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WVA’s updated Factsheet on Free Roaming Dogs

The abundance of Free-Roaming Dogs is a One Health challenge. There are over 200.000 million free-roaming dogs in the world who transmit illness, contaminate the environment, while exposed to an increased risk of suffering and inhumane culling. WVA calls for community and veterinary professionals engagement to promote educational efforts and direct actions on health and wellbeing of dogs. Use this Factsheet in your local efforts!

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WVA’s updated Factsheet on Farmed Fish

Aquaculture production as a source of dietary protein is increasing by 6-8% annually to meet the needs of a rapidly growing global human population. Over 214 million tonnes of farmed fish are produced each year around the world for human consumption. Research has demonstrated that fish are sentient, but they are rarely afforded the same level of protection as sentient terrestrial animals. WVA promotes the development and enforcement of appropriate national welfare standards and regulations for aquaculture, training in aquatic veterinary medicine and investment in education and capacity-building to ensure proper care, welfare, and management of aquatic animals.

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Call for Experts on Rabbits and Poultry for the Essential Veterinary Medicines List (EVML)

The Essential Veterinary Medicines List (EVML) is an extensive compilation of necessary veterinary medicines and vaccines, developed through the combined efforts of the World Veterinary Association (WVA), The Brooke, and numerous species specialists dedicated to advancing animal health. The EVML is now in Phase 2, extending its coverage to include poultry and rabbits. We are seeking specialists in these species to assist in the review process.

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WVA Animal Welfare Working Group and WAVMA publish an updated Position Statement

The Working Group on Animal Welfare has worked together with the World Aquatic Veterinary Medical Association (WAVMA) to update the existing Position Statement on the Role of Veterinarians in Aquatic Animal Health. The WVA and WAVMA urge their members to engage with authorities and statutory bodies to improve the regulation of the practice of veterinary medicine in the field of aquatic animals; restricting such practice to licensed/registered veterinarians and veterinary paraprofessionals who work under the supervision of veterinarians.

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Humans, animals and environment

One Planet – One Health

I want to welcome you to access the World Veterinary Association website. In it, we want to show who we are and what we do to be the voice of the global veterinary medicine. We want to be recognized, respected and trusted to influence worldwide in our task to improve animal health, animal welfare, public health and the environment, in short, for the good of humanity, animals and our planet.

The WVA is a federation of veterinary associations based on the respect for diversity that makes us stronger. Mutual collaboration and solidarity are our signs of authenticity. And science, education and advocacy are the instruments to achieve our goals.

For a global association like ours, communication is essential. But this communication must be bidirectional, so I want to encourage you, dear guest, to send us your ideas through our contact section or any other way.

Thank you for the time you spend visiting our website, now and in the future.”

Dr. Rafael Laguens, WVA President

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WVA Position Statements


Animal Welfare Animal Welfare

8 Aug 2024

Factsheet on Welfare of Farmed Fish

Aquaculture production as a source of dietary protein is increasing by 6-8% annually to meet the needs of a rapidly growing global human population. Over 214 million tonnes of farmed fish are produced each year around the world for human consumption. Research has demonstrated that fish are sentient, but they are rarely afforded the same level of protection as sentient terrestrial animals. WVA promotes the development and enforcement of appropriate national welfare standards and regulations for aquaculture, training in aquatic veterinary medicine and investment in education and capacity-building to ensure proper care, welfare, and management of aquatic animals.

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Animal Welfare Animal Welfare

26 Jul 2024

WVA Position Statement on the Role of Veterinarians in Aquatic Animal Health

The WVA and World Aquatic Veterinary Medical Association (WAVMA) urge their members to engage with authorities and statutory bodies to improve the regulation of the practice of veterinary medicine in the field of aquatic animals; restricting such practice to licensed/registered veterinarians and veterinary paraprofessionals who work under the supervision of veterinarians.

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Animal Welfare Animal Welfare

18 Apr 2024

Factsheet on Donkey Skin Trade and Welfare of Donkeys

Demand for ejiao is increasing, leading to global trade and poaching of donkeys. Almost 6 million skins currently being harvested annually to be used to produce collagen for a  traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), called eijiao. The rampant killing of donkeys for the skin trade leads to the impoverishment of local communities, loss of opportunities for women, and impairs access to education for children, water provision and agricultural sustainability. The global donkey population stands at~53.4million. The donkey population in China alone has decreased from ~11 million in 1992 to just under 2 million in 2020 (FAOSTAT,2021). 

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Veterinary Profession and Education Veterinary Profession and Education

5 Apr 2024

WVA Position Statement on Veterinary Para-Professionals

The WVA recognises the critical role played by Veterinary Para-Professionals (VPPs) in supporting the performance of veterinary veterinary services (PVS). Further, VPPs should be regulated by Veterinary Statutory Bodies (VSBs) or equivalent Veterinary Professional Authority (VPA) to perform tasks designated by territorial laws and guidelines. WVA also recognises that in some remote and rural areas […]

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