Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists

Membership examinations for the ANZCVS Animal Welfare Chapter are offered every second year.

Our next examinations will be offered in 2024.

The following documents have been uploaded to the Chapter repository:

• Approved 2019 AGM Minutes
• 2020 AGM Agenda
• 2020 AGM Agenda - other business
• 2020 AGM Minutes to be approved
• 2020 President's Report
• 2020 Treasurer's Report

Dr Sue Foster is a very worthy recipient of this year’s David Bayvel Award. The key area that Sue has and continues to make a major contribution to is an area which World Animal Protection, of which David was the Chief Veterinary Advisor, has a strong policy.

Sue has worked tirelessly for many years in highlighting the welfare issues associated with live animal export, as one of the founders and the spokesperson for Vets Against Live Export.

The full presentation of the award, and Sue's talk, is available to view here

Our 2019/2020 Constitution document is available to be read in the Chapter Repository here.

Our Animal Welfare Chapter Repository has been tidied and updated with the latest documents

These can be found in the Chapter Repository here.

A new brochure from the Donkey Sanctuary.

(See brochure in the Chapter Repository)

Go to Chapter Repository for Peter's article on this important animal welfare issue.

Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines

Nationally consistent standards and guidelines for the welfare of livestock are being developed, cooperatively by government and livestock industries. The welfare standards and guidelines are based on the revision of the current Model Codes of Practice for the Welfare of Animals.

The welfare standards and guidelines for livestock aim to streamline livestock welfare legislation in Australia, ensuring that it is both practical for industry and results in improved welfare outcomes.

Australian producers have always been aware of their responsibilities for livestock welfare, however, increasing awareness among consumers is placing significant pressure on our livestock industries to improve animal welfare. The development of welfare standards and guidelines underpins access to overseas markets and reinforces Australia's international leadership in livestock welfare. Without such change Australia risks losing consumer confidence and significant national and international markets.

Further information on the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines is available here http://www. animalwelfarestandards.net.au/

For further reading on the one welfare concept, please see the recently published article; Pinillos RG, Appleby MC, Manteca X, Scott-Park F, Smith C, Velarde A. ‘One Welfare - a platform for improving human and animal welfare.’ Veterinary Record 2016;179:412-413 doi:10.1136/vr.i5470

 One Welfare

(Article published in the February College Courier)

The Animal Welfare Chapter has as its theme for this year's Science Week program 'One Welfare -key drivers and new technologies'. 

The concept of One Welfare recognises the interconnections between animal welfare, human wellbeing and the environment, and builds on the approach of the One Health theme with the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and solutions.

The concept of One Welfare is not new. As professionals, veterinarians routinely develop an understanding of their clients, their patients or their audience and the social contexts that influence their lives so that a veterinarian on a routine farm visit, for example, is likely able to notice, advise or pick up on something apparently unrelated to the visit. Similarly, veterinarians are trained to be sensitive to the signs of animal abuse, owner and farmer ability to care for their animals and risk factors for treatment compliance. Furthermore, veterinary ethics and legislation relating to veterinarians describe a One Welfare concept. For example the oath recited by graduates in Veterinary Science at the University of Sydney states that they will 'practise veterinary science ethically and conscientiously for the benefit of animal welfare, animal and human health, users of veterinary services and the community'.

Veterinarians, in a range of roles will need to consider animal welfare broadly in the context of where the animals live or are kept and this related human factors of the caregivers. Human factors may include knowledge, skills, ability to implement knowledge and skills, mental health and financial considerations and other stressors. There may be situations and factors beyond the scope and skill set of a veterinarian, and it is important for veterinarians to recognize when other professionals or disciplines need to consulted. Ultimately this may then lead to inter-disciplinary collaboration and developing solutions for the benefit of both animals and humans. For example; collaborating with social services or pyschologists on the complex issues of hoarding, farmer stress related livestock cruelty, indigenous health and dog management or new technologies for the owner ease of welfare monitoring. The One Welfare approach facilitates these existing and evolving inter-disciplinary approaches.

Meanwhile, there is a need to reinvigorate and emphasise concepts that have been fragmented by specialisation within the profession and the concepts of One Health and One Welfare are also useful in providing holistic approaches for multi - disciplinary funding and research. The One Health concept has led to some excellent initiatives. As veterinarians and animal welfare advocates, we can learn from other disciplines and look forward to solutions, not yet realized, to complex welfare problems.