American Veterinary Medical Association

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), founded in 1863, is a not-for-profit association representing more than 73,000 US veterinarians working in private and corporate practice, government, industry, academia, and uniformed services.<ref name=About>About the AVMA. Retrieved on 2006-04-06.</ref>

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).<ref name=Positions>AVMA Animal Welfare Positions. Retrieved on 2006-04-06.</ref> A number of animal rights advocates and organizations, whose views on animal use differ, are critical of the AVMA’s position on a number of animal welfare issues.<ref name=NYT>Animal Rights International, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, United Poultry Concerns, and the Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights. "Has anyone betrayed more animals than the American Veterinary Association?" advertisement (PDF). New York Times (June 21, 2004).</ref>

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

[edit] 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."<ref name=Specialists>Veterinary Specialty Organizations. Retrieved on 2006-04-06.</ref>

The AVMA recognizes the following 20 veterinary specialty organizations: