AVMA launches comprehensive animal welfare hub in celebration of World Veterinary Day 2014; participates in global webinar

SCHAUMBURG, Ill., April 25, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In celebration of World Veterinary Day, April 26, 2014, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) debuts a comprehensive online/mobile animal welfare hub and provides the AVMA's voice to a Global Webinar on Animal Welfare, April 29.

"The welfare of animals is of primary concern to veterinarians," said Dr. Gail Golab, director of the AVMA Animal Welfare Division.  "Animal welfare is a multi-faceted issue that involves complex measurements across many scientific disciplines, as well as ethical considerations, social norms and diverse, deeply held perspectives. Our animal welfare hub allows us to pull together and grow trusted resources, and facilitate opportunities for learning and respectful dialogue in an easily navigated one-stop shop." 

Resources include information on all aspects of animal well-being, such as proper breeding and selection, housing, nutrition, management, disease and injury prevention and treatment, and humane handling, across a range of species.

In addition to launching its animal welfare hub, the AVMA is participating in the Global Webinar on Animal Welfare. The public is invited to join Dr. Golab and other veterinarians from around the world on April 29 from 8-10 a.m. Central Daylight Time.

Co-hosted by the World Veterinary Association and the European Commission, the webinar is free-of-charge and promises to provide an exciting exchange of information and ideas designed to promote and enhance animal welfare.

The World Veterinary Association created World Veterinary Day in 2000 as an annual celebration of the veterinary profession – to be observed on the last Saturday of April. Each year, the WVA and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) choose a theme for the event.  In light of increased global and societal interest and concern on how animals are used and treated, animal welfare was selected as the theme for World Veterinary Day 2014.

"We hope our new Animal Welfare Hub will make it much easier to locate the AVMA's animal welfare policies, guidelines, literature reviews and other resources on www.avma.org. We also look forward to sharing information and ideas with those who are able to join us on April 29 for the Global Webinar on Animal Welfare," Dr. Golab said.

The AVMA, founded in 1863, is one of the oldest and largest veterinary medical organizations in the world, with more than 85,000 member veterinarians worldwide engaged in a wide variety of professional activities and dedicated to the art and science of veterinary medicine.

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SOURCE American Veterinary Medical Association