WORLD VETERINARY DAY
Every year on the last Saturday in April, World Veterinary Day celebrates the veterinary profession. The day also honors the lifesaving work performed by veterinarians around the world.
#WorldVeterinaryDay
If you have a pet or own livestock, there is a good chance you have a veterinarian or vet for short. These medical professionals are known for protecting the well-being of animals. Thanks to disease prevention in animals, they also help to protect the health of humans.
Veterinarians practice medicine by diagnosing diseases and treating injuries and ailments in all kinds of animals. Some vets specialize in large animals, such as horses and cattle. Others work only with cats, dogs, and other small pets, such as rabbits, ferrets, and hamsters.
Veterinarians can also specialize in a particular animal species, such as:
- Avian (birds)
- Equine (horses)
- Reptiles
- Amphibians
There are also veterinarians who specialize in treating zoo animals or animals in the wild. Instead of working directly with animals, some vets work in other areas. These areas include food safety and animal research.
Most countries across the globe employ veterinarians. Some of the highest-paid vets work in Denmark, Germany, Canada, Iceland, and Switzerland. The United States ranks number one on the list for highest-paid veterinarians. Vets in this country earn an average of $88,490.
HOW TO OBSERVE WORLD VETERINARY DAY
Veterinary clinics, animal hospitals, schools, and organizations host a variety of events on this day. These events include educational seminars, presentations, and other activities that raise awareness about the importance of veterinarians. On this day, veterinarians promote a variety of important services for animals, such as vaccinations, wellness checks, spaying, and neutering.
To participate in this day:
- Thank your vet for all they do to keep your pet healthy.
- Learn about all the different kinds of vets.
- Discuss with others the important role vets play in both animal and human health.
- Encourage your animal-loving children to explore the veterinary profession,
Spread awareness for this day on social media with #WorldVeterinaryDay
WORLD VETERINARY DAY HISTORY
The World Veterinary Association (WVA) created World Veterinary Day in 2000 to celebrate the veterinary profession. In recent years, the WVA has partnered with Health for Animals and the Global Animal Medicines Association. Together, these organizations sponsor the World Veterinary Day Award. This award, along with $2,500, is given to a member of the WVA whose activities contribute to the annual theme. Past themes for this day have included “Environmental Protection for Improving Animal and Human Health” and the “Value of Vaccination.”