The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) explored the importance and challenges of animal sentience as well as the legal status of animals as sentient beings during its Annual Convention in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, 26 to 30 of June. The Summit, Animal Sentience: What Does It Mean, Why Is It Difficult to Define, and What Effect May It Have on the Veterinary Profession? examined the evolving recognition of sentience in animals. The discussion included why sentience is a polarising issue which has the potential to bring animal rights groups and animal industry into conflict with each other and why politicians are hesitant to get involved in these discussions. Dr Trevor Lawson, 2023-2024 CVMA President said “The CVMA has a long history of advocating for improving the welfare of all animals and animal sentience is an issue our profession must be keenly aware of. As the world evolves, so does our understanding of sentience and the expectations of the society we serve,” and Dr Enid Stiles, CVMA Past President and WVA Councillor for North America made a thought provoking statement by asking if the veterinary community would be better served by being proactive than reactive and gave octopus farming as an example.
The CVMA Annual convention was a great success with over 800 participants, excellent educational sessions across 4 days, with special attention to mental health awareness, topped by a keynote address by Anthony McLean which explored mental health, diversity and inclusion, and the intersection between them.
WVA President Dr John de Jong was invited to attend the CVMA Council along with representatives from the World Small Animal Veterinary
Association (WSAVA), American Veterinary Association (AVMA), the Federation of Europeans of Europe (FVE), American Association Veterinary Statutory Bodies (AAVSB), and the American Association of Veterinary Medicine Colleges (AAVMC). Besides business related topics, discussions included animal welfare, various national issues, pet insurance, Diversity Equity and Inclusion, access to pharmaceuticals and an update on Stewardship of Antimicrobials by Veterinarians Initiative (SAVI) for which WVA wrote a letter of support.
