Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

The role of the veterinarian is expanding from healthcare and diagnostics to also include a wider role in animal welfare. Swedish veterinarians are obligated to report pet owners if they suspect neglect, abuse and other welfare issues that is against the animal welfare act. But all veterinarians may not have the same knowledge of how to do this. There are also other reasons why these veterinarians choose to report or not to report. These reasons can be culturally, ethical, insecurity or misbelief in authorities, for example. Previous studies show that veterinarians experience moral distress in their work position. Small animal clinics need to have a good understanding of their patient, as well as the pet owners wishes and economical possibilities to accept a treatment plan. The aim of this study was to get an insight into small animal clinicians’ perspective on reporting suspected violations against the animal welfare act to the County Administrative Board. An electronic survey was made to ask about animal welfare issues based on number of reports, reasons to report and own knowledge of reporting. The questions of this study also included how many cases on average a small animal clinician reports to the authorities during a year, if there is enough support for the veterinarians from the nearest boss in charge and if veterinarians perceive that they have enough knowledge of relevant legislation.

The survey was distributed to small animal clinicians by e-mail and through the Swedish Veterinary Association’s newsletter. The sample group was small as only 105 started to answer the survey and 47 completed the entire survey. But the result may give some indications of the small animal clinician’s perspective of the questions asked. Fiftytwo percent answered that they receive support from their boss before reporting suspected violation against the animal welfare act. The majority of the veterinarian makes about one report a year regarding violations of the Animal Welfare Act. Indications can be given that veterinarians feel confident in their knowledge of relevant legislation. Fortyfive percent answered that they did not know if there was a policy regarding reporting violations of the Animal Welfare Act at their workplace, which can make it more difficult for veterinarians to report. Further research is needed to determine if these results may be applied to the overall group of small animal clinicians in Sweden.