AVMA advocacy
In this article
- Learn what AVMA is doing to advance public policy.
- See how you can get involved to improve the future of the veterinary profession.
- Stay up-to-date on issues that impact veterinarians and our profession.
- Explore veterinary workforce issues.
Veterinary workforce
The veterinary profession is searching for workforce solutions to ensure that our practices are able to care for patients now and long into the future. What are the right answers?
Representing veterinarians at all levels
As the nation's leading representative of the veterinary profession, the AVMA serves as veterinary medicine’s voice before Congress, federal agencies, and courts. The AVMA also partners with state and local veterinary medical associations as well as international organizations to ensure veterinary voices are heard when and where they're needed.
As a trusted leader and convener, the AVMA works with policymakers to strengthen every aspect of the veterinary profession. The AVMA also monitors legislative and regulatory developments across the country, alerts our members and partners of issues that might affect them, and amplifies veterinary professionals’ advocacy efforts.
Our priority advocacy issues include:
- Animal health
- Animal welfare
- Pharmaceuticals
- Public health and food safety
- Rural veterinary care
- Small business issues
- Student debt
- Veterinary workforce
Be an advocate for veterinary medicine
AVMA's advocacy work is powered by the combined strength of our diverse membership. Your expertise can help shape public policy that advances veterinary medicine.
AVMA Congressional Advocacy Network (CAN)
AVMA CAN empowers you with tools to learn about effective advocacy and to speak up on decisions that impact our profession. Be sure to sign up to earn points, receive action alerts, and get the most out of your advocacy!
AVMA Political Action Committee (PAC)
The AVMA PAC helps veterinarians build relationships with lawmakers, amplifying the AVMA's voice on Capitol Hill. The PAC unites AVMA and SAVMA members' voices, strengthening our impact and ability to protect and advance veterinary medicine, our clients, and patients.
Federal resources
The AVMA, our ambassadors, and advocates amplify the voice of the profession on Capitol Hill through various events, meetings, and campaigns throughout the year to advance legislation that benefits and protects veterinary medicine.
The AVMA’s federal advocacy update provides a high-level summary of the top legislative and regulatory initiatives the AVMA is working on at the federal level.
State resources
The AVMA’s advocacy work at the state and local level is guided by the needs and requests from state and allied veterinary groups. Check with your state board of veterinary medicine to understand how laws and regulations in your state are interpreted and enforced.
State legislative updates provide summaries of state bills and regulations tracked by the AVMA.
Advocating around the world
The AVMA’s global alliances help promote animal health and welfare on the world stage as well. See the AVMA’s international efforts.
Latest advocacy news
Health officials finding different illicit veterinary sedative in US drug supply
June 23, 2025
Veterinary practices brace for financial uncertainty of higher tariffs, other economic factors
June 17, 2025
Mexican veterinary school withdrawing from COE accreditation
April 23, 2025
Catch up on cannabis with updated AVMA report
April 21, 2025
APHIS further postpones Horse Protection Act changes
April 16, 2025
Veterinarians among those cut in extensive layoffs at HHS
April 4, 2025
Stay informed
Discover all the ways you can stay up to date about issues that impact veterinary medicine.
Contact us
Are you an AVMA member with a question on one of AVMA's legislative priorities? Email avmagrd
avma [dot] org (avmagrd[at]avma[dot]org).
Reporters: Contact AVMA's media relations team.