Board of Animal Health

Animals have contributed a lot to Indiana's history, providing food, income, recreation, assistance and companionship to millions of Hoosiers every day. State lawmakers recognized the value of those relationships in 1889, when they created the office of the State Veterinarian and the Livestock Sanitary Commission.

Today, that commission, now known as the Board of Animal Health (BOAH), operates under the direction of an 11-member Board of animal industry professionals who meet quarterly to set agency policy.

While the original mission to "prevent and suppress contagious and infectious diseases among the livestock," has not changed in over 100 years, the scope of BOAH's work has expanded:

to enhance Indiana's economy by protecting Hoosiers' investment in animal agriculture, wildlife, horses and companion animals.

to protect public health by preventing and controlling the spread of animal diseases, such as rabies, which pose a threat to people.

to maintain a vital link in a safe food supply through the state meat and poultry and dairy inspection programs.

to help people and their animals who are victims of large-scale disasters such as floods and tornadoes.