Discussion forum expands for demand
The Animal Welfare Foundation (AWF) is celebrating its 30th anniversary by expanding its Foundation Discussion Forum, held in May.
This year, the forum will take place at a bigger venue – One Great George Street, London – and will include additional sessions to cater for demand.
A wider audience will be able to discuss various topics that focus on the role of vets in animal welfare policy and practice.
This includes "Where next for food assurance schemes?", "The vet's role in recognising the link between abuse in animals and humans" and "Who should take responsibility for an animal's welfare when an owner no longer can?".
An additional session will look back at the AFW's work over the past three decades and what impact it has had on animal welfare.
Vets will be able to explore how they have helped to shape various policy, including welfare at slaughter, pedigree dog breeding and showing, the wild bird trade and livestock show welfare.
Tiffany Hemming, AWF chairman, said: "The Discussion Forum is always oversubscribed and this year we wanted to give more vets the chance to debate major animal welfare issues."
Ms Hemming added that charity is very proud of its "positive and practical" impact on both large and small animals, and invites all those interested in improving animal welfare to be part of the debate this year.
She concluded: "In AWF's 30th anniversary year, we celebrate the genuine improvements in animal health and welfare that have been achieved as a result of the research our small charity has funded, and the excellent Discussion Forums that have initiated welfare policies."
The Foundation Discussion Forum takes place on Monday, May 13 and tickets cost £50. Click here to book.
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
