|
|
|
|
|
HOME » Member Associations » Australia (Oceania) » New Zealand | |
|
New Zealand
P.O. Box 11-212 President: Dr. Pieter Verhoek WSAVA Representative Number of members: 625 (Dec. 2009) _______________________________ New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA) Companion Animal Society Annual report 2009 to WSAVA Membership of the Companion Animal Society (CAS) reached 625 by late 2009. The Society continues to be the largest Special Interest Branch of the NZVA. We had one change in the executive this year with a resignation due to family commitments. Another South Islander joined the team. The executive aims to maintain wide geographical representation on the executive committee. Continuing Education In March 2009 a second two day Diagnostics Workshop at the Massey University Veterinary Teaching Hospital was again well attended and it was re-run in late October 2009. “Hands on” CE is not easy to organize but it appears to be what gives significant practical value, judging by waiting lists. In June CAS members joined with NZVA for a four day conference in Rotorua. The theme “Skin - the largest organ” covered many areas of veterinary dermatology. The main speaker was Mike Shipstone, a dual boarded specialist from Brisbane. The programme was a lively and interesting one. However, competition for members’ continuing education dollars remains a concern, as numbers were again lower than hoped for. A small profit was achieved. The Hills CAS Educating the Educators fund assisted Dr Allan Bell to attend the European Society of Dermatology meeting in Slovenia and the American Society for Microbiology and European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases conference on Methicillin-resistant staphylococci in animals in England, during September 2009. Representation Our members were represented at the WSAVA Congress Assembly in Brazil by the CAS President Pieter Verhoek and Dr Richard Jerram. The vote for the WSAVA Congress in 2013 went to New Zealand. Plans are already well advanced for bringing WSAVA members to an event with a uniquely kiwi flavour. As well as having an NZVA Board member on the executive, others represented CAS on the Antimicrobial Resistance Working Group, Inherited Disorders Committee and the VetLearn Technical Advisory Group. Liaison with NZ Vet Nurses Association, NZ Kennel Club, RNZSPCA, etc, was continued. Communication Our quarterly journal, the CAS Newsletter, achieved its main goal of dispersing relevant and up to date clinical information to members. Loyalty of staff and advertisers is critical to the success of this publication. A dinner was held in November to celebrate & acknowledge the Advertising Manager’s ten years of service. A new venture, still in its infancy, is the eCAS Update – a regular email to members from the CAS executive committee with links to hot topics and breaking news. Companion Animal Health and Welfare The CAS Companion Animal Health Foundation Study Grants funded several new projects in 2009 including chronic renal failure therapy in cats, quality of life of cancer patients, FIV vaccination & spinal surgery evaluation. The Society is in the process of writing our companion animal welfare strategic plan and identifying 3 or 4 critical issues to pursue in 2010. The final abolition of tail docking of puppies has the highest priority. The legal hurdle requires sympathy in parliament to bring about a private members bill. Recognizing & dealing effectively with the suspected abuse of pets is another welfare issue of great concern. Annual Report 2008 (posted May 2009) The Companion Animal Society (CAS) continues to be the largest Special Interest Branch of New Zealand Veterinary Association. Membership numbers are approximately 630 as vets join and leave at various times during the year. The executive committee, comprising ten vets from all around New Zealand, met five times during 2008 for a total of six days. The President, treasurer, secretary and Newsletter editor form the core of a group which shows significant commitment to CAS and its members. There has been one change to the executive with Dr Catherine Watson replacing long serving South Islander Dr Sandy Cooper. The variety of views and career stages of the committee reflects those in the CAS workforce. Members are employed in companion animal and mixed practice, industry and academia, either full or part time. Most are female and some are raising families. The Companion Animal Society (CAS) exists to improve the knowledge and expertise of CA veterinarians, support and represent its members, promote the profession and foster cooperation with other groups and, support practice development and client relationships. To achieve these objectives, four primary goal areas have been identified: 2008 Continuing Education (CE) We joined with some of the NZVA’s other special interest branches for our main conference in Wellington in June. The theme was “Canine and Feline Endocrinology” and the key speakers were Professors J. Catharine Scott Montcrief and Wallace B. Morrison, both from Purdue University, Indiana, USA. It was a very informative four day programme catering for beginners through to experts. However, numbers were down on previous years. Our members’ feedback suggests they take up the many CE opportunities available to them, including online learning courses. The additional costs of locum cover, travel and accommodation associated with conference attendance may be prohibitive. We continued to progress our goal to hold a WSAVA congress in New Zealand. The intention is to bring a large number of high quality speakers to the southern Pacific and also, to showcase this picturesque country. The Hills CAS Educating the Educators scholarship was well utilised this year with grants awarded to Mike Coleman, Richard Jerram and Duncan Graham for travel to the USA and Hong Kong. The Practitioner on Sabbatical for 2008 was Dr Geraldine Gorman of Northland region. She thoroughly enjoyed her time within the vet faculty at Massey University and in an Australian specialist dental practice. A sponsor is required to enable this 8-10 week sabbatical opportunity to continue. 2008 Representation 2008 Communication 2008 Companion animal health and welfare CAS was an initial stakeholder in the New Zealand Companion Animal Register, which is a microchip database for all species of animals. This register is a win-win-win for vets, the animals and the animal owners. Any profits will go back to animal welfare organisations for projects that benefit the well-being of companion animals. ___________________________________ |
 |
info@wsava.org
Copyright WSAVA |
Companion Animal Society of NewZealand Veterinary Association (CAS)