The radical animal rights group The Humane Society of the U.S. (HSUS) this week announced it had formed a "corporate combination agreement" with the Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights. The new group will be called the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association (HSVMA).

The group's goal is to compete with the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and, among other things, to effect change in animal ag's handling of livestock. "All too often, the AVMA sides with animal-use industries and not with animals," said Wayne Pacelle, the vegan president and CEO of HSUS.

Among the new group's efforts will be outreach to veterinary students and vet technicians. Already, HSUS has collaborative programs with veterinary schools at Louisiana State and Mississippi State universities.