AAHA Position Statements and Endorsements

The American Animal Hospital Association supports the concept of veterinary hospitals as essential businesses that provide critical healthcare to companion animals, horses, and livestock, as well as vital public health monitoring and management of potential animal illnesses. Veterinary services are essential to the wellbeing of pet owners, who rely on companion animals and think of them as family members, and to the public, as veterinarians often are on the frontlines in animal welfare and food-supply safety, as well as in issues related to animal-human interaction.

Adopted by the American Animal Hospital Association Board of Directors March 2020. 

Pain is a complex experience with physiologic and emotional consequences that can evoke a serious negative impact on animal health and welfare.

Due to both ethical and medical imperatives, and consistent with the Veterinarian’s Oath, the American Animal Hospital Association asserts that in all situations pain must be recognized and assessed, and strategies must be undertaken to predict and effectively prevent, relieve, or otherwise manage pain.

The potential for pain as a result of injury, illness, surgery, procedures, and diagnostic testing must always be considered. Each patient is entitled to a well-formulated plan that includes anticipation, prevention, early intervention, and adjustment according to follow-up assessments and evaluation regarding response to therapy. These plans should be evidence based insofar as possible and otherwise be based on a consensus of expert opinion.

A multimodal approach is preferred, including both pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatment modalities.

The 2015 AAHA/AAFP Pain Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats provide a comprehensive discussion, including pain assessment and utilizing an integrated, multimodal approach to pain management.

Adopted by the American Animal Hospital Association Board of Directors October 1993. Revised October 2009. Last revised February 2017. 
Links to Relevant Graphics  

Veterinary professionals are likely to encounter many forms of animal abuse, ranging from minor neglect to malicious harm.

The American Animal Hospital Association supports the reporting of suspicions of animal abuse to the appropriate authorities. The association encourages the adoption of laws mandating veterinary professionals to report suspicions of animal abuse and providing immunity from legal liability when filing such reports in good faith. Veterinary professionals should be familiar with animal cruelty laws and their veterinary practice act, including any mandatory reporting requirements.

Studies have shown there is a link between animal abuse and other forms of violence, including child, spousal, and elder abuse. Reporting suspicions of animal abuse is important as it will trigger an investigation that may ultimately protect both animals and humans. It upholds the veterinary oath to prevent animal suffering and promote public health.

Veterinarians should seek education about animal cruelty and the profession should provide training on the recognition, documentation, and reporting of animal abuse and the development of forensic models. Collaboration with animal and human welfare groups, law enforcement, and other professionals within communities is crucial to improve response and reduce the incidence of animal abuse.

Veterinarians are referred to the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association for information and resources on the signs, recognition, and reporting of animal abuse.

Adopted by the American Animal Hospital Association Board of Directors November 1995. Revised October 2009. Last revised November 2015.

Animals with identification are more likely to be reunited with owners than those without identification.

The American Animal Hospital Association recommends the permanent identification of dogs and cats using microchips that conform to the International Standards Organization (ISO) standard of technology.

Microchip devices/radio frequency identification devices (RFID)

To maximize the potential of microchip technology in identifying and reuniting pets with owners, AAHA recommends the following:

• Implantation and initial registration of microchips only be carried out by veterinarians or under the supervision of a veterinarian
• Veterinarians use the World Small Animal Veterinary Association’s standardized implantation sites
• Details of all microchipped animals are maintained in a central database(s) that can be accessed 24/7 by a single, well-publicized phone and internet portal

AAHA urges veterinary professionals, animal shelters, and humane societies to use microchips that are scannable, traceable, and backed by accessible and reliable microchip registries. A registry’s participation with the AAHA Pet Microchip Lookup tool helps to increase the traceability of the microchips they produce.

Additionally, AAHA strongly encourages pet owners to:

• Confirm the accessibility and reliability of the registry that is associated with a microchip prior to consenting to implantation
• Keep all contact information associated with their pet’s microchip up to date so that they can be contacted if their lost pet is found
• Have their pet scanned annually to ensure proper function and location of the chip
• Use collar identification tags with current owner contact information on all dogs and cats

Pet owners should be aware that there are different frequencies of microchips in the marketplace and not all scanners are 100% effective in detecting all microchips. Microchips are therefore not fail-safe. In the case of a lost pet, AAHA recommends that all lost-animal search strategies be considered (including, but not limited to, searching for your pet, hanging lost-pet ads, posting lost-pet ads online, including on social media, and checking animal shelters daily).

AAHA recognizes the unique advantages that microchips provide. However, there are issues that currently compromise the effective use of this technology. AAHA urges the microchip industry to address these concerns and to work toward a global system of animal identification that maximizes successful animal recovery by:

• Adopting only ISO standards for microchips and scanners
• Providing veterinarians, humane societies, and shelters with a true universal scanner capable of identifying all microchips
• Providing supporting databases with 24/7 accessibility and response
• Maintaining databases with accurate, secure (in the event of bankruptcy or natural disaster), and up-to-date information that allows for ease of registration and contact information updating
• Providing traceback capability, ensuring a specific microchip number can be traced from its source of production to the animal who received it
• Creating an international integrated database that facilitates the identification of every microchipped pet
• Promoting proper use of the technology by providing detailed instructions regarding correct scanning methods and implantation techniques, including use of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association’s standardized implantation sites

Veterinarians practicing in Canada are advised to use microchip products that have been successfully reviewed by the National Companion Animal Coalition (NCAC) and appear on the NCAC list of recognized products.

Find recognized RFID products.

Adopted by the American Animal Hospital Association Board of Directors October 1993. Revised November 1994, October 2000 and October 2009. Last revised November 2015. 

The American Animal Hospital Association recognizes that the veterinary profession is responsible for advocating and providing leadership for measures that respect and enhance the quality of life of animals.

AAHA supports excellence in animal care by talking with other concerned groups to develop positive actions that create, encourage, or mandate humane animal care and measures that enhance the respect for and quality of life of animals.

The concept of animal welfare is founded on the premise that humans have an ethical and moral obligation to act humanely toward animals in a manner that builds the bond between them. Therefore, animal welfare is a human responsibility requiring active attention to all aspects of animal health and wellbeing, including responsible husbandry, transport, and care, as well as humane housing, handling and, when necessary, euthanasia.

Consideration should be given to animals’ emotional as well as physical health and wellbeing as well as their ability to express behaviors that are considered normal for the species.

There may often be ethical and moral evaluations when resolving issues related to animal welfare. When controversy exists, or in the absence of evidence-based science, decisions should be made that support animal welfare and wellbeing.

Background:
Cats and dogs are sentient beings that have “the ability to feel, perceive, or experience subjectively” and are not only capable of feeling pain and distress, but are also able to experience positive emotional states such as pleasure or comfort, and conversely negative emotions such as anxiety and fear” according to AAHA’s statement on Sentience, which states that it’s imperative for veterinarians and caregivers to maintain a strong focus on animal welfare.

The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) recommends that veterinarians “should be the leading advocates for the welfare of all animals, recognizing the key contribution that animals make to human society through food production, companionship, biomedical research, and education” (OIE, 2012). Additionally, the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE), together with the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) declare that “Veterinarians are, and must continually strive to be, the leading advocates for the good welfare of animals in a continually evolving society” (AVMA, 2014).

Additionally, veterinarians have a role in safeguarding human welfare by recognizing animal abuse and neglect, and its link with human abuse. WSAVA Animal Welfare Guidelines and One Health refer to the intricate relationship between the health of humans, the health of animals, and the health of the environment. When there is a zoonotic disease that instills fear in people, such as rabies or COVID-19, society sometimes has a knee-jerk reaction: Thoughts can quickly turn to euthanasia, which sometimes can occur in very inhumane ways. New research by World Animal Protection states that poor animal welfare practices in the trade and farming of wild animals and livestock provides the perfect breeding ground for viruses to mutate and spread. If animal welfare laws aren’t improved, we face the risk of disease outbreaks becoming more frequent.

It is well recognized that poor states of animal welfare also exist where there are poor states of human welfare, as found in countries or regions with emerging economies. Seventy-five percent of emerging infectious diseases (e.g., Ebola, HIV, SARS, COVID-19) have an animal origin according to the Center for Disease Control.

One Health issues can result in poor animal welfare, and the reverse is also true: Poor animal welfare can result in One Health issues.

David Benatar, professor of philosophy and director of the Bioethics Center at the University of Cape Town, says in his most recent book, ”The Human Predicament: A Candid Guide to Life’s Biggest Questions”:

“. . . those who think that this is a Chinese problem rather than a human one should think again. There is no shortage of zoonoses that have emerged from human maltreatment of animals. The most likely origin of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), for example, is SIV (simian immunodeficiency virus), and the most likely way in which it crossed the species barrier is through blood of a nonhuman primate butchered for human consumption. In the future, we should fully expect our maltreatment of animals to wreak havoc on our own species.”

Solutions to One Health should encompass good welfare. According to the World Health Organization, “euthanasia of dogs has not been shown to make any difference in the epidemiology of rabies” (rabies elimination in South-East Asia, WHO project ICP BCT 001, 2005).

Resources:

• Animal Welfare Guidelines, WSAVA
• Animal Welfare Charter for Compassion
• RSPCA Australia
• Animal Welfare Modules
• World Animal Protection—Concepts in Animal Welfare
• Animal Ethics Dilemma

Behavior Guidelines and Protocols 

• 2015 AAHA Canine and Feline Behavior Management Guidelines
• AAHA’s Model Behavior Management Protocol

Condition Score Charts  

• Cats Body Condition Score
• Cats Muscle Condition Score
• Dogs Body Condition Score
• Dogs Muscle Condition Score 

Environment 

• AAFP and ISFM Feline Environmental Needs Guidelines 

Euthanasia 

• AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals 
• BVA (British Veterinary Association) Euthanasia Guide  
• IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare) Euthanasia Policy  
• DVM360 Sample Euthanasia Protocol 
• Oregon State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital 

Forensic Forms 

• The Forensic Process

Handling & Restraint  

• AAFP and ISFM Feline-Friendly Handling Guidelines 
• Dove & Lewis 
• Fear Free Pets
• Low-Stress Handling

Mobile Apps

• Dog Bite Prevention Strategy (Mac/Apple)
• Dog Bite Prevention Strategy (Android) 

Nursing Care 

• AAFP and ISFM Feline-Friendly Nursing Care Guidelines

Nutrition 

• WSAVA Global Nutrition Guidelines 

Pain  

• WSAVA Global Pain Council Guidelines
• Pain Scales for Cats
  • Colorado State University Feline Acute Pain Scale
  • UNESP–Botucatu multidimensional composite pain scale (MCPS)
• Pain Scales for Dogs
  • Colorado State University Canine Acute Pain Scale  
  • Glasgow Composite Measure Pain Scale (CMPS-SF)
  • Helsinki Chronic Pain Index (HCPI) 
  • Canine Brief Pain Inventory (Canine BPI)

Veterinary Oath

WSAVA Veterinary Oath

Adopted by the American Animal Hospital Association Board of Directors March 1993. Revised October 2009. Last revised June 2021

The American Animal Hospital Association supports responsible and judicious use of animals in postsecondary education and scientific research only when the benefits are clear and only when it can be justified scientifically, ethically and morally. We also believe that veterinarians are an essential part of all programs involving the care and use of animals in research.

AAHA recognizes the importance and benefits of the use of animals in research with the goal of improving the health of humans and animals. We strongly support the replacement of animals used in research and education, when possible, by using nonanimal systems such as computer models and biochemical- or cell-based systems. We encourage the refinement of procedures and housing that can reduce the number of animals needed while minimizing pain, distress, and discomfort.

Whenever appropriate, consideration should be given to finding homes for these animals.

Resources 
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. “Alternatives to Animal Testing.”
American Veterinary Medical Association. “Use of Animals in Research, Testing, and Education.”
Institute for Laboratory Animal Research. “Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.”

Adopted by the American Animal Hospital Association Board of Directors November 1994. Last revised June 2018. 

The American Animal Hospital Association condemns spectator and sports events involving animals that have injury intended or likely to occur, or that cause pain or distress to the animal. Animals should be properly cared for between and after sporting and exhibition events, until they are either successfully rehomed or humanely euthanized.

AAHA encourages all organizations involved with animals used in these events to develop and follow guidelines or standards that prevent abuse and ensure humane treatment of these animals. AAHA also supports continued prospective and retrospective studies into sport-animal medicine to prevent and reduce injury for animals used in these events.

AAHA supports the humane use of animals for exhibition purposes in accordance with existing federal, state, provincial, and local animal protection laws. If animals are to be used for exhibition, every effort should be made to ensure that there is a benefit to the use of live animals as compared to alternatives such as video, models, etc. In the event that it is decided that live animals will be required, they need to be used in such a way that they are free from distress. Authorities should ensure that proper standard operating procedures are in place prior to the exhibition.

Adopted by the American Animal Hospital Association Board of Directors November 1994. Last revised March 2010. 

The American Animal Hospital Association is opposed to the practice known as debarking, canine devocalization, or vocal cordectomy. Devocalization for inappropriate and excessive vocalization is often ineffective in achieving the desired results, can present risks to the animal, and can deprive canines of the ability to perform a normal behavior. Professional corrective techniques including environmental manipulation, behavioral modification, medical therapy, or a combination of these techniques should be explored.

Exceptions to this statement would be in the rare case of airway obstruction or laryngeal paralysis, which cannot be addressed through other surgical procedures. When deemed medically necessary, devocalization should only be performed by qualified, licensed veterinarians.

Resources:

• Canine Devocalization Position Statement, American Veterinary Medical Association 
• Devocalization of Dogs Position Statement, Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, 2016 

Last revised by the American Animal Hospital Association Board of Directors June 2021. 

The American Animal Hospital Association supports dangerous animal legislation by state, province, county, and municipal governments that provide guidelines for the management of dangerous animals, provided that legislation does not refer to specific breeds or classes of animals. Domestic animals/pets should only be classified as dangerous after a qualified veterinarian or animal behaviorist has carefully investigated all of the circumstances involving a dangerous incident, such as a dog aggression. It should be noted that while many exotic animals are sometimes classified as pets, some types are inherently dangerous. Inherently dangerous animals should be excluded as being kept as pets (some examples include wild carnivores, some reptiles, some birds, as well as some amphibia and primates.)

The American Animal Hospital Association opposes the keeping of wild animals as pets. Wild animals are those not specifically bred over many generations to adapt to human confinement, company, or control. They are normally found in the wild. When wild animals are kept as pets, the results may often be tragic for the animals and the owners. Lack of knowledge about behavioral traits, social needs, and proper nutrition of wild animals as well as inability to provide an appropriate environment that permits normal behavior often leads to inadvertent abuse and long-term suffering. Furthermore, individuals exposed to captive wild animals may contract transmissible diseases, or suffer injury or death. The capture and transport of wild animals results in the inhumane death or injury of many of the targeted animals as well as non-targeted species. Capture of wildlife intended for domestic use constitutes a significant threat to the world’s various ecosystems.

The American Animal Hospital Association, however, does not oppose the keeping of some exotic pets bred for the legal pet trade as long as they are not inherently dangerous. Exotic pets have many complicated requirements for humane care and it is necessary to establish a relationship with a veterinarian who is able to provide appropriate advice and care for the particular species. Exotic pets consist of species that are not commonly household pets, but have been bred over many generations to adapt to human confinement, company, and control, such as small rodents, some birds and others. It is strongly suggested that pet owners consult with veterinarians prior to the purchase of any pets and this is even more important with respect to exotic species.

Resources:

• American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
  • Dangerous animal legislation
  • Ownership and or Possession and Appropriate Disposition of Wild and Exotic Pet Species or Their Hybrids
• Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA)
  • Legislation Concerning Dangerous Dogs
  • Keeping Native or Exotic Wild Animals as Pets
• April D. Truitt, Founder, Primate Rescue Center, Inc., Nicholasville, KY 40356

Dangerous animal legislation position statement adopted by the American Animal Hospital Association Board of Directors March 1995, October 2009. Last revised June 2020. 

Wild animals as pets position statement adopted by the American Animal Hospital Association Board of Directors, March 1995. Revised June 1996, November 2014. Last revised June 2020. 

The American Animal Hospital Association strongly opposes the elective declawing of domestic cats and believes it is veterinarians’ obligation to provide educational tools and guidance for effective alternative training programs for owners.

Background

Scratching is a normal feline behavior. Cats scratch to:

• Condition their claws by removing old nail sheaths
• Stretch and exercise their bodies
• Communicate visually and through scent left behind from glands on the paws

Veterinarians and cat owners must work together to establish appropriate scratching behaviors by:

• Providing suitable implements for normal scratching behavior, such as scratching posts (many varieties available), cardboard, wood, carpet, or fabric remnants affixed to stationary objects. Implements should be tall or long enough to allow full stretching and be firmly anchored to provide necessary resistance to scratching.
• Making appropriate scratching objects more attractive than furniture, which often includes placement near the current object being used and in favorite resting areas.
• Training cats through positive reinforcement to use appropriate scratching sites by employing treats, catnip, verbal praise, and/or hormone attractants.
• Trimming cats’ nails often.
• Considering artificial nail caps.
• Avoiding rough play; owners should not use their own body parts (feet, hands) as play toys.
• Using furniture protectors as needed to deter unwanted scratching.

Veterinarians are strongly encouraged to fully educate owners as to why declawing cats is no longer supported. The following points are integral to understanding why declawing is no longer viewed as a reasonable procedure:

• Declawing is not just removal of the claw; it is an amputation of the third bone in each toe.
• There are inherent risks and complications with any surgical procedure including, but not limited to anesthetic complications, analgesic side effects, hemorrhage, infection, and pain.
• The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not list declawing as a means of preventing disease in either healthy or immunocompromised individuals.

Recent retrospective studies have found significant increase (three to seven times more likely) of the following in declawed compared to non-declawed cats: chronic back pain, inappropriate urination, biting, and overgrooming.

This statement does not apply to claw removal when medically necessary to treat conditions such as tumors or chronic infections. If declawing is performed, the procedure must follow current best practices for amputation, including multimodal pain control before, during, and after for an appropriate length of time after surgery.

Resources: 

• Pain and Adverse Behavior in Declawed Cats,” Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 2017
• Long-Term Pain in Cats,” Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 2010 

Adopted by the American Animal Hospital Association Board of Directors October 2003. Revised October 2009 and August 2015. Last revised June 2021. 

The American Animal Hospital Association is opposed to ear cropping or tail docking for cosmetic purposes as well as for breed standard purposes. More than 20 breed standards currently call for tail docking or ear cropping, but we recommend the removal of these breed standards and encourage our member veterinarians to discontinue such elective procedures in their hospitals.

Resources:

• Ear Cropping and Tail Docking Position Statement, American Veterinary Management Association, 2008
• Cosmetic Alteration Position Statement, Canadian Veterinary Management Association, 2014

Adopted by the American Animal Hospital Association Board of Directors March 1993. Revised November 1998 and October 2009. Last revised June 2021. 

The American Animal Hospital Association believes that, ideally, no adoptable animal should be euthanized.

AAHA is committed to working collaboratively to reduce the millions of animals euthanized annually.

The role of veterinarians

Unfortunately, the number of homeless animals currently exceeds the number of responsible people willing to adopt them. Veterinarians have an integral role and a responsibility in our society to contribute to the solutions of these overpopulation issues by:

• Reducing unwanted litters by participating in and offering readily accessible and affordable sterilization programs and educating clients on responsible breeding
• Reducing relinquishment of companion animals by educating clients on responsible pet ownership and behavior issues and promoting preventive medical care, compatible animal selection, and the benefit of the attachment clients share with their companion animals
• Recommending identification of animals in order to reunite lost animals with their owners, as well as promoting responsible control of animals with licensing, leashing, and confinement to prevent loss, injury, and disease
• Working within their communities to find options for homeless adoptable animals and encouraging clients to adopt from and support their local shelters
• Working with owners facing financial challenges by offering various treatment options before euthanasia is considered
• Supporting pet-friendly legislation, such as pet-friendly housing, to increase opportunities for pet ownership

Humane method
Humane euthanasia requires expertise in technique and compassion for all parties involved, with the goal of a dignified, anxiety-free, and painless death. Injection by sodium pentobarbital is considered the only acceptable method for most companion animals. Premedication should be considered to reduce fear, anxiety, and restraint requirements that can occur with the euthanasia procedure. In accordance with AVMA guidelines for humane euthanasia, intracardiac injections should not be performed on conscious animals. In the event that animals are euthanized in public agencies, such as pounds or the humane society, AAHA recommends that veterinarians are consulted on this procedure so that only trained personnel using proper techniques and drugs are allowed to carry this procedure out. Many of these drugs are controlled and legislative rules need to be followed. In the event that such public agencies do not have access to properly trained personnel or the proper drugs, veterinarians should be contracted to carry out this procedure in a humane way.

Human toll

Euthanasia is a stressful, emotional aspect of veterinary practice. The profession should recognize its impact on clients, veterinarians, and practice team members. Euthanasia-related stress can lead to compassion fatigue. Veterinary practices should acknowledge and manage it with well-drafted protocols, formal education processes, and open lines of communication.

Ethics

The decision to euthanize an animal should not be taken lightly. Veterinarians are encouraged to fully explore the reasons for the euthanasia decision and to discuss viable, realistic alternatives with the owner.

Adopted by the American Animal Hospital Association Board of Directors November 1994. Revised October 2003. Last revised October 2009. 

For optimum health and wellness, all pets should have a veterinary examination at least annually. For many pets, more frequent visits may be appropriate. Decisions regarding specific frequency of visits are appropriately made on an individual basis, based on the age, species, breed, health, and environment of the pet. The American Animal Hospital Association recommends that pet owners consult their pet’s veterinarian regarding the appropriate frequency of veterinary visits for their pets. Further details can be found in the AAHA/AVMA Preventive Healthcare Guidelines, the AAHA Canine Life Stage Guidelines, and the AAFP/AAHA Feline Life Stage Guidelines.

Adopted by the American Animal Hospital Association Board of Directors June 2008. Last revised November 2014. 

The American Animal Hospital Association recommends the adoption of a Uniform Good Samaritan Law by all states and provinces, such as the following:

“Any veterinarian or veterinary technician who, in good faith, renders emergency care, without remuneration or expectation of remuneration, to a sick or injured animal shall not be liable for any civil damages resulting from his or her acts or omission, except for such damages as may result from acts of gross negligence or wanton acts or omissions.”

This type of law would serve to encourage veterinarians and veterinary technicians to assist with emergency veterinary care.

Adopted by the American Animal Hospital Association Board of Directors June 1994. Last revised March 2010. 

The American Animal Hospital Association strongly advocates for the least stressful, most humane methods of animal handling, and encourages veterinary staff education and training in no-fear or stress-free handling programs. Manual restraint and forceful handling of patients increases the risk of injury to both staff and patients, and may be detrimental to successful medical and emotional outcomes. Examples of inappropriate physical restraint include: multiple people holding a patient down for a nail trim, complete immobilization during blood collection, scruffing and stretching cats, pinning dogs against walls or behind doors for injections, and using catch poles and nets commonly and inappropriately.

Patient-friendly handling improves the quality of healthcare, creates a more positive pet experience, improves client and veterinary team experience, and provides a safer and more efficient work environment. Behavior-centric patient handling techniques should be used along with distractions such as food, toys, or massage.

AAHA encourages practices and owners to train patients and pets to accept a basket muzzle in case it is needed. Practices should consider referrals for additional positive behavior modification training and using anxiolytics (antianxiety medications) and chemical restraint when necessary. The patient’s response to handling, physical health status, and the procedural needs should be considered when determining the need for and the duration of pharmacologic intervention. Sedatives and anxiolytics may be prescribed by the veterinarian and should be given by the pet owner prior to the visit. These types of medications should be considered for patients known to exhibit fear, stress, or aggression.

The human-animal bond is enhanced with a strong focus on no-fear or stress-free handling. A positive clinical environment, which takes into consideration species-specific sensory perception and creates a stress-free atmosphere through proper lighting, noise and odor control, pheromone therapy, surface footing, and appropriate human-animal interactions is an important adjunct to the stress-free veterinary experience.

Adopted by the American Animal Hospital Association Board of Directors June 1996. Revised October 2009. Last revised June 2017. 

Our pets provide us with fun, companionship, and unconditional love. In return, we incur the responsibilities that go along with pet ownership, including veterinary care. More dogs receive veterinary care than cats, even though cats outnumber dogs as pets. Cats are a very “underserved” species in the veterinary profession, and it is important they receive appropriate healthcare as well.

Providing our pets the preventive healthcare they deserve as well as keeping them in a safe environment significantly reduces the risk of illness and injury. When pets do become sick or injured, today’s veterinary profession is capable of providing all levels of necessary care, from the basics to highly sophisticated diagnostics, procedures, and treatments.

The American Animal Hospital Association strongly recommends that those considering adopting a pet and families who currently share their home with a pet consider the following:

• Costs for regular preventive healthcare, such as immunizations, parasite control, and dental care
• Costs for treatment of unexpected illness or injury
• Costs to provide appropriate daily care, including proper nutrition for the life stage and lifestyle of the pet
• Breed-specific predisposition to certain conditions, such as:
  • Allergies and dermatologic diseases
  • Ear and/or eye disease
  • Cardiovascular, endocrine, and immune-related diseases
  • Orthopedic conditions

The ability to budget for these pet healthcare costs varies greatly. Some individuals and families simply pay for these things out of the household budget as they arise. Others may need to consider other options for funding proper care for their pets. These options include:

• Regular contributions to a savings account designated for veterinary care
• Credit card reserves
• Medical credit cards
• Monthly payments to a preventive care plan available through many veterinary hospitals to cover normal preventive care services
• Pet health insurance to cover unexpected illness or injury

For those considering pet health insurance, AAHA offers the following suggestions:

• Be sure you understand what the policy covers. Some policies will cover some preventive care, such as vaccinations, but there may be an additional cost for this coverage.
• Understand the exclusions. Almost all policies exclude pre-existing conditions and some exclude hereditary conditions. Some may exclude certain conditions unique to certain breeds.
• Almost all policies have a deductible and a copay requirement. Some pay according to a set schedule of “usual and customary fees,” while some pay based on the actual incurred expense. Be sure you understand how expenses will be reimbursed.
• Ask whether or not the policy allows you to seek care from a veterinarian of your own choosing or whether you must go to a veterinarian that participates in the company’s network of providers. When faced with a pet’s serious illness, most pet owners want to be able to obtain care from their regular veterinarian.
• Speak with your veterinarian or someone on his or her practice team. While veterinarians do not sell insurance, chances are they have had experience with the policy you are considering and can provide helpful advice.

Pet owners are in control of their pets’ health. Providing appropriate nutrition in a safe, enriched environment is the obligation of the pet owner. Seeking proper veterinary care and developing a strong relationship with the veterinary practice team is also essential in promoting good health and longevity. Providing an appropriate environment, nutrition, and veterinary care is a small payback for the unconditional love, enrichment of our lives, companionship, and joy that our pets give to us.

Adopted by the American Animal Hospital Association Board of Directors June 2007. Updated June 2013. 

The American Animal Hospital Association supports the concept of neutering cats and dogs as young as eight weeks of age in order to help reduce the overpopulation issues that can be present in companion animals.

Veterinarians are encouraged to counsel their clients on aspects of responsible breeding, including prevention of unwanted litters, and should make recommendations based on an assessment of each individual patient.

Current scientific literature suggests both positive and negative medical and behavioral outcomes with early versus delayed sterilization in some breeds. This should be part of the discussion veterinarians have with clients when educating them about the risks and benefits of sterilization for pets.

Houlihan, Kendall E. 2017. “A literature review on the welfare implications of gonadectomy of dogs.” Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association May 15, 2017, volume 250, number 10: 1155–1166.

Adopted by the American Animal Hospital Association Board of Directors November 1994. Revised March 2010. Last revised January 2018. 

The American Animal Hospital Association opposes dog and cat breeding operations that do not support the highest standards of animal care and breeding objectives.

Breeding operations that cause animal suffering due to substandard breeding practices, overcrowding, inappropriate or insufficient human contact, poor sanitation, inadequate shelter, food, or water, and a lack of veterinary oversight should be reported to local animal cruelty protection agencies.

Breeders should ensure their breeding programs strive to eliminate hereditary disorders and minimize genetic defects. Proper early socialization is essential to reduce the risk of behavioral problems later in life such as fear, avoidance, and/or aggression. Breeding establishments should provide puppies and kittens with a socially and physically enriched environment and numerous diverse, positive experiences.

AAHA supports breeders who promote animal health and welfare and who are striving to improve the temperament and functional purpose of the breed.

AAHA also supports current and future legislation and education designed to ensure the humane breeding and care of companion animals in breeding facilities and retail stores. There are many guidelines available that give details on best practices for breeders that should be thoroughly understood by breeding establishments.

The references below represent several guides or protocols for the care of breeding animals and progeny.

• Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association and American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. 2015. Petition for Rulemaking.
• Victoria State Government. 2014. “Code of Practice for the Operation of Breeding and Rearing Businesses, Revision 1.”
• Kaminski Leduc, Janet L. September 6, 2013. “Standards of Care for Dog and Cat Breeders: 2013-R-0309.” Hartford, Connecticut: Office of Legislative Research.
• American Veterinary Medical Association. “Companion Animal Care Guidelines.”
• Canadian Veterinary Medical Association. 2009. “A Code of Practice for Canadian Cattery Operations.”
• Canadian Veterinary Medical Association. 2018. “A Code of Practice for Canadian Kennel Operations.”
• Canadian Veterinary Medical Association. 2014. “Commercial Dog and Cat Breeding Position Statement.”

Adopted by the AAHA board of directors March 1997. Last revised September 2016.

The US Food and Drug Administration has promulgated new regulations concerning pet foods as an additional layer of protection to prevent the introduction of bovine spongiform encephalopathy or “mad cow disease” into the United States.

For practicing veterinarians, the regulations affect only products considered to be “distressed,” which typically include pet foods in damaged containers or those that are past their sell-by or expiration date, or those products considered unfit for sale to clients.

Some veterinarians have donated such “distressed” products to local shelters or humane organizations. To do so now requires that the products be clearly labeled with the precautionary statement, “Do not feed to cattle or other ruminants.” Further, donated items must be accompanied by a letter clarifying the appropriate use and feeding of the products, and the recipient must provide a signed acknowledgment, stating their understanding of the restrictions placed on the products.

Another option for practicing veterinarians is to return “distressed” products to the manufacturer for safe and proper disposal.

The American Animal Hospital Association believes it is the responsibility of all companion animal practices to comply with these requirements or to return these products to the manufacturer. As a profession, we need to do all we can to help ensure a safe food supply for people and animals. We urge all practices to work cooperatively with the pet food industry to ensure that “distressed” products are appropriately handled.

The American Animal Hospital Association is committed to continuing the search for more acceptable means to managing the population of homeless animals. North America’s animal shelters, both public and private, face the difficult decision to euthanize millions of homeless cats and dogs each year. Veterinarians should work with and support shelter medicine programs to improve the health and wellbeing of animals in shelters, reduce relinquishment, promote the adoption of shelter animals, and support spay/neuter and behavior programs. AAHA also supports euthanasia only being conducted by qualified and trained personnel using humane drugs.

Adopted by the American Animal Hospital Association Board of Directors November 1994. Last revised March 2010. 

Past proponents of raw food diets believed that this was the healthiest food choice for pets. It was also assumed that feeding such a diet would cause no harm to other animals or to humans. There have subsequently been multiple studies showing both these premises to be false. Based on overwhelming scientific evidence, AAHA does not advocate nor endorse feeding pets any raw or dehydrated nonsterilized foods, including treats that are of animal origin.

Homemade raw food diets are unsafe because retail meats for human consumption can be contaminated with pathogens. Studies that have been done on both commercially available and homemade raw protein diets have found a high percentage (30%–50%) of them contaminated with pathogenic organisms, and up to 30% of the dogs fed such diets may shed pathogenic organisms in their stool. Many of the pathogens found in raw protein diets can be transmitted to the human population by contact with the food itself, pet, or environmental surfaces. A disturbing number of these organisms have also been shown to be resistant to multiple antimicrobials.

Raw protein diets are now demonstrated to be a health risk for several groups, including:

• The pets consuming the diet
• Other animals in contact with these pets or their feces
• Human family members
• The public

People at the highest risk of serious disease from the enteric pathogens found in raw diets include those that are very young, old, or immune compromised. These are the very groups that are the focus of most animal-assisted intervention (AAI) programs. It is especially important that therapy pets involved in AAI not be fed raw protein diets.

AAHA is committed to the human community, the veterinary medical profession, our AAHA hospitals, and the patients we serve in recommending the best known medical practices using evidence-based medicine. We value the relationships between our pets and their families, along with the positive impact that they have on the larger population, such as in AAI programs. Feeding a raw protein diet no longer concerns only each individual pet, but has become a larger community health issue; for this reason, AAHA can no longer support or advocate the feeding of raw protein diets to pets.

The American Association of Feline Practitioners and the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians have both endorsed this statement.

Resources

• American Pet Product Association. 2004. “2003–2004 APPA National Pet Owners Survey.”
• American Pet Product Association. “Guidelines for the Manufacturing of Natural Part Treats for Pets.” americanpetproducts.org/law/lawlibrary_article.asp?topic=13.
• Billinghurst, Ian. 2001. The BARF Diet: Raw Feeding for Dogs and Cats Using Evolutionary Principles. Bathurst, Australia: Dogwise Publishing.
• Cantor, Glenn H., Stuart Nelson Jr., Jerome A. Vanek, et al. 1997. “Salmonella shedding in racing sled dogs.” Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation 9: 447–448.
• Caraway CT, Scott AE, Roberts NC, et al. 1959. “Salmonellosis in sentry dogs.” Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 135: 599–602.
• Carter, Margery E., P. Joseph Quinn. 2000. “Salmonella infections in dogs and cats.” In: Wray C, Wray A, eds. Salmonella in Domestic Animals. Wallingford, UK: CABI Publishing: 231–244.
• Chengappa, Muckatira M., J.J. Staats, Robert D. Oberst, et al. 1993. “Prevalence of Salmonella in raw meat used in diets of racing greyhounds.” Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation 5: 372–377.
• Cherry Brian, Amy Burns, Geraldine Johnson, et al. 2004. “Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak associated with veterinary clinic.” Emerging Infectious Diseases 10: 2249–2251.
• Clark, Clifford, Jane Cunningham, Rafiq Ahmed, et al. 2001. “Characterization of Salmonella associated with pig ear dog treats in Canada.” Journal of Clinical Microbiology 39: 3962–3968.
• Finley, Rita. 2004. “Salmonella in Commercially Available Pig Ear Treats and Raw Food Diets: Prevalence Survey and Canine Feeding Trial” (MSC thesis). Guelph, Ontario, Canada: University of Guelph.
• Finley Rita, Richard Reid-Smith R, Carl Ribble. 2008 “The Occurrence and Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Salmonellae Isolated from Commercially Available Canine Raw Food Diets in Three Canadian Cities.” Zoonoses and Public Health 55 (8–10): 462-469.
• Finley, Rita, Richard Reid-Smith, J. Scott Weese, et al. 2006. “Human Health Implications of Salmonella-Contaminated Natural Pet Treats and Raw Pet Food.” Clinical Infectious Diseases 42: 686–691.
• Finley, Rita, Carl Ribble C, Jeff Aramini, et al. 2007. “The risk of salmonellae shedding by dogs fed Salmonella-contaminated commercial raw food diets.” The Canadian Veterinary Journal 48: 69–75.
• Food and Drug Administration. “Guidance for Industry: Manufacture and Labeling of Raw Meat Foods for Companion and Captive Noncompanion Carnivores and Omnivores.” Revised November 9, 2004.
• Freeman, Lisa M., Kathryn E. Michel. 2001. “Evaluation of raw food diets for dogs.” Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 218: 705–709.
• Galton, MM. 1969. “Humans and pets as sources of salmonellosis.” Journal of the American Oil Chemists’ Society 46: 230–232.
• Galton, MM, M. Harless, AV Hardy. 1955. “Salmonella isolation from dehydrated dog meats.” Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 127: 57–58.
• Greene, Craig E. 1998. “Enteric bacterial infections—salmonellosis.” In: Infectious Diseases of the Dog and Cat. 2nd ed. Craig E. Greene, ed. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders: 235–240.
• Joffe, Daniel J., Daniel P. Schlesinger. 2002. “Preliminary assessment of the risk of Salmonella infection in dogs fed raw chicken diets.” The Canadian Veterinary Journal 43: 441–442.
• Kahrs, Robert F., N. Holmes, George C. Poppensiek. 1978. “Diseases transmitted from pets to man: an evolving concern for veterinarians.” The Cornell Veterinarian 68: 442–459.
• Kozak, Mary, K. Horosova, V. Lasanda, et al. 2003 “Do dogs and cats present a risk of transmission of salmonellosis to humans?” Bratislavske Lekarske Listy 104: 323–328.
• Laboratory Centre for Disease Control. 2000. “Human health risk from exposure to natural dog treats—preliminary report.” Canada Communicable Disease Report 26: 41–42.
• Lefebvre, Sandra L., Richard Reid-Smith, Patrick Boerlin, et al. 2008. “Evaluation of the risks of shedding Salmonellae and other potential pathogens by therapy dogs fed raw diets in Ontario and Alberta.” Zoonoses and Public Health 55: 470–480.
• LeJeune, Jeffrey T., Dale D. Hancock. 2001. “Public health concerns associated with feeding raw meat diets to dogs.” Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 219: 1222–1225.
• Lenz, Jennifer, Daniel Joffe, Michael Kauffman, et al. 2009. “Perceptions, practices, and consequences associated with foodborne pathogens and the feeding of raw meat to dogs.” The Canadian Veterinary Journal 50: 637–643.
• Leonard, Erin K., DL Pearl, Rita Finley, et al. 2011. “Evaluation of pet-related management factors and the risk of Salmonella spp. carriage in pet dogs from volunteer households in Ontario (2005–2006).” Zoonoses and Public Health March, 58(2): 140–149.
• Marks, Stanley L., Elizabeth J. Kather. 2003. “Bacterial-associated diarrhea in the dog: a critical appraisal.” Veterinary Clinics of North America Small Animal Practice 33: 1029–1060.
• Mead, Paul S., Laurence Slutsker, Vance Dietz, et al. 1999. “Food-related illness and death in the United States.” Emerging Infectious Diseases 5: 607–625.
• Morse, EV, MA Duncan. 1975. “Canine salmonellosis: prevalence, epizootiology, signs, and public health significance.” Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 167: 817–820.
• Morse, EV, MA Duncan, DA Estep, et al. 1976. “Canine salmonellosis: a review and report of dog to child transmission of Salmonella enteritidis.” American Journal of Public Health 66: 82–84.
• Murphy, Colleen P. 2004. “Occurrence of Antimicrobial Resistance in Selected Bacteria in Healthy Dogs and Cats Presented to Private Veterinary Clinics in Southern Ontario” (MSC thesis). Guelph, Ontario, Canada: University of Guelph.
• Pitout, Johann D. D., Mark D. Reisbig, Mike Mulvey, et al. 2003. “Association between handling of pet treats and infection with Salmonella enterica serotype Newport expressing the AmpC b-lactamase, CMY-2.” Journal of Clinical Microbiology 41: 4578–4582.
• Public Health Agency of Canada. July 2005. “Advisory: Salmonella infection in humans linked to natural pet treats, raw food diets for pets.”
• Sanchez, Susan, Charles L. Hofacre, Margie D. Lee, et al. 2002. “Animal sources of salmonellosis in humans.” Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 221: 492–497.
• Sato, Yoshihiko, Mori Tetsuo, Toshie Koyama, et al. 2000. “Salmonella Virchow Infection in an Infant Transmitted by Household Dogs.” Journal of Veterinary Medical Science 62: 767–769.
• Schlesinger, Daniel P., Daniel J. Joffe. 2011. “Raw food diets in companion animals: A critical review.” The Canadian Veterinary Journal 52: 50–54.
• Schlultze, Kymythy R. 1999. The Ultimate Diet—Natural Nutrition for Dogs and Cats. Carlsbad, CA: Hay House.
• Segal, Monica. 2002. K9 Kitchen: Your Dog’s Diet. New Castle, DE: Doggie Diner, Inc.
• Stehr-Green JK, Schantz PM. 1987. “The Impact of Zoonotic Diseases Transmitted by Pets on Human Health and the Economy.” Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice 17: 1–15.
• Sokolow, Susanne H., Courtney Rand, Stanley Marks, et al. 2005. “Epidemiologic evaluation of diarrhea in dogs in an animal shelter.” American Journal of Veterinary Research 66: 1018–102
• Stiver, Shane L., Kendall S. Frazier, Michael J. Mauel, et al. 2003. “Septicemic Salmonellosis in Two Cats Fed a Raw-Meat Diet.” Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association 39: 538–5
• Stone, Gregory G., Chengappa MM, Oberst RD, et al. 1993. “Application of polymerase chain reaction for the correlation of Salmonella serovars recovered from greyhound feces with their diet.” J Vet Diagn Invest 5: 378–385.
• Strohmeyer, RA, DR Hyatt, PS Morley, et al. 2004. “Microbiological risk of feeding raw meat diets to canines” (abstract 75). In: Program and Abstracts of the 2004 Conference of Research Workers in Animal Diseases (Chicago). Ames, Iowa: Blackwell Publishing.
• Taylor Mark B., David A. Geiger, Korinn E. Saker, et al. 2009. “Diffuse osteopenia and myelopathy in a puppy fed a diet composed of an organic premix and raw ground beef.” Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 234 (8): 1041–1049.
• Voetsch, Andrew C., Thomas J. Van Gilder, Frederick J. Angulo, et al. 2004. “FoodNet estimate of the burden of illness caused by nontyphoidal Salmonella infections in the United States.” Clinical Infectious Diseases 38 (suppl 3): S127–S134.
• Voisard Micki, Yogi Voisard. 2001. Becoming the Chef Your Dog Thinks You Are: A Nourishing Guide to Feeding Your Dog and Your Soul. New York, New York: Stray Dog Press.
• Wall, Patrick G., S Davis, EJ Threlfall, et al. 1995. “Chronic carriage of multidrug resistant Salmonella Typhimurium in a cat.” Journal of Small Animal Practice 36: 279–281.
• Weese, J. Scott, Joyce D. Rousseau, Luis G. Arroyo. 2005. “Bacteriological evaluation of commercial canine and feline raw diets.” The Canadian Veterinary Journal 46: 513–516.
• White, DG, Atin Datta, Patrick F. McDermott, et al. 2003. “Antimicrobial susceptibility and genetic relatedness of Salmonella serovars isolated from animal-derived dog treats in the USA.” Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy 52: 860–863.
• Wright, Jennifer G., Leslie A. Tengelsen, Kirk E. Smith, et al. 2005. “Multidrug-Resistant Salmonella Typhimurium in Four animal facilities.” Emerging Infectious Diseases 11: 1235–1241.

Adopted by the American Animal Hospital Association Board of Directors October 2011. 

The American Animal Hospital Association supports the concept of animals as sentient beings. Sentiency is the ability to feel, perceive or be conscious, or to have subjective experiences. Biological science and common sense support the fact that the animals who share our lives are feeling, sensing beings that deserve thoughtful, high-quality care. The care that is offered should provide for the animal’s physical and behavioral welfare and strive to minimize pain, distress, and suffering for the animal.

Adopted by the American Animal Hospital Association Board of Directors July 2012. 

No single achievement has had greater impact on the lives and wellbeing of our patients, our clients, and our ability to prevent infectious diseases than the development and ongoing improvements in companion animal vaccines. However, there is growing professional and public awareness that vaccine products are not as benign as first believed, and controversy exists as to duration of immunity and frequency of administration.

Vaccine administration is a medical procedure with which, as with any medical decision, there are benefits as well as attendant risks. These risks and benefits must be weighed and a medical decision regarding administration made. AAHA feels strongly that the veterinarian involved should use his or her clinical skills, knowledge, and judgment along with client input to act in the best interest of the patient.

The report of the AAHA Canine Vaccination Task Force offers veterinarians guidelines for making immunization decisions. A similar report, issued by the American Association of Feline Practitioners and the Academy of Feline Medicine and endorsed by AAHA, offers vaccination guidelines for cats. Both sets of guidelines are appropriate and useful as a foundation upon which to make specific recommendations for individual patients.

The vaccination needs of dogs and cats should be assessed at least yearly and, if appropriate, vaccination schedules should be modified on the basis of changes in the patient’s age, health status, home and travel environment, and lifestyle. Vaccinations should be considered just one component of an individualized, comprehensive preventive healthcare plan based on the age, breed, health status, environment (potential exposure to harmful agents), lifestyle (contact with other animals), and travel habits of the dog or cat.

Adopted by the American Animal Hospital Association Board of Directors November 1998. Revised June 1999; October 2003. Last revised September 2018.  

The veterinarian-client-patient-relationship (VCPR) is the essential basis for interaction among veterinarians, their clients, and their patients.  It is critical to providing quality veterinary care and vital to animal welfare by allowing a veterinarian to regularly assess a pet’s entire physical status, family environment, and to regularly communicate with the owner. AAHA defines VCPR to require all of the following:

• The veterinarian has assumed responsibility for making medical judgments regarding the health of the patient and the need for medical treatment, and the client (owner or caretaker) has agreed to comply with the veterinarian’s instructions.
• The veterinarian has sufficient knowledge of the patient to initiate at least a general or preliminary diagnosis of its medical condition. This means the veterinarian has physically examined the patient within the past 12 months, or more frequently as dictated by the age of the patient, medical condition or treatment therapy such as with controlled substances.
• The veterinarian is available for ongoing care of the patient or has arranged for emergency coverage or continuing care and treatment of the animal by an appropriate veterinary professional.
• The veterinarian maintains complete and legible medical records, including assessment and treatment plan, in such a way that another veterinarian will be able to proceed with the continuity of care and treatment of that patient.
  • Refer to the Medical Records Section of the AAHA Standards of Accreditation for detailed recommendations.
• In specific situations (e.g., rescue shelters, disaster response, hoarding intervention situations) “patient” may refer to a group of animals and “sufficient knowledge of the patient” means the veterinarian:
  • conducts medically appropriate and timely visits to the facility where the animals are housed,
  • conducts examination of representative patients/animals and review of medical records and laboratory or diagnostic procedure records, and
  • consults with those individuals providing care to the animals regarding ongoing health management programs.

Similar to the position adopted by the AVMA, we believe that Telehealth plays a role in augmenting the VCPR, but only within the context of a previously established physical examination. With the exception of emergency teletriage and poison control services, AAHA, like the AVMA, opposes remote consulting using telemedicine, offered directly to the public when the intent is to diagnose and/or treat a patient in the absence of a VCPR. Notably, we feel that telehealth tools such as video consultation, telephone consultations, text messaging or other online platforms should only be used by a veterinary business to aid in the diagnosis, prescription and formation of treatment plans if the pet has been examined on the physical premises of that veterinary practice or by a mobile practitioner in the pet’s  home within the previous 12 months.

Telemedicine and the VCPR relationship may change in the future with changes in technology but the veterinary profession must respond carefully to protect the integrity and ethics of the VCPR as well as to ensure good animal welfare.

Resources: 

• AVMA Veterinary-Client-Patient Relationship (VCPR) 
• AVMA state VCPR definitions and provisions 
• Canada Veterinary-Client-Patient Relationships (VCPR)
• AVMA Client FAQs
• AVMA VCPR Provisions
• VCPR State Laws (as of April 2020) 

Adopted by the American Animal Hospital Association Board of Directors September 2019.