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Canadian Veterinary Medical Association Explores Animal Sentience at Canada’s Only National Multi-Species Convention
July 2, 2024
Calgary, Alta. – The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) explored the importance and challenges of animal sentience as well as the legal status of animals as sentient beings during its Annual Convention in Calgary, Alta.
The CVMA Summit, Animal Sentience: What Does It Mean, Why Is It Difficult to Define, and What Effect May It Have on the Veterinary Profession? examined the evolving recognition of sentience in animals. The discussion included why sentience is a polarizing issue that has the potential to bring animal rights groups and animal industry into conflict with each other and why politicians are hesitant to get involved in discussions.
“The CVMA has a long history of advocating for improving the welfare of all animals and animal sentience is an issue our profession must be keenly aware of. As the world evolves, so does our understanding of sentience and the expectations of the society we serve,” says Dr. Trevor Lawson, 2023-2024 CVMA President. “Veterinarians are the voice for animals, and we should always be willing to learn, grow, and consider the things we can do each day to improve the lives of animals under our care. The CVMA is proud to have hosted the Summit this week and it has served as a thought-provoking opportunity for veterinarians from all parts of Canada.”
The CVMA Summit featured three experts:
- Georgia Mason is a behavioural biologist whose research interests are in the objective assessment of animal welfare, and the chronic effects that captive housing can have on brain, behaviour, and well-being. She has a PhD in animal behaviour from Cambridge University, taught vertebrate evolution and animal behaviour for 10 years in Oxford University’s Zoology Department, and moved to Canada in 2004 to become a Canada Research Chair at the University of Guelph.
- Sophie Gaillard joined the Montreal SPCA in 2013, after having graduated from McGill University’s Faculty of Law and articling at the Crown prosecutors’ office in Montreal, Que. In her role as Director of Animal Advocacy and Legal and Government Affairs, she oversees the SPCA’s efforts to strengthen animal protection legislation and public policy at the municipal, provincial, and federal levels, as well as acting as the organization’s head legal counsel and government relations specialist. She is one of the instigators of the Animals Are Not Things Manifesto which led to the adoption of a new provision in the Civil Code of Quebec recognizing animals as sentient beings. Gaillard taught animal law at McGill University’s Faculty of Law in 2017 and 2020.
- Mette Uldahl is a veterinarian who graduated from Copenhagen University in 2001 and has worked as a veterinary surgeon in mixed practice (small animal, farm animal, and horses). She founded a veterinary practice in 2004 and is a certified practitioner in equine diseases. Since 2011, she has been the Veterinary Consultant for the Danish Equestrian Federation and the Fédération Equestre Internationale National Head Veterinarian for Denmark. Uldahl has been engaged in European politics since 2011, having been President of the Federation of European Equine Veterinary Associations from 2017-2020. She is currently the First Vice-President of the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe.
The CVMA National Issues Forum, Artificial Intelligence and Veterinary Medicine: Friend or Foe? Do We Really Know? featured a panel of three veterinary experts who discussed the opportunities and pitfalls presented by artificial intelligence technology that operates out-of-sight and out-of-mind within a new generation of veterinary diagnostic and decision-support tools. The annual Forum allows CVMA members the opportunity to express their views on a topic of national interest in the veterinary community.
The convention also featured the announcement of the new CVMA President, Dr. Tim Arthur, a seasoned companion animal veterinarian with a special interest in ophthalmology and wildlife medicine practicing in Ottawa. Additionally, the 2024 CVMA Awards Gala recognized individuals and groups for their outstanding contribution to veterinary medicine.
The CVMA Annual Convention gathered over 600 veterinary professionals and 80 exhibiting companies from across the country from June 26 to 30 to attend Canada’s only national multi-species convention.
The event featured more than 50 esteemed national and international speakers addressing topics ranging from companion and large animal health, animal welfare, antimicrobial stewardship, wildlife emergencies, vaccination importance, brachycephalic obstruction, life support, diversity, equity and inclusion, to workplace culture, and more.
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Contact:
Lori Ahronson
Manager, Communications and Public Relations
Canadian Veterinary Medical Association
lahronson@cvma-acmv.org
About the CVMA
The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association is the national and international voice for over 15,000 veterinarians in Canada providing leadership and advocacy for veterinary medicine. Visit canadianveterinarians.net to learn more.