During the WSAVA's 36th Congress, Oct. 14-17 in Jeju, Korea, Dr Devon Dublin gave a presentation to the WSAVA Assembly describing WAVMA’s mission and objectives. Following on from this presentation, the assembly voted for WAVMA to become an Affiliate Member of WSAVA.
The WSAVA (www.wsava.org) mission is “to foster exchange of scientific information between individual veterinarians and veterinary organizations” and as it could be argued that ornamental fish, in terms of numbers, forms the largest group of companion animals worldwide that this will be a great opportunity for WAVMA and WSAVA to mutually work together to the benefit of ornamental fish.
Being an affiliate member of WSAVA brings both benefits to WAVMA’s members as well as obligations. Benefits include discounted registrations at WSAVA Congresses and being able to influence WSAVA policy. Obligations to WAVMA include a requirement for a representative to attend the WSAVA Assembly and to support WSAVA through promotion and consultation on policy to WAVMA members.
Currently WAVMA members are invited to provide comments on the World Small Animal Veterinary Association's policy "Convention on the Protection of Companion Animals" which deals with the welfare of companion animals to make this policy more applicable to aquatic animals. Further information is available from the WAVMA Members Consultation page.