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Half of veterinary professionals ‘do not feel part of a respected community’
Client expectations were the main thing veterinary professionals said they would change about their vocation.
Survey finds client expectations are a particular problem  

Just under half of veterinary professionals do not feel part of a respected community, according to new research by VET Festival.

An online survey carried out in December reveals that while 53 per cent of professionals feel valued by their local community and respected by clients, 47 per cent do not.

Explaining why they felt this way, respondents frequently cited misconceptions about high fees, client demands and social media criticism.

VET Festival, which carried out the survey with Centaur Services, is an annual outdoor conference founded by Professor Noel Fitzpatrick.

The survey - which garnered responses from vets, nurses, rehabilitation professionals, practice managers, assistants and students - also revealed that around half of the respondents (51 per cent) felt their vocation in veterinary medicine had met their early expectations. Of these, 60 per cent had graduated over 20 years ago, while 40 per cent qualified less than five years ago.

Among those who felt reality did not match their expectations, the most common reasons given were low work-life balance, financial concerns and high demands from clients.

In addition, the expectations of clients were the main thing veterinary professionals would change about their vocation. One respondent said: “I feel as a profession our integrity is continually questioned in the public and in the media. There is a shift in client expectations above what we can provide and they can afford and this is perceived as vets being greedy.”

Nonetheless, 91 per cent of respondents said they were proud to work in the veterinary profession. The most important aspirations for veterinary professionals were cited as ‘making a difference to animals’ lives’, ‘a healthy work-life balance’ and ‘personal skill development’.

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

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News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.