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Zoonotic disease education
The AVMA supports zoonotic disease education programs for physicians, allied health professionals, veterinarians, and other animal care professionals…
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UNDER REVIEWVeterinary end-of-life care
Pet owners facing terminal illness in companion animals may desire veterinary end-of-life care for their pets. The animal's comfort and quality of…
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UNDER REVIEWUse of electro-muscular disruption devices (EMDDs) on animals
Understand the AVMA's position on the use of electro-muscular disruption devices such as stun guns on animals.
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Use of horses in urban environments
The AVMA endorses the American Association of Equine Practitioners' policy on the use of horses in urban environments.
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Use of action devices and performance packages for Tennessee Walking Horses
The AVMA and the American Association of Equine Practitioners support a ban on the use of action devices and performance packages in the training and…
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Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies
TSEs are important diseases worldwide. The AVMA encourages research and dissemination of scientific knowledge about them; and supports surveillance,…
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Training in foreign and emerging animal diseases
Veterinarians must be adequately prepared to recognize foreign animal diseases, emerging or reemerging diseases, or animal disease resulting from an…
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The veterinarian’s role in supporting appropriate selection and use of service, assistance and therapy animals
The AVMA encourages veterinarians to be familiar with the legal status and protections accorded to service, assistance, emotional support, and therapy…
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The IAHAIO Geneva Declaration
The AVMA endorses the International Association of Human-Animal Interaction Organizations' Geneva Declaration.
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The IAHAIO Prague Declaration
The AVMA endorses the International Association of Human-Animal Interaction Organizations' Prague Declaration.
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The IAHAIO Tokyo Declaration
The AVMA endorses the International Association of Human-Animal Interaction Organizations' Tokyo Declaration.
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Service animals
If an animal meets this definition, it is considered a service animal regardless whether it has been licensed or certified by a government or an…
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Secure food supply plans
The AVMA recommends that federal and state regulatory authorities along with industry stakeholders continue to update, maintain and use the Secure…
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UNDER REVIEWResearch dogs and cats adoption
The following factors should be considered when developing a research institution adoption program and determining an animal's potential for adoption.
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Reportable disease list
The AVMA supports the development and implementation of a national list of reportable animal diseases.
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UNDER REVIEWRelocation of pets for adoption
Careful planning is needed to ensure animal welfare, animal/human safety, and avoid disease spread when dogs and cats are transported for purposes of…
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Rabies
Rabies is almost invariably fatal for animals and humans. Vaccination of animals is a critical step in preventing infection and protecting public…
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Physical restraint of animals
Humane and safe handling may include using manual or mechanical means to limit some or all of an animal's normal voluntary movement for the purposes…
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Ownership and/or possession and appropriate disposition of wild and exotic pet species or their hybrids
The AVMA is concerned with animal welfare, husbandry, infectious diseases, public health and safety, and environmental impacts associated with…
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Ownership vs guardianship
Any change in terminology describing the relationship between animals and owners, including guardian, doesn’t strengthen this relationship, and may,…
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UNDER REVIEWNonhuman primates as assistance animals
The AVMA does not support the use of nonhuman primates as assistance animals because of animal welfare concerns, the potential for serious injury, and…
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National surveillance for zoonotic infectious diseases
The AVMA recognizes the importance of and supports the need for national surveillance for zoonotic diseases of public health importance in animals and…
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Model dog and cat control ordinance
The AVMA's Model Dog and Cat Control Ordinance is a guide for legislators and other government officials involved in developing animal control…
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Joint AVMA-FVE-CVMA statement on the global control of dog-mediated rabies: A One Health imperative
This statement has been adopted jointly by the AVMA, Federation of Veterinarians of Europe and Canadian Veterinary Medical Association.
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UNDER REVIEWJohne's disease
Johne's is a disease of significant economic importance to cattle and small ruminants.