The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) represents more than 200,000 veterinarians through its 115 member associations. It works to raise standards of veterinary care for companion animals worldwide and campaigns on important issues affecting the welfare of companion animals – and the veterinary teams that care for them.

Much of the WSAVA’s work is delivered through its hard-working Clinical Committees, which comprise volunteer veterinarians, all of whom are experts in their field.  The Committees carry out a range of education-based initiatives including:

•    The creation of Global Guidelines in key areas of veterinary practice in order to raise standards of care. These Guidelines set out best practice and provide globally-relevant information to veterinary teams. Covering topics such as nutrition, vaccination, pain management and animal welfare, they are available for free download from the WSAVA website and also from the website of the Journal of Small Animal Practice, the WSAVA’s official scientific journal
•    The provision of continuing education (CE) for companion animal veterinarians globally, particularly for those in regions in which companion animal practice is still emerging.  Since the pandemic, the WSAVA’s CE program, including its flagship annual congress, have been delivered online. It has also launched a webinar series and its Vet View podcast.
•    Increasing understanding of the importance of companion animals in One Health. Until recently, the definition of One Health focused on interactions between man, production animals, wildlife and the environment. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of companion animals in One Health and demonstrated the significant benefits to people of their relationships with their pets.  Raising awareness of the importance of One Health and of the human-companion animal bond are key priorities for the WSAVA’s One Health Committee.

The WSAVA is an inclusive, diverse community and its global membership gives it a unique perspective on the opportunities and challenges faced by companion animal veterinarians today, wherever they are in practice. It advocates on behalf of its members on issues, such as the inequal access to veterinary medicines, which exists around the world and has offered particular support and regularly updated information for its members during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

For more information, visit www.wsava.org