Position: Member
Terms Starts: September 2023
Term ends: September 2024

Applications Due: Applications accepted until committee is staffed or September 15th, 2023, whichever comes first

Charge/Objective

This committee is charged with reviewing AAHA's position statements in relation to world views on animal welfare and ethics and recommending the development of new statements as needed.

The Committee is charged to:

• The Committee is charged with examining the current state of animal welfare in North America and making recommendations about possible AAHA involvement in the future of the animal welfare debate. It should be aware of animal welfare issues on a global level that might have implications for North America, but it should be focused on domestic small animal issues within our sphere of expertise and credibility.  
• Review and revise current AAHA position statements every 5 years or more frequently as needed.
• Develop new position statements as directed by the AAHA BOD or upon the suggestion of an AEWC member.
• Review and research relevant resources for position statements to keep resources as current as possible.
• Members will complete an NDA and COI annually.
• Members will complete a survey every June to determine their continued involvement in the committee.

Terms, Method of Appointment, Requirements

Committee members will be appointed by the President Elect of AAHA. AEWC shall consist of between 5 and 7 AAHA Accredited Practice Team Members whose practices have maintained AAHA Accreditation in good standing for at least 3 years consecutive prior to their appointment to AEWC. At least 3 members must be licensed veterinarians. The Chair of AEWC shall be a licensed veterinarian appointed by the President Elect.

Except for the Board Liaison and the AAHA Staff Representative, each committee member will serve for an initial term of 1 year. Thereafter, committee members may serve for 2-year terms with no term limits upon mutual agreement between the committee member and President Elect.

The Committee has 5-7 members in any given year.

• Chair
• Co-Chair/Staff Liaison
• Board Liaison
• Member
• Member
• Member
• Member

Meetings

The Animal Ethics and Welfare Committee shall hold an hour-long quarterly meeting via Microsoft Teams, and will occasionally meet more frequently to exceed no more often than monthly. Meetings are typically held on the last Wednesday of the month at 7:00-8:00 pm ET.

Reports

The committee will send board reports to the AAHA Board of Directors ahead of the annual board meetings in January and June each year. The staff liaison will facilitate these reports and pass them along to the Executive Assistant.