AVMA Issues Statement About Importance of Upcoming International Animal Welfare Symposium

November 6, 2009

SCHAUMBURG, Ill., Nov. 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In preparation for the first-of-its-kind Joint International Educational Symposium on Animal Welfare, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has issued a videotaped statement by Dr. Ron DeHaven, chief executive officer of the AVMA, speaking out on the importance of the event and its focus on improving the quality of life for all animals.

"There are few issues closer to the hearts of veterinarians than animal welfare, and that's why we felt it was important at the AVMA for us to be co-hosting this first-of-its-kind symposium," Dr. DeHaven explained in his videotaped statement. "We think that this symposium could have tremendous impact. By bringing together animal welfare experts from around the globe, we hope to influence standards of care for animals of all kinds at the international, national and even local levels."

International veterinary experts, animal scientists, political figures and leaders of humane and welfare organizations from around the world will converge at the symposium at Michigan State University November 8-11 to address animal welfare in all its complexities. The 2 1/2-day symposium was developed and is being co-sponsored by the AVMA and the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC).

Speakers from North America, South America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand have been included in the program to discuss creative ways to approach many of the complex challenges in this important field.

"How animal welfare-related science and ethics are addressed within academic veterinary medicine and the current research environment at academic veterinary medicine institutions will be examined," said Dr. Marguerite Pappaioanou, executive director of the AAVMC.

More information on the 2009 Joint International Educational Symposium on Animal Welfare can be found on the AVMA's Web site at www.avma.org/awsymposium. The video is also available for the general public on AVMA-TV at www.avmatv.org, and a downloadable version of the video is available to members of the media at www.avmamedia.org, For more information about the AVMA, visit www.avma.org.

The AVMA, founded in 1863, is one of the oldest and largest veterinary medical organizations in the world. More than 78,000 member veterinarians are engaged in a wide variety of professional activities. AVMA members are dedicated to advancing the science and art of veterinary medicine including its relationship to public health and agriculture. Visit the AVMA Web site at www.avma.org to learn more about veterinary medicine and animal care and to access up-to-date information on the association's issues, policies and activities.

The Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) is a non-profit membership organization working to promote and protect the welfare and health of animals, people, and the environment by generating new knowledge and preparing the high quality veterinary workforce needed to meet continually changing societal demands for veterinary expertise. AAVMC provides leadership for and promotes excellence in academic veterinary medicine to prepare the veterinary workforce with the scientific knowledge and skills required to meet societal needs through the protection of animal health, the relief of animal suffering, the conservation of animal resources, the promotion of public health, and the advancement of medical knowledge. On the Web: http://www.aavmc.org.

SOURCE American Veterinary Medical Association