American Veterinary Medical Association delegates will consider six resolutions during their winter session in Chicago. The policy changes referred to the House of Delegates by the AVMA board of directors include:
- Raw or undercooked pet food: The Food Safety Advisory Committee recommends an updated policy stating that while cooking and pasteurization reduce or eliminate the risk of illness caused by pathogenic contaminants in pet food, other methods should be considered. “The policy also advises that apparently healthy dogs and cats can develop subclinical infections from pathogenic organisms contained within raw or undercooked animal-sourced protein and pose a risk to other animals and people, especially young, elderly, pregnant and immunocompromised individuals,” according to the AVMA.
- Non-commercial pet transport: The Animal Welfare Committee recommends more scientific data on animal transport products. The revised policy also stresses animal health and welfare and the safety risks when pets are transported without appropriate restraint.
- Dog and cat populations: The Animal Welfare Committee recommends a revised policy demonstrating that pet population management is ongoing, including for owned pets that contribute to free-roaming and stray populations. The proposal includes encouraging pet owners to establish a veterinarian-client-patient relationship.
- Research safety: The Animal Welfare Committee recommends a revised policy for reducing or avoiding pain and distress in research animals, cutting the number of animals used, and using non-animal methods when scientifically appropriate.
- Animal-loss support: The Steering Committee on Human-Animal Interactions recommends replacing the current “Guidelines for Pet Loss Support Services” with resources that address the loss of any animal, not just pets.
- Workplace hazards: The Council of Veterinary Service recommends combining the “Guidelines for Addressing Hazards in the Workplace” and the “Veterinary Facility Occupational Risks for Pregnant Workers” because the policies have a similar focus.
The HOD will meet on Jan. 5 and 6, 2024. Its members represent 70 state, territorial and allied veterinary medical groups.