AAHA Launches New Standards of Accreditation

AAHA releases new standards urging microchipping and discouraging nontherapeutic devocalization, ear cropping, and declawing to support animal welfare.

LAKEWOOD, CO, UNITED STATES, July 22, 2025 /EINPresswire.com/ -- The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) is proud to announce the release of four groundbreaking new Standards of Accreditation, marking a historic milestone in the Association’s ongoing mission to elevate the quality of veterinary care.

“The American Animal Hospital Association was founded on the belief that small animals are deserving of the highest quality care from industry professionals. We continually assess our Standards to ensure they are aligned with current best practices across the profession. We are happy to share that our Board of Directors has approved these latest standards as part of our commitment to continuous improvement on the journey to excellence,” said Jessica Vogelsang, DVM, AAHA Chief Medical Officer.

The first new standard encourages AAHA-accredited practices to initiate conversations about microchipping at the pet’s first visit. Practices will also be expected to verify the functionality and location of the microchip annually.

The remaining three standards discourage the performance or referral of nontherapeutic procedures when not medically necessary, including:
Devocalization
Ear cropping
Feline declawing

Member practices will be expected to forgo these procedures unless a clear medical indication exists. This evolution in standards underscores AAHA’s commitment to animal welfare and evidence-based care.

These new standards mark a meaningful shift in how AAHA defines and recognizes excellence. Designed to empower veterinary teams, they promote best practices that support consistent, high-quality care throughout a pet’s life.

“For the first time in our history, AAHA will have Standards of Accreditation addressing non-therapeutic ear crops, devocalizations, and feline declaws. This is truly a monumental moment, so please celebrate with us, our members, our clients and, most importantly, the patients that depend on us,” said Vogelsang.

For more information about AAHA Accreditation visit https://www.aaha.org/about-accreditation/

About the American Animal Hospital Association
Since 1933, the American Animal Hospital Association has been the only organization to accredit veterinary hospitals across the United States and Canada based on standards linked to high-quality medicine and compassionate care. With accreditation partners in South Korea, Japan, and China, this initiative is expanding internationally. Our mission is to simplify the path to excellence in veterinary practices. In veterinary medicine, accreditation is optional. The AAHA-accredited logo serves as the most reliable sign that a practice has undergone evaluation by an independent party. Look for the AAHA logo at your local animal hospital or use the accredited hospital locator on aaha.org to find one. For more information about AAHA, visit aaha.org.

Wendy Cobrda
American Animal Hospital Association
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