Policies

Nutrition of dogs and cats

Download Policy → Policies Home → Ratification Date: 01/06/2018 Policy The nutritional status of cats and dogs is a very important indicator of their health and welfare, and should be […]

Control of native and introduced animals causing damage to agriculture or habitat

Download Policy → Policies Home → Ratification Date: 07/02/2018 Policy Control programs to protect the environment, social amenity and agriculture from invasive animals must be carried out humanely. They must […]

Aggression in dogs

Download Policy → Policies Home → Ratification Date: 15/02/2008 Position statement Aggression is a part of the normal behavioural repertoire of all dogs. People decide whether the intensity and frequency […]

Equality, diversity and inclusion

Download Policy → Policies Home → Ratification Date: 29/09/2017 Note: The following policies should be considered as a group; together they provide a set of principles which underpin the AVA’s […]

Pizzle dropping

Download Policy → Policies Home → Ratification Date: 04/09/2017 Policy Pizzle dropping must not be performed on sheep.   Background Pizzle dropping is a surgical procedure performed on wether lambs […]

AVA Statement of principles – animal welfare and ethics

Download Policy → Policies Home → Ratification Date: 01/07/2017 Many AVA policies have animal welfare as their basis. Animal welfare science includes empirical and behavioural assessments, but at the same time […]

Greyhound muzzling

Download Policy → Policies Home → Ratification Date: 28/02/2017 Policy The AVA opposes compulsory pet Greyhound muzzling. It is contrary to the AVA’s policy on breed-specific legislation, which states that […]

Use of analgesia for routine husbandry procedures

Download Policy → Policies Home → Ratification Date: 03/02/2017 Policy Appropriate and effective analgesia during potentially painful livestock husbandry procedures must be used and promoted. Protocols should be available for […]

AVA Clinical internship guidelines

General Veterinary clinical internship programs are usually completed over a 12 month period; the maximum time to complete an internship is 24 months. It is optimal but not essential that […]

Collection, euthanasia and disposal of the cane toad, Rhinella marina

Download Policy → Policies Home → Ratification Date: 09/12/2016 Position statement This statement outlines circumstances in which it is appropriate to humanely kill cane toads, Rhinella marina (previously Bufo marinus), […]