The topic “Designer animals or breeding for welfare?” was debated at the BVA AWF Discussion Forum 2008. This issue was included as a result of the ongoing concerns within the profession about genetically inherited problems within the pedigree dog population and was particularly timely, on light of activity surrounding the BBC’s broadcast after the Forum on the same issue.
Following the Forum, trustees agreed that the BVA AWF was in an ideal position to host a meeting with the aim of establishing how and where stakeholders could collaborate in developing a series of approaches designed to have an immediate improvement in the welfare of dogs. Representatives from the Blue Cross, Companion Animal Welfare Council, Defra, Dogs Trust, Kennel Club, PDSA, Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, RSPCA and the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare were subsequently invited to a meeting due to take place early in 2009.
2008 also saw our market research exercise get underway and we hope the results will lay out a clear and positive direction for the future of our charity. The interim report, presented in November, showed that while the profile of the charity is quite low, vets and veterinary nurses were positive about the achievements and aims of the charity.
2009 will undoubtedly be a year for development and change, and we look forward to both the challenges and achievements ahead. Of course, none of these will be possible without the continued support from veterinary practitioners and the general public, for which we are indebted.
Thank you.
Carl Padgett
BVA AWF Chairman of Trustees
