale disasters such as floods and tornadoes.
Animal Health
Creating a healthy, disease-free environment for Indiana's 31 million animals is no small feat. BOAH's team of veterinarians and animal health inspectors travel to all corners of the state to investigate possible outbreaks of disease and advise animal owners about disease prevention.
Their efforts are vital to protecting Indiana's billion-dollar animal agriculture industry. Only by actively working to eradicate, control and prevent potentially economically devastating livestock diseases, will Hoosier farmers avoid domestic and international trade barriers. That's why the BOAH staff works closely with veterinarians, farmers, U.S. Department of Agriculture veterinarians and other states' animal health officials to monitor the health status of all animals crossing Indiana's borders. BOAH veterinarians also work closely with producers to develop strategies to eradicate existing diseases and prevent the introduction of new infections.
BOAH also regulates the care and handling of livestock being bought and sold in Indiana, by licensing and inspecting livestock market facilities, auction and renderers.
While animal agriculture has long been the focal point of BOAH, the growing number of pets in Indiana (almost two-thirds of Hoosier households claim at least one) has broadened the agency's focus. BOAH's Companion Animal/Equine Division monitors the overall health of the horse and small animal populations. Because these animals have the closest and most frequent contact with people, preventing the spread of diseases like rabies is part of protecting human health.
Food Safety
BOAH provides an important link in Indiana's food chain. Everyday, BOAH inspectors scrutinize the cleanliness and handling of meat and poultry products in state-certified processing plants. The adoption of new, safer food-handling methods (known as HACCP) gives BOAH inspectors even more opportunity to identify any existing food-borne contaminates before the meat reaches the consumer. Meat and poultry products meeting Indiana's standards of inspection bear the Indiana legend mark.
BOAH dairy inspectors monitor the safety of Indiana milk from the farm to the processing factory. Inspectors test milk samples for drug residues and harmful pathogens four times throughout the production, transport and processing stages, before any dairy product arrives at the supermarket.
Disaster Preparedness
Where can animal owners turn for help during a flood or tornado?
BOAH's State Annex for Veterinary Emergencies (SAVE) is the first statewide emergency response network in the nation. Established in cooperation with the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the SAVE team responds to veterinary emergencies in Governor-declared disaster situations.
When a large-scale flood, tornado or other disaster strikes, specially trained veterinarians, technicians, and animal control personnel respond to the scene. Together, in a unique public-private partnership, they coordinate efforts to evacuate, rescue, treat and shelter animals in distress.
In fair weather, SAVE's focus shifts to educating pet and livestock owners about the need to prepare for disasters.
Non-Discrimination Statement
The Indiana State Board of Animal Health prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact the Board of Animal Health at 317-227-0300. For relay services call 711 or 1-800-743-3333. See also: http://www.relayindiana.com/
To file a complaint of discrimination write to Indiana State Board of Animal Health, State Veterinarian, 805 Beachway Drive, Suite 50, Indianapolis, IN 46224 or call 317-227-0300.
The Indiana State Board of Animal Health is an equal opportunity employer and provider.
