Veterinarians are essential to Australia's animals, people, and economy. This World Veterinary Day, the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) is celebrating the teamwork behind animal health through the global theme: "Animal Health Takes a Team."
Veterinarians work in diverse roles - clinicians, government advisors, researchers, and production animal specialists - collaborating to protect animals, people, and the environment.
AVA President Dr Sally Colgan said veterinary teams go far beyond caring for individual animals - they are essential to Australia's food systems, biosecurity, public health, and economy.
"Without veterinarians, our food security, export markets and our ability to respond to disease outbreaks would be at serious risk," Dr Colgan said. "From farms and wildlife conservation, to local clinics and emergency response teams, veterinary teams are central to maintaining the health and welfare of all Australia's animal industries."
Veterinarians deliver essential services across Australia, including:
- Supporting the 69% of Australian households with pets (16 million Australian pet owners) and the $33.2 billion pet care industry
- Supporting food security for 26 million Australians
- The veterinary industry directly contributes more than $5.6 billion to the national economy annually and supports our $32.2 billion livestock industry.
- Approximately 15,000 veterinarians serve communities across all states and territories, including many in rural and regional communities
- Vets are frontline responders in public health, biosecurity and emergency animal disease preparedness.
"This World Veterinary Day, we're celebrating all the teams behind animal health - veterinarians, vet nurses, researchers, producers, and policymakers - working together to keep Australia safe and thriving," Dr Colgan said.
Veterinary teams are as diverse as the roles they perform - spanning companion animal clinics, livestock production, wildlife care, research institutions, emergency response units, and government agencies. "Whether it's a clinic team treating companion animals, a field team managing disease outbreaks, or scientists tracking emerging threats, each plays a critical role in safeguarding animal and public health and welfare", Dr Colgan said.
Veterinarians are at the heart of Australia's communities. "To maintain this, we need strong investment in rural veterinary services and workforce retention - because supporting veterinary teams in all their forms means supporting our communities, industries, and exports."
World Veterinary Day is celebrated annually on the last Saturday of April, to recognise the contributions of veterinarians around the world in protect and promote animal, human and environmental health and welfare.
Join the celebration by sharing your appreciation for vets on social media. Tag @AustVetAssoc and use #WorldVetDay2025.
