April 01, 2021
World Veterinary Day 2021 focuses on veterinarian response to the COVID-19 crisis
The World Veterinary Association wants member associations to tell the WVA how veterinarians have helped the world respond to COVID-19. The theme of World Veterinary Day 2021, which falls on April 24, is “Veterinarian response to the COVID-19 crisis.”
The WVA created World Veterinary Day in 2000 as an annual celebration of the veterinary profession, taking place on the last Saturday of April. Starting two years ago, the WVA has partnered with Health for Animals, the global animal medicines association, on the World Veterinary Day Award, which honors one WVA member’s activities related to the theme.
According to this year’s award announcement, the continuing COVID-19 pandemic “changed life as we know it and significantly affected the global human and animal populations.
“And yet, through this challenging time, veterinary medicine meaningfully and rapidly evolved, demonstrating veterinarians’ ability to cope, adjust, and adapt; and to continue in their role as leaders of animal health and welfare and public health.”
The WVA and Health for Animals will confer the World Veterinary Day Award and $3,500 for the best contribution on the annual theme by a WVA member association working alone or with other groups.
In 2020, the theme of World Veterinary Day was “Environmental protection for improving animal and human health.” The Indian Veterinary Association–Kerala won the 2020 World Veterinary Day Award for promoting the theme with 75 activities. Among the activities were the following:
- Adoption of a World Veterinary Day pledge.
- A four-day national online seminar.
- A series of publications and competitions.
- A tree-planting campaign.
- Implementation of telehealth services for farmers.
- Development of a phone app.
- Distribution of livestock feed to farmers in need.
- Distribution of personal protective equipment to health care workers.
- A series of social media campaigns.
- A one-health art exhibition.
- Development of educational programs for farmers.
- A women’s veterinary convention with a focus on equality.
Details about World Veterinary Day and the World Veterinary Day Award are available at the WVA website.