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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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Annual rabies vaccination waiver
Waivers of rabies vaccination should only be issued with approval from the appropriate public health authorities upon recommendation from a licensed…
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Canine devocalization
The AVMA strongly discourages the devocalization of dogs because of the surgery's negative impacts on animal welfare. Canine devocalization does not…
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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…
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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 REVIEWVeterinary end-of-life care
Pet owners facing terminal illness in companion animals may desire veterinary end-of-life care for their pets. The animal's comfort and quality of…
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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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Truthful and nonmisleading human food labeling
The AVMA supports truthful and non-misleading labeling of animal-derived human food products that meets specific criteria.
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Use of random-source dogs and cats for research, testing, and education
The AVMA believes there is justification for prudent and humane use of random-source dogs and cats in research, testing, and education, under specific…
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Representation to the United States Pharmacopeial Convention (USP)
The AVMA encourages expansion of veterinary membership to the USP, such as representation of veterinary pharmacologists.
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Support for veterinary extension and outreach services
Veterinary extension and outreach services play a vital role to protect the health and wellbeing of animals, contribute to public health, and…
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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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Free-roaming, owned cats
The AVMA encourages veterinarians to educate clients and the public about the risks associated with allowing cats free-roam access to the outdoors.
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Dog and cat population management
Dog and cat population management is a complex animal welfare problem, with many contributing factors.
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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…
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The IAHAIO Geneva Declaration
The AVMA endorses the International Association of Human-Animal Interaction Organizations' Geneva Declaration.
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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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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,…
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AAFP/AAHA antimicrobial stewardship guidelines
The AVMA has endorsed these guidelines developed by the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) and American Animal Hospital Association…
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Raw diets for dogs and cats
The AVMA discourages the feeding to cats and dogs of any animal-source protein that has not first been subjected to a process to eliminate pathogens…
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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…
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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…
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Joint AVMA-FVE-CVMA statement on the benefits of animal vaccination programs in advancing animal and human health
This statement has been adopted jointly by the AVMA, Federation of Veterinarians of Europe and Canadian Veterinary Medical Association.