A new voice for the veterinary profession
Our mission
The Progressive Veterinary Association aims to effect positive change for all animals. We will provide a leading, progressive voice within the veterinary profession on issues of animal welfare and protection, irrespective of corporate or vested interest.
Our core values
We recognise animal sentience and hold the welfare of animals at the fore of everything we do.
We support vets in their ethical stance on issues of animal protection.
We recognise an environmental and extinction emergency and call for urgent action on climate change and biodiversity loss.
We use scientific evidence and the precautionary principle to inform decision-making processes.
Our work
Science based
Whether animals be wild, farmed, within laboratories or zoological collections, kept as pets or used for entertainment, we will elucidate science-based and evidence led policies for their welfare, protection and liberation from oppression and suffering where possible.
Campaigns
The PVA is an ethically driven campaigning organisation, always focussing on the welfare and protection of animals.
“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated. I hold that the more helpless a creature the more entitled it is to protection… from the cruelty of humankind.”
— Mahatma Gandhi
Confidential space
The PVA will provide a safe, accessible and confidential space in which members can raise animal welfare-related concerns in a veterinary context, and give members the opportunity to voice concerns with the support of like minded colleagues.
Membership
Membership is open to veterinary surgeons, vet students, RVNs and student nurses both in the UK and globally - as well as those retired. Members of the public may join as Associate members.
Origins
Groups of vets working together on various issues expressed concerns that welfare and animal protection had not been given sufficient weight within our profession - this led to the formation and crystallisation of the Progressive Veterinary Association.
Challenging the cull
Landmark study finds no evidence for the efficacy of killing badgers in controlling bTB in cattle
A 2022 peer-reviewed study published in Vet Record by Tom Langton, Mark Jones and PVA director Iain McGill analysed bTB data for the High Risk Area of England for bovine TB between 2009 and 2020 - and found no beneficial effect of culling badgers in terms of disease control in cattle.
End the slaughter
A group of high-profile vets wrote to the former Prime Minister urging him to halt the expansion of the Government’s controversial badger cull.
Support our work
Help us campaign for animal welfare and protection whilst representing the veterinary profession in wider society.