New Zealanders encouraged to celebrate vets on World Veterinary Day

MEDIA RELEASE
Published on 24 April 2025.

New Zealanders are being encouraged to celebrate the many services vets and their teams provide to pet owners and farmers across the country on World Veterinary Day on April 26.

New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA) chief executive Kevin Bryant says vets play an important and wide-ranging role in the health and wellbeing of New Zealanders and their animals.

“Animal health is directly connected to public health. Healthy animals mean healthier communities,” says Bryant.

“Vets and their teams make a huge contribution to New Zealand, both to the agricultural sector and to the health and wellbeing of domestic pets.

“They care for over 30 million animals - mostly farm animals along with about 1.3 million cats and 830,000 dogs. World Veterinary Day is a time to acknowledge them.

“The theme of this year’s World Veterinary Day is Animal Health Takes a Team,” he says.

“Alongside every vet, there is a team and that should be widely recognised and appreciated.

“It is important to shine a spotlight on the dynamic nature of veterinary services, which require co-operation and collaboration across various fields of expertise to address the diverse challenges in animal health and care.

“Veterinarians, vet nurses, vet technicians, clinic and hospital managers, among many others, are critical elements of animal health services, and in New Zealand government and industry vets also have a vital role in animal welfare,” says Kevin.

NZVA Head of Veterinary Services Companion Animals Sally Cory is a real-life example of working across various fields of expertise, both supporting the profession at NZVA and continuing to work as a practising veterinarian.

"I love the balance and variety my two roles offer. At the NZVA, I get to advocate for the profession and contribute to meaningful change across a wide range of issues. In contrast, my emergency and critical care role keeps me grounded in the fast-paced, hands-on side of veterinary work, where quick thinking and compassion make a real difference for pets and their families.

“Both roles are incredibly rewarding, and I feel lucky to keep learning, supporting others, and doing what I love every day,” says Sally.