Animals hold no responsibility for the causes of climate change, yet they feel the consequences most strongly. Approximately 3 billion animals were killed or displaced by the 2019-20 bushfires, hundreds of thousands more killed by floods, and domestic pets suffer from heat stress each summer. Veterinary professionals and animal carers are on the frontline experiencing the impacts first hand.

Vets also carry deep responsibility for Australia's biosecurity and food production, with livestock contributing $20.4b to our economy. One Health, where human and animal health needs intersect, is of increasing importance, with shared diseases (such as Japanese Encephalitis) spreading rapidly, facilitated by climate change. Vets, vet nurses and the animal care community have a responsibility to use their knowledge, skills and influence to protect animals - and the people who care for them - from climate change

While climate change continues to pose a significant threat to animal health, welfare, production and biodiversity, the good news is we CAN halt catastrophic climate change. That's why we're here ... and that's why we need your support.