The World Veterinary Association announced World Veterinary Day in 2000 to commemorate the veterinary profession.
World Veterinary Day is celebrated on the last Saturday of April every year. It has become synonymous with highlighting the efforts made towards the well-being of all in the animal kingdom, including us humans. The indispensable role of a veterinarian covers animal welfare, food safety and -security, the safety of animals in the trade and animal products as well as the protection of public health.
As we celebrate World Veterinary Day (24 April) in collaboration with all the professional associations, we acknowledge and honour the immense contribution of veterinary professionals in providing veterinary healthcare and improving public health across the globe. The day seeks to highlight and promote the sterling, selfless and life-saving work performed by veterinarians. Animals play an important role in society and therefore their well-being has a direct bearing on societal wholeness. Wherever you go in the world, whatever ecosystem, whatever culture, it has been shown that people live directly or indirectly with animals. As humans, we are one of the few species that adopt and care for other animals. Our cross-species connections might be older and more important than we ever imagined, running throughout human history, driving human evolution for millions of years, and even helping us invent language and other tools of civilisation. The effect that this has had on human psychology, territoriality, and social behaviour has been profound.
Throughout the world, animals play an important role in the lives of humans, for example in their role as workers (guide dogs, carthorse, etc.), as companions and protectors, as a source of food (meat, eggs, etc.), and as ecological balancers (bees that pollinate). We also see animals in arts and culture, presented in films and animals are even significant for some religions. It is therefore of paramount importance that highly skilled professionals can attend to animals and provide them with the best healthcare service they deserve.
The intricate and crucial relationship between humans and animals needs an intentional and regulated approach to ensure its sustainability and its valuable contribution to life as we know it. Veterinarians play a pivotal role in ensuring that the health of animals is prioritised, and they do everything in their power and expertise to provide veterinary care and love to animals. The South African Veterinary Association (SAVA), as a statutory veterinary body acting in the interest of the public and animals, ensures that high standards of quality and professionalism are adhered to when veterinary care is provided. Therefore, the SAVA extends its warm heart of appreciation to celebrate the men and women who have dedicated their career life (often family life too) to serving the animal world.
World Veterinarian Day took place on Saturday, April 24th, 2021 and the SAVA focuses on celebrating the crucial role that veterinary professionals play in society. Veterinary professionals provide a valuable service of diagnosing, treating and controlling animals diseases that could have a devastating impact on humans, animals and global food production.
To create awareness of this contribution to human/animal coexistence, the SAVA takes hands with various professional associations to celebrate this year’s World Veterinary Day. These associations in partnership with the government and the SAVA are proof of the industry's robustness. They represent professional standards, global best practices, and sustainable thinking and education:
- SAVC (South African Veterinary Council),
- BVF (Black Veterinary Forum),
- RuVASA (Ruminant Veterinary Association)
- SAAAHT (South African Association of Animal Health Technicians),
- SAALAS (South African Association of Laboratory Animal Science),
- VNASA (Veterinary Nurses Association of South Africa),
- SAAVT (South African Association of Veterinary Technologists),
- SAAPRA (South African Animal Physical and Rehabilitation Association), and the
- NAHF (National Animal Health Forum).
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