policy
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…
JAVMA news
Future of animal welfare intertwined with veterinary profession
Some current trends in animal welfare he outlined are as follows:
JAVMA news
Welfare guidelines released for working equids
The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has adopted the first set of global standards for ensuring the welfare of working equids.
policy
Inherited disorders in responsible breeding of companion animals
The AVMA encourages careful consideration of the health and welfare implications of breed standards, breeding decisions, and the responsibilities…
JAVMA news
Data gathering project launches to improve equine welfare
The Equine Welfare Data Collective launched a metrics gathering effort Nov. 1, 2018, to better understand at-risk and transitioning equids.
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…
AVMA news
Policies on physical restraint of animals, canine devocalization approved
The AVMA House of Delegates adopted a handful of revised animal welfare policies, including one on “Canine Devocalization” that supersedes the…
JAVMA news
Counting animals in shelters and sharing data
The National Database Project as a platform for the collection and reporting of animal shelter data.
policy
Companion animal care guidelines
View general guidelines for the care and humane treatment of animals in nonagricultural facilities such as shelters, pet stores, boarding kennels,…
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…
blog
Congratulate these AVMA award winners
Three accomplished veterinary and animal science professionals have been chosen to receive AVMA Excellence Awards for their support of the…
policy
Dog and cat population management
Dog and cat population management is a complex animal welfare problem, with many contributing factors.
JAVMA news
Calling all CATalystas
The CATalyst Council is a coalition of the veterinary community, academia, nonprofits, industry, and animal welfare organizations.
policy
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…
policy
Acclimation certificates/statements
Acclimation certificates/statements are used to allow airlines to ship dogs and cats when the airline cannot guarantee compliance with requirements of…
policy
Canine devocalization
The AVMA strongly discourages the devocalization of dogs because of the surgery's negative impacts on animal welfare. Canine devocalization does not…
policy
Docking of lambs' tails
Lambs' tails may be docked for cleanliness and to minimize fly strike. AVMA opposes excessively short tail docking, which is unacceptable for sheep…
Animal-assisted interventions: Guidelines
Veterinarians must prepare themselves to play a vital role in ensuring the health and wellbeing of the people and the animals involved in human-animal…
blog
Veterinary research spotlighted on the Hill
On May 13, the AVMA hosted an educational briefing for Capitol Hill staff on recognizing and managing pain in farm animals.
policy
Pediatric spay/neuter of dogs and cats
The AVMA supports the concept of pediatric spay/neuter in dogs and cats to reduce the number of unwanted animals. Veterinarians should use their best…
JAVMA news
Million Cat Challenge aims to rescue shelter cats
Two shelter medicine programs have launched the Million Cat Challenge to reduce the loss of life among cats in North American animal shelters over…
policy
Safe non-commercial transport of pets in motor vehicles
The AVMA is committed to educating pet owners about the safety of pets in motor vehicles. AVMA encourages development of evidence-based crash testing…
JAVMA news
Pregnant sow housing, cat declawing on HOD agenda
The AVMA Executive Board voted to send four policies to the AVMA House of Delegates for it to consider at its upcoming annual session
JAVMA news
World Veterinary Day to focus on vector-borne zoonoses
World Veterinary Day to focus on vector-borne zoonoses with zoonotic potential.
JAVMA news
Novel pain assessment developed for horses
European researchers provide a new approach to assessing pain in horses on the basis of a standardized scale of facial expressions called the Horse…