Policies

Pet insurance

Position Statement Pet insurance has the potential to contribute to optimal health and welfare outcomes for Australian pets. Veterinarians play a critical role in promoting and increasing the uptake of […]

Retention of medical records and diagnostic images

Policy Medical records and diagnostic images remain the property of the veterinarian or practice, not the client, and must be retained for legal reasons. The length of time these records […]

Native animals as pets

Policy Native Australian animals should only be kept as pets when the following criteria can be satisfied: Keeping the particular species is allowed by law (this may vary with state), […]

Feeding rabbits and guinea pigs

Policy Rabbits and guinea pigs must be fed a predominantly grass hay and/or grass diet, to ensure proper wear of their dentition, to promote proper gut function and to ensure […]

Management of horned cattle species

Policy Breeding of polled cattle is preferable to dehorning, however further research into methods to determine the carrier status for the horned phenotype is needed in some breeds.3 Where routine […]

Companion animals confined to vehicles

Policy A companion animal should not be confined to a parked or stationary vehicle where it is at risk of developing hyperthermia. Law enforcement officers or other individuals entrusted with […]

Selective breeding based on genetic testing of companion animals

Policy Selective breeding of companion animals based on genetic tests should only occur where there have been proven phenotypic outcomes which will improve an animal’s viability, conformation, health and welfare. […]

Pain and analgesia

Policy Pain in animals must be prevented, relieved and managed whenever possible. Euthanasia is indicated where an animal is suffering, or is likely to suffer, intractable pain, where treatment is […]

Use of animals in petting zoos and other displays

Policy Veterinarians and medical practitioners must be involved in the planning and implementation of animal health and welfare standards and biosecurity protocols whenever human and animal interaction is to occur […]

Equine competitive events (other than jump races and rodeos)

Policy Organisers of competitive events involving horses must strive to ensure the health and welfare of the horse is not compromised. Responsibility lies with the rider (or competition team) and […]