aclam

American Veterinary Medical Association

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), founded in 1863, is a not-for-profit association representing more than 76,000 U.S. veterinarians working in private and corporate practice, government, industry, academia, and uniformed services.

The AVMA provides information resources, continuing education opportunities, publications, and discounts on personal and professional products, programs, and services. The AVMA indicates that it lobbies for animal friendly legislation within a framework that supports the use of animals for human purposes (e.g., food, fiber, research, companionship).

The United States Department of Education has designated the AVMA as the accrediting body for the 28 schools of veterinary medicine in the United States. In this capacity, the AVMA develops and maintains educational standards for these institutions to ensure the qualifications and competency of graduates of veterinary schools.

The AVMA publishes the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Journal of Veterinary Research.

Official Web site

The AVMA's veterinary student organization is the Student American Veterinary Medical Association (SAVMA).

History

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) was founded in 1863, when 40 delegates representing seven states met for a convention in New York. Originally named the United States Veterinary Medical Association, the USVMA was renamed the AVMA in 1889.

By 1913, the AVMA consisted of 1,650 members, with membership open only to graduates of accredited veterinary schools.

Today, the AVMA has more than 76,000 members engaged in a wide variety of work. In addition to treating pets, veterinarians work in a number of fields, such as public health, agriculture, food safety, academics, and the military .

AVMA policy

The AVMA produces policy statements in response to member requests and public interest. These statements are general and aim to encourage improvement based on the best available scientific evidence.

In 2005, the AVMA changed its gestation crates policy and acknowledged that gestation crates cause animal welfare problems. Still, the AVMA is not asking that factory farms stop using gestation crates.

Recently the AVMA has voted on several proposals to take a formal stand against the force-feeding of birds to make foie gras. Although foie gras has been banned in many countries in Europe as well as California, the AVMA has refused to take a stand either for or against foie gras.

Specialists in veterinary medicine

"A veterinary specialist, as recognized by the AVMA, is a graduate veterinarian who has successfully completed the process of board certification in an AVMA-recognized veterinary specialty organization (ie, board or college). To become board certified, a veterinarian must have extensive post-graduate training and experience and pass a credential review and examinations set by the given specialty organization."

The AVMA recognizes the following 20 veterinary specialty organizations: