Cat Expert Dr. Richards Dies After Accident

by Veterinary Practice News Editors | April 17, 2009 4:06 pm

James R. Richards, DVM, director of the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine and a national voice on cat health and care issues, died April 24 from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident two days earlier. He was 58.

A past-president of the American Assn. of Feline Practitioners, Dr. Richards led the Vaccine-Associated Feline Sarcoma Task Force in the 1990s, an effort that resulted in prevention and treatment recommendations for veterinarians and cat owners. 

Richards wrote the “ASPCA Complete Guide to Cats,” served as consulting editor and co-author for “The Cornell Book of Cats,” and was editor-in-chief and columnist for “CatWatch,” a newsletter published by the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.

He was a frequent media guest on various news programs, often lending his voice and energies to public awareness campaigns. Most recently he was involved in the “Know Heartworms” campaign developed to address feline heartworm disease by AAFP and the American Heartworm Society.

Born July 19, 1948, Richards received his veterinary degree from Ohio State University in 1979. He joined the Cornell veterinary college in 1991 as assistant director of the Feline Health Center, becoming director in 1997.

The accident occurred at about 3:45 p.m. on Sunday afternoon in Willet, N.Y., as Richards attempted to avoid hitting a stray cat, the Ithaca Journal reported.

He is survived by his wife, Anita Fox Richards of Dryden, N.Y., sons Jesse and Seth, and his mother, Marion Richards.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, April 28, at the Bethel Grove Bible Church, 1763 Slaterville Road, Ithaca, N.Y.

Memorials contributions in his name  may be made to the Cornell Feline Health Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY 14853.

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