AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ZOO VETERINARIANS

What AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ZOO VETERINARIANS does

The American Association of Zoo Veterinarians (AAZV) is a 501(c)-style nonprofit professional association founded in 1946 and headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. It serves as the principal professional community for veterinarians, pathologists, and researchers working in clinical zoo practice, diagnostic laboratories, reproductive and pathological laboratories, pharmaceutical companies, and governmental wildlife health agencies across more than 30 countries. The association operates a small staff of approximately 6 employees supported by 14 standing committees and a network of 1,000+ members, including the majority of American College of Zoological Medicine (ACZM) diplomates.

AAZV's product portfolio centers on four core assets: (1) the Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine (JZWM), a quarterly peer-reviewed publication co-published with the European Association of Zoo and Wildlife Veterinarians (EAZWV) and supported by ACZM and EAZA, with 1,000+ subscribers; (2) the Annual Conference, drawing approximately 450 veterinarians and producing proceedings archives; (3) the Zoological Medicine & Wildlife Health Research Grant program, administered through the Wild Animal Health Fund (established 2012) and awarding standard grants up to $20,000 and small grants up to $7,500; and (4) the Murray Fowler International Conference Scholarship for veterinarians from developing nations. Supporting member services include the Career Center ($100 per job posting), Education Center (externships, residencies, ACZM prep), Resource Library, Pathology and Necropsy Protocols across 16 species, the Infectious Disease Manual, Wellness Resources, Animal Welfare Resources, and the Zoo and Aquarium All Hazards Partnership (ZAHP) operated under a USDA APHIS cooperative agreement. The technology stack relies on YourMembership association management software, Whova for conference management, Editorial Manager for manuscript submission, Oxford Abstracts for abstracts, and BioOne Complete for journal hosting.

The business model is subscription- and event-driven: annual membership dues range from $7.50 (Developing Nation Limited, underwritten by the Wildlife Conservation Society) to $439 (Active outside North America with printed journal), with a new $10,000 Life Membership tier introduced for 2026. Complementary revenue is generated from journal manuscript and page fees, conference registration and exhibitor fees, career center listings, conference proceedings sales, and tax-deductible donations to the Wild Animal Health Fund. Distribution is direct and digital via the AAZV website and partner platforms, with member acquisition driven by the annual conference, peer-reviewed journal reputation, and partnerships with allied organizations including AZA, EAZWV, ACZM, EAZA, WCS, USAHA, AAWV, AAV, ARAV, and USDA APHIS.

Name

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ZOO VETERINARIANS

Legal name

American Association of Zoo Veterinarians

Website

https://aazv.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1946

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The American Association of Zoo Veterinarians (AAZV) is a 1946-founded nonprofit professional association serving 1,000+ zoo and wildlife veterinarians worldwide through its peer-reviewed Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, annual conference, research grants, and continuing education programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Veterinary Association

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Wildlife Health & Conservation Disease Management (HLAMAJAM)

akta.pro secondary industry

One Health & Zoonotic Disease Partnerships (Human–Animal–Environment) (HLAJAOAJ)

Keywords

• Zoo veterinary medicine
• Wildlife health research
• Professional veterinary association
• Continuing veterinary education
• Peer-reviewed veterinary journal

Headquarters

HQ city

Jacksonville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership dues from Active ($320-$439), Associate ($320-$439), Graduate Student ($250-$369), Student ($200-$319), Retired ($200-$319), Veterinary Technician ($200-$319), Life ($10,000 one-time), and Developing Nation Limited ($7.50) categories. Dues are payable starting November 1st of preceding year.
2. Journal Publication Fees: Manuscript processing fees ($50-$250 depending on membership type) and page publishing fees ($10-$25 per page) for the Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine. Optional open access fee of $2,500.
3. Conference Registration: Revenue from annual conference registration fees, exhibitor fees, and on-demand conference access (November 15-December 15, 2026). Conference typically attracts 450+ zoo and wildlife veterinarians.
4. Career Center Job Postings: Career Center charges $100 for new job postings, available to both members and non-members for job searches and resume posting.
5. Conference Proceedings and Publications: Sale of Conference Proceedings archives and non-member article purchases through the AAZV Online Store.
6. Donations to Wild Animal Health Fund: Tax-deductible donations supporting wildlife health research grants. Funded approximately 15-20 of 40-60 annual grant proposals received.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

AAZV is a nonprofit professional membership association that advances zoo and wildlife veterinary medicine through member services including the peer-reviewed Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine (JZWM, published since 1970), an annual continuing education conference, research grants funded by the Wild Animal Health Fund, clinical resource libraries, and the Zoo and Aquarium All Hazards Partnership. Membership spans Active, Associate, Graduate Student, Student, Veterinary Technician, Retired, Life, and Developing Nation Limited categories for veterinarians, students, and allied professionals globally.

Product overview

AAZV offers a membership-based professional association portfolio organized around its core mission of advancing zoo and wildlife veterinary medicine. The primary products include the Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine (JZWM), a quarterly peer-reviewed journal co-published with EAZWV, and the Annual Conference providing continuing education for approximately 450+ veterinarians. Supporting products include the Zoological Medicine & Wildlife Health Research Grant program offering up to $20,000 in funding, and the Murray Fowler International Conference Scholarship supporting veterinarians from developing nations. Member services include a Career Center job board, an Education Center offering externship and residency information, a Resource Library with clinical protocols and the Infectious Disease Manual, Pathology and Necropsy Protocols for multiple species, Wellness Resources for member support, Animal Welfare Resources compiled by the Animal Health and Welfare Committee, and the Zoo and Aquarium All Hazards Partnership (ZAHP) for disaster preparedness. The association operates member-only features including the AAZV-L Listserv, forums, and committee participation through the online community platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine (JZWM): The official peer-reviewed quarterly publication of AAZV covering veterinary aspects of zoological species and wildlife medicine.
• Wild Animal Health Fund (WAHF)
• Zoo and Aquarium All Hazards Partnership (ZAHP)

Products and services

• AAZV Membership

Quantifiable outcome

• 40-60 grant proposals received annually, with 15-20 funded through Wild Animal Health Fund
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• USDA APHIS (United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 November 2022Cooperative agreement established November 7, 2022 between USDA APHIS and AAZV for the Zoo and Aquarium All Hazards Partnership (ZAHP). ZAHP serves as a hub for preparedness resources and activities for the captive wildlife community. A ZAHP Operations Committee oversees objectives and develops strategic plan for longevity.
• Wild Animal Health Fund (WAHF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAAZV established WAHF in 2012 to fund zoological medicine and wildlife health research grants. Fund typically receives 40-60 grant proposals annually, awarding 15-20. Supports standard grants up to $20,000 and small grants up to $7,500. Also funds publication costs and the Dr. Rob Hilsenroth Global Reach Award for international research.
• Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAZA works closely with AAZV on science-based recommendations through consensus. AAZV provides veterinary advisors for AZA's TAG and SSP programs through the Veterinary Scientific Advisory Group (VSAG). AZA's Animal Health Committee coordinates with AAZV on wildlife health matters.
• European Association of Zoo and Wildlife Veterinarians (EAZWV)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEAZWV is co-publisher of the Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine along with AAZV. Organizations coordinate on Infectious Disease Manual updates and share best practices in wildlife health. EAZWV members receive member rates on JZWM manuscript processing and page fees.
• American College of Zoological Medicine (ACZM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACZM is a specialty board endorsed by AVMA for zoological medicine. AAZV works with ACZM on residency program standards. Most of the 200+ ACZM diplomates are AAZV members. AAZV provides ACZM exam preparation resources including prep courses and study aids. ACZM liaison participates in JZWM Operations Committee.
• European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEAZA supports the Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine publication. Provides endorsement and backing for the joint journal publication effort alongside EAZWV and ACZM.
• Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWCS underwrites the Developing Nation Limited Membership program, enabling veterinarians from developing nations to join AAZV for just $7.50 annually. This supports building in-country veterinary capacity for wildlife medicine in developing countries.
• Zoo and Aquarium All Hazards Partnership (ZAHP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerZAHP is a collaborative effort dedicated to advancing preparedness and resiliency to all-hazards affecting captive wildlife facilities. Partners include accredited and independent institutions, State and Federal agencies, wildlife rehabilitators, emergency response groups, NGOs, hobbyist groups, professional associations, and more.
• U.S. Animal Health Association (USAHA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAAZV works with USAHA on regulatory and position statements relevant to zoo and aquarium veterinary practice. AAZV representatives participate in USAHA Committee on Captive Wildlife and Alternative Livestock.
• Association of Wildlife Veterinarians (AAWV)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAAZV collaborates with AAWV on science-based recommendations for wildlife health matters. Joint efforts support the advancement of wild animal health care globally.
• Association of Avian Veterinarians (AAV)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAAZV partners with AAV to develop science-based recommendations through consensus on avian health matters relevant to zoo and wildlife settings.
• Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians (ARAV)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAAZV collaborates with ARAV on science-based recommendations for reptile and amphibian health in zoo and wildlife contexts.
• Oklahoma City ZoominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal host for the 2026 AAZV 58th Annual Conference in Oklahoma City, October 18-22, 2026. Gretchen Cole serves as Local Host representative.
• Conference of the Asian Society of Conservation MedicineminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-located event with 2026 AAZV 58th Annual Conference, October 18-23, 2026 in Oklahoma City, creating opportunity for international collaboration.
• Morris Animal FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization for veterinary student awards and research funding. Sponsors the Morris Animal Foundation Recipients for post-graduate veterinary student presentations at AAZV conference.
• Wildlife PharmaceuticalsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsors Wildlife Pharmaceuticals Recipients award for outstanding presentations at AAZV annual conference.
• Animal Necessity Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsors Animal Necessity Graduate Degree Presentation Award for Master's and PhD students presenting research on non-domestic species at AAZV conference.
• Zoetis (Pharmaceutical Donation Program)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerZoetis provides pharmaceutical donations to AAZV member institutions through the AAZV Pharmaceutical Donation Program, supporting wildlife health care at zoos and conservation facilities.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• European Association of Zoo and Wildlife Veterinarians (EAZWV): EAZWV is the European counterpart professional association for zoo and wildlife veterinarians and co-publisher of the Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine alongside AAZV. It serves the same member archetype (zoological medicine practitioners) in Europe and collaborates with AAZV on infectious disease manual updates.
• American College of Zoological Medicine (ACZM): ACZM is the AVMA-recognized specialty board for zoological medicine, with 200+ diplomates who are predominantly AAZV members. It governs residency standards and board certification in the same specialty AAZV serves professionally.
• Wildlife Disease Association: WDA is a scientific association focused on wildlife health and diseases, publishing the Journal of Wildlife Diseases—A AZV's sister publication covering overlapping subject matter in free-ranging wildlife health and pathology.
• International Association for Aquatic Animal Medicine (IAAAM): IAAAM is a professional association for veterinarians working with marine mammals, fish, and aquatic animals in aquarium, zoo, and research settings. It serves a partially overlapping membership with AAZV among aquatic zoo veterinarians.
• Association of Wildlife Veterinarians (AAWV): AAWV is a US-focused association for veterinarians working with free-ranging wildlife, collaborating with AAZV on science-based recommendations for wildlife health matters. It overlaps significantly in mission around wild animal health.

Broad incumbents

• American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA): AVMA is the broad incumbent professional association for all veterinarians in the US, during whose 1946 annual meeting in Boston AAZV was founded. AVMA serves a much wider veterinary population but overlaps with AAZV on credentialing, advocacy, and continuing education infrastructure.

Emerging players

• Association of Avian Veterinarians (AAV): AAV is the specialty association for avian veterinarians, with a stated collaborative relationship with AAZV on avian health matters in zoo settings. It serves a narrower taxon specialty but intersects with AAZV members working with birds in zoos.
• Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians (ARAV): ARAV is the specialty association for reptile and amphibian veterinarians, partnering with AAZV on reptile/amphibian health guidance for zoo and wildlife contexts. It is a smaller taxon-focused peer with significant subject-matter overlap.

Regional players

• British Veterinary Zoological Society (BVZS): BVZS is the UK-based professional association for veterinarians working with zoo, exotic, and wildlife species. It serves a comparable member archetype but operates in a different geography than AAZV's primarily US-based membership.

Others

• Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS): WCS underwrites AAZV's Developing Nation Limited Membership program and is a core strategic partner rather than a peer. It is comparable as a conservation-adjacent organization involved in wildlife health capacity building in developing nations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/WildAnimalHealthFund/, https://www.Facebook.com/ZooVets, https://www.facebook.com/AAZVEducation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles24 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ZOO VETERINARIANS