Animal health and welfare
Veterinarians and veterinary teams are committed to protecting the health and welfare of animals. AVMA has many tools and resources to help.
JAVMA news
Future of animal welfare intertwined with veterinary profession
Some current trends in animal welfare he outlined are as follows:
JAVMA news
AVMA: Prioritize animal welfare, not marketing, in treatment decisions
AVMA leaders advocate against withholding any necessary medications from livestock, including on organic and antimicrobial-free farms.
JAVMA news
New AVMA guidelines aim to limit animal suffering in emergencies
The AVMA published its first-ever Guidelines for the Depopulation of Animals in April to help veterinarians support animal welfare during drastic…
AVMA news
AVMA recognizes three for work in human-animal bond and welfare
Dr. Dani McVety-Leinen received the Bustad Companion Animal Veterinarian of the Year Award, Dr. Patricia V. Turner received the AVMA Animal Welfare…
JAVMA news
Livestock shows a lesson in ethics, animal care
Livestock shows a lesson in ethics, animal care Jeff Goodwin, PhD, of Moscow, Idaho, presents "The…
policy
Withdrawal of FDA approval for animal drug products
Loss of an animal drug product can have adverse effects on animal health, animal welfare and food safety.
policy
AVMA guidelines for the depopulation of animals
The AVMA guidelines for the depopulation of animals help members of the veterinary profession make decisions that support animal welfare in emergency…
policy
Approval and availability of antimicrobials for use in food-producing animals
The availability and effectiveness of antimicrobials, including medically important antimicrobials, are important to support the health and welfare of…
policy
AVMA guidelines for the euthanasia of animals
The AVMA guidelines for the euthanasia of animals provide veterinarians guidance in relieving pain and suffering of animals that are to be euthanized.
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.
Antimicrobial-resistant pathogens affecting animal health
The AVMA has worked with experts to identify bacteria affecting multiple animal species for which there is evidence of antimicrobial resistance. The…
policy
Euthanasia of animals that are unwanted or unfit for adoption
The AVMA is not opposed to euthanasia of animals that are unwanted or unfit for adoption, when conducted by qualified personnel using appropriate…
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,…
JAVMA news
AVMF awards $125,000 in support of animal health, human-animal bond research
The American Veterinary Medical Foundation has awarded three research grants totaling $125,000
JAVMA news
Approved animal drugs to increase under new law
President Bush signed into law Aug. 2 legislation that will increase the number of approved animal drugs
JAVMA news
Delegates revise policies on transport of research animals, antiparasitic resistance
The AVMA House of Delegates approved revisions to AVMA policies on transportation of research animals and on antiparasitic resistance during the…
AVMA news
New law clarifies alternatives to animal testing for safety, efficacy of drugs
The recently passed FDA Modernization Act 2.0 authorizes the use of certain alternatives to animal testing, including cell-based assays and computer…
AVMA news
FDA creates guidance on informed consent for companion animal studies
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced draft guidance that will help animal owners who are considering having their companion…
blog
Report identifies antimicrobial-resistant pathogens impacting animal health
A new report on antimicrobial-resistant pathogens and their impact on animal health is now available for AVMA members to download.
AVMA news
Delegates pass policies on raw milk, drugs, agricultural animals
The AVMA House of Delegates revised the AVMA policy on “Raw Milk” for clarity and accuracy, and an HOD reference committee requested that educational…
AVMA applauds passage of legislation to enhance the review process of new and generic animal drugs
In the latest government spending bill, Congress included and passed legislation that reauthorizes the Animal Drug User Fee Act (ADUFA) and the Animal…
JAVMA news
Euthanatized animals can poison wildlife: Veterinarians receive fines
In 1999, a veterinarian and a rancher in Colorado were dismayed to find that they had accidentally killed five golden eagles and two bald eagles.
AVMA news
Delegates update AVMA policies on diets for cats and dogs, animal loss support services
The AVMA House of Delegates (HOD) amended several AVMA policies addressing a range of veterinary-related issues, , from raw diets for dogs and cats,…
policy
Limited prohibition on extralabel drug use
Any regulatory prohibition of extralabel drug use in animals should be science-based and as limited in scope as possible, consistent with protecting…