Animal Justice Party (AJP) MP Andy Meddick’s motion for Veticare was introduced to Victoria’s upper house recently. When up and running, it would mirror the Medicare scheme in providing free or subsidised vet care for eligible animals. The proposed model will establish a network of public clinics and separate, specialist wildlife centres.

The model will also support vet nurses to become practitioners by upgrading knowledge and skills, allowing nurses to carry out examinations and minor procedures, which would free up vets to focus more on complex cases. Just last year, the Victorian Government introduced vet nursing as a free TAFE course to help address the shortage.

Australia is facing a critical veterinarian shortage too, which is a major drawback for the proposed Veticare model. The government needs to step in and support vets before the crisis worsens. Vets in the USA receive almost double the annual wage of Australian vets. Domestic pet ownership has increased greatly over the last few years, creating not just animal welfare issues, it is driving up prices and placing a lot of pressure on vets to work overtime. It is becoming more common that vet clinics receive abuse from angry clients regarding cost; abuse and violence is a growing problem in public hospitals as well.

Many Aussies take injured wild animals from road accidents and dog attacks to local vets which is very kind of them, however these animals are examined and treated for free, with less than 10% of vets receiving some kind of payment. Ideally the state and federal government should take financial responsibility for wildlife. Vets are also called upon to help following natural disasters like fire and flooding; to help with wildlife, domestic pets and livestock.

Mr Meddick hopes to see Veticare established within twelve months, but it may take longer for the government to make plans and a budget. He stated, “I would be lying if I said it was going to be cheap, I would expect it to be over ten million dollars, but the benefits would far outweigh the costs.” We know statistics have attributed pet ownership as helping people with mental health issues, and with encouraging people of all ages to exercise.

The Veticare system would cover everything for companion animals needing minor care, including a yearly check up with vaccinations, to more serious operations. People who own a domestic pet would pay an annual fee and receive a Veticare card. Like Medicare, Veticare card holders would pay a schedule fee and be charged a gap fee, with concessions for pensioners and welfare recipients. There would be a need to work with Councils and their distribution of dog and cat registration fees. The proposal is an Australian first, and possibly a world first.

Pam Brandis,
Dip. Canine Prac.