State and local advocacy

In this article:
- Learn about state and local issues that affect animal health and welfare, or impact the veterinary profession.
- Find tools to help with state and local advocacy initiatives.

From animal welfare to scope of practice, a wide range of veterinary matters are governed at state and local levels. The AVMA partners with state and local veterinary medical associations to ensure veterinary voices are heard when and where they're needed.
This includes monitoring legislation and regulatory developments across the country, alerting our local partners of issues that might affect their members, and assisting in their advocacy efforts when they look to us for help. We also provide background resources on a wide range of issues that are commonly addressed by states and municipalities:
Animal welfare
Dog bite prevention
Euthanasia
Non-economic damages
Ownership vs. guardianship
Pharmacy and vaccination
Practice and business
Scope of practice
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