Community Veterinary Clinics

Most of the suffering experienced by domestic animals in our communities stems from preventable infectious diseases, uncontrolled breeding and ignorance.

From a veterinary perspective, sterilisation and vaccination of companion animals are vital to stem the tide of animal suffering in our country.

The Community Veterinary Clinics project of the South African Veterinary Association adequately addresses these needs and is supported by the Gauteng Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment.

The SAVA Community Animal Clinic meets the challenge of delivering primary veterinary healthcare to those communities unable to access the services offered by private veterinary practitioners.

Educational informtion has been developed with the assistance of various scientific organisations and experts. This information is distributed to pet owners at the clinics. The knowledge gained through this medium will help to eliminate the root cause of animal abuse (viz. ignorance) and will equip animal owners to become caregivers. In a country with such overwhelming human need, animal welfare needs to have a humanitarian impact to be relevant. Humane education and access to basic veterinary services creates empathy for all living beings. Developing a culture of caring is a vital catalyst to preventing crime and violence, which is a critical step in nation building.