Wensley awarded at 33rd World Veterinary Association Congress in South Korea
Dr Sean Wensley’s interest in animal welfare science was first sparked when, as an undergraduate veterinary student, he was awarded a Universities Federation for Animal Welfare (UFAW) Vacation Scholarship to investigate the welfare of caged zebra finches housed under typical pet shop conditions.
Six years later, having been instrumental in developing the British Veterinary Association (BVA) policy in supporting a ban on the importation of wild-caught birds in the European Union to be kept as pets, Sean was representing that position – which had been adopted by the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE) – in Brussels, and an EU-wide ban was introduced in 2007.
As BVA president (2015-2016), Sean initiated and led the production of the BVA’s animal welfare strategy. Developed through consultation with representatives from across the profession and other key sector stakeholders, Vets speaking up for animal welfare lays out a number of strategic actions based on the veterinary profession’s opportunity and responsibility to advocate animals’ best interests at individual, community and political levels.
The strategy aims to further expand the BVA’s animal welfare advocacy, provide tools and support to BVA members in areas such as veterinary ethics, and to foster collaboration with other animal welfare-focused partners. To this end, Sean has recently been appointed as a member of the FVE Animal Welfare Working Group.
On receiving his award, Sean said: “It is excellent that the WVA has further underpinned its commitment to animal welfare, in line with global society’s expectation of our profession as animal welfare leaders, through the establishment of the Global Animal Welfare Awards. It is a great honour to be a recipient, which is tribute to my driven and forward-looking colleagues at the BVA and the PDSA. I thank them, as well as the many other organisations, institutions and individuals who have given me invaluable opportunities and encouragement during my career to date.”
Commenting, BVA president Gudrun Ravetz, said: “Sean has made a difference to the lives of many animals with his dedication to animal welfare. I am delighted that Sean is being recognised on an international stage for his fantastic work in the field of animal welfare with this important award.”
Sean is senior veterinary surgeon for communication and education at the PDSA, working with a team that develops and delivers national advocacy on companion animal health and welfare problems – including the PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) report – as well as practice-based animal welfare initiatives with the charity’s nationwide network of pet hospitals.
The Global Animal Welfare Awards are supported by CEVA Santé Animale.
Image (C) British Veterinary Association.
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