Difference from Other Veterinary Organizations
The AVAR is unique in that it is the only veterinary medical association actively promoting rights for nonhuman animals.
In fact, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the largest association of veterinarians in the world, states
that it "...cannot endorse the philosophical views and personal values of animal rights advocates when they are incompatible
with the responsible use of animals for human purposes..."
The AVAR is diametrically opposed to many of the positions taken by the AVMA regarding using nonhuman animals for human
purposes. Here are a couple examples:
Research, testing, and education
The AVAR recognizes that there may be benefits from using nonhuman animals in research, testing, and education, but does not
believe the end justifies the means. Furthermore, it believes that adequate alternatives exist for many research, testing, and
educational uses of nonhuman animals.
The AVMA provides an essentially unqualified endorsement of virtually all uses of nonhuman animals in research, testing, and
education and makes no references to promoting alternatives or that certain types of experiments, toxicity tests, or teaching
projects are inappropriate because of scientific shortcomings or pain and suffering on the part of the animals.
'Factory' Farming
The AVAR opposes in principle the raising of nonhuman animals for food and fiber. Until human beings convert to a purely plant-based
diet and life-style, the AVAR strongly advocates more humane means of raising nonhuman animals for human consumption. This involves
providing a more natural environment for the animals, allowing them to enjoy their brief lives.
The AVMA praises the animal agriculture industry for keeping nonhuman animals in confinement and believes that this confinement is
actually better for the health and welfare of these animals. This includes battery caging of hens, chaining of calves in crates, and
imprisoning sows in gestation and farrowing devices.