Animal welfare within the NZVA
The Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinarians, issued by the Veterinary Council of New Zealand, cites the prevention and relief of animal suffering as a primary role for veterinarians in society. In addition, it cites the special duty towards animal welfare and the alleviation of animal suffering as a guiding principle of professional conduct.
Under the Code (Section 1.1), “a veterinarian who becomes aware of an animal suffering unreasonable or unnecessary pain or distress must take action to ensure that the matter is effectively dealt with. These actions could include the following:
- carrying out a thorough examination of all the mitigating circumstances in the particular case and
- offering professional advice on the relief of that unreasonable or unnecessary pain or distress.
“If the situation still shows no sing of being remedied and the animal is still suffering unreasonable or unnecessary pain or distress, the veterinarian must report the case to an inspector under the Animal Welfare Act via freephone number 0800 00 83 33 or to the local SPCA.”
The NZVA endorses this view of the profession as guardian of the health and well being of all animals, domestic animals in particular, and this is reflected in the NZVA Animal Welfare Strategy, ratified in 2009, and the animal welfare infrastructure within the Association.
