AVMA Overview -
The AVMA has approximately 64,000 members engaged in a variety of professional activities. The membership represents over 80 percent of the active veterinarians in the United States. Each year, approximately 2,100 new graduates enter the profession from AVMA-accredited colleges of veterinary medicine in the United States. The AVMA operates under a representative form of governance. Major decisions are made by representatives elected from and by the members, Councils, committees, and task forces who serve primarily as advisory bodies that make recommendations to the Executive Board and the House of Delegates, which are charged with the Association's decision-making authority. The House of Delegates is the legislative body of the Association and is the voice of the active members. Even with 128 years of progress in science and medicine, the primary objectives of the AVMA have remained the same: quality of veterinary service, humane treatment of animals, and continuing education of the veterinary profession.

Mission Statement - 
The objective of the Association is to advance the science and art of veterinary medicine, including its relationship to public health, biological science, and agriculture. The Association provides a forum for the discussion of issues of importance to the veterinary profession, and for the development of official positions. The Association is the authorized voice for the profession in presenting its views to government, academia, agriculture, pet owners, the media, and other concerned publics.