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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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Bovine disbudding and dehorning
Disbudding and dehorning of cattle are important for human and animal safety, although they are procedures that cause pain and discomfort. AVMA…
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Comparative medicine and translational research
Comparative medicine studies the similarities and differences in biology among animals to enhance the understanding of mechanisms of human and animal…
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UNDER REVIEWDisabled livestock
Disabled livestock must be handled humanely. View AVMA's policy on disabled livestock.
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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…
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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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UNDER REVIEWTransport, sale yard practices, and humane slaughter of hoofstock and poultry
The AVMA supports science-based guidelines for transport and humane slaughter of hoofstock and poultry, developed in collaboration with experienced…
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Organic foods
Food producers should be encouraged to provide medically necessary therapy, including antimicrobials, under a veterinarian’s direction, regardless of…
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Brucellosis
Continued support for disease control efforts toward the ultimate elimination of brucellosis should remain a national priority.
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Free-roaming abandoned and feral cats
The AVMA encourages collaborative efforts to identify humane and effective alternatives to the destruction of healthy cats for animal control…
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Global climate change and One Health
The AVMA encourages research and education to enhance understanding of how climate change impacts animal, human, and ecosystem health.
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Military veterinary treatment facilities (VTF)
Veterinary services performed by Army veterinarians are an important benefit for service members and their families, and will be provided across the…
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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 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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UNDER REVIEWAddressing the role of veterinary medicine in human health care following catastrophes involving mass human casualty
AVMA encourages authorities to address licensing, liability, policy and other issues to adequately recognize and validate the opportunity and benefits…
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AAAP guidelines for judicious therapeutic use of antimicrobials in poultry
The AVMA has endorsed these guidelines on judicious therapeutic antimicrobial use in poultry production, developed by the American Association of…
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Research priorities of the American Veterinary Medical Association
The AVMA strongly prioritizes the overall concept of One Health as a model for integrating relevant clinical and scientific expertise to solve…
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AVMA support of comparative medicine programs at the National Institutes of Health
AVMA recommends that NIH expand opportunities for veterinarians and veterinary students to take part in scientific education and training, research…
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Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies
TSEs are important diseases worldwide. The AVMA encourages research and dissemination of scientific knowledge about them; and supports surveillance,…
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UNDER REVIEWExtractive industries
AVMA supports objective scientific research on extractive industries' impacts on animal health, foods of animal and plant origin, and the environment.
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Guidelines for the humane slaughter of animals
The AVMA Guidelines for the Humane Slaughter of Animals provide guidance for veterinarians to prevent pain and distress in animals designated for…
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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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National surveillance for zoonotic infectious diseases
The AVMA recognizes the importance of and supports the need for national surveillance for zoonotic diseases of public health importance in animals and…
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NIH support of biomedical research training for veterinarians
Veterinarians play an important role in biomedical research that benefits animal, human, and environmental health. The AVMA strongly supports…
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UNDER REVIEWFeral swine
The AVMA supports scientifically based regulation and/or legislation related to feral swine.