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UNDER REVIEWAnimal abuse and animal neglect
Veterinarians may observe cases of suspected animal abuse or neglect. The AVMA encourages state legislation that supports veterinarians who report…
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Animal agriculture manure management
The AVMA supports appropriate efforts and actions to prevent negative environmental impacts from wastes generated by terrestrial or aquatic animal…
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Animal fighting
The AVMA condemns fighting events involving animals in which injury or death is intended, and recommends that animal fighting be considered a felony…
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UNDER REVIEWAppropriate animal carcass disposal
The AVMA advocates safe and environmentally responsible disposal of animal carcasses, whether on an individual animal basis or during mass mortality…
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AVMA policy on veterinary technology
The AVMA recognizes the value of veterinary technicians as an integral component of veterinary medicine and urges full utilization of veterinary…
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AVMA animal welfare principles
The AVMA, as a medical authority for the health and welfare of animals, offers eight integrated principles for developing and evaluating animal…
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UNDER REVIEWBest management practices for pharmaceutical disposal
Pharmaceutical disposal is an important and complex issue. See best practices for veterinarians and veterinary teams.
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Complementary, alternative, and integrative veterinary medicine
All aspects of veterinary medicine should be held to the same standards, including complementary, alternative and integrative veterinary medicine,…
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Conservation of wildlife
The AVMA recognizes the vital role of wildlife in the human-animal-environment complex and that wildlife conservation is most effectively addressed…
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Disinfectants for foreign and emerging animal diseases
The AVMA strongly advocates for and supports maintaining U.S. Environmental Protection Agency exemptions for the use of disinfectants against foreign…
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Donkey skin trade
The AVMA endorses the American Association of Equine Practitioners' policy on the donkey skin trade.
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Elephant guides and tethers
The AVMA condemns the use of guides to puncture, lacerate, strike or inflict harm upon an elephant. The AVMA recommends tethers only be used when…
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Embryo transfer and advanced reproductive technology procedures
Embryo transfer and advanced reproductive technology procedures demand a licensed veterinarian's extensive knowledge in anatomy, physiology,…
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UNDER REVIEWEnvironmental responsibility is a One Health issue
The AVMA supports environmental responsibility, including these specific measures.
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UNDER REVIEWHorse tripping
The AVMA opposes tripping, injuring or causing the death of horses, mules and donkeys for any entertainment purpose or during training for any…
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Internships and residency programs
Find definitions and program criteria for internships and residencies, as well as residency requirements.
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Joint AVMA-FVE-CVMA statement on the role of veterinarians in advancing One Health—A global public good
This statement has been adopted jointly by the AVMA, Federation of Veterinarians of Europe and Canadian Veterinary Medical Association.
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Model policy on harassment and discrimination-free veterinary workplace
This model policy is intended as a starting point for veterinarians. Anti-discrimination and anti-harassment laws may differ greatly from state to…
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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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Practice of soring
The AVMA endorses the American Association of Equine Practitioners' position on the practice of soring.
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Recruiting and retaining public practice veterinarians
The AVMA recognizes the importance of public practice to the veterinary community. Studies by AVMA and other veterinary organizations support…
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Recycling and resource conservation
The AVMA supports conservation of natural resources by encouraging its offices, employees, councils, committees, members, and others in the sharing…
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Regulation of veterinary medical waste
AVMA supports reasonable approaches and sound science in setting regulations pertaining to veterinary medical waste.
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Safeguarding care for animals with veterinarian-led teams
The AVMA will vigorously defend the practice of veterinary medicine—including the ability to diagnose, prognose, develop treatment plans, prescribe,…
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The importance of federal veterinarians in emergency response
The AVMA supports the recruitment and retention of federal veterinarians to build a veterinary emergency response surge capacity.