Vets for Climate Action

02/04/2025

Provet's 2025 Veterinary Industry Trends https://ow.ly/PxrQ50VsPUa report highlights economic conditions and staffing challenges are top concerns for veterinary professionals.

At Vets for Climate Action we know that practices are already feeling the impact of climate change. Insurance premiums are rising due to the global increase in extreme weather events. Many practices have experienced firsthand disruptions such as floods, fires, and power outages caused by storms.

But, there are also opportunities as Dr Jeremy Watson points out, "A solid sustainability program helps identify cost-saving opportunities, create new revenue streams, and build a sense of purpose within the team, reinforcing the practice’s commitment to improving animal health"

Our Climate Care Program is an online learning program that empowers veterinary teams to implement simple, effective changes and chart a course towards Zero carbon emissions, while saving money. Set up your call to learn more now https://ow.ly/QJ7n50VsPU8

02/04/2025

🌧️Record-Breaking Floods in Outback Queensland🌧️

Queensland is experiencing yet another climate-driven disaster, with record-breaking rainfall and flooding devastating communities, livestock, and wildlife. Entire towns have been inundated, leaving many people isolated, animals stranded, and critical supplies cut off.

🌧️This extreme weather event is yet another stark reminder of our changing climate and the urgent need for action.

🐾 The impact on animals 🐾
Tens of thousands of livestock have been lost, while surviving animals face food shortages, injury, and disease risks. Wildlife has been displaced from their habitats, with many struggling to find food and shelter. The full extent of the damage will take weeks to understand, but one thing is certain, this unnatural disaster is far from over.

⚠️ Ongoing risks even after the floods recede ⚠️
Floodwaters may subside, but their aftermath brings new dangers. Standing water creates the perfect conditions for mosquito-borne diseases, parasites, and bacterial infections, posing risks to both animals and humans. Stagnant water also increases the spread of waterborne illnesses and toxic algae blooms, further threatening ecosystems and livelihoods.

💚 How can you help 💚

🔹Support Flood-Affected Communities & Animals

🔹Donate to organisations providing emergency relief to affected people and animals. Groups like RSPCA Queensland and WIRES are working tirelessly to rescue and rehabilitate animals in need.

🔹If you're in a safe area, consider setting up clean water and food stations for displaced wildlife and reporting injured animals to local rescue groups.

🔹Help reduce the impact of climate disasters

🔹Advocate for stronger climate policies to protect our communities and environment.

🔹Support sustainable farming and land management practices that help build resilience against extreme weather.

⚠️This flood crisis is yet another wake-up call. We cannot ignore the increasing frequency and intensity of climate-related disasters, they are happening right now, impacting our land, our animals, and our people.

🔹Write to your candidate this election:
https://www.vfca.org.au/get_informed_election

🌍 Together, we can take action to protect our future. Please share this post to raise awareness and support those affected.

30/03/2025

Flood warnings remain in place for vast areas of eastern Australia, after a record-breaking rain event.

Some parts of inland Queensland had their wettest March day for 15 years. Large-scale stock losses are expected in areas where flooding has been severe.

NSW State Emergency Service deputy commissioner Debbie Platz said some interior communities near the NSW-Queensland border should prepare for “long-term” isolation.

“Right across NSW we are experiencing a very dynamic and unpredictable weather system,” Platz said.

“What is happening now is that that is causing flash flooding in our already wet catchments. Flash flooding occurs when we have a significant amount of rain in a very short period of time and the ground is unable to soak that water up."

Our thoughts are with the animals that are and will continue to be impacted by these floods and our changing climate.

29/03/2025

💡🌏This is your reminder that Earth Hour is happening in 5 MINUTES!💡🌏 (8:30pm AEDT)

✨ How can you get involved?
✅ Switch off your lights for one hour.
✅ Use the time to reflect, reconnect, or even stargaze.
✅ Share your Earth Hour experience with us—post a photo or video and tag Vets for Climate Action!

💡🌏Together, we can create a brighter future for animals, people, AND the planet. 🌍💙

29/03/2025

🌏💡 Join Us for Earth Hour! 💡🌏

Tonight, 29th of March at 8:30 PM, people around the world will switch off their lights for Earth Hour!

Earth hour is a powerful movement to raise awareness about climate change and the need for urgent action!

As veterinary professionals, we see firsthand how climate change impacts our wildlife, pets, and farm animals. Rising temperatures, extreme weather, and habitat destruction threaten the very creatures we care for.

By taking part in Earth Hour, you're not just turning off a light, you’re making a statement. A statement that says we care about our planet, its animals, and our shared future. 🌱🐾

✨ How can you get involved?
✅ Switch off your lights for one hour.
✅ Use the time to reflect, reconnect, or even stargaze.
✅ Share your Earth Hour experience with us—post a photo or video and tag Vets for Climate Action!

Together, we can create a brighter future for animals, people, AND the planet. 🌍💙

28/03/2025

A big thank you to Melissa King and Dr Mark Schipp for joining us yesterday in Canberra.

This was a timely opportunity for decision makers to hear directly from veterinary professionals who witness the devastating effects of climate change daily.

We appreciate the Australian Veterinary Association's support for action to protect all animals from climate change.

Yesterday, AVA Chief Executive Melissa King and Director Dr Mark Schipp attended the Vets for Climate Action Morning Tea at Parliament House. It was a great opportunity to engage with veterinary leaders and MPs on the impacts of climate change on animal health, biosecurity, biodiversity, and livelihoods.

Pictured with Melissa and Mark are Member for Warringah Zali Steggall MP, Chair of the Veterinary Workforce Data Taskforce Dr Helen Scott-Orr. the Member for McPherson the Hon. Karen Andrews MP, Dr Catherine Chicken, AVA member and VfCA CEO Steff Goldring.

28/03/2025

Our deep thanks to the Hon. Mr Milton Dick MP for co-hosting an important event at Parliament House yesterday: Veterinary Voices to Parliament.

This was a timely opportunity for decision makers to hear directly from veterinary professionals who witness the devastating effects of climate change daily.

The event was attended by a number of Members of Parliament across the political spectrum, including Mrs Karen Andrews (LNP), Ms Zali Steggall (IND), Ms Mary Doyle (ALP), and Mr Sam Lim (ALP), as well as veterinary colleagues and friends like Dr Mark Schipp, a former Commonwealth Chief Veterinary Officer.

Thank you to everyone who made this event a success.

27/03/2025

🐾At our Veterinarians Voices morning tea we unveiled our Policy Priorities for government to protect our animals, calling for urgent government action, including:

🙏End Fossil Fuel Projects – Stop new coal, oil, and gas projects.
🙏Accelerate Renewable Energy – Fund electrification, efficiency upgrades, and battery storage for homes, businesses, and community facilities like animal shelters.
🙏End Deforestation & Native Forest Logging – Protect vital wildlife habitats.
🙏Strengthen Environmental Laws – Ensure stronger biodiversity protections.
🙏Support Veterinary Professionals – Establish a National Animal Disaster Fund to compensate private vets for emergency care during disasters.
🙏Commit to Low Emissions Agriculture – Promote more sustainable farming.

Read more here:
https: https://www.vfca.org.au/informed_policy_priorities

27/03/2025

🐾🙏With our thanks to The Hon. Mr. Milton Dick MP, Speaker of the House of Representatives (pictured), Vets for Climate Action was pleased to host our Veterinary Voices morning tea.

🐾🙏The event was attended by a number of members of parliament including Mrs Karen Andrews, Ms Zali Steggall (pictured), and Mr Sam Lim. We were pleased to be able to engage with decision makers and share the need for the immediate action on climate to protect our animals.

26/03/2025

📢 We’re Here at Parliament House! 📢

🏛️🐾This morning, our CEO Steff Goldring has arrived at Parliament House, Canberra, ready to amplify the voices of veterinary professionals calling for urgent climate action.

🐨 Five years after the Black Summer Fires, animals are still suffering due to worsening climate disasters. That’s why we’re here today, to demand stronger policies that protect animal health, stop fossil fuel expansion, and support veterinarians on the frontlines of this crisis.

🔥The time for action is now. Stay tuned for updates throughout the day as we take our message straight to decision-makers.

📢 Show your support by commenting below, sharing this post, and tagging your MP. Together, we can make a difference for the animals we love.

26/03/2025

🚨 TODAY: Vets Take Action at Parliament House! 🚨

This morning, veterinary professionals from across Australia are gathering at Parliament House, demanding stronger climate policies to protect animal health.

🐾 What we’re calling for:
✅ End new fossil fuel projects
✅ Protect vital wildlife habitats
✅ Support veterinarians responding to climate disasters
✅ Strengthen environmental laws

📍 Event Details:
📅 TODAY – Thursday, 27 March
⏰ 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM AEDT
📍 Speaker’s Courtyard, Parliament House, Canberra

🐨 Every day, animals suffer due to worsening climate disasters. The next government must take real action. Follow us for updates from Parliament!

26/03/2025

💔 Climate Change is Devastating Our Animals – Vets Are Speaking Up 💔

Imagine this: A koala clinging to a burnt tree, its fur singed. A baby flying fox, orphaned after extreme heat wiped out its colony. A farmer cradling a calf lost to flooding. These aren’t just stories, they’re the heartbreaking reality that veterinarians witness every day.

🐾 Tomorrow 27th of March, Vets for Climate Action is taking this message to Parliament House. Our profession stands united: we need urgent policies to cut climate pollution and protect the animals we love.

⚡ Governments must act. Climate change isn’t just an environmental issue, it’s an animal welfare crisis.

📢 Help us spread the word! Share this post and tag your MP to demand stronger climate policies.

26/03/2025

🔥 Five Years Since Black Summer – We Must Do Better for Our Animals 🔥

Five years after the devastating Black Summer Fires, we are still seeing the impacts of climate pollution on our animals, more bushfires, floods, heatwaves, and disease outbreaks killing wildlife, livestock, and pets.

🚨 This Thursday, vets from across Australia will gather at Parliament House, Canberra, to demand stronger climate action. We’ll be calling for urgent policies to protect animal health, stop new fossil fuel projects, and accelerate the transition to clean energy.

🐨💔 We must act now to prevent another tragedy like Black Summer. Join us in raising awareness and urging our leaders to take meaningful action.

📢 Share this post and follow us for updates on this critical event.

23/03/2025

🐾 ♻️Did you know we have teamed up with Containers for Change?

GUESS WHAT?! One of our Change Makers has returned 109 containers to the Manjimup Depot - this means that this LEGEND has donated their $10.90 refund to Vets for Climate Action and we are SO grateful to you!

Did you know that you are able to show your support to us by donating your used containers in Western Australia or Queensland!

🙌All you have to do is return them to a container refund point (listed on the Containers for Change website below) and donate the funds directly to VfCA using our member number - C11301587 (QLD) or C11320828 (WA).

📌https://ow.ly/Mj5w50SJK7g

😸Simply save your digital receipts or a copy of your return history and seek tax advice before claiming any tax deduction.

🐾🌎You're helping us to protect animal health from the changing climate!

20/03/2025

🌿 International Day of Forests – Protecting Nature, Protecting Our Future 🌿

Today, on International Day of Forests, we celebrate the vital role forests play in sustaining life on Earth. Forests are the lungs of our planet, absorbing carbon dioxide, releasing oxygen, and providing habitat for countless species. They are also a natural defense against climate change, helping to regulate weather patterns, prevent soil erosion, and store vast amounts of carbon.

At Vets for Climate Action, we recognise that healthy animals need a healthy climate, and healthy forests are essential for both. Deforestation and habitat destruction are not only devastating for biodiversity, but they also contribute significantly to global carbon emissions, accelerating climate change.

Protecting and restoring forests is crucial for safeguarding our planet, our wildlife, and the animals we care for every day.

What can you do? 🌱
🌳 Support reforestation and conservation initiatives
🌍 Choose sustainable products that don’t contribute to deforestation
🐾 Advocate for policies that protect wildlife habitats
💚 Reduce your carbon footprint to help protect our planet’s ecosystems

Forests give us so much, it’s time we give back. Let’s take action to protect forests and, in turn, our future.

20/03/2025

🌱🐴 Join us TONIGHT for our FREE Masterclass, Greener Pastures: The start of sustainable solutions for Equine Veterinary Practice. 🐴🌱

Vets for Climate Action invites you to an exclusive FREE Masterclass introducing our upcoming Equine Emissions Reduction Program. A groundbreaking initiative to help equine veterinarians adopt sustainable practices, reduce carbon emissions, and lead climate action in the industry.

🎤 Featuring Dr. Caitlin Wood, an expert in veterinary epidemiology and One Health, sharing insights on sustainability in equine care! This is your chance to ask questions, share insights, and help shape the future of sustainable veterinary practice!

📅 Date: TONIGHT! (Thursday 20th March)
⏰ Time: 7pm AEDT / 6pm AEST / 4pm AWST
📍 Where: Online
🤩 Cost: FREE

🔗 Register now: https://www.vfca.org.au/feb25_masterclass

19/03/2025

🦠🌏 Parasite Awareness Day – why climate action matters more than ever! 🌏🦠

Parasites aren’t just a nuisance, they’re a serious threat to animal AND human health, and unfortunately, with our changing climate, their impact is growing!

Rising temperatures, shifting weather patterns, and increased humidity are creating ideal conditions for parasites to spread to new regions, increasing the risks to our pets, wildlife, and livestock.

On , we’re reminding everyone that climate change isn’t just an environmental issue, it’s a serious health issue.

Warmer climates mean longer parasite seasons, expanding ranges for deadly diseases, and greater challenges for vets and pet owners alike.

By reducing emissions and acting on climate, we can help slow these changes and protect animals from the rising burden of parasites.

🐾💚 Let’s take action today for a healthier tomorrow! Take a look at the resources available on our website here: https://ow.ly/Ra3y50VewbK