After nearly seven years of policy, advocacy and leadership work, the time has come for Vets for Climate Action to take its next step. Through ongoing conversations with our members, partners and the wider veterinary community, it became clear that our name and identity needed to grow with us.

We're excited to share that we are rebranding as the Australian Veterinary Environmental Alliance (AVEA).

The rebrand also reflects a broader development. Two years ago, the then President of the World Veterinary Association, Dr Rafael Laguens, spent a week here in Australia to better understand what VfCA had built. He toured leading sustainable practices, met with local, state and federal MPs, and spent time with our patron Professor Peter Doherty, discussing how this model could be scaled.

That conversation has now produced the World Veterinary Environmental Alliance (WVEA) — a global body enabling veterinary organisations to collaborate on climate, sustainability and biodiversity. The initiative has grown directly from the foundational work developed here in Australia, and international partnerships are already emerging in exciting and unexpected ways. Every member of VfCA should feel proud that an Australian initiative has helped shape a growing global movement.

The Australian Veterinary Environmental Alliance will continue our existing initiatives — the Climate Care Program, Sustainable Equine Futures, and the Masterclass series — and through WVEA these can now be shared internationally.

Steff Goldring has been an extraordinary CEO over the past three years, and the position AVEA now occupies — both nationally and as the parent of a global initiative — is in no small part her achievement. We are deeply grateful to her, and wish her every success in what comes next. She will finish her tenure with us on 10 July 2026. 

We will continue to update you via email over the coming weeks and invite you to join a Town Hall on Thursday, 18 June 2026 to learn more and ask questions. Please save the date, and we'll send joining details shortly.

Your continued involvement is what will carry this next chapter.

Thank you for your support and for everything you have contributed to this movement.

If you have any questions before the Town Hall, please contact the Board on [email protected].

With gratitude,

Dr Catherine Harper on behalf of the Board, Dr Jeannet Kessels, Dr Helen Scott-Orr AM PSM, & Mr Wayne Wescott

Vets for Climate Action