blog
Policies up for review: Your input needed
AVMA policy is powered by AVMA members. The review process for eight policies is starting, and the volunteer groups that conduct the review are…
JAVMA news
Veterinary medicine a key component of Bush's new policy defending U.S. agriculture from terrorism
President Bush has introduced a policy for protecting America's agriculture and food from terrorist attacks
JAVMA news
AVMA, United reach agreement on form for assistance animals
The AVMA, with support from the AVMA PLIT, took action when United Airlines announced a new policy requiring a veterinarian's signature vouching for…
AVMA news
AVMA House of Delegates approves eight resolutions
The AVMA House of Delegates approved eight resolutions on Jan. 7 during its regular winter session, held in conjunction with the AVMA Veterinary…
JAVMA news
AVMA to deliberate on assistance animals, stem cells
Service, emotional support, and therapy animals provide therapeutic interventions and assist individuals with disabilities but the growing number of…
JAVMA news
Veterinarians have a role in global food security, Association says
The AVMA Board of Directors, while meeting April 5-6, approved the new "AVMA Policy on Global Food Security."
AVMA news
AVMA partners with psychiatric professionals to promote human-animal bond
The AVMA and the American Psychiatric Association are joining forces in March to call attention to the mental health benefits of having an animal…
JAVMA news
Agile responses to member needs a priority for AVMA Board chair
Dr. Lori Teller, elected to a one-year term as chair of the AVMA Board of Directors last July, talks about navigating as a leader during a tumultuous…
policy
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…
policy
Agriculture inspections at points of entry
The AVMA calls for the Department of Homeland Security to increase the scope, intensity, and innovation of agricultural inspections at points of…
policy
Reportable disease list
The AVMA supports the development and implementation of a national list of reportable animal diseases.
policy
Swine health improvement plan
The AVMA supports the Swine Health Improvement Plan pilot program.
policy
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…
policy
Development of emerging disease agent biologics
Development of emerging infectious disease biologics is essential for One Health. The AVMA supports the development of these products through…
policy
Emotional support animals
The AVMA encourages housing providers covered by the Fair Housing Act or similar laws to ensure they understand and are fully compliant with their…
policy
Zoonotic disease education
The AVMA supports zoonotic disease education programs for physicians, allied health professionals, veterinarians, and other animal care professionals…
policy
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…
policy
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…
policy
The IAHAIO Geneva Declaration
The AVMA endorses the International Association of Human-Animal Interaction Organizations' Geneva Declaration.
policy
The IAHAIO Prague Declaration
The AVMA endorses the International Association of Human-Animal Interaction Organizations' Prague Declaration.
policy
The IAHAIO Tokyo Declaration
The AVMA endorses the International Association of Human-Animal Interaction Organizations' Tokyo Declaration.
policy
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…
policy
UNDER REVIEWInfectious risk of animal carcasses in natural disasters
Animals that die from injuries, including massive animal deaths in cases of natural disasters, generally do not represent an infectious health hazard…
policy
IAHAIO Rio Declaration on Pets in Schools
The AVMA endorses the International Association of Human-Animal Interaction Organizations' Declaration on Pets in Schools.
JAVMA news
Supporting real assistance animals
Is that cockatoo riding a man's shoulder in the produce section really an emotional support animal?