Zoological medicine veterinarians can influence animal welfare policy via their daily activities or by involvement in regional, national, or international policy initiatives. Multiple options exist for addressing animal welfare topics, including working with existing veterinary organizations. One option for zoological medicine veterinarians in the USA is to work with zoological medicine veterinary associations, such as the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians (AAZV) and American Association of Wildlife Veterinarians (AAWV), in the development of policies and recommendations for other actions and activities that can be submitted to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) for review and possible adoption. However, there must be recognition that some animal welfare issues are more complex than might be initially appreciated, and caution must be exercised to ensure that policy statements, laws, rules, and various communications consider the potential for unintended consequences. RecentAAZV and AAWV position statements were the basis of new and revised AVMA policy statements, and also serve as a means of educating the public and other veterinarians about issues of concern to zoological medicine veterinarians. These are examples that illustrate the potential for zoological medicine veterinarians to influence policies and legislation that affect their daily activities, as well as educate society at large.
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