World Veterinary Association

10/10/2025

World Mental Health Day – 10 October

At the World Veterinary Association, we recognise that there is no health without mental health.

This year’s theme — “Access to Services: Mental Health in Disasters and Emergencies” — reminds us that support must reach everyone, everywhere, especially in times of crisis.

Veterinarians and animal health professionals face unique pressures. Today, we stand together to:
- Promote open conversations about mental wellbeing.
- Support access to mental health care for all.

10/10/2025

Practice these tips for good mental health:
🤸🏽‍♀️ Exercise regularly
🍲 Eat healthy
😴 Get adequate sleep
🗣 Talk about your feelings

05/10/2025

🌍 World Animal Day 2025 | “Save Animals, Save the Planet!”

This year, as the world marks 100 years of World Animal Day, the World Veterinary Association (WVA) celebrates those who turn compassion into action.

Meet Professor Dr. Mangala Gunatilake, a Sri Lankan veterinarian and educator who has championed animal welfare and ethical research throughout her career. As founder of the Sri Lanka Association for Laboratory Animal Science (SLALAS), she has helped shape a culture of humane care in science and education. She was also the winner of the WVA Animal Welfare Award of 2025.

🐾 Her journey reminds us that protecting animals is essential to protecting our planet.

👉 Read her short interview: https://worldvet.org/news/world-animal-day-2025-celebrating-champions-of-compassion-dr-gunatilake/

04/10/2025

🌍 On this World Animal Day, we reaffirm that animal welfare is inseparable from public health and environmental health.

📌 Animals under poor welfare are more susceptible to disease, suffer from stress, and may transmit pathogens. Better welfare means better health — for animals and humans.

Today, we call on our colleagues, governments, and communities to:
• Enforce humane housing and transport standards
• Invest in training for animal caregivers & farmers
• Promote rescue, rehabilitation, and adoption over abandonment
• Partner with wildlife conservation efforts

Let’s build a future where no animal is left behind.

🐾 In solidarity with all creatures — big and small.

04/10/2025

🐾 Today is World Animal Day — a moment to reflect on veterinary professionals to be the voice for animals who cannot speak for themselves.

Veterinarians commit not only to healing animals, but also to protecting their dignity and welfare.

➤ We advocate for stronger legislation against neglect and abuse.
➤ We promote preventive care (vaccines, spay/neuter, deworming) to reduce suffering.
➤ We support community outreach and education so pet owners understand responsible care.

🐶🐱🐄🐍 Because every animal deserves health, compassion, and respect.

01/10/2025

🌍 WVA 2025–2030 Strategy: Shaping the Future of Global Veterinary Medicine

The World Veterinary Association is proud to unveil its new strategy for 2025–2030, built around One Health, global collaboration, and evidence-based leadership.

🔹 Priorities:
🐾 Animal Welfare
💊 Medicines Stewardship
🌿 One Health
🎓 Veterinary Education and Profession

With strong governance, regional representation, and actionable 1–2-year plans, WVA is committed to driving meaningful change for veterinarians, animals, and communities worldwide.

📢 Learn more: https://worldvet.org/about/about-the-wva/

28/09/2025

28/09/2025

🌍🐾 World Rabies Day – Sept 28
Rabies kills 59,000 people every year—most of them children. Yet it’s 100% preventable.

This year’s theme, “You, Me, Community”, reminds us that ending rabies takes all of us. With dog vaccination, timely treatment, and strong national action plans, we can achieve Zero by 30—eliminating dog-mediated human rabies deaths by 2030.

WVA and World Medical Association - WMA are marking it with a join editorial, read more: https://worldvet.org/news/world-rabies-day-2025-building-readiness-ending-rabies/

👩‍⚕️👨‍⚕️ Together, veterinarians, doctors, governments, and communities can make rabies history.

27/09/2025

This , Global Alliance for Rabies Control and WVA celebrate veterinarians working at the heart of communities to prevent rabies through vaccination, surveillance, and care. It is time to Act Now!

Support your local vets for the critical role they play in rabies elimination.

15/09/2025

🌍 The WVA/MSD Animal Health Veterinary Student Scholarship – Impact Story

The WVA/MSD Scholarship Programme continues to change lives and shape the future of veterinary medicine worldwide.

✨ Today, we introduce Dr. Guisella Valle Hueck from Nicaragua, a scholarship recipient in 2017 who has since graduated and begun her career as a veterinarian.

Facing the financial strain of her father’s illness and passing, Guisella was at risk of abandoning her studies. The scholarship arrived at a crucial moment—providing not only financial relief, but also hope and motivation to continue pursuing her dream.

💬 Her advice to future applicants:
"Highlight both your academic achievements and extracurricular experience, but also be clear about your professional goals. Get involved in teaching, research, volunteering, and One Health activities—these opportunities enrich your journey and strengthen your profile. Be clear about your objectives and how you want to use your profession for meaningful impact."

🌟 Dr. Valle Hueck’s story reminds us that supporting veterinary students today means investing in stronger animal health systems, One Health collaboration, and healthier communities tomorrow.

03/09/2025

📢 Applications Open: WVA/MSD Veterinary Student Scholarship 2025

The World Veterinary Association (WVA) and MSD Animal Health are proud to announce the 2025 Veterinary Student Scholarship Program! 🎓🐾

🌍 40 scholarships of US$5,000 each will be awarded to veterinary students from Latin America, Africa, North Africa/Middle East, and Asia/Oceania.

Eligibility highlights:
✅ Enrolled for 2025–2026 in a recognized veterinary school
✅ Completed first-year exams & in 2nd or 3rd year (or later in longer programs)
✅ Not a first- or final-year student
✅ Never received a WVA/MSD scholarship before
📅 Deadline: 5 October 2025

👉 Apply now: https://worldvet.org/activities/msd-veterinary-student-scholarship/

30/07/2025

🤝 WVA is happy to announce that on 18 July in Washington, D.C., during the WVA General Assembly, a new MoU was signed with the Medical Association - WMA

✍️ Signed by WVA President Dr John de Jong, D.V.M. (right) and WMA Chair of Council Jack Resneck, Jr, MD, (left) the agreement reinforces our shared commitment to 🌍.

Together, we’re tackling global challenges like & , in alignment with the World Organisation for Animal Health & World Health Organization (WHO).

A stronger future for human, animal & environmental health!