The KVI comprises 18 laboratories, 17 of which are located at Bet Dagan, and one satellite diagnostic laboratory in northern Israel. The laboratories are organized into 5 divisions, which share common resources of staff, equipment and space. The main laboratories have separate pages on this website. Five of the KVI labs are also National Reference Laboratories for rabies, botulism, brucellosis, food residues, and mastitis and milk quality. Other notable public health responsibilities of the KVI are the inspection of imported and exported food products of animal origin for freedom from potentially pathogenic micro-organisms and chemical and drug residues.  About 5,000 necropsies and 660,000 laboratory examinations are performed annually.

KVI laboratories engage in research projects that mostly address current veterinary problems in Israel. About 100 projects are conducted each year, with a total annual budget of about US $2.5 million. Strong scientific contacts have been established with various research institutes abroad,  including those in the U.S.A. and Europe, and more recently with Egypt, Jordan, the Palestinian Authority and with  the former U.S.S.R. Asian Republics.

The production of vaccines developed by the KVI is mostly performed by private companies, but vaccinesagainst blood parasites and emergency vaccine production is still carried out at the KVI. The academic staff comprises 92 scientists and laboratory technicians in tenured positions. In addition, 35 scientists including newcomers mainly from the former U.S.S.R., are employed under contract.