Policies

Welfare of animals in zoos, aquaria, sanctuaries, and animal parks

Download Policy → Policies Home → Ratification Date: 20/07/2023 Purpose The purpose of this policy is to provide member guidance and information to the public on the importance of animal […]

Genetic defects in domestic animals

Download Policy → Policies Home → Ratification Date: 20/07/2023 Policy Animals with known genetic defects that have the potential to adversely affect their welfare or that of their progeny must […]

Use of medicinal cannabis in animals

Download Policy → Policies Home → Ratification Date: 20/07/2023 Purpose This position statement is intended to guide veterinarians in their decisions about potential use of CBD in animals. Position statement […]

Thermocautery (firing) of horses and racing greyhounds

Download Policy → Policies Home → Ratification Date: 20/07/2023 Policy Thermocautery (firing) must never be used as a treatment in any animal as there is no scientific evidence for its […]

Brachycephalic dog breeding

Download Policy → Policies Home → Ratification Date: 20/07/2023   Policy The paramount consideration in any continued breeding of brachycephalic dogs must be the welfare of the individual dogs and […]

Animal welfare and human wellbeing – vulnerability of clients and veterinary staff

Download Policy → Policies Home → Ratification Date: 23/02/2023 The following policies should be considered as a group; together they provide a set of principles which underpin the AVA’s wellness […]

Waterfowl hunting

Download Policy → Policies Home → Ratification Date: 10/02/2023 Policy The hunting of waterfowl using shotguns is opposed, as it often causes unnecessary pain and suffering to the birds.   […]

Disbudding of goat kids

Download Policy → Policies Home → Ratification Date: 08/12/2022 Policy Disbudding of goats is a painful procedure that should be performed in kids under 2 weeks of age by an […]

Australian National Centres for Disease Control (Australian CDC)

Download Policy → Policies Home → Ratification Date: 08/12/2022 Policy The AVA calls for the establishment of an Australian Centres for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) or equivalent, based on […]

Use of whips on horses at competitive events

Download Policy → Policies Home → Ratification Date: 08/12/2022 Policy Whip use must not be used to influence the result of a competitive event. Background There has been ongoing debate […]