One Health
3 Apr 2026
WVA Position Statement on the Global Climate Change Emergency
The statement recognises climate change as a global emergency with profound and far-reaching impacts on animal, human, and ecosystem health. It affirms the role of veterinarians as health professionals and advocates for animal welfare, public health, and environmental stewardship, highlighting their responsibility to support climate mitigation and resilience through evidence-based practice. Within a One Health framework, veterinarians are encouraged to actively engage in multisectoral and transdisciplinary collaborations, strengthening community engagement and contributing to global efforts aimed at preventing future pandemics. Their involvement is essential in bridging animal, human, and environmental health disciplines to address complex health threats at their source.
One Health
1 Apr 2026
WVA Position Statement on Zoonoses Emergence in Relation to Wildlife Disruption and Trade
The statement highlights the role of wildlife habitat encroachment and wildlife trade as key drivers in the emergence and spread of zoonotic diseases. It underscores that veterinarians, as trusted professionals with expertise in animal health, welfare, and public health, are uniquely positioned to advocate for biodiversity conservation and responsible wildlife management. Within a One Health framework, veterinarians are encouraged to actively engage in multisectoral and transdisciplinary collaborations, strengthening community engagement and contributing to global efforts aimed at preventing future pandemics. Their involvement is essential in bridging animal, human, and environmental health disciplines to address complex health threats at their source.
Animal Welfare
10 Mar 2026
Position Statement on Welfare of Animals During Land Transportation – Terrestrial livestock and poultry
Farm animals have historically been subject to human-imposed constraints, prioritising production efficiency in agricultural techniques. However, there is a growing consensus on prioritising animal health and welfare, particularly during transportation, where millions of live animals are transported globally each year. Unfortunately, animal transportation poses significant risks to welfare, and animals may suffer poor conditions or death due to factors like unfit animal selection, inappropriate vehicle design, inconsiderate handling techniques, too long distances and inadequate feed, water, break facilities, and preparation, as well as harsh climatic conditions, including severe heat or cold stress, among others. These issues not only lead to suffering but can also result in financial losses from carcass bruising and other causes of downgrade, impacting food safety and non-alignment with the One Health approach. Animal transportation, whether over short or long distances, inevitably causes stress due to herding and loading techniques, tight spaces, unfamiliarity with the loaded peers, vehicle and conditions at the destination, and exposure to adverse environmental conditions.
Animal Welfare
10 Mar 2026
Factsheet on Brachycephaly in Dogs
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.Brachycephaly refers to a spectrum of skull conformations characterised by shortening of the muzzle and upper airways. Not all short-nosed dogs experience severe problems; welfare outcomes depend on the degree of anatomical alteration, individual health status, and management. However, extreme brachycephaly is strongly associated with significant health and welfare concerns. Breeds such as the English Bulldog, French Bulldog, and Pug have increased sharply in popularity. Many people are unaware that certain exaggerated facial features, while perceived as “cute”, are linked to abnormal conformation that may severely compromise health, reduce quality of life, and require costly medical or surgical interventions.
One Health
28 Feb 2026
WVA Position Statement on Veterinarians as Healthcare Professionals
The statement recognises veterinarians as trusted health professionals whose work supports physical, mental, and social well-being through animal health, welfare, food safety, and the human–animal bond. Beyond clinical care, veterinarians contribute significantly to public and environmental health, disease prevention, and the protection of safe food systems under the One Health framework. Their role is particularly critical in managing zoonotic diseases, supporting sustainable agriculture, and strengthening livelihoods—especially in low- and middle-income countries. The WVA calls for greater recognition of veterinarians as essential healthcare professionals contributing to healthier societies worldwide.
One Health
21 Jul 2025
WVA Position on Food and Nutrition Security
Veterinarians significantly contribute to the four pillars of food and nutrition security: availability, access, use, and stability. Husbandry advice, herd health evaluations, animal pasture interactions, and other activities performed by food-animal veterinary practitioners help to ensure global food security and adequacy of human nutrition. The World Veterinary Association (WVA) supports the promotion of the veterinary role in achieving global food and nutrition security. This includes the engagement of veterinary experts and their contributions to organisations involved in global food security such as the World Food Programme (WFP), the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Global Action Programme on Food Security & Nutrition, Zero Hunger Initiatives and the Committee on World Food Security (CFS) and other such future programmes and projects. Veterinarians and veterinary para-professionals play key roles in mitigating and eliminating the public health risks of Taenia solium (T. solium) and Echinococcus granulosus infections by way of improving public education, surveillance, improved sanitary practices, and advocacy. In regions where these diseases are endemic, veterinarians play a particularly critical role in community engagement, treatment of host animals and public health initiatives.
Animal Welfare
11 Jul 2025
Factsheet on Dog and Cat Welfare During Transport
Transporting animals requires careful planning to ensure their safety, health, and well-being. Whether traveling by air, road, or train—whether for relocation, rescue, breeding, or personal reasons - this factsheet can be used when consulting with a veterinarian.
One Health
29 May 2025
WVA Position Statement on Cysticercosis and Cystic Echinococcosis (Hydatidosis)
Cysticercosis is a parasitic disease that has severe public health implications and affects the quality of life of people in areas where it is endemic. In pigs, the intermediate host, it is caused by ingesting eggs (ova) of Taenia solium, the pork tapeworm (cestode), shed in the feces of an infected human, the definitive host. Veterinarians and veterinary para-professionals play key roles in mitigating and eliminating the public health risks of Taenia solium (T. solium) and Echinococcus granulosus infections by way of improving public education, surveillance, improved sanitary practices, and advocacy. In regions where these diseases are endemic, veterinarians play a particularly critical role in community engagement, treatment of host animals and public health initiatives.
Animal Welfare
14 May 2025
Welfare Across Aquatic Animal Environments
Humans share the world with millions of species that live in or near aquatic habitats. The wellbeing and survival of many of these animals, whether invertebrates or vertebrates such as fish, amphibians, reptiles, aquatic birds, and mammals, depend on aquatic environmental conditions consistent with those which prevailed in the natural ecosystem in which each evolved.
Veterinary Profession and Education
11 May 2025
WVA Model Veterinarians’ Oath
The primary purpose of the Veterinarians’ Oath is to formally commit new veterinarians to the ethical and professional standards of the veterinary profession. It is most used to swear in new veterinarians upon their entry into the profession, typically at or immediately following graduation from a veterinary educational establishment. This oath serves as a pledge to uphold ethical principles, acknowledge professional responsibilities, build public trust, commit to lifelong learning, and promote a global perspective on animal and public health.