World Veterinary Day to focus on animal welfare

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On April 26, World Veterinary Day 2014 will highlight the role of veterinarians in animal welfare.

The World Veterinary Association created World Veterinary Day in 2000 as an annual celebration of the veterinary profession, falling on the last Saturday of April. Each year, the WVA and World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) choose a theme for the event.World Veterinary Day logo

“There is a global increase of societal interest and concern on how animals are used and treated,” according to an announcement for World Veterinary Day 2014. “The veterinary profession has a unique position between man and animal to deliver animal welfare services to the benefit of all animals and society.”

The WVA and OIE are offering the $1,000 World Veterinary Day Award for the most successful celebration of the 2014 occasion by a national veterinary association working alone or in cooperation with other veterinary groups.

In 2013, South Africa won the award for best promoting awareness of vaccination as a means to prevent disease. The South African Veterinary Association and a provincial agriculture department organized an event to vaccinate thousands of livestock.

Information about World Veterinary Day and the World Veterinary Day Award is available here.