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UNDER REVIEWGuidelines for responsible pet ownership
Owning a pet is a privilege and should result in a mutually beneficial relationship. The benefits of pet ownership come with responsibilities.
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Ownership and/or possession and appropriate disposition of wild and exotic pet species or their hybrids
The AVMA is concerned with animal welfare, husbandry, infectious diseases, public health and safety, and environmental impacts associated with…
Where the (not-so) wild things are: AVMA releases data on top, bottom states for dog, cat and overall pet ownership
Pet Demographic Sourcebook data on top and bottom 10 states for pet ownership
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UNDER REVIEWPets in senior, disabled, and multifamily public housing
The AVMA supports legislation to provide for ownership of pets in public and assisted housing for the elderly and disabled families, and in…
National Dog Bite Prevention Coalition offers tips for safely sheltering at home with pets during the COVID-19 crisis
The coronavirus pandemic has introduced a good deal of uncertainty into our lives, as well as the lives of our pets. As people shelter at home, adopt…
During National Pet Week, AVMA shares tips to provide “lifetime of love”
During National Pet Week and beyond, these tips and resources will help equip pet owners to ensure their pets are living happy, healthy lives.
Hurricane Ian: Preparing for evacuation and keeping pets safe and healthy when returning home
Millions of people in Florida are under evacuation orders today as Hurricane Ian bears down on the U.S. mainland, and many of them will be evacuating…
AVMA urges pet evacuation kits for those in path of storms, wildfires
Hundreds of wildfires are burning in California, forcing more than 100,000 people to evacuate and affecting air quality as far away as Nebraska.
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Model bill and regulations to assure appropriate care for dogs intended for use as pets
This resource can serve as a guide for legislators and other government officials involved in developing legislation and regulations to assure…
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Canine hybrids
The AVMA strongly opposes keeping as pets any hybrids of wild canines crossbred with domestic animals. The AVMA believes that commercial traffic in…
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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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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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Joint AVMA-FVE-CVMA statement on the global control of dog-mediated rabies: A One Health imperative
This statement has been adopted jointly by the AVMA, Federation of Veterinarians of Europe and Canadian Veterinary Medical Association.