Home Embrace Advocacy
Creating Change for the Better
Every day, policymakers at the local, state and federal level make decisions that could impact the veterinary community, pets and the people who love and care for them. It’s vital that we monitor and respond to these policies by sharing our feedback and experiences. We hope you'll join us by becoming an advocate today!
“What a great initiative! Veterinary team, animals advocates, pets lovers forming one team to defend and protect animals is a dream come true for me.”
-Maria
When you sign-up to become an advocate, you’ll receive emails with updates on proposed legislation, rules and regulations impacting pet health. Often these emails will include a call-to-action like signing a petition, emailing policymakers, tweeting representatives, making phone calls and more. You’ll also have exclusive access to advocacy webinars, trainings and in-person meetings with government officials.
Sign-up to become an NAVC advocate then keep an eye on your inbox for your first opportunity to take action on veterinary advocacy.
Our Veterinary Advocacy Handbook
Our Veterinary Advocacy Handbook
Find Your Elected Officials
Use the button below to look up your local elected officials, and reach out to them to say hello either on social media or through email. It's important they know you're a member of the local community who is knowledgeable in animal health.
Current Priorities
Protect Pets From Domestic Violence
Unfortunately, a common form of violence and manipulation by abusers includes threats or injury to pets. 71% of pet-owning women entering domestic violence shelters report their abuser threatened, harmed or killed a family pet. Use your voice to protect pets from domestic violence by including violence against an animal in the state's definition of domestic violence and abuse.
Use your voice to urge state legislators to protect pets from domestic violence by including violence against an animal in the state's definition of domestic violence and abuse.
Protect Pets From Xylitol Poisoning
The bi-partisan Paws Off Act informs pet owners of the risk and presence of xylitol in everyday products like sugar-free gum, breath mints, vitamins, cough drops, sugar-free desserts, peanut butter and more. This legislation would require food containing xylitol to include a warning label outlining its toxic effects on pets.
Ask Your Representative to Support the Healthy Dog Importation Act
Over one million dogs are imported into the U.S. each year. However, only about one percent of those are screened for diseases such as rabies, influenza, hepatitis, distemper and others. This poses a serious health threat not just to other dogs and household pets, but to our livestock and food supply.
The Healthy Dog Importation Act would require every dog entering the country to be permanently identified, in good health and certified by a licensed veterinarian that it has received all the proper vaccinations. The bill would also streamline federal oversight, ensuring documentation and import permits are shared electronically between APHIS, CDC and Customs and Border Patrol, while clarifying APHIS’ key enforcement authority.
Listen to Embrace Podcast Episodes from VetFolio
Resources
Introduce Yourself to Your State Legislators
Across the United States, thousands of state legislators have been sworn into elected office. They will be making important decisions every day on issues they may know nothing about.
Let’s ensure state legislators make informed decisions about animal health, the veterinary health profession, and the human-animal bond. You are an expert on these topics and an important resource in your community. Help elevate veterinary advocacy.
Download the U.S. Pet-Sector Economic Impact Report
Pet ownership and animal health care are a vital part of the nation's economy. Take a moment to explore the Pet Advocacy Network's Economic Impact Reports showcasing this value.
Victories!
Thanks to your support, we are excited to celebrate the passage of the below initiatives. With your continued support, we hope to add many more to this list in the future.
Pets Will Be Protected From Hot Cars
Thanks in part to the voices of our Embrace advocates, important provisions in the Hot Cars Act were included in the recently passed Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Now that the bill has been signed by President Biden, the U.S. Department of Transportation is mandated to take action aimed at preventing deaths of children and pets left behind in hot vehicles.
The PAWS Act Has Passed!
Pairing a veteran with a Service Dog can cost up to $25,000 — including training, follow-up services and support. The Puppies Assisting Wounded Service members (PAWS Act) allows veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to apply for a grant through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to cover the necessary costs for these services – including veterinary services.
Roughly 20 veterans per day die by suicide, often because they don’t have access to effective treatment. These veterans deserve a choice in their recovery from PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and military sexual trauma. In a recent long-term VA study, the VA found that “there was a 3.7-point drop in PTSD symptoms among those with service dogs, along with sleep improvements and declines in suicidality and anger.”
The One Health Act
The One Health Act brings together animal and human health experts across federal agencies to create a One Health Framework. The One Health Framework is an innovative approach to monitoring, preventing and responding to future zoonotic outbreaks, like COVID-19, by acknowledging the interconnected health of humans and animals.
Become an Advocate
Sign-up to become an NAVC advocate then keep an eye on your inbox for your first opportunity to take action on veterinary advocacy.
© 2025 NAVC.
© 2025 NAVC.
