IVMA Animal Welfare
The IVMA Animal Welfare Committee is dedicated to to enhancing and elevating the education of animal welfare issues. Additionally, we encourage responsible and compassionate stewardship for the well-being of all animals.
Animal Welfare
IVMA “One Welfare” Awards
The IVMA Animal Welfare Committee recognizes deserving recipients each year that advance animal health and welfare. Additionally, they recognize a deserving animal too, who has demonstrated the power of the human-animal bond.
Click here to nominate a deserving recipient today!
Click here for a nomination form and to review the award categories. Nominations must be submitted by November 15, of current year.
IVMA One Welfare Principles
Adopted by the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association Board of Directors
September 5, 2013
Humans have a unique responsibility to be wise stewards of animals. This relates to how we care for the environment we share with wildlife and to the husbandry of domestic animals used for food, fiber and companionship. The best science available from the fields of biology, behavioral science and other disciplines should be used to make legitimate welfare determinations for animals.
As veterinarians, we endorse the following eight “IVMA One Welfare” principles, founded on our education, experience, commitment to and compassion for animals:
1. Animals are capable of feeling pain and distress, and should be treated with respect.
2. Responsible stewardship of animals used for human purposes is consistent with the Veterinarian’s Oath. The animals’ interests must be thoughtfully considered by individuals and society when determining acceptable care and use. This requires the application of the best scientific knowledge, guided by applicable ethical values.
3. Animals should be provided with water, nutrition, and an environment appropriate to their care and use, with consideration for their safety, health and species-specific biological needs and behavior.
4. Whether used for food and fiber production, recreation, companionship, transportation, work, education, or the advancement of scientific knowledge, the use of animals should always be balanced against the greater benefit to other animals, humans, and society.
5. Responsible animal stewardship minimizes fear, pain, stress and suffering.
6. Animal owners and caretakers must provide for the animal’s timely and appropriate medical care by licensed veterinarians.
7. Reproductive management of animal populations should be socially responsible and scientifically prudent.
8. Animals should be provided a humane death by a recognized humane method when their quality of life is poor and not correctable or as part of the processing of animals for human use.
IVMA One Welfare Articles
Provided to educate the public and the veterinary community!
July, 2013 – “One Welfare: It’s The Circle of Life, Simba!” – click here
September, 2013 – “We Are Experts on All Things Animal, Right?” – click here
November, 2013 – “One Equine Practitioner’s Perspective” – click here
January, 2014 – “A View of Commercial Dog Breeding” – click here
March, 2014 – “The Bovine Medicine Perspective” – click here
May, 2014 – “Euthanasia” – click here
July, 2014 – “Induced Molting Practices” – click here
September, 2014 – “National Organic Program Certification” – click here
November, 2014 – “Animals Used in Education” – click here
January, 2015 – “Allowed Medications Under the National Organic Program” – click here
March, 2015 – “Wouldn’t it be Cool to Have a Tiger?” – click here
May, 2015 -“Animal Use in Research” – click here
July, 2015 – “Avian Flu” – click here
September, 2015 – “Animal Relinquishment” – click here
November, 2015 – “The Unwanted Horse” – click here
January, 2016 – “Pain Management in Livestock” – click here
March, 2016 – “Sow Gestation Housing Options” – click here
May, 2016 – “Cage-Free Egg Production – A Cluttered Future” – click here
July, 2016 – “Zoo Safety” – click here
September, 2016 – “Is it abuse?” – click here
November, 2016 – “Euthanasia in Swine” – click here
January, 2017 – “Welfare Aspects of Gonadectomy in Dogs and Cats” – click here
March, 2017 – “Horse Welfare Issues” – click here
May, 2017 – “Cats vs Dogs” – click here
September, 2017 – “The Drug Crisis and the Potential Impact on Animals” – click here
November, 2017 – “Bovine Animal Welfare” – click here
January, 2018 – “The Evolving Landscape of Equine Welfare” – click here
March, 2018 – “Implications of Flooding in Livestock and Horses” – click here
May, 2018 – “Animals in Traffic Accidents” – click here