The Office of the State Veterinarian is responsible for the prevention, control and eradication of animal diseases in all animals in the state including livestock and pets. This includes oversight of the dairy industry in the production of milk, cheeses, and frozen desserts and ensuring that the commercial supply of reindeer meat is safe, wholesome and correctly labeled and packaged. These activities involve safeguarding the health and food production capacity of the State's livestock, reindeer and poultry and preventing the transmission of animal diseases to man. The prevention and control of domestic animal diseases are achieved through four major areas of activity: Import/Export, Disease Surveillance and Control, Dairy Program, and Reindeer Slaughter.

In addition the office also is responsible for the Fish Tissue Monitoring Program that is evaluating Alaskan fishes for mercury, trace metals, and other environmental contaminants.