Animal welfare and the veterinary profession

Authors: Gumbrell RC
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 31, Issue 11, pp 187-188, Nov 1983
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: General
Subject Terms: Animal welfare, Veterinary profession
Article class: General Article

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Abstract: The veterinary profession has a unique responsibility to society at the interface of animals and man. Veterinarians are trained in the healing sciences as well as in animal biology and management, formal training in animal welfare is now given in the undergraduate course, and the physiology of stress is taught in biology. This assists veterinarians to objectively assess the impact of the environment on animals, removing the frequently faulty interpretations that anthropomorphism presents in some situations. The scientific training of veterinarians also allows them to accurately assess the worth of various procedures in laboratories and on farms. Society is dependant on animals for food and clothing, education, physical health and companionship of a type not provided by people. One of the most difficult roles of veterinarians is to ensure that this dependency on animals is not devalued by cruelty and insensitivity on the one hand, or by extreme protectionism on the other. Frequently it appears that there is no middle ground in welfare matters: certainly such ground may be difficult to find and rather shaky at times…

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