Identification as a guarantee for proper vaccination and animal health Brussels 21-22 June 2016 Nancy De Briyne, FVE Ann Criel, FECAVA Federation of Veterinarians of Europe

Federation of veterinarians of Europe www.fve.org Federation of veterinarians of Europe 46 national associations 38 European countries FECAVA 4 FVE Sections UEVP (Practitioners) UEVH (Hygienists – Public Health Officers) EASVO (Veterinary State Officers) EVERI (Education, Research, Industry) “One Profession-One Vision -One Voice” Federation of Veterinarians of Europe

www.fve.org FVE strategy 2015-2020 Mission Special reference to work on Companion Animals: ‘We want to do more to improve the health and welfare of companion animals, looking at issues such as identification and registration, trade, breeding issues and strays’ Approximately 182 900 veterinarians work in the European Union. (ref. FVE survey of the Veterinary Profession in Europe). Approximately 48% of these veterinarians have as main focus companion animals caring approximately for 150 million companion animals. Veterinarians work in many different disciplines such as in veterinary practitioners, state veterinary officers, in academia or industry, http://www.fve.org/news/reports.php

Federation of European Companion Animal Veterinary Associations FECAVA Federation of European Companion Animal Veterinary Associations Mission statement : FECAVA is the platform for the promotion of professional development and the representation of companion animal veterinarians in Europe - Improve the veterinary care of pets - highlight human-animal bond - One health concept HOW : - professional development - Liaisons with relevant organisations and stakeholders - Interaction between European companion animal vets

Half of the European Veterinarians work with companion animals or on companion animal related issues Source: FVE Demography report 2015 Approximately 182 900 veterinarians work in the European Union. (ref. FVE survey of the Veterinary Profession in Europe). Approximately 48% of these veterinarians have as main focus companion animals caring approximately for 150 million companion animals. Veterinarians work in many different disciplines such as in veterinary practitioners, state veterinary officers, in academia or industry, http://www.fve.org/news/reports.php

Increased importance of companion animals in society www.fve.org Family members Bereavement when pet dies Health benefits Therapeutic role Only contact with animals Companion animals have become increasingly important in family life. More than 85% of pet owners regard their pets as family members (Cohen, 2002). Many treat them as ‘‘full members’’ of the family, as important as other members. Some feel closest to their pet. Companion animals provide socioemotional support that facilitates coping, recovery, and resilience. The loss of a companion animal can be profound when the bond has been important. As with other significant losses, grief can be intense and the mourning process may take time. This is a normal response and does not indicate a pathological attachment. More than 85% of persons report grief symptoms at the death of a pet and over onethird have continuing grief at six months (Wrobel & Dye, 2003). Some experience grief as poignantly as with the loss of a human family member (Toray, 2004). Federation of Veterinarians of Europe

Responsible ownership of companion animals www.fve.org FVE and FECAVA involvement in Carodog and Carocat Aim is to promote responsible ownership of companion animals and to disseminate reliable information Identification & Registration is vital aspect together with regular health checks and vaccination Collaboration with other stakeholders

Keeping your companion healthy www.fve.org Without proper I&R you can not validate the vaccination and no traceability is possible (see CALLISTO conclusions) Passport is ideal document to keep an overview of the health info Ideally central registration, reduces fraud risk Collaboration with other stakeholders

www.fve.org Companion animals have become increasingly important in family life. More than 85% of pet owners regard their pets as family members (Cohen, 2002). Many treat them as ‘‘full members’’ of the family, as important as other members. Some feel closest to their pet. Companion animals provide socioemotional support that facilitates coping, recovery, and resilience. The loss of a companion animal can be profound when the bond has been important. As with other significant losses, grief can be intense and the mourning process may take time. This is a normal response and does not indicate a pathological attachment. More than 85% of persons report grief symptoms at the death of a pet and over onethird have continuing grief at six months (Wrobel & Dye, 2003). Some experience grief as poignantly as with the loss of a human family member (Toray, 2004). Federation of Veterinarians of Europe

FECAVA SURVEY – HUGE VARIATIONS Who can order pasports? Who can put microchips? Who can do registration – is there registration? Who is responsible – if time of vaccination is not correct , how to be sure it is safe?

Working towards uniform systems www.fve.org Working towards uniform systems Less sensitive for fraude at any level of identification and registration Open database Going to full electronic identification and electronic passport containing vaccinations, breeder, owners, DNA, medical dossier etc... Federation of Veterinarians of Europe

ANIMAL HEALTH – ONE HEALTH www.fve.org ANIMAL HEALTH – ONE HEALTH Making vets and public more aware of danger in breaking the rules of proper vaccination Could be of great risk for Human Health – Rabies and other zoonotic disease. Most important in cross-border adoption Risk analysis is necessary! Federation of Veterinarians of Europe

Conclusions: We urge the EU to increase the importance given to companion animals Mandatory identification linked to registration in compatible databases Pet passport to be a real lifetime medical record Need strong controls on correct filling in pet passport and ‘hotline’ for practising vets to get info and report irregularities Promote responsible keeping Keep up our guards for Rabies

CHECK OUT OUR: FAQ rules for pet travel and pet passport (all EU languages) FAQ getting & keeping cats Position paper on stray dogs ‘Every dog deserves a caring owner’ (EN, FR) And soon our FAQ document re getting and keeping dogs All on www.fve.org and www.fecava.org

THANK YOU www.fve.org Federation of Veterinarians of Europe