blog
Important animal welfare bill approved by Congress
Following years of advocacy by the AVMA, lawmakers and animal welfare advocates, the U.S. House and Senate have unanimously approved landmark animal…
JAVMA news
APHIS considers stricter animal welfare licensing
Rules proposed in August would make researchers and animal dealers provide more proof they comply with federal animal welfare laws to
JAVMA news
50 years later, animal welfare act is a work in progress
The Animal Welfare Act was signed into law in 1966, originally to protect laboratory animals while also regulating animal dealers and the laboratories…
JAVMA news
Animal welfare, health policies updated
Animals used in pre-college education should not be subjected to uses that cause any pain, an updated AVMA policy states.
JAVMA news
OIE tracks COVID-19 threats to animal welfare
The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) is examining how misunderstandings surrounding COVID-19 may have compromised animal welfare during the…
JAVMA news
Lawmakers seek expansion of animal welfare regulations
A New York Times story exposing alleged abuses at an agricultural research facility has prompted legislation to expand federal animal
AVMA news
APHIS, Justice Department strengthen Animal Welfare Act enforcement
A memorandum of understanding between the U.S. departments of agriculture and justice means greater collaboration and coordination when investigating…
AVMA news
USDA finalizes standards to include birds under Animal Welfare Act
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is establishing welfare standards for birds, which were previously…
JAVMA news
USDA cancels organic welfare rules
Federal agriculture authorities canceled pending rules that would have expanded animal welfare rules in organic production.
JAVMA news
Lawsuit alleges lax welfare enforcement
Two organizations accuse the Department of Agriculture of failing to enforce animal welfare laws and helping dog breeders hide problems.
Advocating for horse welfare
The AVMA advocates on a variety of horse welfare issues. Learn about our top priorities and find out how you can help protect horses.
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…
JAVMA news
Raising contented cattle makes welfare, production sense
Raising contented cattle makes welfare, production sense "Milking the Golden Cow-Her Comfort" was…
JAVMA news
APHIS pulls welfare information from website
A recent decision by the Agriculture Department’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to scrub Animal Care information from its website has…
JAVMA news
The responsibility to laboratory animals
posted on December 1, 2001 A V M A A N I M A L W E L F A R E F O R U M The responsibility to laboratory animals Picture a rat…
JAVMA news
USDA adds welfare provisions for dealers, exhibitors, researchers
In May, the Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service published a series of pending rules that include requirements for…
JAVMA news
Animal shelters, control officers aim to be more community-centric
Companion animal welfare and shelter leaders discuss diversity, equity, and inclusion; the eviction crisis; and implementing changes to how animal…
AVMA news
Welfare concerns for wild birds, from confiscation to relinquishment
Drs. Patricia J. Latas and Anthony A. Pilny presented sessions on July 15 at AVMA Convention 2023 in Denver about the consequences of wildlife…
JAVMA news
Supporting real assistance animals
Is that cockatoo riding a man's shoulder in the produce section really an emotional support animal?
JAVMA news
Deep federal spending cuts to animal programs avoided, for now
President Obama signed a $182 billion appropriations package Nov. 18 that provides for animal health and welfare programs,
policy
Livestock identification and animal traceability
Permanent, unique identification of animals and premises is essential for tracing origin and destination of livestock to protect the nation’s…
JAVMA news
Editing Animals
Recent gene-editing technologies are being used to create mice that model human genetic diseases, Holstein cattle lacking horns, and current research…
Updated guidelines for the humane slaughter of animals
Members are invited to review and comment on a draft revision of the AVMA Guidelines for the Humane Slaughter of Animals, which guide veterinarians in…
JAVMA news
Connecting animal and human health
The Animal Health Institute and CQ-Roll Call Group hosted a forum April 27 in Washington, D.C., meant to raise awareness about the
JAVMA news
AVMA emphasizes responsible stewardship of laboratory animals
The AVMA has revised the policy "Use of Animals in Research, Testing, and Education" to balance the emphasis placed on the importance of animal-based…