Recognising abuse in animals and humans
Veterinary Team Guidance - Safeguarding People And Animals - The Links Group
Animal abuse does not confront us every day, but when it does, veterinary teams and animal welfare professionals often find it difficult to know what to do. The situation becomes even more complex if there is a human victim to consider.
AWF has worked with The Links Group to create this comprehensive guidance booklet, ‘Suspected Abuse of Animals and People: Guidance for the Veterinary Team’. This resource supports all members of the veterinary practice team to recognise and act on suspected abuse in pets and people. Every member of the team can play a vital role in identifying the signs of non-accidental injury, which are set out in this guidance. This vital resource provides the knowledge to recognise signs of abuse and the confidence to report it. This guidance document is regularly updated. The most current format can be accessed and freely downloaded from The Links Group website here.
From the increasing number of calls for advice to the RCVS Professional Conduct department and the Veterinary Defence Society, it is evident that abuse in either animals or vulnerable humans is being recognised more frequently by veterinary practices. Although The Links Group have been providing training on “The Link” between abuse of animals and abuse of people to undergraduate veterinary students in the UK for over 20 years, some more senior members of the profession may have received no training at all.
AWF has supported The Links Group in providing training and resources on “The Link” and awareness of the specialist domestic abuse animal fostering services now covering most areas of the UK. These training opportunities and resources are available to all members of the veterinary team and animal welfare teams, as well as those professionals involved in the welfare and safeguarding of people.
We would encourage each practice to consider putting a practice protocol in place by identifying a ‘Links Advisor’ who will be the go-to person if there are concerns.
Tail docking dogs
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Produced in response to queries from vets, this leaflet outlines the regulations which apply to different countries in the UK and offers advice for vets in handling a range of scenarios.
The Puppy Contract
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The Puppy contract is a tool designed to ensure puppies are bred and sold responsibly.
Promote the Puppy Contract in your practice to support prospective buyer looking to purchase a puppy by downloading our poster.
Visit the Puppy Contract website: http://puppycontract.org.uk/