AVMA Humane Award

Animal Welfare, Humane and Bustad awards are generously funded by Merck Animal Health. The AVMA Humane Award recognizes a non-veterinarian for his/her achievements in advancing the welfare of animals through leadership, public service, education, research, product development, and/or advocacy.

Nomination criteria

• Nominee must be a non-veterinarian
• Nominations may be submitted by any individual (AVMA member or non-member) or organization (governmental and non-governmental)
• Self-nominations will not be considered
• Nominations must reflect specific accomplishments in the field of animal welfare, as opposed to support and promotion of the human-animal bond; the latter, while laudable, is not the focus of this award
• Nominations may be based on a sustained effort or an extraordinary single achievement in any or all of the following areas:
  • Leadership
  • Public service (e.g., community programs, public policy development)
  • Research and/or product development
  • Education
  • Advocacy

Nomination requirements

• Cover letter summarizing the nominee’s professional background including current professional activity, statement of significant achievements, and qualifications for the award
• Interactive PDF nomination form
• Curriculum vitae/resume, including relevant publications (not to exceed two double-sided typed pages)
• Up to three letters of support from veterinarians, colleagues, clients or organizations, (not to exceed three single-sided typed pages each)
• Digital high resolution (300 d.p.i.) colored headshot photograph, suitable for publication
  • 5” x 7”
  • TIF or JPG format

Selection process

• The AVMA Animal Welfare Committee selects the recipient
• Preference will be given to nominees who:
  • Recognize and respect the important contribution that science, ethics, and culture bring to solving animal welfare challenges
  • Work with a variety of stakeholders to raise awareness of issues of concern and engage those stakeholders in seeking solutions to challenges
  • Work actively to improve understanding of animal welfare needs and, when necessary, change human attitudes and behavior to ensure proper stewardship
  • Communicate information about, and propose solutions to, animal welfare challenges with courage and integrity
• At the discretion of the Animal Welfare Committee, a recipient may not be selected in a given year if no nominee meets the criteria for selection
• The award recipient will receive one round-trip coach airfare in the name of the recipient, two nights hotel accommodations and registration (if applicable) to the venue designated by AVMA to accept the physical award

Animal Welfare, Humane and Bustad awards are generously funded by Merck Animal Health