With
thousands of companion animals being sold illegally across Europe, offering
high profit at low risk for criminal networks, the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA’s) Animal Wellness and Welfare
Committee (AWWC) is to host a free webinar to update veterinary professionals
in Europe on the online puppy trade on May 25th, 2021 at 11:00 AM GMT. The webinar will also discuss the
importance of new legislation introduced in the EU in April as part of the
effort to stop the illegal trade and make pet sellers traceable and
accountable.
The
webinar will be led by Dr Katherine Polak, member of the WSAVA Animal Wellness
and Welfare Committee (AWWC) and Head of Stray Animal Care – Southeast Asia for
FOUR PAWS International, a global animal welfare organisation. Other speakers
include Dr Ann Criel, board member of the Federation of European Companion
Animal Veterinary Associations, and Joanna Randall, International Head of
Campaigns – Companion Animals, FOUR PAWS. The webinar will be moderated
by Dr Natasha Lee, Chair of the AWWC and will include a live Q and A.
Dr
Polak explained: “The illegal puppy trade is one of the most serious companion
animal welfare issues in Europe and combatting it effectively requires
collaboration between a range of stakeholders, including governments, online
marketplaces, animal welfare groups, owners and, of course, veterinarians. In
April 2021, the new EU Animal Health Law came into effect so we will also
highlight the new possibilities it brings, present a new technical solution for
blocking illegal puppy dealers from accessing the online marketplace, and
discuss the important role veterinarians can play in ending the illegal online
puppy trade.”
Dr
Natasha Lee, WSAVA AWWC Chair, added: “Veterinary professionals regularly have
to deal with the repercussions of illicit breeding and trading when presented
with clinically ill and sometimes dying puppies and distraught owners. Our
webinar will equip veterinarians in Europe with the knowledge to play their
part in upholding the new legislation and to contribute to new solutions for
regulating the online puppy trade. We are keen to hear feedback and hope for
lots of questions so that we can work together to stop this appalling and illegal
trade.”
Find out
more about the webinar on WSAVA‘s website and view it on YouTube.
The WSAVA’s
Animal Wellness and Welfare Committee promotes advances in animal welfare and
wellness around the world through the provision of enhanced veterinary care.
Its work is generously supported by the Purina Institute, a Diamond Partner of
the WSAVA. The WSAVA represents more than 200,000 veterinarians worldwide
through its 115 member associations and works to enhance standards of clinical
care for companion animals. Its core activities include the development of
WSAVA Global Guidelines in key areas of veterinary practice, including pain
management, nutrition and vaccination, together with lobbying on important
issues affecting companion animal care worldwide.
