Representing the needs and interests of the Georgia veterinary community
Our Impact
At GVMA, we take pride in our role as more than just a professional association. We are a driving force behind positive change, actively shaping the legislative landscape to address critical needs and represent the interests of the Georgia veterinary community.
The voice of the Georgia veterinary community
Advocacy and politics: What's the difference?
- Advocacy is the act of supporting, defending, or arguing in favor of a cause, policy, or group of people. It often involves raising awareness, influencing public opinion, or lobbying decision-makers to change or create policies.
- Politics is the practice or profession of conducting political affairs, which includes activities associated with governance, the formation and administration of policies, and the struggle for power within groups or organizations. Politics can involve negotiation, debate, legislation, and the enforcement of laws within a government.
- While advocacy can be a part of politics when individuals or groups lobby for certain issues, not all advocacy is political, and politics encompasses a broader range of activities beyond advocating for specific issues or causes.
- The GVMA advocates for causes, policies and legislation that will impact the veterinarian’s role in improving animal and public health. The GVMA argues against causes, policies, and legislation that will have a negative impact the veterinarian’s role in improving animal and public health
Why is advocacy a pillar of the GVMA?
The GVMA is committed to advancing the veterinary medical profession in Georgia and supporting the veterinarian’s role in improving animal and public health.
We address systemic issues and drive change, as well as work toward creating an environment that can sustain our profession long term.
We keep our members informed.
V.I.T.A.L. News is our member-exclusive newsletter designed to keep our members informed on Veterinary Initiatives, Trends, and Legislative updates. We work with local organizations and inter-state agencies (like the CDC, Department of Agriculture, GEMA, and more!) to facilitate a more collaborative and informed network throughout the state. Whether it’s disaster relief, legislative changes, or infectious disease, we work hard to get our members the info they need so they can focus on doing what they do best – providing exceptional veterinary care.
What is the GVMA advocating for in 2024?
- Improving the Food Animal Veterinary Loan Repayment Plan
- Propose a three-year grant period with an annual amount of $25,000.
- Currently an individual applies for the grant annually. Align Georgia’s grant application process with the Federal Veterinary Loan Repayment Program (VLR), streamlining it to one application for a three-year term.
- Provide recent graduates or 4th-year students with confidence in focusing on food animal practice, given the grant’s extended duration.
- Address the disparity between the competitive salaries of food animal veterinarians and their similar student loan burdens compared to urban small animal veterinary medicine.
- The GVMA has stakeholder support especially from the Georgia Cattlemen’s Association and Georgia Farm Bureau.
- The GVMA has legislators support especially from the Rural Business Development Caucus – a bipartisan group of legislators from both the House and the Senate.
How can you get involved?
- Find your elected officials here.
- Send them a friendly email sharing the Georgia Veterinary Medical Association advocates for causes, policies and legislation that will impact your role in improving animal and public health.
- Ask them to support legislation supported by the GVMA and if they have questions about proposed legislation that affects animals or veterinarians to reach out to GVMA.
- Are you interested in a quick, and very important way that you can participate in advocacy?
- Take our brief survey to highlight your priorities! Share your willingness to support the GVMA through a short email, a quick phone call, or any other advocacy methods.
- Whether you have connections with a legislator or not (most of us don’t, so don’t worry!), we want to know how you can contribute to championing our cause.
State Board of Veterinary Medicine
We are an entirely separate and unrelated organization from the GSBVM. GSBVM is the governing entity of rules, regulations, and licensure of veterinarians in Georgia.
Did you know that many of the State Board of Veterinary Medicine meetings are open to the public?
- Click here to see upcoming GSBVM events.
- Rules Committee Meetings and Veterinary Medicine Board Meetings are open and have public links.
- The GVMA attends all of the open meetings to remain informed and serve as the voice advocating for our members.
In Action
News and Past Initiatives
Amplifying your voice
Representing the veterinary community
Protecting people and animals
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