About Us

What We Do

WSAVA aims to advance the health and welfare of companion animals and to advocate on behalf of companion animal veterinarians – and, increasingly, the wider veterinary team – globally.

Vision: All companion animals worldwide receive veterinary care that ensures their optimal health and welfare.

Mission: To advance the health and welfare of companion animals worldwide through an educated, committed, and collaborative global veterinary community.

WSAVA has four key areas of focus:

  • Setting standards for companion animal veterinary practice
  •  Personal and professional development for the companion animal veterinary team
  • Campaigning for change in companion animal veterinary practice
  • Strengthening the WSAVA community

Our work to create ‘standardization guidelines’ in important areas of veterinary care, to offer continuing education (CE) and professional development, and to raise awareness of the importance of companion animals in One Health are key to helping us achieve our goal to improve veterinary care globally.

History

WSAVA was created in 1959, following a decision by the then International Association of Small Animal Specialists (IASAS) to rename itself as the World Small Animal Veterinary Association. Today we have 115 veterinary association members globally and represent more than 300,000 companion animal veterinarians.

For more than 65 years, WSAVA has continued to deliver its mission to advance the health and welfare of companion animals.

Executive Board

Dr Jim Berry
President
Dr Jerzy Gawor
President Elect
Dr Ellen van Nierop
Immediate Past President
Dr Oscar Umaña
Treasurer
Dr Nalinika Obeyesekere
Board Member
Dr Natasha Lee
Board Member
Dr Julie Stafford
Board Member
Dr Veronica Leibaschoff
Board Member
Dr Roula Shaaban
Board Member
Dr Derick Chibeu
Board Member
Prof. Dr. Felisbina Queiroga
Board Member

Secretariat

Richard Casey
Executive Director
Liat Geller
Chief Community Officer
Debbie Gray
Chief Learning and Development Officer
Cecilia Westerdahl
Chief Communications Officer
Joyce Dao
Finance Officer
Barun Mohanty
Education and Support Administrator
Lolita Bizune
Chief Partnerships Officer

By-Laws and Policies

By-Laws

The by-laws set out the rules for governing and operating WSAVA, including policies and processes such as membership categories, termination of membership, meetings of members (the General Assembly), directors and officers, and dispute resolution. 

Policy & Process Manual

The WSAVA Policy & Process Manual has been designed as a ‘one stop shop’ for the WSAVA community. It contains all policies and processes relating to the strategic and operational running of our association.

Contact Us

We are only able to respond to inquiries form veterinary professionals. We encourage pet owners to contact a local veterinarian.

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