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Veterinary student loans and scholarships
The AVMA recognizes the increasing burden of educational debt on new graduates, and supports innovative methods to achieve student debt resolution.
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Use of action devices and performance packages for Tennessee Walking Horses
The AVMA and the American Association of Equine Practitioners support a ban on the use of action devices and performance packages in the training and…
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USDA leadership in farmed animal health
The USDA is the lead agency for farmed animal health as authorized by the Animal Health Protection Act of 2003.
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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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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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The veterinary profession's role in addressing the opioid epidemic
AVMA strongly recommends that veterinarians, legislators, state veterinary medical boards, and state pharmacy boards work together to create practical…
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Telemedicine
AVMA is committed to ensuring access to the convenience and benefits afforded by telemedicine, while promoting the responsible provision of…
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State and local regulation of veterinary medicine
State and local lawmakers should defer to the professional judgment of veterinarians when considering proposals that impact the practice and scope of…
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Service animals
If an animal meets this definition, it is considered a service animal regardless whether it has been licensed or certified by a government or an…
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Safeguarding care for animals with veterinarian-led teams
The AVMA will vigorously defend the practice of veterinary medicine—including the ability to diagnose, prognose, develop treatment plans, prescribe,…
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Safe non-commercial transport of pets in motor vehicles
The AVMA is committed to educating pet owners about the safety of pets in motor vehicles. AVMA encourages development of evidence-based crash testing…
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Restriction of veterinary biologics to veterinarians' use
The AVMA supports USDA efforts to restrict all veterinary biologics used in disease control programs, those with high incidence of reactions, and…
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Reportable disease list
The AVMA supports the development and implementation of a national list of reportable animal diseases.
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Regulation of equine plasma products
The AVMA urges the FDA and USDA to identify a means to regulate all equine plasma products intended for use in horses.
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Recovery of monetary damages in litigation involving animals
The American Veterinary Medical Association recognizes and supports the long-standing legal classification of animals as the property of their owners.…
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Practice of soring
The AVMA endorses the American Association of Equine Practitioners' position on the practice of soring.
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Ownership vs guardianship
Any change in terminology describing the relationship between animals and owners, including guardian, doesn’t strengthen this relationship, and may,…
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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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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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Model dog and cat control ordinance
The AVMA's Model Dog and Cat Control Ordinance is a guide for legislators and other government officials involved in developing animal control…
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UNDER REVIEWModel Veterinary Practice Act
The AVMA Model Veterinary Practice Act is intended to serve as a set of guiding principles for those who are, or will be, preparing or revising a…
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Limited prohibition on extralabel drug use
Any regulatory prohibition of extralabel drug use in animals should be science-based and as limited in scope as possible, consistent with protecting…
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Licensure, liability and workers' compensation coverage for veterinarians and veterinary technicians responding to declared emergencies out of state
AVMA encourages interstate recognition of licenses/credentials of veterinarians/veterinary technicians officially responding to state-declared…
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Legislative discrimination
The AVMA cannot stand quietly when any characteristic is used as a basis of discrimination.
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UNDER REVIEWImportation and interstate movement of wildlife, aquatic, and non-native animals
The AVMA recommends regulations governing the importation and interstate movement of wildlife, aquatic, and non-native animal species when there is…