AVA Member Updates

The Domestic Animal Regulations 2015 sunset on 23 November 2025. AVA Victorian Division provided a submission to Animal Welfare Victoria to assist in the process of the new regulations be improved and modernised.

The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) commends the Victorian Government for taking a proactive stance in addressing data gaps in pet ownership through the recently released key findings from the state-wide pet census (the Census).

The Victorian Emergency Animal Welfare Plan (the Plan) is intended to be a reference for all agencies, organisations, groups and individuals with responsibility for animal welfare during emergencies.

The AVA assists Agriculture Victoria under the Victorian Emergency Animal Welfare Plan (established on recommendation of the Royal Commission of the Black Saturday Bushfires).

RSPCA Victoria and Zoos Victoria created Safe Cat, Safe Wildlife to encourage and support owners to keep their cats safe at home, reducing risks to both cats and native wildlife. As experts in cat care – big and small – they have the resources and experience to give cat owners the tools and confidence to provide their cat the happiest lives possible, safe and enriched at home.

The AVA Tasmanian Division Committee is currently seeking veterinarians who have an interest in leadership and involvement in Tasmanian issues that help to shape the profession. To satisfy diversity and represent the scope of veterinarians in Tasmania, there are places in particular for production and wildlife veterinarians.

Please join me in thanking Dr Angela Offord for her time and effort on the Tasmanian Division Executive Committee.

Happy New Year to you all! And what a busy start to 2024 it has been for the Vic Division. We advocated for the Victorian Government’s Select Committee Enquiry findings into recreational native bird hunting to be upheld and duck hunting banned in Victoria, to bring us in line with Queensland, NSW & WA. It is extremely disappointing that the Victorian Government has rejected the recommendations made by the Select Committee, disregarding the findings from more than 10,000 submissions.

Will this year be the year that you join the NSW Committee? It is nomination time for the next term of committee membership. Over the years we have benefitted a great deal from having a diverse mix of experience on our committees, so whether you are a government vet, private practitioner, or work in industry or research your contributions are going to help shape the vet profession in NSW.

Even though it’s 4 to 5 weeks late – Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I hope you had a safe and happy time, and a restful one for those who were on (or are on) leave. For those who have been working in practice– it’s been silly season- busy (what’s new!) and I hope you and all your colleagues have kept well (physically and mentally).