Animal welfare is our business - Australian Veterinary Association

Children are our next generation of petowners. I believe that by educating children aboutresponsible pet ownership and animal welfare issues,as we do with AVA PetPEP, we’ll lay the foundation forpositive change.Dr Meredith BrothersWilston Vet and AVA PetPEP volunteerI know every day I’m making a difference.There are fewer dogs on the street due to our desexingprojects. If you think one person can’t do much, gosomewhere in the world where vets are in short supplyand see the difference one person can make.It’s something we take for granted.Dr Christine ColeSenior Veterinarian, RSPCAAnimal welfareis our businessWe teach the science, philosophy, advocacy andemotion associated with animal welfare to ourundergraduate veterinary students sothat veterinarians understand all the issuessurrounding animal welfare.Dr Susan MaastrichtHead, Veterinary Nursing and Veterinary Clinic,Biotechnology and Animal Sciences, Box Hill InstituteSome days we can see five or six pro bonopatients. I have treated animals from dogs and cats,to tawny frog mouth owls, possums, bandicootsand marsupial mice.Dr Colin HortExecutive Officer, Australian Small Animal Veterinary Association

Animal welfare is our businessThe Australian Veterinary Association (AVA®)is the professional organisation representingveterinarians across the country, including thoseworking in local practice, in livestock production,as animal specialists, in research and developmentand in teaching positions.What you mightnot knowAnimal welfare with our sleeves rolled up»»»»We contribute around $29.7 million ofpro bono work to the welfare of animalseach yearWe work in animal welfare shelters andrescue organisations as employees orcontractors, often providing services atlower rates than in private practiceWe volunteer services to animal welfareshelters and rescue organisationsWe give expert advice on the healthand welfare of animals to State AnimalWelfare Advisory Committees. We wereinstrumental in banning tail docking in2000»»»»We organise ‘puppy classes’ to dealwith problem behaviours and teachresponsible pet ownership to help reducepet abandonmentWe advocate for animal welfare togovernments. We lobbied to stop theimportation of Savannah cats in 2008We conduct targeted desexing programs,working with local governments and theRSPCAWe run AVA PetPEP, an education programto help young people understand andappreciate their responsibilities towardspetsOur business provides education in herdhealth, preventative medicine, nutritionand drought management. We treat sickand injured livestock and tend to obstetricalemergencies in cattle at any time of day ornight. Maintaining welfare standards is not justa financial imperative, it’s an absolute moralobligation to the animals under our care.Dr Scott ParryCoonamble Veterinary SurgeryAustralian Veterinary AssociationPhone 02 9431 5000 I Fax 02 9437 9068 I www.ava.com.au I ABN 63 008 522 852