Animal welfare: Companion animals
This page provides access to a variety of resources that can help you make a positive difference in the lives of companion animals.
Featured topic: Service, emotional support and therapy animals
Animals play important roles assisting people with disabilities and in therapeutic activities, and AVMA policies provide professional guidance related to service and support animals. While most people are aware of the role of service animals such as guide dogs, other types of assistance animals may be less familiar, including emotional support animals.
It is important for veterinarians to actively support the appropriate use of assistance animals and promote the development of anti-fraud initiatives that do not place an undue burden on people using these animals in their intended roles. A newly released AVMA peer-reviewed report, Assistance Animals: Rights of Access and the Problem of Fraud, provides important background on this issue. Additionally, at its July 2017 meeting, the AVMA House of Delegates approved a new policy on the Veterinarian’s Role in Supporting Appropriate Selection and Use of Service, Assistance and Therapy Animals.
Learn more about all of these initiatives.
Gonadectomy in dogs
Preventing pet reproduction is part of responsible pet ownership, and gonadectomy remains a vital component of pet population control. Gonadectomy is the most common surgical procedure performed on pets and reduces undesirable mating behaviors. But research studies over the past few years have reported that while gonadectomy reduces the risk of some cancers and medical conditions, it may increase the risk of others.
As our thinking on gonadectomy evolves, honest and transparent conversations must take place within the profession as well as between veterinarians and pet owners. In order to facilitate that discussion, AVMA has developed spay/neuter resources to help veterinarians sort through the many factors involved in these decisions for canine and feline patients.
Socialization
Our veterinary resources on the socialization of puppies and kittens feature a new literature review on this subject. Please watch this space for more information on how to get young puppies and kittens off to the best possible start in life!
Policies
Pet Population Control:
General:
- AVMA Animal Welfare Principles
- Animal Abuse and Animal Neglect
- Companion animal care guidelines
- Guidelines for Responsible Pet Ownership
- Ownership vs Guardianship
- Pain in Animals
- Physical Restraint of Animals
- Use of Electro Muscular Disruption Devices (EMDDs) on Animals
- AVMA Guidelines for Pet Loss Support Services
Dogs:
- Canine Devocalization
- Dog Bites
- Ear Cropping and Tail Docking of Dogs
- Model Bill and Regulations to Assure Appropriate Care for Dogs Intended for Use as Pets
- Removal or Reduction of Teeth in Nonhuman Primates and Carnivores
- Transport of Dogs in Motor Vehicles
Cats:
Literature reviews
- Canine Devocalization, Welfare Implictions of
- Dogs Traveling in Truck Beds, Welfare Implications of
- Ear Cropping of Dogs, Welfare Implications of
- Tail Docking of Dogs, Welfare Implications of
- Use of Electro-Muscular Disruptive Devices or "TASER (R) Devices" on Animals, Welfare Implications of
- Dog Bite Risk and Prevention: The Role of Breed
Cats:
Resources
General:
- Microchipping of Animals
- National Pet Week®
- Relocation of Dogs and Cats for Adoption
- WSAVA Guidelines for Recognition, Assessment and Treatment of Pain
Animal Abuse:
Dog Bite Prevention:
- Dog Bite Prevention
- National Dog Bite Prevention Week®
- A Community Approach to Dog Bite Prevention
- Why Breed-specific Legislation Is Not the Answer
Cosmetic Procedures:
- History of Policy on Ear Cropping and Tail Docking of Dogs (FAQ)
- Canine Tail Docking (FAQ)
- Ear Cropping and Canine Otitis Externa (FAQ)
Declawing:
Pet Selection:
- Selecting a Cat
- Selecting a Dog
- Selecting a Fish
- Selecting a Ferret
- Selecting a Horse
- Selecting a Pet Reptile
- Selecting a Pet Rodent
- Selecting a Pet Amphibian (Video)
- Selecting a Pet Bird
- Selecting a Rabbit