The American Humane Association, which oversees the treatment of animals on television and movie sets, has named its first chief veterinary officer and also added a veterinarian to its board of directors. The moves come in the wake of increased concern from animal rights activists about whether the AHA is being aggressive enough in policing how animals are used in entertainment.
Tapped as chief veterinary officer is Dr. Kwane Stewart, who will also act as the National Director of the association’s Humane Hollywood division and its “No Animals Were Harmed” program. Stewart was most recently the county veterinarian for Stanislaus County in Modesto. Before that he spent five years at Vetco Hospital Inc. He will be based in Studio City.