Role of Veterinarian in Animal Welfare of Animals

The role of Veterinarian in animal welfare is broad - a combination of bio-veterinary, husbandry, physical and social sciences to the problems associated with animal welfare. No other stakeholder has better training, professional competency and obligation to handle animal welfare than a veterinarian. In the context of animal welfare, the veterinary oath governs proper conduct based on what is considered good or bad for animals and their welfare. We discussed that the revised Veterinarian’s oath clearly identifies animal welfare as one among the top priorities of the veterinary profession. It makes it clear that Veterinarians have responsibilities not only for animals’ health, but also for their welfare. We considered veterinarian’s many obligations to animal welfare which the Veterinarian’s oath emphasized – Obligation to the animal kingdom and their conservation; Obligation to the promotion of animal welfare, prevention and relief of animal suffering; Obligation to the public health; Lifelong professional obligation, and; Animal welfare extension education obligation. We discussed how the eight integrated animal welfare principles are helpful for developing and evaluating animal welfare policies, resolutions, and actions. In serving animals and society, Veterinarians have unique attributes that make them valuable partners and effective advocates in animal welfare