World Veterinary Day

World Veterinary Day is celebrated on the fourth Saturday of April every year to raise awareness about animal health and welfare. Commenced by the World Veterinary Association (WVA), the main motto behind the celebration is to offer global cooperation and leadership for the veterinary profession and promote animal health and welfare. World Veterinary Day is celebrated on a global level each year.

World Veterinary Day unites the global veterinary community and spreads awareness about the profession and its challenges. Learn more about the history, significance and theme of this day here.

World Veterinary Day 2023

World Veterinary Day was established by the World Veterinary Association in 2000 with the aim of highlighting the importance of the work done by veterinary professionals worldwide. This day is observed annually on the last Saturday of April. Veterinary Day 2023 will be celebrated on 29th April.

World Veterinary Day 2023 Theme

Each year, ahead of World Veterinary Day, the World Veterinary Association sets a unique theme for the celebration. All the events are planned based on this theme to keep the celebrations similar. World Veterinary Day 2023 theme has not been announced yet but will be shared shortly.

Generally, the efforts of veterinarians and the work that they do go unnoticed. The global veterinarian community also lacks resilience. So, the World Veterinary Day 2022 theme was “to celebrate the efforts of veterinary professionals and to strengthen veterinary resilience.”

Why is Veterinary Day Celebrated?

Veterinary Day was started to uphold animals' health, welfare, and rights. The celebration aims to promote the veterinary profession and its contribution towards not only animal health but also medical science in general. The World Veterinary Association believes in the interdependence of human beings and animals for co-existing in this world, and this special day is a celebration of that. Here is why World Veterinary Day is celebrated:

• To spread awareness about the work and importance of veterinarians.
• To help the global veterinary community to come together.
• To share the message of working for animal welfare.
• To help veterinarians get support and recognition for their work.
• To help build resilience among the veterinarian community.

History of World Veterinary Day

Although the World Veterinary Day celebration started in 2000, its history dates back to the nineteenth century, with the first International Veterinary Congress meeting in Hamburg (Germany) in 1863. The agenda of the Professor John Gamgee-led meeting was epizootic diseases, the measures to combat them, and chalking rules for ethical cattle trade in Europe. This meeting was later recognized as the World Veterinary Congress, which eventually paved the road for the World Veterinary Association.

In the 8th World Veterinary Congress, a "Permanent Committee" was created for the smooth organization and functioning of the congresses. Later in the 15th World Veterinary Congress held in Stockholm, the Permanent Committee and the other members sensed the need for a separate international constitution. Thus in 1959, in Madrid, Spain, the World Veterinary Association (WVA) was born.

The WVA has worked with 70 nations and national veterinary associations in its six decades of operations. World Veterinary Day was first celebrated by WVA in April 2000 and continues to be celebrated every year across the globe.

Veterinary Day Celebrations Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic

Sensing the requirements of animals during COVID-19, the WVA has been actively working and collaborating with global organizations like WHO, OIE, and FAO, to improve the environment and increase food safety for animals, especially strays and those under foster care. It has also provided more impetus for better animal transport and quarantine guidelines. The theme for 2021 World Veterinary Day was "The Veterinarian Response to the Covid-19 Pandemic."

How is World Veterinary Day Celebrated?

The World Veterinary Association has kept the tradition of the World Veterinary Congress alive by hosting annual meetings and seminars on World Veterinary Day. Here is how Veterinary Day is celebrated:

• The speakers and participants discuss newer findings in the area of veterinary sciences that would ultimately help them preserve the world for a healthy co-existence of animals and human beings.
• Since 2008, the WVA, along with the Global Animals Medicines Association, have been awarding recognized WVA member(s) working relentlessly for the welfare of animals, following the themes and guidelines laid down by the Association.
• People donate to charities and veterinarian groups.
• People host talk shows, and community events to promote the work of veterinarians.

FAQs on World Veterinary Day

Q1. When is World Veterinary Day celebrated?

World Veterinary Day is celebrated annually on the last Saturday of April. This day celebrates the efforts of veterinary professionals for animal welfare. This day also highlights the importance of the veterinary profession.

Q2. What is the World Veterinary Day 2022 theme?

World Veterinary Day 2022 theme is “to celebrate the efforts of veterinary professionals and to strengthen veterinary resilience. Every year, the World Veterinary Association sets a unique theme for that year’s Veterinary Day celebrations.

Q3. Why is World Veterinary Day celebrated?

World Veterinary Day is celebrated to recognize the work of veterinary professionals across the globe for championing the health and welfare of animals. This day is also celebrated to bring the global veterinarian community together and help them get support.

Q4. When was the first World Veterinary Day celebrated?

World Veterinary Day was celebrated for the first time in 2000 after the World Veterinary Association established the day the same year. Since then, this day has been celebrated globally on the last Saturday of April.

Q5. When was the World Veterinary Association created?

The World Veterinary Association was created in 1959 in the Madrid (Spain) convention of the World Veterinary Congress. This association later established World Veterinary Day in 2000 and announced that Veterinary Day should be celebrated on the last Saturday of April.