policy
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…
policy
UNDER REVIEWDisabled livestock
Disabled livestock must be handled humanely. View AVMA's policy on disabled livestock.
policy
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…
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
Therapy dogs have mixed results for childhood cancer patients, parents
Visits with therapy dogs have mixed results for childhood cancer patients and their parents, according to a study.
JAVMA news
Slaughter plant briefly shut down on handling allegations
Federal authorities temporarily halted inspections at a California slaughterhouse where workers were accused of inhumanely
JAVMA news
Supreme Court strikes down Calif. slaughter rules
The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled in January that the state of California cannot prohibit the slaughter of pigs that become
policy
Trapping and steel-jawed leghold traps
The AVMA opposes the use of conventional (non-padded, non-offset) steel jawed foothold traps, also called leghold traps.
JAVMA news
Flood of pork buyers want sow housing changes
Increased interest in farm practices by the public and corporate executives could be connected with dozens of companies’ pledges to eliminate…
JAVMA news
USDA to test feral swine poison
Federal wildlife officials will test a toxic bait for invasive feral swine starting this year.
JAVMA news
The drought drags on...
This year’s drought has forced horse owners and rescue groups in some areas to begin feeding hay to their animals as early as midsummer as
JAVMA news
Sow housing statements
From February through June, at least eight companies announced plans to eventually buy only pork produced without use of gestation
JAVMA news
Retailers tell suppliers to end sow stall use
McDonald's, Compass Group, Wendy's, Burger King, Safeway, Kroger, Cracker Barrel, and Sonic have announced since February plans to gradually…
JAVMA news
California rises from the ashes again
In 2018, California faced its most destructive year of fires.
JAVMA news
The bovine athlete
Bull riding has emerged from the world of rodeo over the past two decades as a multimillion-dollar sport followed by millions of fans.
JAVMA news
FSIS wants to privatize some pig slaughter duties
Proposed regulations would shift food inspection duties in swine slaughter from federal employees to private ones.
JAVMA news
Another ballot initiative increases housing size for farm animals
As consumers demand to know more about the origin of their foods, the trend toward less-restrictive housing for farm animals has accelerated in recent…