U.S. pet ownership statistics
See numbers of pets, pet-owning households, veterinary visits, and veterinary expenditures in the United States.
policy
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.
policy
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…
Zoonotic Diseases and Pets FAQ
Animals can carry diseases that people can catch. Get answers to commonly asked questions about disease risks related to pets.
AVMA news
Raw pet food diets, pet population management policies headed to HOD
The AVMA House of Delegates, during its regular winter session, being held January 5-6, 2024, in Chicago, will vote on six resolutions that would…
blog
Are pet adoptions really skyrocketing?
News reports on the popularity of pet adoptions during COVID-19 got AVMA’s economists thinking and wondering: Is there data to confirm the trend?
JAVMA news
Pet spending up despite delays, disruptions
Americans spent more on pets and pet products in 2020 than they did in 2019, but shipping and manufacturing delays are slowing goods and causing…
JAVMA news
Conference charts one-health approach to addressing obesity in pets, people
A recent conference charted a one-health approach to addressing obesity in pets and people, and a consensus statement reflecting the key outcomes and…
AVMA news
Recommendations for preventing spread of zoonoses from nontraditional pets
The National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians, together with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has published a series of…
JAVMA news
New guidance for pets exposed to rabies
New guidance in this issue of the JAVMA advises that cats and dogs that are exposed to rabies and are overdue for a vaccine can have a booster shot…
policy
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…
JAVMA news
Educational DVD promotes rabies prevention
The AVMA and the Global Alliance for Rabies Control have produced an educational DVD to promote rabies
AVMA news
Harbor seal aided by noninvasive kidney stone treatment
A harbor seal at the Vancouver Aquarium became one of the early patients for a noninvasive kidney stone treatment that could help humans and animals.
JAVMA news
Military to track combat injuries in working dogs
A military spending bill passed by Congress at the start of the new year includes provisions that will improve the health and welfare of military…
Reports and statistics
Providing economic insights and market data, AVMA reports and data inform discussions on the most pressing issues facing veterinary medicine.
AVMA news
$21M research grant to help improve swine’s immune defenses
In a $21.2 million collaboration, scientists from five institutions will try to find ways to reduce antimicrobial administration by aiding pigs’…
policy
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…
AVMA membership data
View AVMA membership numbers by species category, employment type, and medical discipline as of December 31, 2023.
JAVMA news
In Puerto Rico, time measured before and after Maria
The wrath of Maria, one of the worst natural disasters to strike Puerto Rico, disrupted life on the island for months afterward.
Transporting Horses and Other Equids
When considering interstate or international travel for your horse or other equids, plan ahead because some preparations may need to start months in…
policy
UNDER REVIEWWildlife-livestock interactions
The AVMA supports use of science-based evidence and peer-reviewed research to direct wildlife-livestock management policies, and funding to research…
JAVMA news
Reptile owner donates blood, passes on lethal Salmonella infection
The New England Journal of Medicine reports that a snake is the source of a Salmonella organism that infected two platelet recipients
JAVMA news
Study to examine decline in veterinary visits
A new study is investigating the reasons behind the declining frequency of veterinary visits by cats and dogs—and seeking to identify ways to reverse…
U.S. veterinarians 2020
Market research data: View U.S. veterinary employment statistics by species category, employment type, and medical discipline as of December 31, 2020.…